Samsung Galaxy A05 review: Cheaper A-series phone and a basic bargain

Samsung’s A-series has always been a balance between affordability and features. The Galaxy A05 and A05s, launched in October 2023, now hold the fort at the lower end of this lineup. In Nigeria, the Galaxy A05 has quickly gained popularity, offering essential smartphone functions without stretching your budget. 

Samsung’s goal with the A05 is clear: to provide good value to users who need a simple, reliable phone without unnecessary extras.

However, its modest specs and limited features have sparked some debate. Can it still deliver value without cutting corners on the essentials?

In this review, we’ll explore everything from the Galaxy A05’s price and design to its standout features. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether this phone meets your needs.

Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy A05

When you buy the Samsung Galaxy A05 phone, you will find the following items in the box:

The phone, USB Type C cable, SIM ejector and the Instruction manual. 

Samsung Galaxy A05 specs at a glance

• Build: Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame, IP
• Display: 6.7″ HD+ PLS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Helio G85, 8-cores, 2GHz max clock speed
• RAM: 4GB, 6GB
• Internal Storage: 64GB, 128GB, Supports microSD (up to 1TB)
• Camera: Dual rear cameras: 50MP f/1.8 main, 2MP f/2.4 depth, 8MP selfie shooter
• Connectivity: Dual nano-SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+ 5GHz, VHT80, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS
• OS: Android 13
• Battery: 5000mAh battery, 25W charging
• Weight: 195g
• Colours: Silver, Black, Light Green
• Others: 3.5mm audio jack, Dolby Atmos, USB Type-C, USB 2.0
• Starting Price: ₦140,000 / $86

Design and Display

The Samsung Galaxy A05 has a practical design with an all-plastic body, polished finish, and a compact build weighing 195 grams. Available in Black, Silver, and Light Green, its rounded shape and modern design echo Samsung’s higher-end models. The smooth curves make it comfortable to hold, though the glossy back can be a bit slippery. 

The 6.7-inch PLS LCD display offers ample screen space for browsing, watching videos, and gaming. It delivers decent clarity at a 720p resolution, though the thick bezels and chin reduce the screen-to-body ratio to 82%. The LCD panel struggles with brightness in direct sunlight, and the standard 60Hz refresh rate is adequate but not as smooth as newer models.

The Galaxy A05 includes dual SIM support, an SD card slot, and a side with volume controls and a power button. It relies on Face Unlock for security, omitting a fingerprint scanner. At the bottom are a headphone jack, USB-C port, and speaker. The audio quality is clear for calls and media but lacks depth.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy A05 features a dual-camera setup on the back, led by a 50-megapixel main sensor—a standout feature in its price range. This high-resolution camera delivers sharp, colourful images with a respectable dynamic range, especially in daylight conditions, balancing light and shadow effectively. 

The AI-enhanced camera software works silently in the background, optimising scenes and enhancing colours to ensure your photos are lively and share-worthy. Though it lacks a macro lens, the portrait mode makes up for it with adjustable depth of field, creating a natural bokeh effect that adds a touch of professionalism to your shots.

In low-light conditions, the A05's camera struggles with noise and detail loss, which is common in budget smartphones. The night mode, though included, is somewhat limited, reflecting the phone's budget nature. The 2-megapixel depth sensor plays a crucial role in enhancing portrait photography, aiding in subject-background separation for more polished images.

On the front, the A05 houses an 8-megapixel camera that provides clear selfies, adequate for everyday use. The camera app offers various shooting modes, including a 10x digital zoom, panorama mode, and slow motion, adding versatility to your photography experience. Video recording is possible at up to 1080p resolution, although the absence of optical image stabilisation means you'll need a steady hand to avoid shaky footage.

OS, UI, Battery Life

The Galaxy A05 runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s custom One UI Core 5.1, a streamlined version tailored for budget devices. This interface offers a clean, intuitive user experience with features like Dark Mode and customizable Always On Display. However, it omits some advanced features like Samsung DeX and Edge Panels to maintain performance efficiency. Despite the absence of Secure Folder and Knox security, the UI remains straightforward and responsive, with regular software updates ensuring the device stays up-to-date.

In February, the Galaxy A05 received the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update, bringing new features like a revamped Quick Panel layout, enhanced lock screen customization, and improved media player widgets. 

This update also enhanced stock apps like the Gallery, Photo Editor, and Samsung Studio, underscoring Samsung’s commitment to providing a well-rounded experience even in their budget lineup. The update is rolling out gradually, so if you haven’t received it yet, you can check for it manually by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

The Galaxy A05 packs a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting use on a single charge. Whether you’re streaming videos, gaming, or making calls, the phone can easily handle a full day without needing a recharge. It also supports 25W fast charging, a significant improvement over previous models. 

While wireless charging and faster speeds would be desirable, the A05’s battery performance and charging capabilities are solid for its price range.

Performance, Storage and Gaming

Samsung equipped the Galaxy A05 with the MediaTek Helio G85 processor, aiming to offer a solid balance between performance and affordability. This choice, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, ensures the device handles everyday tasks smoothly. If you find yourself running out of space, the option to expand storage up to 1TB with a microSD card is a welcome feature.

For mobile gaming, the A05 offers a satisfactory experience with popular titles. Carx Street, for example, runs smoothly with minimal battery drain after 40 minutes of gameplay. However, more demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile might require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth performance, reflecting the limitations you'd expect in this price range.

Multitasking is generally smooth, but the 4GB RAM variant may struggle when switching between heavier apps. The 6GB model handles this better, but it still falls short of higher-end devices. In a stress test running over 30 apps simultaneously for nine minutes, the A05 used 75% of its RAM and showed signs of strain, though it managed to stay cool even during extended gaming or video streaming sessions.

On the connectivity front, the inclusion of dual-band WiFi, dual SIM 4G LTE, and Bluetooth v5.3 showcases Samsung's effort to keep the A05 up to date with modern standards, even if features like NFC and MHL support are absent.

In benchmark tests, the Galaxy A05 delivers respectable results, with the Helio G85 processor scoring between 350 and 420 for single-core and 800 to 1,250 for multi-core on Geekbench. AnTuTu scores range from 220,000 to 230,000, indicating the phone's capability to handle everyday tasks competently.

Verdict

If you're eyeing the Galaxy A05, keep your expectations in check. 

For what it is, the phone does its job well, though it might feel a bit slower and clunkier compared to pricier A-series models like the A15 5G or A24. But if your needs are straightforward, there's no need to spend more. 

Ideal for students, first-time buyers, or anyone looking for a reliable, budget-friendly backup device to stay connected, handle basic smartphone tasks, and enjoy some light entertainment. 

The A05 strikes a good balance with its price and specs, making it a competitive option in the budget segment against rivals like the Redmi 13C, Tecno Spark 20 and Infinix Note 12 Pro (even for a slightly higher price.)

Get the phone also, for its simple design and the reliability of the Samsung brand. When you think about it, how many budget phones have the promise of software updates?

Pricing and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy A05, available as the A055M Dual-SIM GSM Unlocked, comes in several variants to fit different needs. Prices typically range from $100 to $115 depending on the configuration. In Nigeria, the 4GB+64GB model starts at $86 (₦140,000), while the 4GB+128GB variant is priced at $105 (₦170,000). You can find the Galaxy A05 through the Samsung website or Jumia.

Here are the available variants:

• SM-A055F/DS 128GB/4GB: Global availability with 4G and Dual-SIM support.
• SM-A055F/DS 128GB/6GB: Global availability with enhanced RAM and storage.
• SM-A055F/DS 64GB: Global availability, offering a more basic option.
• SM-A055M/DS 128GB/4GB: Specifically targeted for Latin America, Brazil, and Africa, also with 4G and Dual-SIM.

Understanding these model differences ensures you choose the right Galaxy A05 for your needs, whether you’re looking for regional compatibility or specific storage options.