Samsung's refreshed Galaxy A smartphones feature improved cameras, IP68 ratings and more

Shawn Knight

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Samsung on Monday unveiled a trio of new Galaxy A series smartphones that more or less mirror the company’s flagship devices in terms of styling but at a more affordable price point.

The new Galaxy A7, the high-end model of the bunch, features a 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display powered by a 1.9GHz octa-core CPU and 3GB of RAM. Other creature comforts include 32GB of local storage (expandable via microSD card slot up to 256GB), 16-megapixel cameras on the front and rear, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB Type-C connectivity.

The A7 carries an IP68 rating, packs a 3,600mAh battery with Fast Charging capabilities and runs Android 6.0 out of the box.

The Galaxy A5, meanwhile, checks in with a slightly smaller 5.2-inch FHD Super AMOLED display and is also powered by a 1.9GHz octa-core chip and 3GB of RAM with 32GB of local flash storage on tap (also expandable via microSD card slot).

The A5 also has dual 16-megapixel cameras, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB Type-C connectivity. Its battery is a bit smaller at just 3,000mAh but will also include Android 6.0 Marshmallow pre-installed and carries an IP68 rating.

Moving down the ladder to the Galaxy A3 affords a 4.7-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, a slower 1.6GHz octa-core processor and just 2GB of RAM. Local storage is also cut in half with just 16GB on hand although you can once again expand it via microSD card slot.

The A3 utilizes a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB Type-C connectivity. The battery here is even smaller at 2,350mAh and Samsung makes no mention of Fast Charging capabilities. Android 6.0 Marshmallow again draws the assignment.

Samsung says the new Galaxy A smartphones will be available in Russia in early January before expanding to global markets. Pricing remains a mystery as of writing but with any luck, we’ll get more details as CES 2017 week plays out.

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I might think of replacing my current 2015 A3 for the new A3, which won't be my primary device, I'll only use it when I'm working out, hiking or cycling because of it's small, easily pocketable size which my 4.5" A3 currently fulfils. The specs aren't really a concern for me (camera, proc or oodles of storage, fast charging etc.) and neither are the build materials, it'll go into a proper case of course. No mention is made of the headphone jack I see, and that is important to me, but not so much on my primary device which is currently a HTC 10. All this depends on how much Sammy wants to rip me off for it of course.
 
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