Budget-friendly Samsung Phone
Samsung Galaxy A06 Review: Budget-friendly Smartphone with Impressive Features
The Samsung Galaxy A06, released in August 2024, is the latest addition to Samsung’s A-series, delivering great value for budget-conscious users. Packed with essential features at an affordable price, the Galaxy A06 offers solid performance without compromising on quality, making it one of the top budget smartphones in the market this year. From its competitive specs to user-friendly design, this phone is designed to meet everyday needs without breaking the bank.
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy A06
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy A06 sports a sleek design with a plastic back and frame, similar to other phones in this price range. It measures 167.3 mm by 77.9 mm by 8.0 mm, making it relatively compact for a phone with a 6.7-inch screen. The plastic construction, while durable, lacks the premium feel of higher-end phones like the Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G, which has a more premium design with a glass front and back.
The design remains largely unchanged compared to the Galaxy A05, with a waterdrop notch for the front camera and a clean rear panel housing the dual-camera setup. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a convenient addition, ensuring easy access without compromising on aesthetics.
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Display
The Samsung Galaxy A06 features a 6.7-inch PLS LCD with a 720 by 1600 resolution. While not as crisp as the 1080p screens on more expensive devices, the HD+ resolution provides acceptable clarity for casual use, such as browsing the web, watching videos, and scrolling through social media. The display’s 262 ppi pixel density means it will not be as sharp as the Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G’s 120Hz display, but it is still sufficient for day-to-day tasks.
Compared to the ZTE Blade V60 and the Tecno Spark 30C 5G, which also offer HD+ screens, the A06’s display performance is similar, though the Galaxy A06’s colours may appear slightly less vibrant due to the use of an IPS panel instead of AMOLED technology.
Performance and Processor
The Galaxy A06 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 12nm chipset, which includes an octa-core processor featuring a maximum 2.0 GHz clock speed. The graphic section is equipped with a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. This setup provides reliable performance for most day-to-day activities, such as multitasking, light gaming, and running social media apps. However, when it comes to more demanding tasks like playing graphic-intensive games, the device may struggle with occasional lag.
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Compared to the Galaxy A05, which also features the Helio G85 chipset, there is no significant improvement in performance. The A06 is on par with both the ZTE Blade V60 and Tecno Spark 30C 5G, as they too feature similar mid-range processors. The Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G, however, outperforms the Galaxy A06 with its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, offering a noticeable edge in speed and responsiveness.
RAM and ROM Options
The Samsung Galaxy A06 offers 4GB or 6GB of RAM, providing smooth multitasking. For storage, it comes with 64GB or 128GB of internal memory, expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card. This gives users ample space for apps and media.
These configurations are typical for budget-friendly phones, comparable to devices like the Tecno Spark 30C 5G and ZTE Blade V60. However, the A06’s microSD expandability makes it a convenient choice for those needing extra storage, though the Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G handles RAM slightly better for heavier tasks.
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Camera Capabilities
The Galaxy A06 comes equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50 MP wide-angle lens and a 2 MP depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, the main camera performs well, capturing detailed and vibrant photos. However, the performance in low-light scenarios is less impressive, with noticeable noise and reduced sharpness.
In comparison, the camera performance is nearly identical to that of the Galaxy A05, which also features a 50 MP primary sensor. The Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G and Tecno Spark 30C 5G both feature similarly specced cameras, but Xiaomi’s better software optimisation gives it a slight advantage in terms of image processing.
The 8 MP front-facing camera on the Galaxy A06 is sufficient for selfies and video calls, but it pales in comparison to the front cameras found in some mid-range competitors. Overall, while the camera setup is functional for casual photography, it is not designed for photography enthusiasts.
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Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy A06 is its 5000 mAh battery, which provides impressive longevity. With moderate use, the battery can easily last a full day, and lighter users might even stretch it to two days between charges. This is a huge plus for users who rely on their phones for extended periods without access to a charger.
The 25W fast charging feature ensures that the device can be charged quickly, which is an advantage over the ZTE Blade V60 and Tecno Spark 30C 5G, both of which support slower charging speeds. However, the Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G edges ahead with a slightly larger 5160 mAh battery and better power optimisation.
Gaming Performance
In terms of gaming, the Galaxy A06’s MediaTek Helio G85 chip is capable of handling lighter games like Subway Surfers and Clash of Clans smoothly. However, more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact may require lowering the graphics settings to avoid lag. While playable, the gaming experience is not as fluid as you would find on more powerful devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 14R 5G, which is designed to handle heavier games more efficiently.
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Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A06
Pros
- Solid build quality with a durable plastic frame- Large 6.7-inch PLS LCD, offering decent color and brightness- Long-lasting 5000 mAh Li-polymer battery- Expandable storage up to 1TB via microSD card- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
Cons
- No NFC support for contactless payments- Lacks 5G network support- The display resolution is only HD+ (720p), not Full HD- The camera struggles in low-light conditions- Average processor for gaming and multitasking.
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Price of Samsung Galaxy A06
In Bangladesh, the price of Samsung Galaxy A06 starts at BDT 21,000 for the 4/128GB storage variant.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A06 is a solid choice for budget-conscious users looking for a reliable phone with decent performance, long battery life, and essential features. It is ideal for casual users, students, or those needing a secondary device. However, it may not satisfy heavy users, gamers, or those seeking 5G connectivity or high-end camera performance. If you need a more powerful processor or better display, consider other options.
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1 month ago
Samsung Galaxy A15 4G Review: An Efficient Budget-friendly Smartphone
When it comes to Samsung, there is a remarkable and relentless process through which they put forth their devices, whether it’s a flagship or a budget-friendly device. The same is true for the Galaxy ‘A’ series. A15 is the latest addition to this series. In the Galaxy A15 model, Samsung brings improvements in several aspects over last year's A14. Let’s take a detailed look.
Key Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A15 4G
Design and Build Quality
One of the key selling points of Samsung smartphones is the design symmetry in each of their lines. Whether you’re going for the A series, M series, or the flagship S series, the main design elements remain more or less the same. The only difference is in the materials.
The Galaxy A15 is also no different here as it looks much like the more expensive A35 and even the flagship S24. Except on the A15, the entire body is made from plastic.
The dimension of the A15 comes in at 160.1 mm by 76.8 mm by 8.4 mm with 200 g of effective weight. In terms of physical footprint, the A15 is much more compact than the A14 which is a great thing for compact phone enthusiasts.
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The plastic back has a frosted finish to give it a glass-like look and the frame comes with a matte coat. Ports and buttons are in their usual spot including the coveted 3.5 mm headphone jack. The power button this time also doubles as the fingerprint scanner.
The only drawback with the A15 being a budget-friendly device would be the waterdrop notch, large chin, and the lack of a water protection rating.
The Display
The display on the Galaxy A15 is a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 800 nits of peak brightness. The resolution comes in at 1080 by 2340 pixels with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It makes for around 396 ppi density on the panel.
The large chin at the bottom might be out of standard for 2024, but the 84.3% screen-to-body ratio is what users will be getting for an affordable price. Aside from the specs, it's hardly contentious that the A15 has one of the best budget smartphone displays today.
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The Super AMOLED tech from Samsung combined with the 90 Hz refresh rate brings a crisp and smooth user experience to the table. Needless to say, content consumption and browsing on this panel would bring a mid-range feel for its price.
The Camera
There is a triple camera setup on the Galaxy A15 vertically aligned on the back. Unlike most budget-friendly smartphones Samsung has included two useful sensors out of the three. The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 shooter with AF. The secondary ones are a 5 MP f/2.2 ultrawide and a 2 MP f/2.4 macro shooter.
The front shooter is a 13 MP f/2.0 sensor.
In terms of camera performance, the main shooter produced similar results to the A14. Pictures taken in bright light had great details and a characteristic warm tone to them. The dynamic range was pretty good as it showed a good balance overall. However, pictures taken in low light showed lens flare and occasional grains. Thankfully, the night mode did a pretty good job of dissipating them.
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Portrait mode on the main sensor worked well with good edge detection and subject focus. The ultrawide sensor produced some decent images in well-lit environments without any fish-eye effect. The front shooter can take decent social media-ready selfies with Samsung post-processed beautification and softening in place.
The videography on the A15 is limited to 1080P at 30 fps. The low capacity is a bit surprising considering the A15 comes with an updated processor.
Processor and Performance
The Galaxy A15 is powered by Mediatek Helio G99 based on the 6 Nm architecture. The octa-core processor has a chip design of 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 with Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.
The G99 is a processor that has been seen on devices going up to 30K in the Bangladeshi market. So seeing the same processor on a sub-20K smartphone is a steal of a deal in itself.
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In terms of performance, the G99 doesn’t slack. Games like PUBG can be played at Ultra with smooth fps. We didn’t notice any major hiccups or frame drops during the test. Similar titles like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9, and COD ran with medium to high settings. The device did heat up after some time but it wasn’t anything unmanageable for the processor.
Benchmark Scores
Benchmark
Score
Geekbench 6 Multi-score
1890
GFX Aztec Open High
8.9 fps
GFX Manhattan 3.1
23 fps
PCMark Battery
15:15
.
Software
The software on the A15 is One UI 6 based on Android 14. One UI replaced the Samsung Experience to entirely revamp their UI/UX. It is fast, smooth, and with minimal bloatware making it an ideal experience even in a budget smartphone like the A15.
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What’s even better? Samsung has committed to four years of software updates and five years of security updates on the A15.
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the A15 is 5000 mAh. The device supports up to 25W of wired charging. However, the charger isn’t included in the box. Expect to get around 6 to 8 hours of screen time from a full charge.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A15
Pros
- Super AMOLED panel with 90 Hz refresh rate - Side-mounted fingerprint scanner - 3.5 mm headphone jack - Updated Helio G99 processor - 25W wired fast charging - One UI 6 based on Android 14.
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Cons
- No charger in the box - No dust/ water resistance IP rating- No 4K video recording option - No wireless charging support - No reverse charging support - Doesn’t have OIS or EIS
Price of Samsung Galaxy A15 4G in Bangladesh
The Samsung Galaxy A15 4G’s 4/128 GB configuration is available in the Bangladeshi market for around 17,000 Taka. However, the price may vary depending on the sellers.
Verdict
The Galaxy A15 4G brings a semi-updated design, a new chipset, a better display, and better post-processing compared to the outgoing Galaxy A14. With each year, Samsung is perfecting its ultra-budget line to blur the line between budget and mid-range even further.
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However, some intrinsic issues like no 4K recording, no water resistance rating, and an outdated display design might be disadvantageous for some users.
Regardless, the Samsung Galaxy A15 4G is nearly a perfect option compared to other budget options in the market.
5 months ago