Samsung's Galaxy A Series: Surprisingly Good Budget and Mid-Range Phones

While Samsung's Galaxy S series hogs the spotlight, the Galaxy A series offers compelling alternatives for budget-conscious consumers. These phones deliver impressive value, exceeding expectations for their price points.

The Price Advantage

Galaxy S phones, now rivaling iPhones in cost (starting around $800 for the base model and $1200 for the Ultra), offer powerful specs that most users won't fully utilize. Premium materials are often wasted as many users immediately encase their phones, negating the tactile experience. The Galaxy A series, however, offers a practical alternative. The A16 5G starts at $200, and the mid-range A35 at $400—a fraction of the S series cost. You could buy a whole family of Galaxy A phones for the price of a single Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Closing the Design Gap

Budget phones were once easily distinguishable, but that's no longer the case. From a distance, the Galaxy A and S series are nearly identical in shape and size (excluding the Ultra). While the A series may use plastic instead of metal, the difference is only noticeable upon closer inspection. Subtle differences exist—thicker bezels on the A series and a more prominent camera notch on the entry-level A16. However, the A35's punch-hole camera makes it harder to distinguish from its higher-priced counterparts. The backs of the A16, A35, S24 FE, and S24 are remarkably similar.

The image above highlights the striking similarity in design across the Galaxy S24 models. This design consistency minimizes the visual distinction between price tiers, making the A series even more appealing.

Performance Parity for Everyday Use

While enthusiasts appreciate high-resolution screens and high refresh rates, most users won't notice a significant performance difference between the A and S series. The A16 5G boasts a 1080p display with a high pixel density, and while the base 4GB RAM and 128GB storage might feel limiting for some, upgrades to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage are available.

Cameras: More Than Adequate

While high-end phone cameras offer superior detail and bokeh effects, the Galaxy A series' cameras are surprisingly competent for everyday use. They significantly outperform older flagship phones, making them ideal for capturing everyday moments. The A35 offers improvements over the A16, featuring an 8MP ultrawide camera (vs. 5MP) and a 5MP macro camera (vs. 2MP), along with 4K video recording.

Exceptional Software Support

Budget phones often suffer from short software lifecycles, becoming obsolete quickly. Samsung bucks this trend. The Galaxy A series receives extensive software support, offering four years of Android version updates (previously) and now six years with the A16 5G, surpassing many premium phones. This long-term support is crucial for ensuring security and functionality.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A series provides a compelling alternative to the flagship S series, offering excellent value and performance for budget-conscious consumers. While some differences exist, they are often negligible for everyday users. Samsung's commitment to long-term software support further enhances the appeal of these surprisingly capable devices.

Samsung Galaxy A15: A Budget Champion

The Samsung Galaxy A15 is a standout budget option under $200. It features a sleek design, a vibrant 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, a large 5,000mAh battery, and a capable triple 50MP camera system. While lacking some premium features like wireless charging, it offers exceptional value with expandable storage and extensive software support.

$200 at Amazon | See at Samsung

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