How to open the cover of galaxy a5. Samsung Galaxy A5 – the most comprehensive smartphone review

Samsung has resisted the release of metal smartphones for a very long time, because it is technologically more complex and expensive (not so much the material itself, but its processing, in particular the percentage of defects). There were already metal smartphones on other OSs (for example, Wave II on bada), but not all-metal ones, and besides, this is not such a mass segment as Android market. Koreans are well aware that metal, when produced in large quantities, presents many different technological problems that Apple, HTC and other fans of this material in smartphones constantly face. Either there are problems with reception, then the paint is peeling, then the body is bending, then the parts are not fitted neatly, then the painting is uneven, etc. Therefore, it is quite natural for Samsung to want to stick to plastic to the last. But the market situation forced the Koreans to reconsider their approach.

The fact is that quarterly Samsung results They come out sadder every time. This is the only brand in the top ten largest manufacturers that is losing share. At the same time, the company remains a leader in sales, but for how long? The main problem for Koreans is not American Apple, and several Chinese giants at once, primarily Xiaomi. They offer advanced smartphones with good performance for reasonable money. And against this background, Samsung wins only through the strength of its brand. IN lately The marketing efforts of the Korean brand are decreasing (in a number of markets, in particular in Russia), while audience dissatisfaction with the pricing policy, case materials, TouchWiz interface and other Samsung attributes is growing.

The company is hastily trying to respond to the challenge of the Chinese threat, but time is running out. While Samsung considered Apple its main enemy, competitors such as Xiaomi, Lenovo, Huawei and others grew, became stronger and are now actively advancing. At the same time, LG has become more active, its latest products are very good (and the G3 is even very good). A reasonable question arises: why buy a plastic GALAXY S5 more expensive if there is more affordable smartphones like Xiaomi Mi4 with metal and other nice bonuses? For now, the only answer is a more well-known brand, if that's important to you. But Samsung understands that this is not enough for many, and is now trying to offer better products. Let's see what came out of this using the example of the new GALAXY A3/A5.

We live in an interesting time when it is no longer the Chinese who are catching up with Samsung, but vice versa.

Characteristics

• Network: EDGE/GPRS/GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), LTE, Dual-SIM (one of the SIM card slots is combined with microSD)
• Operating system: Android 4.4.4 (Kitkat), TouchWiz interface
• Processor: Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 with a frequency of 1.2 GHz
• Memory: 16 GB, microSD slot, 1 GB A3 RAM, 2 GB A5 RAM
• Display: Super AMOLED, 4.5" qHD A3, 5" HD A5
• Camera: main 8 MP A3, 13 MP A5, flash, Full HD video, front 5 MP
• Communications: 802.11 b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth: 4.0 (BLE,ANT+), USB 2.0, FM radio, LTE Cat 4, A-GPS / GLONASS
• Battery: non-removable, 1900 mAh A3, 2300 mAh A5
• Sensors: accelerometer, gesture sensor, digital compass, magnetic sensor
• Additional features: maximum power saving mode, changing custom themes, private mode(A5), "2 active windows" mode (A5), function quick connection(A5)
• Dimensions, weight: 130.1 x 65.5 x 6.9 mm, 110.3 g A3, 139.3 x 69.7 x 6.7 mm, 123 g A5

Design, ergonomics

Company Samsung started change the design of their smartphones with an eye on Chinese manufacturers. First of all, models with a metal frame came out – GALAXY Alpha and Note 4 / Note Edge. Now the manufacturer is moving to a new level - an all-metal case. But so that the Koreans would not be accused of copying, it was decided to add a special coating to the metal and paint it in different colors. The frame along the contour is uncoated, but also painted in the color of the body (like Note 4 / Note Edge). Available options are white, black, silver, pink, light blue and gold.

Design is a matter of taste. But, in my opinion, making a metal smartphone and stylizing it as plastic is, to put it mildly, strange. Metal in GALAXY A3/A5 is indicated only by temperature (colder in the cold, warmer when starting games). Otherwise, it looks and feels like regular matte plastic, it’s impossible to tell the difference. Only unpainted sections of the frame are noticeable, from which we can at least somehow understand that this is a premium model, and not regular Samsung one and a half to two times cheaper. In general, the Koreans took a very non-trivial approach to the idea of ​​​​creating all-metal smartphones.

Samsung has managed to release all-metal smartphones that look and feel like all plastic.

It can be assumed that this was done in order not to frighten loyal fans of the brand with the new material, and also to facilitate the task of painting in different colors. By the way, regarding painting, the traditional question is relevant: when will the coating begin to peel off? After several days of testing, it’s difficult to say anything about its durability, but even if your smartphone just falls and gets scratched, it can be expensive. The fact is that, unlike the same GALAXY Alpha and Note 4 / Note Edge, the A3/A5 models have a non-removable back cover with all that it entails (including a non-replaceable battery, by the way). Just pick it up and replace it back cover it won't work.

The layout of the elements of the A3 and A5 models is identical. On the left is the volume rocker, on the right is the power button and slots for SIM cards and microSD, at the bottom is a 3.5 mm audio jack and microUSB. There are also microphones at the top and bottom. Interesting point: On the right there are two slots, one of which is used for SIM card and card microSD memory, but only one media can be inserted into it, i.e. Either you have a dual-SIM smartphone without a memory card, or a single-SIM smartphone with a card. A strange decision by Korean engineers.

Hardware filling

Samsung GALAXY A3/A5 are based on quad-core Qualcomm processor Snapdragon 410 with clock frequency 1.2 GHz. It is made using 28 nm technology. Adreno 306 graphics used. Results synthetic tests correspond to the chipset level, they are average. The downside is good time work, but more on that later. In reality, performance is good, however, if you add content (photos, videos, applications, etc.), TouchWiz traditionally lags in some scenarios. However, this is not a hardware problem, but a software issue. The A3 model has 1 GB of RAM, which is not always enough for Samsung's proprietary interface. The A5 has more - 2 GB. As for heating, it is at the level of plastic models, i.e. quite moderate, this is due to the coating of the body. The benchmark results are extremely similar, the difference is at the level of synthetic error. The numbers for both the younger and older models are quite modest:

Memory in both smartphones is 16 GB (12 GB available to the user), microSD media up to 64 GB is supported. As for communications, there is complete order, the only thing missing is a function fast charging(like Note 4). NFC and LTE are here to stay. The latter is especially valuable given the low-cost entry-level chipset that Samsung uses in these new products. The case is metal, with plastic strips for antennas on the top and bottom. In terms of signal reception level, A3/A5 is approximately 20% worse than S5 (see measurement results below). There are no complaints about the speaker volume, vibration power and voice quality. But the volume and quality of the audio output could be better; they are noticeably inferior to the same iPhone.

In terms of signal reception, the GALAXY A3/A5 is significantly inferior to the S5. This is a price for the metal case and a consequence of the shortcoming Samsung experience in the creation of all-metal smartphones. Read more here.

Samsung GALAXY A3/A5 play HD video at maximum screen brightness for about 12 hours. Excellent result for thin smartphones with low-power batteries.

Autonomy is one of the few strong points of the Samsung GALAXY A3/A5. With frankly weak batteries (due to the thin body), the devices show confident results in terms of operating time. The only pity is that the battery is not removable. The A3 model uses a 1900 mAh cell, the A5 uses a 2300 mAh cell. But the difference in the output screen diagonal gives approximately the same autonomy indicators. As with the benchmarks, the results here are very close. At average load, the models work for one and a half to two days. 720p video (mkv) with all communications using the A3/A5 hardware codec is played back for about 12 hours, which is very respectable. This is a consequence of Super AMOLED screens, as well as optimization, the chipset also makes a contribution. Runtime test results:

A3/A5 screens do not correspond to the price class of the models in terms of resolution. This is especially true for the A3, which has a qHD display, which is very strange for a model with an above-average price. In addition, there is PenTile, which is more noticeable at low resolutions, and the frames around the screens are more consistent with budget devices, but not expensive models. The parameters themselves correspond directly to the standard features of Super AMOLED, read our detailed testing. Compared to the GALAXY S5, the new items are slightly dimmer at an angle:

Screen comparison: GALAXY A5 left / S5 right

The camera modules are quite simple, the A5 has 13 MP, the A3 has only 8 MP. The A3 does not make a good impression in terms of quality, but the A5 takes pictures normally, but one would expect a lot better from a device for 23,990 rubles. Video recording up to Full HD is supported, there is a flash, front camera at 5 MP. The software functionality is familiar and standard, the scenes have not gone away, there are eight of them: auto, retouching, panorama, auto-selfie, continuous shooting, rich tones, night and GIF animation. Unfortunately, you cannot upload new stories.

Interface, software

Software Samsung GALAXY A3/A5 are based on Android 4.4.4 (KitKat). Most likely, there will be an update to “five” later, but not at the start of sales, which is quite strange. The TouchWiz interface is traditionally used. The appearance of the shell has not changed (which is highly controversial), but the functionality of older devices has been partially removed.

The A3/A5 models have neither a heart rate sensor, nor a fingerprint scanner, nor a stylus, so the software set is reasonably reduced. However, there is still some additional software - AWAD, Internet Security, Anews, A5 also has GetTaxi, Flipboard, everything else is offered for download. Perhaps this was done in order to save money, although this approach does not really correspond to the prices of the A3/A5.

The question about TouchWiz is open - some people like this interface, some don’t, it’s not for everybody. But objectively, without the functions of older models, it loses a lot, because its main advantage is its capabilities. Appearance causes the most complaints. The second controversial point is cumbersome and unoptimized, which is especially noticeable on the A3, which has 1 GB RAM(half of this volume is no longer available immediately after downloading).

Half of the RAM capacity of the Samsung GALAXY A3 is occupied by the system and applications immediately after booting.

DifferencesGALAXY A3 andA5

Since the characteristics of the models are very similar, the only differences are in the screen diagonal, battery capacity and camera, there is not much room for maneuver, primarily software. This is an artificial attempt by Samsung to place these two models as far apart as possible so that they do not create competition with each other. Something can be installed, but elements of the interface itself can only be changed using third-party firmware.

The software models are also very similar in many ways. Even the set of design themes is the same. But due to its lower status, the A3's interface and functionality are still simpler. This is expressed in several points at once, some of them are important:

• Multitasking menu. It appears in a standard vertical list view and does not allow you to run applications in the same window.
• Curtain (notification panel). There is no list of all shortcuts, no S Finder and quick search.
• Menu layout in particular no quick settings in the settings.
• A set of applications. No Flipboard or GetTaxi.
• Functionality. There is no private mode, no lock mode, no security assistant, no gesture support.

Such a simplification of the younger model can play a cruel joke on it. Seriously reduced software and qHD screen resolution at a price of 16,990 rubles looks like an unjustified compromise by modern standards.

Opinion

Samsung approached the audience's demand for metal smartphones rather rudely. It feels like there is a pest (or even a whole department of pests) at Korean headquarters who is spoiling good ideas. This is what happened with the desire of the Korean manufacturer to release premium models in an all-metal case. In theory, the idea is great, but in fact we have weak characteristics, a high price, and most importantly - strange appearance. It’s not at all clear why you should make a metal smartphone and paint it to look like plastic, with the front new GALAXY A3/A5 is generally difficult to distinguish from other Samsungs. The body is really thin, but this is average by today's standards, but the bezels around the screen are larger than average.

Perhaps the design has fallen victim to practicality (which is typical for Samsung)? No, that’s also a mistake: the battery is not removable, it’s impossible to use a memory card and a second SIM card at the same time, you can’t remove and replace the back cover if the paint peels off the metal, because the case is non-separable, etc. On a pleasant note, the Koreans have returned FM radio, which for some reason is removed from models in the high price segment. There is LTE, which is a plus for an entry-level chipset. In addition, software and chipset optimization provides good operating time, given the low battery capacity. But otherwise, these are mediocre models at inflated prices, and the declared premium quality is the most common marketing that the Koreans want to catch gullible buyers.

Separately, it is worth noting an unpleasant surprise based on the results of our testing - the average quality of signal reception. Apparently, the antennas are not designed very well, which is why A3/A5 owners risk being left without communication where other smartphones will work (for example, the GALAXY S5, with which we compared the new products).

In my opinion, it will be extremely difficult to sell Samsung GALAXY A3/A5 at the stated prices. It’s hard to deceive a buyer when there’s something nearby for the same money HTC One(M7) Dual Sim, Xiaomi Mi4 and others. The Korean company needs to sit down and reconsider its entire policy in the smartphone market, otherwise the decline will continue. Models A3/A5 show that Samsung cyclic crisis - investments in marketing do not allow selling cheaper, but at current prices the products are no longer so interesting compared to competitors. Let's see how the manufacturer solves this dilemma. But for now, buying an A3/A5 looks like an unjustified waste of money.

Pros:

• Famous brand
• Good working hours
• Returned FM radio LTE support

Cons:

• Overpriced
• Average signal reception
• Metal painted over plastic
• Non-removable battery
• One slot for microSD and second SIM card
• The average camera on the A3
• Low screen resolution on A3
• Missing row software functions at A3

Price range is about $400 for a long time was completely filled Chinese smartphones, but Samsung entered it qualitatively, today we will conduct Galaxy A5 review. It is quite difficult to compete in this niche, because for a relatively large sum the smartphone must have the appropriate parameters, and in this area Samsung traditionally loses to gadgets from the Middle Kingdom. Will the Galaxy A5 revolutionize this segment? Let's look at it further.

Samsung Galaxy A5: specifications

Telephone Samsung Galaxy A5 has the following parameters:

1. OS: Android0.1 with built-in Clean UI shell;
2. Display: 5.2” diagonal, s protective glass SuperAMOLED and 1920x1080 pi. The pixel density is 424 ppi;
3. Processor: Exynos 7880 with 8 Cortex A53 cores installed, frequency 1.9 GHz;
4. Video core: Mali-T830MP3;
5. RAM: 3 GB;
6. Permanent memory: 32 GB, of which 23 GB is available, expandable via 256 GB microSD;
7. Battery: 3000 mAh;
8. SIM: 2 nanoSIM;
9. Main/front camera: both 16 MP f/1.9;
10. Protection: IP68 standard;
11. Dimensions: 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm;
12. Weight: 159 g.

Design

A Samsung Galaxy A5 review should start with the design, and that's what we'll do. The first phone models were released back in 2014 and since then the model has been updated and improved at certain intervals. Last year's variant was similar in appearance to the Note 5 and Galaxy S6, with many buyers noting a significant improvement in design. Modern model has become more similar to the Galaxy S7, but in some respects the smartphone is more similar to the budget J5 Prime.

Frontal and reverse side smartphones are invariably made of glass with rounded edges. There is a metal edging along the edges.