I recently got my hands on the new Samsung Galaxy A05s, the latest entry-level phone from Samsung, and I’ve been putting it through its paces to bring you this comprehensive review.

In this review, we’ll delve into various aspects of the phone, including its design, display, battery life, performance, software, and most importantly, the camera. Let’s explore why this budget-friendly device is making waves in the smartphone market.

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Design:

The design of the Galaxy A05s is a refreshing revision compared to its predecessors. The rear of the phone shares similarities with higher-end models in the A series, giving it a premium feel. The way it reflects light is unique to the A05s, setting it apart from other models in the series.

The volume buttons, although slightly plasticky in sound, offer a tactile click and work well even through a case. The SIM tray on the left reveals dual SIM capability, a feature appreciated by many. The headphone jack, loudspeaker, and USB-C port are neatly arranged at the bottom.

One notable improvement is the inclusion of 25W power delivery, enabling a full charge from 0 to 100% in under an hour and a half. However, a major disappointment is the exclusion of a wall adapter in the package, marking a shift in Samsung’s strategy towards accessory sales.

Display Quality:

The 6.7-inch display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 2400×1080 pixel resolution boasts a pixel density of 393 PPI. The 90Hz refresh rate, although a standout feature, lacks a toggle option in settings.

The LCD panel performs well outdoors, with impressive brightness and minimal issues with visibility. The only drawback is the inability to easily switch to a standard 60Hz refresh rate, a feature that might be valuable for some users.

Call Quality and Data Reception:

While the microphone quality may not be premium, the A05s ensures reliable call functionality. Data reception is satisfactory, and although the phone lacks 5G support, it delivers consistent network coverage. Wi-Fi speeds, while not exceptional, provide a decent online experience, ensuring smooth performance in daily tasks.

Software and Performance:

The A05s comes with 6GB of RAM and improved internal storage, providing a smooth day-to-day experience. Samsung promises four years of software support, a crucial factor for the device’s longevity. Running on Android 13 and One UI 5.1 out of the box, the phone lacks Samsung DeX, but the absence of excessive bloatware is a relief.

The 90Hz refresh rate on the 6.7-inch LCD display enhances the overall user experience, making navigation and app usage fluid. The inclusion of developer options allows for more control, such as moving apps to the micro SD card.

The benchmark results for Geekbench 6 reveal that we shouldn’t set our expectations too high for a Snapdragon 680 processor. The Geekbench machine learning test results are equally unimpressive. However, what truly matters is the day-to-day performance.

Gaming Experience:

The A05s impressively handles popular mobile games like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings. The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor ensures a smooth gaming experience, showcasing the optimization for low-end devices. Games like Asphalt 9, World of Tanks, Minecraft, and Old School RuneScape run seamlessly, proving the device’s versatility in handling graphically demanding titles.

Missing Features:

One notable omission is NFC support, impacting the device’s usability for contactless payments. On the audio front, the loudspeakers disappoint at high volumes, affecting vocal clarity significantly. However, the inclusion of an FM radio offers an alternative for music enthusiasts when data and Wi-Fi are unavailable.

Durability:

The A05s demonstrated durability after a 4-ft drop onto concrete, with only minor damage to the corner. The screen remained unscathed, showcasing the robustness of the device. This resilience, combined with its budget-friendly nature, challenges the perception of budget phones as e-waste.

Camera:

Main camera photos have impressed me with good lighting. The A05s is capable of taking beautiful photos, and the dynamic range is a highlight here. Considering the price of the phone, it’s hard to tell that these photos were taken on the A05s and not a mid-range A series phone. The main camera is sharp, and the image processing does a good job of adding contrast where it’s needed. The color reproduction is relatively accurate; it captures the excitement of the scene without delving into oversaturated fiction.

This is the 2-megapixel macro camera, which has to be a marketing gimmick at this point because the main camera already has a good enough minimum focusing distance. When we take comparable images, it actually turns out to look a lot better from the main camera.

Video stabilization is absolutely garbage, to put it lightly. When I’m resting the phone down for stability or just using a tripod, the video quality becomes redeemable when it’s stable. Once again, we see that dynamic range or the ability not to overexpose a frame is a strong suit in videos. Sharpness is just okay. Here we have it at 1080p, 30 frames per second, compared to the same resolution but now on the A4s, its predecessor. I’m curious to know how much of an upgrade this is in your opinion.

The video recording limit is 1080p at 60fps or slow motion at 120fps. I opted for 30 FPS; that’s what I’m used to. The 1080p footage at 30fps is enough to keep me happy. The overall lens optics exhibit what I wanted out of it.

The front camera is 13 megapixels; that lens is quite wide, so you won’t have any issues fitting several people into the frame. It records 1080p video at 30 FPS as well. It records decent selfies, although some may find the skin smoothing feature excessive. Battery Life, Pros and Cons, and more on the NEXT PAGE…