REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy A7
Samsung recently released a solid mid-range phone in the Samsung Galaxy A7, check out my Galaxy A7 review.
Samsung Galaxy A7 Review Specs
| SPECS | Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) |
|---|---|
| SCREEN | 6.0-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Display (1080 x 2220 Pixels, 411 ppi) with 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio, 2.5D Curved Edges & Rounded Corners |
| OS | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| CHIPSET | Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7885 |
| CPU | Octa Core CPU: 2.2GHz Dual Core Cortex-A73 + 1.6GHz Hexa Core Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB of RAM |
| REAR CAMERA | Triple Cameras: 24 MP Main Camera (f/1.7) + 8 MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120°) + 5 MP Depth Sensor (f/2.2) with Phase Detection Autofocus and LED Flash – Automatic Scene Recognition |
| FRONT CAMERA | 24 Megapixels (f/2.0 Aperture) with Fixed Focus |
| STORAGE | 64GB |
| EXPANSION | Expandable up to 512GB via microSD |
| SIM CARD | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) |
| NETWORKS | 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, 2G EDGE & GPRS Networks |
| WI-FI | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (Dual Band) |
| NFC | No |
| BLUETOOTH | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| USB OTG | Yes |
| USB PORT | MicroUSB 2.0 |
| SOUND | 3.5mm Audio Jack (Dolby Atmos Audio) |
| FM RADIO | Yes |
| BIOMETRICS | Fingerprint Sensor |
| SENSORS | Gyroscope, Compass, Ambient Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor and Accelerometer |
| BATTERY | 3300 mAh Li-ion Battery (Non-removable) with 5V/2A Charging |
| MATERIAL | Glass with Metal Frame (IP68 Dust and Water Resistance) – Corning Gorilla Glass |
| DIMENSIONS | 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm |
| WEIGHT | 168 g |
| COLORS | Black, Blue and Gold |
Samsung Galaxy A7 Review Hardware and Chassis
As always, you have to tip your hat to the workmanship of Samsung on the A7. They did make some significant changes to the phone from the previous generation. For this smartphone, we get smaller top and bottom bezels. This works extremely well for viewing and using the phone. Less borders gives you more space for things to look at whether watching the newest episode of Black Mirror or leveling up in RO.
I also loved the fact that there are no notches on this phone, despite coming out in the generation of notch. So its pretty much back to basics with the camera, the speaker and the sensor.
The right side of the device features the power button and the volume controls.
Its easy to hold if you’re looking for a phone based on tactile comforts. Speaking of comforts, you also get the unique fingerprint scanner on the power button, making it also convenient if you want to use the phone without having to input patterns and passwords.
Here’s a look at the different parts of the smartphone…
Below you’ll see the left side of the phone which houses the SIM card tray and expandable memory.
The A7’s back also features an acrylic finish making all the more sexier. The back part houses three cameras. The third addition serves as your wide lens as it comes as an 8 megapixel f/2.4 120-degree wide lens. The main camera is a 24 megapixel f/1.7 sensor with a backup 5 megapixel f/2.2 perfect for depth for the ever popular “bokeh effect”.
Screen and visual
One of the best things about the A7 for me is that it looks extremely gorgeous. Like Samsung took the time to really give the phone pleasing aesthetics. It’s a phone you won’t be embarrassed to whip out in social gatherings filled with Apple products. The body that they have conjured up is something that’s actually pleasing to hold. It’s also light.
Camera / Photography
The A7 is a promising camera because of the 24 megapixel primary camera with f/1.7 aperture. There’s also a 5 megapixel depth sensor equipped with f/2.2 aperture. The third camera is an 8 megapixel sensor which features an ultra-wide lens. It also comes with an f/2.4 aperture.
What does that mean?
In short, you get clear and crisp photos including selfies.
And you know how smartphones and their respective manufacturers have their own gimmicks these days, the Samsung Galaxy A7 suffers from the same thing. The front camera provides great selfies with 24 Megapixels (f/2.0 Aperture) with Fixed Focus which will look like this (please pardon my ugly mug though).
Added functions included for this phone such as the AR Emojis / sticker gimmick…
There’s also a faux bokeh effect in the selfie selection yo.
Samsung Galaxy A7 Review – Benchmark Scores
Here are the actual results on a test using Geekbench.
There’s also one for single core scoring and comparisons to. Other phones in the market.
Pretty much it shows that performance wise, the Samsung Galaxy A7 has been carried by its pedigree and name and beats a lot of current smartphones that has the same level of materials.
Samsung Galaxy A7 Verdict
This smartphone I’d like to say “OK Lang”. Nothing really blew my mind. The three cameras on the rear made it unique and good. They do work as well as the front camera. For a mid-range phone, its good though.
Playing games here was OK too, you do get a bit of heating issues mostly because of the least-that-stellar processor. Battery takes a while to charge, which is a big no-no considering there are other phones in the market that have fast-charging plastered all over it.
Still, there’s the generally good Samsung stamp of approval in this and would definitely cater to fans of the actual brand. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) model is currently out in the market now and you can get it at SRP P17,990.
