Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Specs and Price

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Review: A Premium Mid-Range Contender of Its Time

When Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) launched in early 2017, it brought flagship-level design and features into the mid-range segment. Samsung clearly aimed to blur the line between premium and affordable devices, delivering a smartphone that looked and felt far more expensive than its price tag suggested. In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything about the Galaxy A5 (2017), from its design and performance to camera quality, battery life, pricing, and how it compares to the smaller Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017).    

Design and Build Quality

Samsung truly stepped up its design game with the Galaxy A5 (2017). Featuring a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, the device closely resembles the flagship Galaxy S series of its time. The curved edges, smooth finish, and symmetrical design make it feel incredibly premium in hand. At just 7.9mm thick and weighing 157g, it strikes a perfect balance between durability and comfort. One of the standout features is its IP68 water and dust resistance, a rarity in mid-range phones in 2017. This meant users could confidently use the phone in rainy conditions or accidental splashes, something typically reserved for flagship devices.    

Comparison with Galaxy A3 (2017)

While both the A5 and A3 (2017) share a similar design language, glass backs, metal frames, and IP68 certification, the differences are noticeable:

• The A5 (2017) has a larger 5.2-inch display, while the A3 (2017) is more compact at 4.7 inches.
• The A5 feels more immersive and modern, whereas the A3 is better suited for one-handed use.
• The A5’s slightly larger frame allows for a more balanced grip and better media consumption experience.

Overall, the A5 (2017) clearly targets users who want a premium look with a bigger screen, while the A3 caters to compact phone lovers.    

Display

The Galaxy A5 (2017) sports a 5.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. Samsung’s AMOLED technology shines here:

• Deep blacks and vibrant colors
• Excellent contrast levels
• Great outdoor visibility

With a pixel density of around 424 ppi, everything from text to videos appears sharp and crisp. The inclusion of an Always-On Display feature adds convenience, allowing users to check time, notifications, and battery status without waking the device.    

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy A5 (2017) is powered by the Exynos 7880 octa-core processor clocked at 1.9GHz, paired with 3GB of RAM. Real-world performance:

• Smooth multitasking for everyday apps
• Decent gaming performance for mid-range titles
• Stable and efficient operation with minimal heating

While it’s not a powerhouse compared to flagship devices, it delivers reliable performance for typical users, social media, browsing, streaming, and light gaming. Storage options include 32GB internal storage, expandable up to 256GB via microSD card, ensuring plenty of space for apps and media.    

Camera Performance

Samsung equipped the Galaxy A5 (2017) with 16MP cameras on both the front and rear, each with an f/1.9 aperture. Rear Camera:

• Produces sharp and detailed images in good lighting
• Accurate color reproduction
• Decent HDR performance

Front Camera:

• Excellent for selfies
• Wide aperture helps in low-light conditions
• Bright and social-media-ready shots

However, low-light photography is slightly underwhelming compared to flagship standards, as noted by many early users.

Battery Life

The device packs a 3000mAh battery, which was quite impressive for a phone of this size in 2017. Battery highlights:

• Full-day usage on moderate use
• Efficient power management
• Fast charging support

Combined with Samsung’s software optimization, the battery performance stands out as one of the phone’s strong points.

Software and Features

Out of the box, the Galaxy A5 (2017) runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, upgradeable to Android 8.0 Oreo. Key features include:

• Fingerprint sensor (fast and reliable)
• Samsung Pay support (region-dependent)
• USB Type-C port
• Always-On Display
• Secure Folder and enhanced privacy options

These features brought a near-flagship experience to mid-range users.    

Connectivity

The Galaxy A5 (2017) supports:

• 4G LTE connectivity
• Dual SIM functionality
• Wi-Fi dual-band
• Bluetooth 4.2
• NFC for mobile payments

This ensures a modern connectivity experience for its time.    

Price at Launch

At launch, the Galaxy A5 (2017) was priced at:

• ₦120,000 (approx. in Nigeria)
• $400 (USD equivalent at the time)
• £320 (GBP equivalent)
• ₹28,990 (India)

This positioned it firmly in the premium mid-range category.    

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Premium glass and metal design
• IP68 water and dust resistance
• Excellent Super AMOLED display
• Solid battery life with fast charging
• Great selfie and daylight camera performance
• Expandable storage and dual SIM support

Cons:

• Average low-light camera performance
• Performance not suited for heavy gaming
• Slightly expensive for mid-range users
• No 4K video recording

 

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) successfully delivered a flagship-like experience at a more accessible price point. Its premium design, water resistance, vibrant display, and balanced performance made it one of the most attractive mid-range smartphones of 2017. Compared to the Galaxy A3 (2017), the A5 stands out with its larger display, better camera setup, and overall more immersive experience. While the A3 is great for compact phone lovers, the A5 is the better all-rounder. If you were shopping in 2017, the Galaxy A5 (2017) would easily rank among the best mid-range smartphones available.  

Full Specifications