Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 Phone Features and Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is a powerhouse of a phone, boasting a 1.9 GHz octa-core processor that ensures seamless performance.

Its 3GB of RAM provides ample memory for multitasking, allowing you to switch between apps without any lag.

The phone's 16GB of internal storage can be expanded up to 256GB with a microSD card, giving you plenty of space for your photos, music, and apps.

It's also equipped with a 3000mAh battery that provides a full day's worth of battery life.

Consider reading: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen Bluetooth

The Galaxy A5 2017 phone was a solid choice for those looking for a reliable Android device. It ran on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box, but was later updated to Android 7.0 Nougat and then Android 8.0 Oreo.

This phone featured an Exynos 7880SoC, which consisted of 8 ARMCortex-A53 cores backed by the Mali-T830 GPU. This was a powerful combination that provided smooth performance.

The Galaxy A5 2017 had 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, which was expandable up to 256 GB via a dedicated MicroSD slot. This was a significant improvement over its predecessors, which had a shared slot for SIM cards and storage.

A fresh viewpoint: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Phone Release Date

The phone's battery was non-removable, but it had a decent capacity of 3000mAh. It also supported fast charging, which was a convenient feature.

The Galaxy A5 2017 was IP68 water-resistant, meaning it could withstand being submerged in water. It also had an Always On Display feature, which showed a clock, calendar, and notifications even when the screen was off.

The phone's design was sleek, with a 3D glass backing and Gorilla Glass 4 protection. It was available in various regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Here are the different variants of the Galaxy A5 2017:

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone has a sleek design with dimensions of 146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 157 g. It's made of glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, and an aluminum frame.

The phone's build quality is impressive, with a single SIM or dual SIM option, and IP68 dust and water resistance up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.

The display is a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors, a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, and a 71.5% screen-to-body ratio.

Here are the technical specifications of the phone:

* Dimensions and Weight: 146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9 mm, 157 g (5.54 oz)Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, aluminum frameSIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Samsung PayIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)

The phone runs on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), with an Exynos 7880 (14 nm) chipset, an octa-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, and a Mali-T830MP3 GPU.

Consider reading: Dual Clock

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy A5 is a mid-range snapper that produces well-considered shots in good light. It has a 16MP f/1.9 camera both front and back, and the autofocus is quick, so you can fire off shot after shot.

In daylight, the shots produced are crisp and bright, with realistic colour reproduction. The camera interface has been simplified, with less fuss to get in the way of taking great photos.

Selfies in good light look pretty good too, with a large aperture that gives them a really nice depth of field.

You might enjoy: Camera Timer

The camera on the Galaxy A5 is a mid-range snapper that produces well-considered shots in good light.

In daylight, the shots are crisp and bright, with realistic colour reproduction. The autofocus is quick, so you can fire off shot after shot.

The camera interface has been simplified, making it easier to use. However, you'll lose some of the manual options you'd find on flagship phones.

Selfies in good light look pretty good too, with a large aperture that gives them a nice depth of field. They're a little smoother due to the lack of autofocus on the front lens.

Low light is where the camera struggles, particularly because of the lack of optical image stabilisation. Pictures lack detail and look a bit smudgy, especially around the edges of the shot.

Here's an interesting read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Leak

The A5's audio performance is a mixed bag. It's not bad, but it's not great either.

The sound is well-balanced, with a decent amount of bass weight available when needed. Vocals are clear and cohesive, and the treble is kept under control.

It'll play hi-res files, but it downsamples them. You can hear the difference, especially with files that usually sound airy and dynamic.

The audio performance falls short of Samsung's current flagship handsets. It's an average performance, lacking the tightness and crispness needed to really get your toes tapping.

For your interest: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone has some notable performance and cons.

The video quality could be improved, as it's described as being a little sharper than desired.

Some users might find that the phone's audio is disappointing, which could be a drawback for music lovers.

Here are some of the phone's notable cons:

The Samsung A5's performance is a highlight of this device. It's smooth and responsive in use, and though it might be a fraction slower than a flagship device, it's not noticeable.

The A5 runs on Samsung's octa-core Exynos 7880 with 3GB RAM, a mid-range chipset that's slightly slower than what you'll find in flagships.

This chipset is supported by a decent GPU, which can run graphics-heavy games like Asphalt 8 at full resolution without stutters.

The A5's battery life is also impressive, with a 3000mAh battery that can easily see you through a day of medium-to-heavy use.

On half brightness, streaming from Netflix over wi-fi only drops the battery by 5 per cent in an hour, which is respectable indeed.

Fast charging via the USB-C port is also a great feature, allowing you to reach around 80 per cent from empty in an hour.

The A5 is also waterproof to IP68, meaning you can submerge it to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes without worrying about damage.

The Samsung Galaxy A5 isn't perfect, but what phone is? Let's take a look at some of its drawbacks.

The video quality could be a bit sharper, but it's still perfectly watchable.

Some phones in the same price range have better specs, which might be a consideration for tech enthusiasts.

The audio is disappointing, which might be a bummer for music lovers.

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone has a 5.2in screen that uses Super AMOLED technology, but with a resolution of 1080p Full HD, which is lower than the 2K displays of flagship phones.

The screen's resolution is noticeable, especially when viewing text on webpages or watching videos, as it can look soft and less crisp than on a more capable handset.

To work on this device, you'll need some common tools, including a Suction Handle, iFixit Opening Picks, and a Phillips #00 Screwdriver.

The Galaxy A5's screen uses the same Super AMOLED technology as Samsung's flagship phones, but with a lower resolution of 1080p Full HD.

This reduction in resolution is noticeable, especially for those used to pricier handsets, and can make text on webpages appear less crisp.

The screen has a bit of a soft spot for outlining in video, and can struggle to portray fine details, leaving images looking less crisp than on a flagship display.

However, the screen's video performance is still bright and punchy, and relatively stable, although it can show a bit of banding in bright scenes.

Samsung has managed to improve the colour balance on this year's model, with the default Adaptive Display offering a more realistic colour palette, although it can leave whites wanting a bit.

The AMOLED Cinema setting is still the best option for vibrant colours with more depth and believability, but it can make whites appear slightly dimmer.

The tools you'll need to work on your device are listed below, but don't worry if you don't need every single one for every procedure.

See what others are reading: Do I Need Onedrive on My Android Phone

You'll find a variety of tools in the list, including suction handles, which are perfect for removing debris or dust from your device.

A set of iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) will come in handy for prying open your device's casing.

Plastic cards are also useful for gently prying open your device.

A heat gun can be used to heat up adhesive strips, making it easier to remove them.

You'll need a Phillips #00 Screwdriver to drive screws.

A spudger is a flat tool that's great for prying and scraping around your device's edges.

A precision utility knife can be used to cut through various materials.

Tesa 61395 Tape can be used to secure cables or other components in place.

You'll need a pair of tweezers to handle small components or debris.

Here's a list of the tools you'll need:

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone has received mixed reviews from critics.

Some reviewers praised the phone's build quality and performance, noting that the difference in speed between the A3 and A5 models is not great in everyday usage.

The A5's camera was also assessed as above-average in its market segment.

However, the phone's price was seen unfavorably by some, particularly the A3 model.

The price of the A5 was judged as reasonable, but not the best value for the money.

The phone's audio quality was also a sticking point for some reviewers, who felt it was poor compared to other models.

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 still has some great features, including its performance and build quality, which make it worth considering.

The phone's price tag of £350 was seen as a bit steep by some reviewers, who felt that last year's flagships were better value for the money.

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone was announced in January 2017 as part of the Galaxy A series.

It was introduced alongside the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017), which differ in screen size. The A5 features a 5.2-inch display.

These devices marked Samsung's first product launch since the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note 7 in October 2016.

The Galaxy A5 (2017) was available in January 2017 across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but it took until September 2017 to reach the United States.

The phone includes 32 GB of storage, which can be expanded up to 256 GB with removable storage.

It features fast-charging capabilities and a non-removable 3000 mAh battery.

The manufacturer claimed that the battery can last a full day under heavy use, and Samsung's Power Saving features can extend the battery life to about two days.

The Galaxy A5 (2017) is dust resistant and can withstand immersion in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.

It features front and rear 16-megapixel cameras designed for low-light conditions.

The phone also includes an "Always on Display", which shows a calendar, clock, and notifications when the device is on standby.

The Galaxy A5 (2017) has a scratch-resistant 3D glass backing and a metal frame.

The fingerprint sensor, however, is known to be troublesome.

The Galaxy A line was made available in black, gold, blue, and pink.