Samsung Galaxy A05 Review – Best $100 Smartphone for 2024?

Samsung continues to make its mark, not just in the market of high-end devices but also in the budget-friendly segment. The Samsung Galaxy A05, the latest entrant in their affordable A-series lineup, has garnered attention for promising a blend of performance, style, and value. Priced competitively, the A05 stands out in a market saturated with options from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and others vying for dominance in the budget category. Samsung’s strategy has often involved balancing cost with features, and the A05 is no exception. From its design aesthetics to its internal hardware, the device aims to deliver a balanced user experience. But how well does it achieve this goal?

In this review, we dissect the Samsung Galaxy A05’s offerings, from its design and display to its performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. We also evaluate its software, user interface, and overall value proposition. Whether you’re a first-time smartphone buyer or someone looking for an affordable yet reliable secondary phone, this review will provide you with the insights needed to decide if the Galaxy A05 is the right choice for you.

Samsung Galaxy A05 Features

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy A05 continues Samsung’s tradition of sleek, modern designs. The device features a streamlined look with rounded corners, contributing to a comfortable grip and easy handling. It features a minimalist yet elegant look, often a characteristic of higher-end models. Despite being an entry-level model, the A05 does not compromise on its visual appeal, offering a design that could easily be mistaken for a higher-end model at first glance.

The Samsung Galaxy A05 features a 6.7-inch HD+ PLS display, marking a significant improvement in screen real estate and visual clarity compared to its predecessors. The bezels around the display are modest, with a slightly thicker bottom bezel, but they still achieve an impressive 82.1% screen-to-body ratio. This design ensures that the front of the device is dominated by the screen. The front camera is housed in a notch at the top of the display. This 8MP front-facing camera is designed to be unobtrusive, blending seamlessly with the overall aesthetics of the screen. The placement of the camera does not significantly impede the viewing area, ensuring that the notch is more of a subtle feature.

Despite its large screen size, the A05 is designed to be comfortable to hold. Its edges are smoothly curved, ensuring an easy grip. However, the glossy finish can be prone to fingerprint smudges and may be slippery, suggesting the use of a protective case for better grip and protection.

The device boasts a glossy finish on the back, giving it a premium feel, although it is made of plastic (or ‘glasstic’ as Samsung terms it) rather than the glass and metal typically found in more expensive models. This choice of material keeps the phone lightweight while still maintaining an upscale appearance. The phone is available in a range of colors and Its aesthetic design makes it hard to distinguish from more expensive Samsung models at first glance, offering the prestige of a high-end-looking device at a fraction of the cost.

The Galaxy A05’s plastic build, while less durable than metal, offers a reasonable compromise between cost and resilience. The plastic body is more resistant to shattering upon impact compared to glass-backed phones, a common concern for many users. However, it may be more susceptible to scratches, so using a case is advisable for additional protection. One notable omission in the A05 design is the lack of a fingerprint scanner, a feature that has become quite common even in budget smartphones.

The placement of buttons and ports on the A05 is intuitive and user-friendly. Physical buttons are tactile and conveniently located for easy access. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a significant plus, catering to users who prefer traditional wired headphones.

Display Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A05 boasts a 6.7-inch LCD display, offering a sizable screen for a device in its price range. This display size is ideal for a range of activities, from browsing the web and social media to watching videos and playing games. The resolution of the screen is 720p, which, while not the highest available on the market, is adequate for most everyday tasks and media consumption. The screen’s resolution balances the need for clear and crisp visuals with considerations for battery life and device performance.

Samsung is known for its quality displays, and the Galaxy A05 is no exception within its budget constraints. The colors are vibrant and bright, contributing to an enjoyable viewing experience. The LCD panel ensures reasonable color accuracy and contrast levels, making images and videos appear natural and lively.

However, it’s important to note that the display’s performance under direct sunlight might not be as strong due to its brightness limitations. This could affect outdoor usability in bright conditions. Additionally, the viewing angles are decent; there is some noticeable color shift when the device is tilted, but this is typical for LCD screens and should not significantly detract from the overall user experience.

One notable omission is the refresh rate: the Galaxy A05 comes with a standard 60Hz display. While this is common in budget smartphones, some competitors have started to offer higher refresh rates like 90Hz, which provide smoother scrolling and better responsiveness. While the average user might not find this a major drawback, it’s an area where potential improvements could enhance the user experience significantly.

Performance and Hardware Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy A05 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 processor. This chipset, although not the newest in the market, delivers a commendable balance of efficiency and performance, especially considering the phone’s budget-friendly nature. The A05 comes in various configurations, with options for 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and storage options of 64GB or 128GB, expandable via a microSD card. This flexibility allows users to choose a model that best fits their needs and budget.

The Helio G85, primarily known for its stable performance in mid-range devices, handles everyday tasks with ease. From browsing the web, and streaming videos, to using social media apps, the A05 performs smoothly without noticeable lags. It’s worth noting that the phone operates on a 4G network, which, while not as fast as 5G, still provides adequate speed for most users.

Real Usage and Gaming Performance

In terms of gaming, the Galaxy A05 manages to hold its own within the limitations of its hardware. Casual games run without any hitches, offering a pleasant gaming experience. However, when it comes to more graphically demanding games, the device needs to be set to lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth gameplay experience. Games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile are playable but don’t expect the same level of performance you would find in higher-end devices.

Multitasking on the A05 is a mixed bag. The 4GB RAM variant can handle a fair number of apps running simultaneously, but you might notice some slowdowns when switching between heavy applications or during intensive multitasking. The 6GB RAM variant offers a slightly more fluid experience, though it’s still not on par with more powerful devices.

The A05’s thermal management is worth mentioning. During extended use, be it gaming or video streaming, the device maintains a relatively cool temperature. This efficient heat management ensures comfortable handling, even during prolonged usage.

Benchmark Analysis

When it comes to benchmarking, the Galaxy A05 presents interesting results. The Helio G85 processor performs adequately in standard benchmark tests like Geekbench and AnTuTu, reflecting its capability to handle everyday tasks smoothly. So, for Geekbench Scores, you will get a single-core score in the range of 350-400 and a multi-core score around 750-800. In AnTuTu, a comprehensive benchmark that tests various aspects of performance including CPU, GPU, memory, and UX, the phone score is around 220,000 to 230,000 points.

In GPU-intensive benchmarks, the A05 shows limitations. While it can run casual games efficiently, the performance drops when it comes to more graphically demanding titles. This is consistent with user experiences, suggesting that the device is more suitable for light gaming rather than for graphics-heavy games.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy A05 operates on Android 13, topped with Samsung’s custom One UI Core 5.1. This ‘Core’ version of One UI is a streamlined iteration, specifically tailored for budget devices like the A05. It brings a user-friendly and intuitive interface, ensuring ease of navigation even for those who might be new to smartphones or Samsung’s ecosystem. This interface provides a smooth, albeit simplified experience compared to the fuller One UI versions found in Samsung’s higher-end models.

One of the standout features of One UI Core 5.1 is its focus on delivering a clean and uncluttered user experience. It comes with essential features such as Dark Mode, which is easier on the eyes and power-saving, and customizable Always On Display. However, it does strip back on some advanced features like Samsung DeX and Edge Panels, aiming to maintain performance efficiency on the hardware. A unique aspect of the A05’s software experience is the wallpaper theming. This allows users to match the color of app icons with their chosen wallpaper, giving a personalized touch to the phone’s aesthetics.

The user interface of the Galaxy A05 is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. The layout is clean, with easily identifiable icons and a coherent color scheme that enhances readability. Transitions and animations are fluid, contributing to a pleasant user experience. However, the absence of some features like Secure Folder and Knox security might be felt by users who are accustomed to these in Samsung’s more premium offerings.

While the Core version of One UI offers a solid experience, it’s important to note its limitations. The absence of advanced features like screen recording and certain security features may affect users who need more from their devices. Additionally, the lack of a fingerprint sensor means that users are limited to less secure unlocking methods like face recognition or traditional PINs and patterns.

Software Updates and Security

Samsung’s promise of consistent software updates is a significant plus for the Galaxy A05. The company has committed to providing regular updates, which means users can expect to receive at least two major Android updates. This commitment to software longevity is a strong selling point, especially within the budget smartphone market, where long-term software support is often lacking.

Camera Capabilities

At the heart of the A05’s photographic prowess is its rear camera setup, led by a 50-megapixel main sensor. This high-resolution camera is a standout feature for a phone in this price bracket. Analyzing the camera’s performance, the A05 impresses in daylight conditions. The main camera captures sharp, colorful images with a respectable dynamic range, balancing light and shadow effectively. However, in lower light settings, the camera tends to struggle with noise and loss of detail, a common trait in budget smartphones.

The camera software of the A05 is imbued with AI capabilities, designed to intuitively enhance photo quality. This AI integration works silently in the background, optimizing scenes and enhancing colors to ensure that the photos you take are lively and share-worthy. The camera app also offers a variety of shooting modes, including the ever-popular portrait mode, a panoramic mode for wide scenes, and a pro mode for those who desire more control over their photography. However, the night mode, a staple in many modern smartphones, is somewhat limited in the A05, reflecting its budget nature.

Complementing the primary camera is a 2-megapixel depth sensor. While it might not sound impressive on paper, this sensor plays a crucial role in enhancing portrait photography. It aids in creating a natural-looking bokeh effect, allowing for a pleasing subject-background separation that adds a touch of professionalism to your photos.

Transitioning to the front of the device, the Galaxy A05 houses an 8-megapixel selfie camera. This front-facing camera is perfectly serviceable for regular selfie enthusiasts and video calling. While it doesn’t break new ground in terms of advanced features or exceptional low-light performance, it adequately serves the requirements of the average user.

When it comes to video, the Galaxy A05 can record up to 1080p resolution at both 30 and 60 frames per second. This capability ensures that your video clips are of decent quality, and suitable for capturing everyday moments. The phone, however, lacks advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS), so users will need a steady hand to avoid shaky footage.

Battery Life and Charging

The Samsung Galaxy A05 comes equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, a capacity that is becoming standard for many budget smartphones. This hefty battery size plays a crucial role in the overall user experience, especially for users who prioritize long-lasting performance throughout the day. In real-world usage, the Galaxy A05 impressively holds up against various tasks, including browsing, streaming, and moderate gaming. For the average user, the phone can easily last a full day and potentially extend into a second day with lighter use.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy A05 is its support for 25W fast charging. In a market segment where fast charging is often a luxury, the inclusion of this feature is a significant advantage. When using the 25W charger, the Galaxy A05 can be powered from 0 to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, which is quite impressive for a budget device. However, it’s important to note that Samsung does not include a 25W charger in the box, following a trend seen in their higher-end models. This means users will need to purchase the charger separately to take advantage of the fast charging capabilities.

Network and Wireless Connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy A05 offers a solid range of connectivity options. It supports 4G LTE, ensuring fast and reliable mobile data speeds for streaming, browsing, and downloading. The phone also includes Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy A05 does not support 5G. The device includes a built-in FM radio, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare in smartphones but is still valued by many users. This feature can be especially useful in areas with limited internet connectivity or for those who enjoy local radio content. The Galaxy A05, however, lacks NFC, limiting its use for contactless payments and data-sharing capabilities.

Price and Value Proposition

The Samsung Galaxy A05 enters the market as an affordable option, priced around $100 to $115 depending on the region and specific configurations. This price point places the Galaxy A05 squarely in the competitive budget smartphone segment, where it faces stiff competition from brands like Xiaomi, Infinix, Tecno, and Realme. At this price, the Galaxy A05 offers a compelling value proposition for those looking for a reliable smartphone experience without breaking the bank. The device is tailored for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize essential smartphone functionalities over high-end specs.

When compared to its competitors in the same price bracket, the Galaxy A05 holds its ground with a few standout features. It boasts a larger display, a decent processor in the form of the MediaTek Helio G85, and Samsung’s promise of software updates, which is a rarity in this segment. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as the lack of a high refresh rate display and a fingerprint scanner, features that are becoming increasingly common in budget smartphones.

The Galaxy A05 offers a balanced mix of features for its price. The phone’s display, while only 720p, provides a satisfactory visual experience for everyday use. The camera setup, led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, is capable of capturing good-quality photos under favorable conditions, which is impressive for a phone at this price point. Additionally, the 25W fast charging capability is a notable inclusion, though the absence of a charger in the box might offset this advantage for some buyers.

This smartphone is an excellent choice for first-time smartphone buyers, students, or those needing a secondary, budget-friendly device. It’s also suited for users who prefer a straightforward, no-frills smartphone experience and value the reliability of a brand like Samsung.

Comparison with Previous Models

When analyzing the Samsung Galaxy A05, it’s essential to compare it with its predecessor, the Galaxy A04, to appreciate the advancements and changes Samsung has implemented. This comparison helps potential buyers understand the progress in the A-Series and whether the A05 is a worthy upgrade.

Feature Category	Samsung Galaxy A04	Samsung Galaxy A05
Design	MediaTek Helio G85 is better for gaming and multitasking.	Refined design, closer to higher-end models, premium feel.
Display	Basic LCD screen, 720p resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate.	MediaTek Helio P35 is adequate for basic tasks.
Performance	A similar rear camera improved the selfie camera resolution.	Improved brightness and color, same resolution, and refresh rate.
Camera	Dual-camera setup (50 MP main, 2 MP depth), basic selfie cam.	The omission of the fingerprint sensor and other features are unchanged.
Software and Updates	Earlier Android version, standard update policy.	Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core, longer update support.
Battery and Charging	Solid battery life, standard charging speed.	Strong battery life, faster charging (up to 25W, charger not included).
Unique Features	Standard budget phone features.	Slightly higher price, better performance, and design value.
Price and Value	Budget-friendly, basic functionality.	The omission of the fingerprint sensor, and other features are unchanged.