Samsung galaxy A5 2017

L360

Hey just wondering could anybody give their thoughts on this phone? Are the cameras any good? Thanks!

DopeTech

Reviews all seem very positive.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=103338839

Machinehead

L360 wrote: »

Hey just wondering could anybody give their thoughts on this phone? Are the cameras any good? Thanks!

Got this as a present last week. Very impressed with it given the price of the phone. A lot of sites give the camera a poor review due to lack of image stabilization, but I don't have any problems with that. Attached some photos (hope it works!).

kifi

Machinehead wrote: »

Got this as a present last week. Very impressed with it given the price of the phone. A lot of sites give the camera a poor review due to lack of image stabilization, but I don't have any problems with that. Attached some photos (hope it works!).

His good is the video recording?

Machinehead

kifi wrote: »

His good is the video recording?

As good as any other phone I've had before. I really can't fault the A5 (2017) given the price. My daughter has the S7, at times she can't even get 4G where we live. I can get a pretty solid 4G+ signal with my A5. Maybe a camera with somewhat higher resolution like the 21 megapixel camera my previous Sony Xperia had. All said tho' a great phone & at a great price.

thomasj

I got one of these over the weekend.

I'm still getting used to being back to a Samsung phone after so long away but great phones all the same.

mjp

My other half is looking at this phone. Is there much of a difference between this and the 2016 model as she was gonna go with older model as fifty euro cheaper.

thomasj

mjp wrote:

My other half is looking at this phone. Is there much of a difference between this and the 2016 model as she was gonna go with older model as fifty euro cheaper.

More ram, slightly bigger battery, more faster updated processor and is water and dust proof

thomasj

Amazing phone!

What I love most about it:
Battery life
Quick charge
FM radio and record
Storage and micro sd
Water and dust resistance

thomasj

I got nougat update this morning but I'm not going to install it yet though as I'm happy with the phone as of now and want to hear the thoughts of other people who installed it before I do it

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

I got nougat update this morning but I'm not going to install it yet though as I'm happy with the phone as of now and want to hear the thoughts of other people who installed it before I do it

Which network are you with? I'm on 3 mobile, no Nougat from them yet although a new baseband/build version was pushed thru' for my phone last week. About 30mb in size, not android N tho'.

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

Which network are you with? I'm on 3 mobile, no Nougat from them yet although a new baseband/build version was pushed thru' for my phone last week. About 30mb in size, not android N tho'.

I'm on the meteor network but I get the feeling it might be an unlocked phone.

thomasj

It wasnt even nougat it was another small update.

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

It wasnt even nougat it was another small update.

The 2017 A series phones just passed some WiFi certification test which apparently needs doing to ensure the devices are compatible with any roll out of a new software update being made available. The chatter online is that usually the software rollout begins within a couple of weeks after passing the test.

Machinehead

Here's a link
http://m.gsmarena.com/nougatpowered_samsung_galaxy_a5_2017_and_a7_2017_get_wifi_certified-news-26193.php

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

The 2017 A series phones just passed some WiFi certification test which apparently needs doing to ensure the devices are compatible with any roll out of a new software update being made available. The chatter online is that usually the software rollout begins within a couple of weeks after passing the test.

That's great news we should have it soon! Not that I'm complaining it's a great phone as it is!

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

That's great news we should have it soon! Not that I'm complaining it's a great phone as it is!

For sure. I've been working with a hand me down HTC ONE for years now. Thought I would never get a 'reasonably priced' quality phone for years then the A5 2017 came onstream. Super phone, with almost all the bells & whistles most people would want. I've heard some moan about the earbuds quality, but if you go to audio settings & sound quality and effects & adapt sound - the audio is as good as anything I've had on any previous phone.

AllForIt

I think that Samsung's mid range phones are desperately overpriced. They may be perfectly good phones but there is nothing special about them and I'm sure HTC, LG, and others have models that are much better value than the A5.

Machinehead

AllForIt wrote: »

I think that Samsung's mid range phones are desperately overpriced. They may be perfectly good phones but there is nothing special about them and I'm sure HTC, LG, and others have models that are much better value than the A5.

Granted - but as phones go you do get a lot of bang for your buck with that A5 2017. As with everything 'you pays the our money & takes your choice'. All phones be it high end, mid range or bargain basement have their own shortcomings. But here were discussing the A5 which considering what I paid for it gives me a high end experience with mid range price. Now I see online that depending where you go the A5 can be sourced for under €300.

quentingargan

Machinehead wrote: »

Granted - but as phones go you do get a lot of bang for your buck with that A5 2017. As with everything 'you pays the our money & takes your choice'. All phones be it high end, mid range or bargain basement have their own shortcomings. But here were discussing the A5 which considering what I paid for it gives me a high end experience with mid range price. Now I see online that depending where you go the A5 can be sourced for under €300.

Do you have a link to a sub €300 A5? There is a plethora of used ones on eBay at below €300 but I couldn't find any new from reputable suppliers.

Machinehead

quentingargan wrote: »

Do you have a link to a sub €300 A5? There is a plethora of used ones on eBay at below €300 but I couldn't find any new from reputable suppliers.

While the sub €300 is a great price for the phone, it's a few weeks ago now but as far as I can recall it was from a French telecoms company. Though while checking re Android Nougat upgrade news for the phone the price seems to be dropping worldwide. Maybe that's because the A5 2018 has been seen on bench tests with new hardware giving it 6GB of RAM & probably due for launch early next year. No price indicated so far for that one.

Nemeses2050

quentingargan wrote: »

Do you have a link to a sub €300 A5? There is a plethora of used ones on eBay at below €300 but I couldn't find any new from reputable suppliers.

There's loads on Adverts from Re-sellers

http://www.adverts.ie/samsung/samsung-galaxy-a5-2017-brand-new/13658520

ZeroThreat

AllForIt wrote: »

I think that Samsung's mid range phones are desperately overpriced. They may be perfectly good phones but there is nothing special about them and I'm sure HTC, LG, and others have models that are much better value than the A5.

I was considering buying an A5, but will probably get a nokia 6 for about €230 soon.

That being said, the Nokia snapdragon processor probably isn't as powerful as the Samsung, so it's cheaper for a reason.

beauf

Camera probably isn't as good. Might be not much in it.

quentingargan

My attraction to the A5 Galaxy is its IP68 waterproofing. I have had an old waterproof S5 for almost 4 years, the longest I ever owned one phone.

I'm no expert, but I reckon it is often moisture that buggers phones, whether that is a damp pocket on a rainy day, or vapour. Just my first ever waterproof phone is also the first phone I had that lasted more than its contract.

monster1

Anyone have issues with their charging port? Mine doesn't stay in place anymore, any movement and it pops out.. Never had that issue with micro usb

Machinehead

quentingargan wrote: »

Machinehead wrote: »

Granted - but as phones go you do get a lot of bang for your buck with that A5 2017. As with everything 'you pays the our money & takes your choice'. All phones be it high end, mid range or bargain basement have their own shortcomings. But here were discussing the A5 which considering what I paid for it gives me a high end experience with mid range price. Now I see online that depending where you go the A5 can be sourced for under €300.

Do you have a link to a sub €300 A5? There is a plethora of used ones on eBay at below €300 but I couldn't find any new from reputable suppliers.

Just saw on a US site A5 2017 on sale for $330 (approx €277). They're a company called B&M.

thomasj

Downloading the nougat update now! Will be interesting to see the changes!

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

Downloading the nougat update now! Will be interesting to see the changes!

Which network are you on & is your phone locked to a network?

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

Which network are you on & is your phone locked to a network?

I got it from Eir/meteor , but I heard before that some meteor phones are not locked.

thomasj

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

Machinehead wrote:

Which network are you on & is your phone locked to a network?

I got it from Eir/meteor , but I heard before that some meteor phones are not locked.

Lucky you, you can (after your upgrade) check by putting in a SIM card from a different network to see if your phone is locked or not. Three are 'still testing' the new software on their networked phones. Strange that the Russians, Germans, The Dutch & even the Americans can have it rolling out for over a month in the case of the Russians & the crowd in Ireland are still testingðŸ€

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

Lucky you, you can (after your upgrade) check by putting in a SIM card from a different network to see if your phone is locked or not. Three are 'still testing' the new software on their networked phones. Strange that the Russians, Germans, The Dutch & even the Americans can have it rolling out for over a month in the case of the Russians & the crowd in Ireland are still testingðŸ€

Will do will get a 3 sim and try it out later. Thanks.

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

Thomas, which theme or setting are you using to give you the black background in your settings screen?
The Nougat upgrade appeared on the Three network this morning. Seems to run a little smoother & freed up almost a GB of storage in the process.

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

Thomas, which theme or setting are you using to give you the black background in your settings screen? The Nougat upgrade appeared on the Three network this morning. Seems to run a little smoother & freed up almost a GB of storage in the process.

The theme is android_o_black.

Jasper79

Got the Nougat update this morning from Vodafone, has messed up my SD card ( won't format), seems to be common issue.

Anybody doing the update, advise online is decrypt or remove memory card before updating.

deisedude

Thinking of updating from my S5 which keeps freezing and is driving me mad. Was looking at the S7 but don't want to pay the extra €250 for it.

Would the A5 be better than the S5 or should I just stump up and pay for the S7?

thomasj

Depends on what you want on your phone.

The A5 2017 is based on the galaxy S7 hardware and software wise only difference is it doesn't have the curved screen.

It was updated to nougat earlier today so fairly up to date .

The main attraction which made me go for the A5 was the battery. It uses a more power-efficent chip than the S5. Battery review from gsmarena, for the A5 highlighted that for the web browsing that the battery lasted over 14 hours whereas for the S7 it barely made 10. It also has quick charge.

It has an FM radio as well which the S7 doesn't have. This mightn't matter for you but for me it was a major factor.

It has 3gb of ram half of the S7 but for me I've never had any performance issues I'm happy.

So depends on what you need in your phone

One thing I would say as well the galaxy A5 2018 will be announced in January and it looks like it will have the infinity screen that the S8 has and will have a bigger battery as well so maybe hold out for that.

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

Depends on what you want on your phone.

The A5 2017 is based on the galaxy S7 hardware and software wise only difference is it doesn't have the curved screen.

It was updated to nougat earlier today so fairly up to date .

The main attraction which made me go for the A5 was the battery. It uses a more power-efficent chip than the S5. Battery review from gsmarena, for the A5 highlighted that for the web browsing that the battery lasted over 14 hours whereas for the S7 it barely made 10. It also has quick charge.

It has an FM radio as well which the S7 doesn't have. This mightn't matter for you but for me it was a major factor.

It has 3gb of ram half of the S7 but for me I've never had any performance issues I'm happy.

So depends on what you need in your phone

One thing I would say as well the galaxy A5 2018 will be announced in January and it looks like it will have the infinity screen that the S8 has and will have a bigger battery as well so maybe hold out for that.

Comparison between the A5 2017 & 2018 phones.

Machinehead

Oops forgot the link.
https://gamesinners.com/tech/2017/11/01/samsung-galaxy-a5-2018-vs-samsung-galaxy-a5-2017-whats-new/amp/

thomasj

This will be my next phone! Looks good

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

This will be my next phone! Looks good

All depends on how much they charge for it. The A5 is supposed to be a mid range model but with each upgrade it's edging closer & closer to it's high end siblings. With those specs it's gonna be difficult to keep it from edging too close to the more expensive devices leaving stuck in a place where no phone wants to be - too expensive for mid range - another few quid why not go for the S8?

thomasj

Machinehead wrote:

All depends on how much they charge for it. The A5 is supposed to be a mid range model but with each upgrade it's edging closer & closer to it's high end siblings. With those specs it's gonna be difficult to keep it from edging too close to the more expensive devices leaving stuck in a place where no phone wants to be - too expensive for mid range - another few quid why not go for the S8?

We'll know in the next few weeks I'm sure but a few things that would make me pick it over the flagship would be the more efficient processor resulting in better battery and the FM radio. It does as much as what you can do on the S8 apart from the wireless charging and the notification light.

Machinehead

thomasj wrote: »

We'll know in the next few weeks I'm sure but a few things that would make me pick it over the flagship would be the more efficient processor resulting in better battery and the FM radio. It does as much as what you can do on the S8 apart from the wireless charging and the notification light.

My wife's niece has the 2017 model & I turned my nose up to it cause I thought it would be too expensive, but the family got me one for my b'day & couldn't be happier. They said that if I want the A5 2018 I have to save up & get it myself 😠I've turned off notification sounds for almost everything but use vibration setting, works better than the light cause you can't see that if the phone is in the pocket. I then use 'do not disturb' so the phone doesn't wake me with the 'vibrating buzz' on the bedside locker overnight.

monster1

My a5 won't charge now. I plug it in. It overheats at the port, tried different cables, Car charger.
What would cause this? No luck with Samsung at all

Machinehead

monster1 wrote: »

My a5 won't charge now. I plug it in. It overheats at the port, tried different cables, Car charger.
What would cause this? No luck with Samsung at all

When you say it won't change, do you mean no charge whatsoever or it doesn't get to 100% Mine sometimes takes forever to get to 100% so when it gets to 94-96% & stops I go to device maintenance & kill everything running. After about 5 - 10 mins it gets to 100% Some sites suggest that charging to max all the time doesn't do the battery much good.

monster1

Machinehead wrote: »

When you say it won't change, do you mean no charge whatsoever or it doesn't get to 100% Mine sometimes takes forever to get to 100% so when it gets to 94-96% & stops I go to device maintenance & kill everything running. After about 5 - 10 mins it gets to 100% Some sites suggest that charging to max all the time doesn't do the battery much good.

Will not charge at all now.
The USB metal gets very hot too. Was getting random moisture in port warning. But it was dry.

mutley18

Wondering whether to go for the next model in this line, the Galaxy A8 which is due this Spring, or the S7, I am not worthy of S8 or S9 as I tend to break and lose things

https://www.buzz.ie/amp/tech/samsung-announces-galaxy-a8-266221

deisedude

mutley18 wrote: »

Wondering whether to go for the next model in this line, the Galaxy A8 which is due this Spring, or the S7, I am not worthy of S8 or S9 as I tend to break and lose things

https://www.buzz.ie/amp/tech/samsung-announces-galaxy-a8-266221

For whats its worth I love the A5. I don't think the S range is worth the price difference

manutd

Would anyone recommend the A8.

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