Samsung Galaxy A Series: A Smartphone Buying Guide

Samsung’s Galaxy A series is a cornerstone in the mid-range smartphone market, offering great value phones for a wide range of budgets. Their tagline for the series: ‘Awesome is for everyone’, highlights their intention to create value phones that still offer a great experience. Sporting a number of features that were previously limited to their flagships, Samsung shows us that with the Galaxy A range, you can get everything you need without breaking the bank. No matter how big or small your budget, there’s an A series phone for you. With such a big lineup available, it can be easy to get confused when trying to figure out the differences. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide so you can find the best Samsung Galaxy A series smartphone for you!

We’ve ordered this list with price in mind, so you’ll find the options get more expensive as you read on. Also, we’ve included all the A series phones that Samsung currently has in its range. You will find older models around, including at PB Tech, but we’re going to focus on the most current models.

Budget A Series - Samsung Galaxy A06

Samsung’s Galaxy A06 is the most affordable smartphone in this lineup and has all of the essentials, along with Samsung's trusted reliability, at great value. If you’re looking for a basic smartphone to do things like check emails, casually surf the web, and take decent photos, then this is a good option.

The A06 features a 6.7-inch 60Hz display with HD+ technology and a solid 5,000mAh battery that'll keep you going all day long, if not longer! It also sports a 50MP main camera (rear), accompanied by an 8MP front camera. The camera capabilities are more than enough to get flicks for social media and much more. Another important factor to consider is that the AO6 is made to last up to 2 OS upgrades and up to 4 security updates. This is always good to know when buying an entry-level phone, to ensure it doesn’t require replacing in the short term.  

Entry-Level A Series - Samsung Galaxy A16

If your needs are beyond the basics and you want more out of your smartphone experience, the Galaxy A16 could be the one for you. It has a range of features that separate it from the A06, like a faster processor, 5G connectivity, and a triple rear camera. Speaking of cameras, the A16 has a 13MP front camera, which really brings its camera capabilities into the same class as a lot of the more premium phones around. You get 128 GB of storage, and support for up to 6 Operating System updates alongside 6 years of security maintenance.

The new A16 has been slimmed down by Samsung and now looks nice and sleek at just 7.9mm thick. There are 2 colour options, Blue Black and Light Green, and both look stunning for a phone at this price range. Lastly, the A16 is also quite durable with an IP54 rating. While it isn’t advised to use it in a pool or beach setting, it is nice to know the phone can handle the wear and tear of daily life.

Mid-Range A Series - Samsung Galaxy A25

If you're able to splash out a little more, we recommend the Galaxy A25. With a faster CPU, more RAM, and a stunning 120Hz FHD+ Super AMOLED display, you’ll enjoy greater performance that’s better equipped for more tasks, including watching videos and multi-tasking. The triple rear camera system features an 8MP Ultra-Wide, 50MP Main, and a 2MP Macro Camera, along with Optical Image Stabilisation meaning your videos will be smoother and you’ll capture finer details. It’s also more than capable in the front camera department with a 13MP camera.

It has the same 5,000mAh battery as the A16, but with the added perk of Super-Fast Charging. Samsung estimates, based on the usage profile of an average/typical user, that the battery will get you 2 days of use, and with Super Fast charging you can get back up to full battery in no time! Another premium feature on the A25 is the fingerprint sensor, allowing for faster access to your phone. The A25 is a little smaller, with a 6.5” display, but remains durable and offers a closer-to-premium feel on a budget.

Mid-Range A Series - Samsung Galaxy A35

Moving up in the price range, we have the Samsung Galaxy A35, a more premium option for those who need better performance from their phone. Featuring a 6.6" FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz display, you’ll get vibrant, clear, and smooth images on your screen. The A35 has 6GB of RAM and an Exynos 1380 chipset. The octa-core processor is powerful and enjoys the benefits of an improved GPU and NPU. This allows you to multi-task more efficiently and with a large vapor chamber cooling system, your phone will have no trouble keeping up. The increased performance of the A35 will enable you to enjoy greater benefits from your phone, with things like gaming feeling much more refined than it would on lower-end models with less capable performance.

It also has a triple camera system in the rear with a 50MP main camera, equipped with Optical Image Stabilisation. The improved NPU on the A35 will enhance your photography, alongside an enhanced sensor that makes photos clear and detailed, even in the dark. Best of all, with the slightly higher price tag, you’ll get a more durable phone, with the A35 getting an IP67 rating, making it water and dust-resistant. The display is also very durable, having been made from tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.

Top A Series - Samsung Galaxy A55

Currently, the top model in the A series is the Galaxy A55. Off the bat, you get significantly higher storage space, with 256GB, as well as an increase in RAM, to 8GB. The chipset, an Exynos 1480, is also a step above, and the 2.75GHz CPU speed will offer a once again faster and more capable experience. This is ideal for multitasking and more intensive tasks. You get a 6.6” Super AMOLED FHD+ display, which has a quick 120Hz refresh rate and 1,000 nits brightness.

Camera-wise, there’s a big jump with 32MP in the front, alongside the rear triple camera which includes a 50MP wide-angle camera. Meanwhile, in the video department, you’ll be able to record up to 4K resolution at 30fps. Overall, the A55 offers a host of premium features that are on par with much more premium phones, but you won’t have to break the bank to get a hold of it.

We told you there’s a Samsung Galaxy A smartphone for every price point! Of course, if you want more out of your smartphone, you might want to look at taking a step up into the Galaxy S series. Head over to the Samsung brand store to see their full range of smartphones or check out our smartphones department for NZ's biggest range of smartphones.