Samsung Galaxy A05 Review: A Budget Smartphone with Hidden Strengths?

In a market flooded with budget smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A05 aims to stand out with its sleek design, long battery life, and Samsung’s trusted brand appeal. But does it deliver enough to compete against rivals like the Redmi Note 13 and Realme C55? After thorough testing, we break down its strengths, weaknesses, and whether it’s worth your money.

1. Design & Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A05 strikes a balance between affordability and practicality. Starting with its design, the phone features a sleek, glossy plastic back that mimics more premium finishes while keeping costs low. Moving to ergonomics, its slim 8.8mm profile and curved edges ensure a comfortable grip, though the material attracts fingerprints. When it comes to durability, the plastic build feels sturdy enough for daily use, but a protective case is recommended for long-term wear. Overall, while it lacks flagship polish, the A05 delivers a functional and visually appealing design for its price range

1.1 First Impressions

Unboxing the Galaxy A05, you’re greeted by a glossy plastic back and a surprisingly slim profile (8.8mm) that feels lightweight yet sturdy. While it doesn’t have the premium feel of glass-backed phones, the textured finish helps with grip.

1.2 Ergonomics & Durability

The curved edges make it comfortable to hold, but the plastic body attracts fingerprints—a common trade-off in this price range. Despite its plastic build, the phone feels durable enough for daily use, though we’d recommend a case for extra protection.

2. Display Performance of Samsung A05

2.1 Screen Specifications of Samsung A05

The 6.7-inch PLS LCD offers a 720p resolution, which won’t dazzle like AMOLED but provides decent colors for watching videos or browsing. The waterdrop notch is unobtrusive, maximizing screen real estate.

2.2 Outdoor Visibility

With 500 nits brightness, the display struggles under direct sunlight but remains usable indoors. If you frequently use your phone outside, you might find yourself squinting occasionally.

3. Hardware & Performance of  Samsung A05

3.1 Processor & RAM

Powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 and 4GB RAM, the A05 handles casual apps smoothly. However, it stutters when switching between multiple apps or running heavy games like Genshin Impact.

3.2 Storage & Expandability

The base model comes with 64GB storage, but there’s also a 128GB variant. Thankfully, the microSD slot (up to 1TB) ensures you won’t run out of space for photos and apps.

4. Camera Review of Samsung A05

4.1 Rear Camera (50MP + 2MP Depth Sensor)

The 50MP main camera captures sharp daytime shots with good detail. However, low-light performance is mediocre, with visible noise and reduced dynamic range. The 2MP depth sensor helps with portrait shots, but don’t expect flagship-level bokeh effects.

4.2 Selfie Camera (8MP)

The 8MP front camera produces soft images, and Samsung’s beauty mode tends to over-smooth skin. It’s fine for video calls but not ideal for Instagram selfies.

5. Battery Life & Charging of  Samsung A05

5.1 Battery Capacity of Samsung A05

The 5,000mAh battery is the star feature, easily lasting 1.5 days on moderate use. Even heavy users should get through a full day without needing a recharge.

5.2 Charging Speed

Unfortunately, charging is sluggish at 15W, taking about 2.5 hours for a full charge. If you forget to plug it in overnight, you’ll be waiting a while the next morning.

6. Software & Features of Samsung A05

6.1 One UI Core 5 (Android 13)

Samsung’s One UI Core offers a clean, user-friendly experience with features like Dark Mode and Samsung Knox security. However, it lacks some premium Galaxy features like DeX mode.

6.2 Bloatware & Updates

Pre-installed apps like Facebook and Netflix can’t be uninstalled, which might annoy some users. Samsung promises only two major Android updates, so don’t expect long-term software support.

7. Competitor Comparison

7.1 Redmi Note 12 vs Samsung galaxy A05

The Redmi Note 12 beats the A05 with its AMOLED display and faster charging, but Samsung’s better battery life and software optimization give it an edge in day-to-day usability.

7.2 vs. OPPO A72

The Realme C55 offers 33W fast charging, making the A05’s 15W feel outdated. However, Samsung’s One UI is more polished than Realme’s bloatware-heavy skin.

8. Pros 

✔️ Pros

✅ Excellent battery life (5,000mAh)
✅ Expandable storage (up to 1TB)
✅ Clean One UI software

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The Samsung Galaxy A05 is a solid budget phone for users who prioritize battery life and brand reliability over cutting-edge specs. If you’re a casual user who mainly browses, streams, and texts, it’s a great choice. However, if you want better cameras or faster charging, the Redmi Note 12 or Realme C55 might be better alternatives.

FAQs About the Samsung Galaxy A05

1. Does the Samsung Galaxy A05 support 5G?

No, the Galaxy A05 is a 4G-only device. If you need 5G, consider the Galaxy A15 5G.

2. Is the Samsung Galaxy A05 good for gaming?

It can handle light games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but heavy games like Call of Duty Mobile will require lower graphics settings.

3. Does it have a fingerprint scanner?

Yes, it has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable.

4. How many years of updates will it get?

Samsung promises two major Android updates and four years of security patches.

5. Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time?

Yes, the Galaxy A05 has a hybrid SIM slot, allowing either dual SIMs or one SIM + microSD.