Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) Review: Samsung’s Stylish Mid-Range Smartphone Gets Triple Cameras
The smartphone market in 2018 is more competitive than ever, and
Samsung is determined to stay ahead by bringing premium features to its mid-range lineup. Enter the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018), a smartphone that stands out not only because of its sleek design but also because it is
Samsung’s first phone to feature a triple-camera setup.
Building on the success of its predecessor, the
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), the new Galaxy A7 introduces a larger display, more cameras, improved performance, and modern features that make it one of the most attractive mid-range smartphones of the year.
In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018), from its design and display to its performance, cameras, battery life, and pricing.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) Specifications at a Glance
- Display: 6.0-inch Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2220 pixels
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7885 Octa-core
- RAM: 4GB/6GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (expandable via microSD)
- Rear Cameras: 24MP + 8MP Ultra-Wide + 5MP Depth Sensor
- Front Camera: 24MP
- Battery: 3,300mAh
- Operating System: Android 8.0 Oreo
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (market dependent)
Design and Build Quality
Samsung has significantly refreshed the Galaxy A series with the Galaxy A7 (2018). At first glance, the phone looks and feels more premium than previous A-series devices.
The Galaxy A7 (2018) features a glossy glass back and an aluminum frame that give it an elegant appearance. Measuring only 7.5mm thick, the device feels comfortable in hand despite its large display.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), the new model is noticeably more modern. The Galaxy A7 (2017) featured a traditional front fingerprint scanner integrated into the home button and relatively thicker bezels. In contrast, the Galaxy A7 (2018) moves the fingerprint sensor to the side, similar to Sony’s smartphone designs, allowing Samsung to maximize screen space and create slimmer bezels.
Another major difference is the rear camera arrangement. The
Galaxy A7 (2017) had a single rear camera, while the Galaxy A7 (2018) adopts a vertically aligned triple-camera system that immediately sets it apart from most smartphones in its price range.
Samsung offers the Galaxy A7 (2018) in several attractive colors:
The glossy finish does attract fingerprints, but it undeniably gives the device a premium flagship-like look.
Display Quality
One of Samsung’s biggest strengths remains its display technology, and the Galaxy A7 (2018) is no exception.
The smartphone features a 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels. The elongated 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes the phone ideal for watching videos, gaming, and multitasking.
Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and contrast levels are excellent. Whether you’re browsing social media, streaming videos, or viewing photos, the display consistently delivers an enjoyable experience.
Outdoor visibility is also impressive. The screen remains bright and readable even under direct sunlight.
Samsung’s Always-On Display feature is present as well, allowing users to quickly view notifications, time, and battery status without fully waking the device.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 7885 octa-core processor.
The chipset combines:
- Two Cortex-A73 performance cores
- Six Cortex-A53 efficiency cores
The processor is paired with either:
- 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
- 6GB RAM and 128GB storage
For everyday tasks, the Galaxy A7 (2018) performs smoothly. Applications open quickly, multitasking is efficient, and switching between apps feels responsive.
Social media applications, video streaming services, web browsing, and messaging apps run without issues.
Gaming performance is also respectable. Popular games such as PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 run reasonably well on medium graphics settings. While the device is not designed to compete with flagship gaming phones, it provides more than enough power for casual and moderate gamers.
Storage should not be a concern either, thanks to the dedicated microSD card slot that supports expansion up to 512GB.
Software Experience
The Galaxy A7 (2018) ships with Android 8.0 Oreo and Samsung Experience UI.
Samsung’s software has improved considerably over the years. The interface is cleaner, more refined, and easier to navigate.
Some notable software features include:
- Dual Messenger
- Samsung Cloud
- Device Maintenance
- Secure Folder
- Always-On Display
- One-handed operation mode
- Face Recognition
The software experience feels polished and user-friendly, making the phone suitable for both new and experienced smartphone users.
Triple Rear Camera System
The headline feature of the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is undoubtedly its triple rear camera setup.
Primary Camera
- 24MP sensor
- f/1.7 aperture
Ultra-Wide Camera
- 8MP sensor
- 120-degree field of view
Depth Sensor
- 5MP sensor
- Enables Live Focus portrait effects
The 24MP main camera captures detailed images with vibrant colors and good dynamic range. Daylight photography is particularly impressive, producing sharp and social-media-ready photos.
The ultra-wide camera is extremely useful for landscape photography, group photos, and architectural shots. Being able to capture significantly more of a scene makes photography more enjoyable and versatile.
The depth sensor helps create portrait images with adjustable background blur. Edge detection is generally accurate, producing attractive bokeh effects.
Low-light photography is acceptable for a mid-range smartphone, although image quality understandably drops in very dark conditions.
Front Camera Performance
Selfie lovers will appreciate the 24MP front camera.
Samsung has included several software enhancements:
- Selfie Focus
- Beauty Mode
- Adjustable lighting effects
- AR Emoji
Selfies are detailed, colorful, and social media ready. The front camera also performs reasonably well indoors and in lower lighting conditions.
For users who frequently use Instagram, Snapchat, and video calling applications, the Galaxy A7 (2018) offers one of the best selfie experiences in its category.
Video Recording
The Galaxy A7 (2018) can record videos at:
Video quality is respectable, with good color reproduction and decent detail levels. Electronic stabilization helps reduce minor hand movements, although more advanced stabilization features remain reserved for Samsung’s flagship devices.
Battery Life
Powering the device is a 3,300mAh battery.
While the battery capacity remains unchanged from the Galaxy A7 (2017), Samsung’s software optimization and efficient Exynos processor deliver respectable endurance.
Under normal usage, users can comfortably get through an entire day of:
- Social media browsing
- Messaging
- Video streaming
- Web browsing
- Photography
Moderate users may even stretch battery life into a second day.
The device also supports fast charging, reducing downtime when the battery eventually runs low.
Security Features
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A7 (2018) with several security options.
Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor
The fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button is fast and surprisingly convenient.
Face Recognition
The facial recognition feature works reasonably well under adequate lighting conditions.
The combination of both options gives users flexibility and convenience.
Connectivity Features
The Galaxy A7 (2018) comes with numerous connectivity features, including:
- 4G LTE
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC (market dependent)
- GPS
- USB Type-C
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Samsung deserves praise for retaining the headphone jack, a feature many users still value.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) Release Price
At launch, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) was priced at approximately:
- United States: $350
- United Kingdom: £270
- India: ₹23,990
- Nigeria: Approximately ₦126,000 – ₦130,000 (based on exchange rates and local market pricing at release)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium glass and metal design
- Gorgeous 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display
- Innovative triple-camera setup
- Excellent selfie camera
- Expandable storage with dedicated microSD slot
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Good overall performance
- Decent battery life
- Headphone jack included
Cons
- No water resistance unlike the Galaxy A7 (2017)
- Video recording limited to 1080p
- Glossy finish attracts fingerprints
- Average low-light photography
- No wireless charging
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) represents one of Samsung’s most ambitious mid-range smartphones yet. By introducing triple rear cameras, modernizing the design, and retaining Samsung’s excellent Super AMOLED display technology, the company has created a device that feels premium without carrying a flagship price tag.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), the new model delivers a fresher design, more versatile cameras, larger display, and improved overall usability. Although it loses the water resistance found on its predecessor, the addition of a triple-camera system and modern aesthetics more than compensate for that omission.
For anyone seeking a stylish smartphone with excellent cameras, a beautiful display, and dependable performance, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) stands out as one of the best mid-range smartphones available in 2018.
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