Samsung a5 user manual. Useful tips for owners of Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5. Touch finger scanner

Samsung has again released new versions of the A3 and A5 models - this is already becoming an annual event.

With the help of these devices, the company indicates its true intentions - to consolidate its position in the mid-price segment by presenting users with smartphones with a good range of useful functions.

Just like any other smartphone, these two have a few hidden features that are worthy of your attention. Here are some of the most successful ones, in our opinion:

Add/Disable Game Launcher and Game Tools

Every mobile gamer knows what Game Launcher and Game Tools are for. These apps allow you to turn off notifications while you're playing, and they can also be used to take a screenshot of the game or even make a video. You can activate or deactivate them in just a couple of clicks.

All you need to do is go to settings, find Additional Features and go to the Games menu. Here you will find the options you need.

Game Launcher is very easy to enable or disable

Take photos with ease

On most smartphones, you can take photos by pressing the volume keys. Some people prefer a button on the screen. Samsung has tried to take into account everyone's personal preferences.

You can add a virtual key for your camera, this key can be placed anywhere on the screen when the viewfinder is on. Press this button and the photo is ready.

To enable access to this feature, simply go to the Camera app and from there to Settings (the gear in the top right corner of the screen). Scroll down the menu and find the Floating Camera Button feature. Activate it and the button will appear in the Camera app.

We remind you: you can launch the camera by double-clicking the “Camera” button, you do not have to look for the camera icon on the desktop.

The "floating" camera button can be activated in the settings

Change the appearance of the interface

Some people (including myself) find the TouchWiz interface to be extremely ugly, which is not the case with bare Android. So, now you know that the appearance of the interface can be changed using different themes. And while this won't solve all your problems, it will at least make your phone more enjoyable. You can also download wallpapers and icon packs.

The main disadvantage is the price. Are you ready to spend 120 rubles on a set of icons?

Luckily, some themes/wallpapers/icons are available for free, and some of them look really good. You will find them in the settings under Wallpapers and Themes. You can also access this section by tapping on the background of your screen for a few seconds, then tap on the Wallpapers & Themes button that appears in the lower left corner of the display.

Use "protected" files

And while many people vociferously claim that they have nothing to hide, what can be found on their phone or anywhere else, a feature that allows you to hide some things is useful.

When you hand your phone to your mom, you might not want her to see your party photos. Or maybe you don't want your girlfriend to see pictures of you dancing with other girls. Even if you haven't done anything wrong, making excuses is always unpleasant.

To avoid such hassles, Samsung has added a file protection option, first introduced on the Note 7. You can put anything you want to keep secret in a specific folder, and you can restrict access to that folder using a password or fingerprint.

The only condition for using this feature is that you have to use a Samsung code. Just go to the Applications menu, then Samsung Applications and open Secure File. The rest is up to you.

Place your sensitive information in a secure folder

Receive notification reminders

Has this ever happened: you receive a message on WhatsApp during an important meeting, and after it ends, half an hour later, you completely forget to read the message?

Samsung has thought through everything carefully and introduced a notification reminder feature: if you forget to read a notification, the phone will remind you about it.

Of course, you can choose the types of notifications, and you can also choose which application can send you reminders.

Go to the Access menu in Settings, and then to the Notification Reminders section. Here you will also find other interesting functions - for example, a “magnifying glass”.

This is a very useful feature for those who forget.

Activate "simplified" mode

While power users will definitely appreciate the customizable welcome screen, some of us gravitate toward simpler menus and larger fonts.

You can activate this feature in settings. But be careful - the icons will grow to huge sizes, even the notification menu will be changed!

To activate this mode, go to Settings and then select the Simple Mode feature and activate it.

Simple mode lives up to its name

Some tricks that are already available on other Samsung smartphones can also be used on the 2017 A3/A5 models.

Send an SOS signal

You can send an SOS if you find yourself in trouble: head to Settings>Advanced>SOS, once the option is activated you can add a recipient. Now all you need to do to send an SOS signal is to press the power key three times.

Split screen function

The A5 has a split screen feature. To get to it, tap on the multitasking symbol, but remember that not all apps are compatible with this mode. But Google applications (Gmail, Play Store, etc.) have no problems with this mode.

Disable Upday

Samsung has decided to equip its devices with its own information system called Upday. The new Galaxy A3 and A5 are no exception to the rule, so all you have to do to access the Upday widget is swipe right.

Don't panic in advance - if you're more used to Google Now or just want to remove an unnecessary widget from your home screen, Upday can be disabled.

To do this, you need to press and hold on the screen for a couple of seconds. At the bottom you will see three keys (Wallpaper, Widgets and Arrangement). Scroll right to access the screen located to the left of the center. You can then turn it off with the click of a button.

Pinning applications

In some cases, it may be convenient to lock the screen in one specific application. Notifications from all other apps will be blocked and you won't be able to open other apps, so your private life won't be exposed to the public.

Then press the multitasking key to see a list of running applications. At the top right of the most recent application you will find a “pin”. Click on it and the screen in this application will be locked.

The picture on the left shows how to deactivate Upday; on the right - how to block the application screen from receiving notifications

Have any of our tips helped you get the most (or the least) out of your Galaxy A3 or A5? Have you found any other useful tricks to use these smartphones? Share with us in the comments.

Frequently asked questions - a collection of frequently asked questions on any topic and answers to them. In our Samsung FAQ, we tried to collect the most popular questions and answers found on our forum. In order to find what interests you, just select your Samsung model from the list or use the search.

Where can I see the technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017?

How to free up RAM?

Will the alarm ring if the phone is turned off?

Can I use my phone while charging? Does its use affect the charging process itself?

The Internet icon on the smartphone periodically began to disappear and the network was completely lost. What to do, how to cure?

Possible problem with your SIM card. Start with something simple: distort the card, clean the contacts. Remove the SIM card from the holder tray, clean its contacts with an eraser (be sure to thoroughly clean off any debris from the eraser) or, better yet, wipe them with alcohol. Insert the SIM card back into the tray. %
If the problem is not solved, then contact your mobile operator to replace the old card with a new one. The exchange will be made free of charge and with the preservation of the number.

Suddenly the battery began to discharge quickly, how can you find out what is eating up the battery?

Use the built-in Battery Usage feature to find out how long the screen is on, how long the battery is charged, how your phone is used in active mode, what the quality of your mobile connection is, and also view a graph of battery usage by different apps. %
Menu -> Settings -> Battery (or Energy Saving) -> Battery Usage.

How can I switch my phone to silent mode during an incoming call so as not to hear the call?

When I charge my phone, it gets quite hot. Is this normal, will it damage the device?

Forgot pattern/PIN/password. How to unlock your phone now?

One of the simplest options is unlocking through a Google account. If you have added a Google account to your device and remember your login and password, then use this advice. %
Enter the wrong password five times, a Forgot your password? button will appear on the lock screen, and when you click on it, a window for entering your account information will appear: e-mail (@gmail.com) and password. After entering the data, you will be asked to select a new method for locking the device. Here you can create a new password or refuse to use it. %
If you don't have a Google account, then you can reset your data using the physical buttons on your phone, but all your personal data will be lost.

Why do I sometimes see the answer buttons when I receive a call, and sometimes the unlock sliders?

The lock slider for an incoming call appears if the smartphone screen is locked at the time of the call, and if the screen was turned on, you will see the usual buttons.

Can I change the password for an existing Samsung account? If I can, then how?

You can change your Samsung account password. To do this, press Menu -> select Settings -> Accounts -> select Samsung account -> Profile -> now enter the current account password to log into it -> My data tab, click the Change button next to Password -> enter the current password again -> enter a new password -> confirm the new password -> click the Confirm button.

Numbers in the phone book must be added in international format. %
That is, the number should look like this: +(country code)(operator code)(phone number), for example, Russia MegaFon: +7921хххххххх, Ukraine Kyivstar: +38098хххххххх.

How to take a screenshot?

How not to lose information when replacing a memory card?

There are no special features for replacing the memory card; there is no need to flash the device. It is necessary to format the new memory card and copy all the contents of the old memory card to the new one (this is best done on a computer), and the display of hidden and protected files must be enabled on the computer. Then turn off the phone and replace the memory card. The phone will work as before, but with a different memory card capacity.

How to disable automatic phone switching to winter/summer time?

Go Settings -> Date and Time. Uncheck the boxes next to the items Automatic date and time detection And "Auto detect time zone", then manually select your time zone from Time Zone.

How to find out the MAC address of a WI-FI phone?

1 way. Menu -> Settings -> Device information (About device) -> Status -> Wi-Fi MAC address. %
2 way. Menu -> Settings -> WI-FI, click Menu -> Advanced -> MAC address.

When the phone is charging and I try to work with it, the screen sensor glitches and does not respond to touches. Is this a marriage?

If the power supply is unstable while charging, the sensor may not respond to touches. Disconnect charging and check the sensor operation without it. Use stable power sources.

I have a backup of contacts in the form of a large number of vcf files (each contact has its own vcf card). How can I combine them into one file to make it easier to import into my phone?

If the files are not stored on your PC, then transfer them there to a separate folder. Run the copy /B *.* contacts.vcf command in it and get the merged contacts.vcf file. %
If you don’t know how to execute the command, then do the following: in the folder with vcf cards, create a text document (file tab -> create -> text document). Open it, copy the command “copy /B *.* contacts.vcf” (without quotes) there, save the file. Rename the file extension from txt to bat. Run the file by double clicking the mouse. The contacts.vcf file will appear in the folder next to it.

Why don't people sometimes call me when I'm on the Internet?

If your operator supports only 2G network type, and accordingly you are on a 2G network, then in this case this situation is considered normal. 3G networks already allow the user to use the Internet and receive calls at the same time, but much also depends on the operator’s equipment and the current network load.

How to glue protective glass evenly?

One of the simplest ways is to stick glass using “loops”. Lay the glass on the phone, straighten it, glue strips of tape on the glass and phone, like on the door. Open the glass like a door, degrease the screen and wipe it well. Remove the protective coating on the glass and place the glass on the screen (close the door). The glass itself will stick to the screen gradually. You can find many example videos on YouTube.

The phone is frozen and does not respond to buttons, how can I reboot it?

1. Try pressing and holding the Power key for about 10-20 seconds. %
2. If the back cover of your smartphone is removable, then remove it, take out the battery for a few seconds and insert it back, then put the cover back on. Now turn on the device. %
3. If the cover is non-removable, then press the Power and Volume keys at the same time and hold them for about 7 seconds until the device reboots.

I still have a file in vcf format from my old phone, in which all my subscribers from the phone book are saved. How can I use it to transfer contacts to my new phone?

There are several options, one of the simplest solutions would be: send a letter to your mailbox (to yourself) to which you attach this file. Receive the letter by phone, open the attachment in it, the system will offer to import contacts. %
Another simple option is to upload the file to your phone using a cable and a PC, then use the built-in file manager to go to the file and open it, the system will offer to import contacts (here you will need to install drivers for the PC to work with the device via a cable). %
You can also import contacts directly into your Google account via the web interface, for example on a PC, and from there synchronize with your device.

How to quickly switch your smartphone completely to silent mode?

Press the volume button down until the icon appears that only vibration works. Release the button, and now press it again. Now your phone is in silent mode, in which only the alarm clock works.

How do I enable developer mode?

Settings (lower the curtain, tap on the gear) -> About phone -> Press Build number 7 times in a row. %
The mode is activated, mode settings in the main device settings menu.

How to quickly access the volume settings of all system elements?

Press the volume button (up or down) to open the audio settings for the current activity. Now use the down arrow (to the right of the volume slider), more volume sliders will appear.

Programs and OS

Where can I download programs for Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 for free?

How to find out the IMEI number of a phone?

How can I prevent my Android phone from automatically downloading firmware updates?

Automatic download of software updates is carried out only over Wi-Fi and only if the corresponding setting is installed on the phone. If a software update is downloaded to your phone, you can no longer install it; you can only postpone the installation, after which the phone will again ask you to install the downloaded update.

To disable: open the Settings section, go to the Options tab. Select About device, then select Software update. Uncheck the Wi-Fi only option to prevent automatic update download over Wi-Fi from starting.
In addition, you can disable the Auto Update option so that the phone does not check for updates and does not display a message about the availability of a new software version. You can manually check for a software update by selecting Update.

How can I disable automatic updates of applications from Google Play?

Launch the Play Store, open the Menu (swipe from the left edge of the screen) and enter Settings. In the General section, under Auto-update apps, select Never. If the Notifications option is checked, you will receive messages about the release of new versions of the application, but they will not be automatically downloaded or installed. At the same time, you can always update any of the programs manually.

How can I determine which contacts are saved in my phone’s memory and which are on the SIM card?

Near each contact you can find a symbol indicating the save location. Go to Contacts, view subscriber entries in the phone book. If you see a SIM card icon next to the entry, this means that the contact is saved on the SIM card. If there are no icons next to the contact, it means it is saved in the phone’s memory. %
Also in Contacts, you can see icons next to the subscriber’s name indicating that the contact is saved in a Google account and/or Samsung account.

How to add a widget to your desktop?

Go to Application menu, select the tab at the top Widgets, press and hold on the desired widget, and then place it on the desired place on the desktop.

What are Root rights and what are they for?

Root is superuser rights that allow you to gain full access to the operating system: changing system files, launching some third-party applications, backing up the system, etc.%
The first and only reason why the user is rooted is so that he can change the system partition, the rest is a consequence of obtaining root rights.

Yes, it is possible, but not all models support it. To start voice input, you should see a microphone icon on your keyboard (on the left next to the space bar). If it is not there and you see a gear icon (or some other), touch and hold it (this is the Settings button), an additional menu will appear in which you can select the microphone icon (Voice input), if it is supported by the device. Now press the microphone button and start speaking, Voice dialing is activated. %
Please note that voice input requires an Internet connection to work, but you can download a special language pack to work offline.

How to transfer files via Bluetooth?

Navigate to the file you want to transfer using a file manager (the built-in one is possible). From the menu, select Send (Transfer). A pop-up menu will appear with the available methods for sending the file. Select Bluetooth from the list (if it is disabled, the system will prompt you to turn it on). A list of devices available via Bluetooth appears, from which we select the desired phone to send.

How can I add/change a photo to a subscriber already existing in the phone book?

You can only add a photo to a contact saved in the phone memory. Subscribers whose phones are saved to the SIM card cannot add an image. %
1. Go to Contacts, select the person, touch and hold their name, then select Change. %
2. In the contact card, click on the picture next to the name, in the menu that appears, select the photo source (an existing picture or a photo from the camera), select an image or take a photo, click Done, then Save.

How to boot into safe mode?

Turn off your phone. Now turn it on with the power button, when Samsung appears on the screen, press and hold the volume up key.

After installing the program, its icon is automatically added to the desktop and I then have to remove it from there. Is it possible to disable this somehow?

Is it possible to scroll through songs in a playlist using a headset?

On my old phone, contacts were stored on a SIM card. How can I now transfer them from the SIM card to the phone book of my Android smartphone?

Go to Contacts -> press the Menu key -> (in some models, go to additional items -> Settings -> Contacts) -> select Import/Export -> Import from SIM card -> check Location for saving contacts (in this case Device) - > Select the contacts to transfer (or Select all) -> click in the top right corner of Done.

How can I download a special Russian language pack for voice typing so that I don't have to use an Internet connection when typing?

Press Menu -> select Settings -> Language and input -> Keyboard and input methods -> click on the gear icon next to Google Voice input -> Offline speech recognition. %
Go to the All tab -> Select Russian from the list -> click Download. %
Wait until the download is complete, after which you can use the Voice Dialing function in offline mode.

Where in the settings is the SMS delivery report option enabled?

Go to Messages -> Menu -> Settings -> Delivery Report. Or Messages -> Menu -> Message settings -> Advanced -> SMS -> Delivery report (for Galaxy S7/S6).

Help me find speed dial settings so that when you long press one digit, the phone number of the specified subscriber is automatically dialed.

Click Phone -> Keyboard tab -> click Menu button -> Speed ​​Dial. Now you can specify the number to which you plan to link the contact’s phone number, then specify the contact itself from the phone book.

How to delete a google account (without losing data)?

1. The most painless method for deleting an account is installing the ErazzerFree program. It allows you to manage Google accounts, including deleting them. The program requires root(superuser rights), obtaining these rights individually for each device. Deleting an account will take place without losing other data.
2. You can also reset the firmware to factory settings (wipe data / factory reset), but at the same time all data from the device will be deleted, and the software will return to its out-of-the-box state.

How to change the font?

If your machine has a standard font style function, use it to change the font. Go to Menu -> Settings -> Display -> Font -> Font Style.
If this function is not available, you will need root rights to install fonts manually and replace system fonts with third-party ones. Using third-party font replacement methods, you risk damaging the device's OS.

It seems to me that the phone has become glitchy, how can I do a hard reset and return the phone to its factory state?

If the device is working normally, the reset can be performed directly through the menu. Menu - Settings - Backup and reset(sometimes Archive and Reset or Confidentiality is found) - Reset data(Reset device), select Reset the device or Delete all.

Why is my Skype status online all the time now, how can I fix it? I turned off the phone and rebooted - it didn't help.

1. To display the status correctly, you must exit the application only with the Exit soft button using the Skype program menu. It is this operation that sends a command to the Skype server to disconnect from it and, accordingly, change the status. %
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2. If for some reason there are still problems with the status, then use any other device (for example, a PC), log into Skype, connect to the server in any mode except “Offline”, and enter in the chat window with any subscriber from the contact list (the subscriber may be offline) the following text commands and click the Send button: %
/showplaces %
*shows which devices you are currently logged into Skype from (initially there will be 2 or more). %
/remotelogout %
*exit Skype from all devices except the current one (which is what we need, since it will close your connection on the phone, and from the PC you will subsequently exit the status correctly). %
The commands are executed in the background and notify you of the result. %
%
You can now log out of Skype by disconnecting from the server and on your PC. Your status has become offline.

Why sometimes the built-in player does not want to play some tracks?

Possible solutions: %
- First of all, check whether the built-in player supports this file format. %
- Then try to play the track on your computer, making sure the file is working. %
- Check the name of the music file, it may be too long. %
- Go to the folder with the track and check the other files in it to see if there is a file called nomedia. %
- As a last resort, try installing a third-party player.

What size picture should be used for wallpaper so that the system does not allow it to be stretched?

I installed a program/game, I didn’t like it, how can I remove it from my phone now?

Enter Settings, go to Application Manager (or Settings - Applications - Application Management), select the All tab, find the program you installed in the list, mark it and click Uninstall. %
If the application was installed from the Store, then there is another way: log into Google Play, go to the Downloads tab, find the program you installed in the list, mark it and click Remove.

Is it possible to somehow configure the display of the contact list, otherwise I have all contacts from different sources in one heap?

Go to Contacts -> Menu key -> select Show contacts -> here check the option for displaying contacts that suits you best.
If you need to display contacts from several sources, then: enter Contacts -> Menu key -> select Show contacts -> Customized list -> click Settings (gear) -> here tick the required source options -> click Finish.

I need to manually set a static IP address for my Wi-Fi connection, where can I enter this information?

Enter Settings -> go to Wi-Fi (for further manipulations Wi-Fi must be turned on) -> Select an access point to connect from the list -> Check Show additional parameters -> Select Static in the IP Settings item and fill in the required fields data (IP address, gateway, DNS).

Before installing the application, I am shown a window with a list of permissions. What it is?

Permissions are a list of actions that, with your consent, this application can perform after it is installed on your phone. Please read it carefully before clicking the Accept button. On the one hand, this is a concern for security, on the other, power consumption and device performance.

I changed some settings in the program and it began to glitch, how can I return the settings to their original state without reinstalling the application?

Enter the settings, go to the Application Manager (or Settings - Applications - Application Management), then to the All tab, find the program with which you are having problems, tap on it, in the open window you will see that there are buttons that allow you to: erase application data (the settings will also be reset), clear the cache (effective when reinstalling, if you do not want to lose data and the application does not work), delete default settings (effective if you have assigned this application to a specific action by default).

I installed the program and now the phone cannot boot the system. What to do, how to remove it?

First, you need to try booting the phone in safe mode, which disables all applications installed after purchasing the device at startup, but at the same time displays them all in the settings. When the phone boots up (Android screensaver), press and hold the volume down button until safe mode appears (at the bottom left of the screen) and vibrates, release the button, it will boot into safe mode. Now you can remove the problematic program through the Application Manager using the standard method, and then it will boot in normal mode. %
If the phone does not boot into safe mode, you will have to do a factory reset.

How to turn off the every minute beep during a call?

Depending on the version of the operating system and mobile device, possible options may differ: %
1. Phone (dialer) -Settings - Other settings - Minute reminder - check (on)/uncheck (off). %
2. Settings - Applications - Call - All calls - Status signals - Per-minute signal. %
3. Phone - Settings - Accounts/Settings for calls - Call status signals - enable/disable.

How to leave a comment on an application in Android Market?

In order for you to leave a comment, you first need to install the application and vote for it, selecting the number of stars from 1 (terrible) to 5 (excellent). To vote, you need to register on the google+ social network.

How to backup your data from your phone?

Use the application to backup contacts, photos, music, applications, call logs, messages, passwords, browser history, etc. The data will be saved on the PC and can later be restored either to the same phone or to any other Samsung device. %
Launch the Smart Switch program on your PC, connect your phone via a USB cable.] Click More at the top right, select Settings. In the settings window, open the Backup Items tab and select the data to back up and click OK. In the main program window, click Backup and wait until archiving is complete.

How do I enable the display of battery percentage in the status bar?

The setting is located in the System UI Tuner menu. Status bar -> Battery -> Always show percentage.
If the Settings icon has a small key, this indicates that the System UI Tuner menu is enabled on your device. If not, you need to enable it first.

How is multitasking organized in Android?

Android applications consist of several components. There are four types of components: Activities, Services, Broadcast receivers And Content providers.
Activities represent a graphical user interface for a specific task. For example, an SMS application may have one activity for displaying a list of contacts, one for creating a message, etc. An Activity can be in one of three states:
1. Active or running – in this state it is in the foreground and interacts with the user;
2. Paused – is in the background, but visible to the user, for example, partially blocked by a new activity;
3. Stopped – completely blocked by another activity. But it still retains its state, although it is completely hidden from the user.

In the Paused and Stopped states, the activity can be unloaded from memory. A situation may arise when the user, returning to the unloaded activity, would like to see it in the state in which he left it. This is possible if you call the onSaveInstanceState() method before unloading the activity, and call the onRestoreInstanceState() method when restoring or creating the activity. In this case, it is possible to save the current (at the time of unloading) activity state. Here we can draw an analogy with the hibernation mode in PC OS.

I installed the program, but it seems to me that it is exhibiting some kind of suspicious activity. How can I view permissions for an already installed application?

Go to Settings -> Application Manager (Applications) -> go to the Downloaded tab -> find the application in the list, tap on it, Application Details will open, scroll down (to Permissions).

How do I create a Dropbox account?

Settings -> Accounts -> Dropbox. Now select Sign up for Dropbox (if you need to create a new account). Enter your first name, last name, email address, set a password and click Create account. %
If an account was created previously and now you just need to add it, then Settings -> Accounts -> Dropbox. Now select Login and enter your account information.

When I try to enter the Camera application, the error Camera failure appears. How to get rid of it?

1. Clear Camera app data. Settings -> Application Manager -> All select Camera -> Clear data.. In most cases the problem will be resolved.
2. If cleaning does not help, then boot into safe mode. If the Camera works correctly here, then one by one remove third-party applications that were recently installed before the problem was fixed.
3. If step 2 does not help, then update the device software, if available.
4. You can radically solve the problem by resetting the device settings.

I don’t want to receive notifications from one of the sites, how can I disable them in Chrome?

Go to the Chrome Menu (three dots in the upper right corner), select Settings. Go to Site Settings - Alerts. In the Allowed section, select the required site. In the notification settings window for this site, in the permissions section, select Notifications, and in the window that appears, select Block. %
You will no longer receive messages from this site, but you can always reactivate them if you wish.

I have pictures with the Picasa icon in my gallery, how can I remove them from there?

Log into the Google+ app, click the control panel icon in the upper right corner of the screen and select Photos from the drop-down panel. Find the photo you want and click on it, now open additional options and select Delete photo.

Is there a built-in notification function for SIM card replacement in the device and how to enable it?

Available. Menu -> Settings -> Security -> SIM change notification. Here you will need to enter your Samsung account password. Enter it and click Confirm. In the Notifications window, enter the text that will be sent in the message when replacing the SIM card and click Yes. Set the phone number to which a message with the new SIM card number and IMEI will be automatically sent, click Finish. Select Save.

How to avoid disconnecting the Internet received via Wi-Fi? After locking the phone screen, the Wi-Fi connection is disconnected.

Settings -> Wi-Fi. In the upper right corner of the screen, click the three dots, in the context menu select Additional functions -> Wi-Fi in sleep mode. Select Keep on.

Is it possible to configure the contact list so that not all contacts are displayed?

Go to Contacts. Then click Menu -> Show contacts. Select the Customized list item -> click Settings (gear) > Here you can configure the groups of contacts that will be displayed in the book, mark them (unchecked ones will not be visible, which is what you need) -> click Finish.
Those subscribers whom you want to hide must be grouped into one group and then not marked for display in Contacts.

What is a user manager for?

With the help of the user manager, you can now create not one, but several accounts on your device and switch between them (similar to the PC user manager).

Is there a built-in Flashlight application and how to enable it?

Yes, there is. Lower the curtain by swiping down from the top of the screen. Scroll through the icons in the curtain from right to left and find the Flashlight item, it controls the inclusion of the flash light as a flashlight.

The phone is frozen and now won’t turn on, how can I do a hard reset and return the phone to its factory state?

With the phone turned off, press and hold the Power, Home (central) and Volume+ keys simultaneously (if there is no Home key, then only Power and Volume+). Release the Power button after Samsung Galaxy appears, continue to hold the other two until the Recovery menu appears, this takes about 5-15 seconds. In the menu, go to wipe data/factory reset using the volume down button. Press the Power button to confirm your selection. Confirm your choice: Yes - Delete all user data using the volume down and power keys as in the previous menu. After clearing the data, select reboot system now from the main menu using the Power button. The phone will then turn on and then turn on.

How to add a subscriber to an existing group of subscribers in the phone book?

In Idle mode, tap the Contacts icon, find the person's contact entry, tap and hold it. From the menu that appears, select Add to group. Select the required group in the list where you plan to add a contact, and click Save in the upper right corner.

Why did some application icons in My Downloads become transparent when I connected my phone to the computer?

Option 1: The phone connected to the PC is not compatible with these applications. %
Option 2. This is not the phone on which the application data was previously installed, i.e. another device is connected. %
Option 3: Check the connection, it is possible that the phone is not connected to the PC.

How to enable System UI Tuner in Settings?

Find the gear in the quick access menu, clicking on it will take you to Settings. Press and hold it for 5-7 seconds (until a notification appears), after which the System UI Tuner menu will be activated. To deactivate, a long tap is also used.

Can I create a backup of contacts and later restore them using the phone’s built-in tools?

Use the Import/Export contacts function.
To create a backup, go to Contacts -> press the Menu key -> select Import/Export contacts -> select Export to internal memory -> Confirm exporting contacts to the file storage/emulated/0/Contacts.vcf. You can view and copy the Contacts.vcf file using the built-in file manager My Files.
To restore from a backup, first check the presence of the file storage/emulated/0/Contacts.vcf; if necessary (for example, after a complete reset), copy the previously saved copy of the file into place. Go to Contacts -> press the Menu key -> select Import/Export contacts -> select Import from internal memory -> select a location to save contacts.

You can use System UI Tuner. To do this, swipe twice from the top of the screen, now press and hold the gear in the upper right corner, it will begin to rotate and a message will appear indicating that the System UI Tuner is available. Now you can open the settings and select System UI Tuner at the very bottom of the list.

Hardware and firmware

Why are there no PDA, BOOTLOADER,MODEM... buttons in Odin?

What to do if your phone gets hot?

All electrical products heat up during operation. Electrical parts use current to operate and therefore become hot. The more current required to operate certain phone functions, the more heat there will be.
The phone may become warm for several reasons:
1. Features that consume a lot of current are used.
2. There is a malfunction in the mobile phone.
3. It is normal for the phone to heat up because electrical appliances generate heat when operating, so Samsung always tests and checks the temperature of the product during operation.
However, if any functions are not used and the phone heats up, then you need to contact a service center for repair.

Photos in the interior

Specifications

• Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, upgrade to Android 7
• Screen 5.2 inches, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display
• Exynos 7880 chipset, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), Mali-T830MP3 GPU
• 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory (about 23 GB of memory is available to the user out of the box)
• Battery Li-Ion 3000 mAh, fast charging, operating time in mixed mode - 2 days (test result), in 3G/4G data transfer mode - 13/16 hours, video playback - up to 19 hours, talk time - up to 16 hours
• Installing two nanoSIM cards, as well as a microSD memory card (up to 256 GB)
• Front camera 16 megapixels, f/1.9, facial enhancements (eyes, skin color, face tone)
• Main camera 16 megapixels, f/1.9, LED flash, autofocus
• Two microphones, noise reduction system
• IP68 water protection, up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters
• FM radio
• Fingerprint sensor located on the front panel
• USB Type C 1.0
• 4G FDD LTE - B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B17(700), B20(800), B28 (700); 4G FDD TDD - B38(2600), B40(2300), B41(2500)
• GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
• ANT+, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, NFC, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2
• Sensors – accelerometer, barometer, fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor
• Samsung Pay
• Color options: black (Black Sky), gold (Gold Sand), blue (Blue Mist), pink (Peach Cloud)
• SAR value – 0.52 W/kg (head), 1.39 W/kg (body)
• Dimensions – 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight – 159 grams

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone
• Charger with USB Type C cable
• Instructions
• Wired stereo headset
• "Paper clip" for removing the SIM tray

Positioning

Samsung decided that the A-series should offer models in the mid-price segment, and the model range is built based on the size of the phones: smaller screen - smaller index. From this logic it is clear that A3 is the smallest device, and A7 is the largest, while A5 is exactly in the middle. From sales of the A-series in 2016, it is known that the A5 and the 5-inch smartphone form factor became the most popular; this device sold significantly better than others.

A-series models have become iconic for the market and their price segments; during the transition from the first to the second generation, their sales in Russia increased noticeably.

But the most important thing is that these devices can be perceived as somewhat simplified versions of the company’s flagships in terms of filling, but not at all simplified in terms of materials. Not all buyers need the features of flagships; they are willing to spend 2-3 times less money, but get a decent, reliable device.

Considering that Samsung directly competes with Apple in the market, to some extent the A-series is a response to the older iPhone models that are still on the market. So, the 2017 A5 is a clear competitor to the iPhone 6/6s, which also costs less. Comparing with the famous Chinese, we will get competitors from their line with similar positioning, for example, this could be Huawei Nova.

The 2017 A5 model was created for those who want to buy a smartphone from a major manufacturer (read, brand), and at the same time get a good set of characteristics, decent performance and quality materials. To some extent, the 2017 A5 can be considered a universal smartphone that can safely claim to be a business model. It is balanced in its capabilities, is not the most expensive, and, accordingly, it is not a flagship. This is a very smart choice for those who are used to counting money and buying a smartphone for a long time. In my opinion, the 2017 A5 will become a bestseller in its price segment, as it offers a number of unique finds that other companies do not have. However, let's talk about this in detail.

Design, dimensions, control elements

In the A-series, the design is to some extent inherited from older models, the same body materials, no noticeable simplifications or savings. The A5 model looks expensive and stylish, regardless of what color you choose. There are four color options in total; there are no pink phones in Russia yet.

I have a black A5, it is classic and looks good. The mirror surface reflects the surrounding world, plays in the light, the device looks very interesting, and hand marks are practically invisible. I’ll add here that the screen with a splash screen can always work (AlwaysOn Display function), which none of the competitors have. In the end, we get an unusual device that has no analogues on the market; it can be distinguished from any other at first glance.

If we talk about which color is the best, then I like blue, it is a delicate shade, very unusual, perfect for girls, however, look for yourself.

Please note that the front and back panels are the same color, as is the side metal edging (6000 series aluminum). The device also looks good in pink, but it is definitely only for girls.

The gold phone is somewhat rustic, but everyone has their own tastes.

The fact that the device has a glass back and front does not hinder it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental falls, although depending on your luck. This device is completely identical in mechanical protection to the Galaxy S6 EDGE, the quality is at the same level. I once recorded a video about how this phone survives collisions with sharp objects or asphalt, you can watch this video.

The innovation of the A-series in 2017 was water protection, which was taken from the S7/S7 EDGE, the implementation is exactly the same. The SIM card tray is protected by rubber gaskets, the microphones and speakers are protected by membranes, the protection level is IP68, which allows the phone to be kept at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to half an hour. This does not mean that the phone needs to be washed under water, much less with soap or something similar. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it. There are practically no models with water protection in this price segment.

Now about the control elements. Under the screen there is a mechanical key, it contains a fingerprint sensor, it is simplified compared to the S7/S7 EDGE, it works a little slower, but there are no problems because of this. Nice solution that just works. On either side of it are two touch keys.

On the left side there are two volume keys, on the right side there is an on/off button. There is a microphone at the bottom and top ends, there is a noise reduction system, it does its job perfectly: you can be heard well in any conditions, even when the wind blows strongly in your face.

At the bottom end there is also a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones and a USB Type C connector for the charger. On the upper end and left side you can see trays, in the upper one a nanoSIM card and a memory card are installed, in the lower one there is a second nanoSIM card. In the A3, for example, installing two SIM cards and a memory card is impossible; it has a combined slot.

The speaker is located on the right side surface, due to this it can overlap in the pocket, and it will not be heard very well. The speaker itself is average in volume, but very pleasant.

The phone dimensions are 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight is 159 grams. Compact, fits perfectly in the hand due to the small roundness of the body at the back. Not slippery, although from the photographs many people think that it should slip out of their hands, but this does not happen. This size is one of the most popular on the market and is liked by most buyers.

Compared to Samsung Galaxy A3 2017

Display

The presence of a SuperAMOLED screen has always been an advantage of the A-series; the technical characteristics of this display are as follows: 5.2 inches, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display.

For my taste, the quality of the screen is excellent for its class, it has a large reserve of brightness in automatic mode, the display is easy to read in the sun, just like the previous year’s model (in the S7 EDGE the screen has greater brightness, as a result, it is even better in the sun) .

The screen has an AlwaysOn Display option, that is, you can see application icons, clocks or pictures all the time, the screen operation does not drain the battery much, in 12 hours it’s a couple of percent. Until now, this function has not been widely available in the mid-price segment, which makes the 2017 A5 stand out and puts it on par with Samsung flagships.

In terms of all its characteristics, the screen in the 2017 A5 outperforms its competitors; there is nothing better in this segment. As a result, this is one of the strengths of the model. I also like the fact that they brought here automatic brightness adjustment to suit your preferences; in the first two weeks the phone “gets used to” you and is adjusted to your taste.

Battery

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh, supports fast charging (1 hour 20 minutes). There is no built-in wireless charging, which is found in flagship models.

In mixed mode, the device lives quietly for two days with 3-5 hours of screen operation, data transmission in LTE and two hours of calls.

Play unconverted video in HD quality in MX Player at maximum brightness - up to 19 hours! This is an excellent indicator considering the size of the battery; many Chinese show comparable results on a 5000 mAh battery.

The operating time of the 2017 A5 becomes its strong point; even with a heavy load, it will not be possible to discharge it faster than in a day; on average, this is two days. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5-6 days of work; of course, it all depends on the operator and the number of these calls. But in general, we can state the fact that operating time is the strong point of this model.

Traditionally, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight and processor frequency are limited. In this mode, many will not experience problems with the operation of the device, but the operating time will increase by at least 20 percent. In maximum energy saving mode, everything on the screen turns gray, and the device can provide hours of operation even with a small charge.

Communication capabilities

GPS/GLONASS works perfectly, a cold start takes about ten seconds, navigation works perfectly, there are no problems. By the way, this distinguishes A-brands from many Chinese companies, where the implementation of antennas is such that you can expect anything from typical functions.

Another strong point is the support of almost all necessary LTE frequencies, here the device also shows its strengths (analogs in this price segment cannot boast of this; as a rule, they save on antennas).

Finally, the device has NFC and ANT+ support, which will appeal to those who use sports sensors. Bluetooth version 4.2.

If we talk about Wi-Fi, then it uses 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, there is a repeater mode (distributing a Wi-Fi signal to other devices as an access point).

The version is USB 2.0, but the USB Type C (1.0) connector is used, so fans of modern connectors will be happy; for the rest, it’s time to come to terms with the transition to the new standard.

Memory, RAM, performance

Samsung uses its own chipsets in A-series models, which can be considered a plus; they are improving year by year. For example, in 2016, chipsets in the A-series were made at 28 nm, now it is 14 nm, which gives an increase in performance and operating time. The chipset in the A5 2017 is Exynos 7880, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), Mali-T830MP3 graphics processor.

In synthetic tests, this processor performed well. In real life, everything also works perfectly, you will not feel any shortcomings in performance, the model is at the same level, and the safety margin will last for at least a couple of years.

The device has 32 GB of internal memory (23.1 GB available), memory cards can be up to 256 GB. 3 GB of RAM, which is enough for most consumers. And given the screen resolution, everything becomes very good, this solution is balanced, and there are no noticeable compromises.

Camera

The front camera is 16 megapixels (f/1.9), as usual, there is no autofocus, so it’s worth finding the distance from which the pictures are best taken, this is about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. The quality of the front camera is good, but don't expect anything special from it; after all, the main camera is better. There is a traditional improvement in skin color and tone, you can enlarge your eyes, and at the same time make your face thinner. Girls will definitely like these “improvements”.

The main camera is 16-megapixel (f/1.9), of course, there is autofocus, as well as additional shooting modes, including PRO, but it differs from the flagships, since the camera is simpler. This camera is on par with the best Chinese manufacturers or a little better, that is, it gives good, rich pictures during the day and indoors; in the dark it is not so good, but this is generally typical for this segment. There is no 4K mode when recording video, but it is unlikely that consumers of this device need it so much, since recording regular FullHD video will completely satisfy them.

Look at the examples of pictures and videos, I think they will tell you everything about the quality of the camera.

Software

The model was originally released on Android 6.0.1, but many interface elements are similar to what we see in Android 7 and Clean UI on S7/S7 EDGE. I advise you to read about what appeared in Android 7, since this model will soon receive this version of the OS.

I won’t describe the standard Android functions; you can read about them in a detailed review.

Unlike top models, there is a built-in FM radio, which looks like a nice bonus.

When using KNOX, you can install any program in duplicate, for example, install two WhatsApp messengers on one device and use them for each SIM card (two numbers, two messengers). You can even correspond with yourself. Exactly the same trick can be done with any software; not a single phone allows you to simultaneously work with two instant messengers on the same device with different numbers. Today, many Chinese manufacturers offer something similar in their smartphones, but the implementation is different everywhere.

Of course, this model supports the Samsung Pay service.

I will not dwell on standard software from Samsung, for example, S Health, you can find relevant articles on our website.

Impression

The vibration alert is average, the ringer volume is also average - perhaps I would like there to be more headroom, but the phone is still audible, and you can feel it in your pockets when it vibrates. Rather, there is no reserve in terms of volume, but how will anyone perceive this moment? The device cannot be called quiet.

I liked the 2017 A5, as well as this entire series, and the previous models. The strengths remain exactly the same - excellent materials and design of the case, bright and eye-catching design, which is complemented by AlwaysON Display; competitors have nothing like that. When choosing between models in this series, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the 2017 A3 is aimed at those who make more calls, spend less time online, and watch movies. An excellent compact phone with a long battery life, I’ll talk about it in a separate review.

You can choose the 2017 A7 for its screen size, 5.7 inches versus 5.2 in the A5. However, in other respects these devices are almost similar, everything is the same. In the table you can see how all A-series devices differ.

The price of the 2017 A5 in Russia is 27,990 rubles; for comparison, the previous year’s model costs 21,990 rubles. In my opinion, the advantage of the 2017 device is obvious: IP68 protection, AlwaysOn Display, updated Android and new operating modes, increased battery life, better performance. In a word, it’s worth finding the money and buying an updated model; it will definitely last longer.

Oddly enough, in the Samsung lineup there is another competitor for this device, this is the Galaxy S6, a flagship from two years ago, which today sells for 30,000 rubles. It doesn't have memory cards or water protection, but it does support Gear VR, which the 2017 A5 doesn't have. Usually, previous flagships act as stronger models than the current middle class, but when comparing these devices, everything is not so clear; I would still recommend the A5 2017.

In the Apple line there is an old iPhone 6, its 16 GB version costs 28,990 rubles (refurbished device) or more than 35,000 rubles. In my opinion, it does not have any advantages, it loses in terms of screen, memory, and service life; there is no protection from water even close. In a word, here you are only buying a brand name and quite old hardware with the worst prospects for updates in the short term. If you want an iPhone, look at the new models, but be prepared to pay more.

A good alternative is the Huawei Nova; this 5-inch model also has 3 GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, a similar battery, and comparable cameras. But the IPS screen is something to keep in mind, there is also no water resistance, and of course there is no Samsung Pay. The price of this device is 23,000 rubles, which is noticeably cheaper and quite justified, taking into account other characteristics. But the performance of the device is not bad and it looks good.

If you look at models with water protection, then nothing but the Sony Xperia X Performance comes to mind. But the price of this device in federal networks is 40 thousand rubles; it belongs to a completely different class of devices, as evidenced by the use of Snapdragon 820. At the same time, other characteristics are very similar to the A5 2017, so they can be compared. It is more profitable to purchase the A5, since Sony does not have any special advantages at a higher price. The model is already a year old, now it will be replaced by an updated version, it will be shown in the coming days. But the price will not be lower, and as a result, it will not be able to become a competitor.

With your permission, I will not take into consideration a huge bunch of Chinese models, after all, their positioning is completely different, these are C-brands with all the ensuing consequences. Samsung has come up with a very interesting, high-quality model that will become a bestseller in the mid-price segment. This device looks good, lasts a long time and offers a set of features that will satisfy anyone who is not ready to buy flagship products. The phone has its own face, moreover, it is easy to remember. You should definitely take a closer look at this device if you are looking for a 5-inch Android smartphone.

Formally, the A5 is the middle of Samsung's mid-budget line, which should not deviate much from the market median. In fact, it turned out to be an interesting model, which intertwined aspects that clearly deserve improvement, such as a fingerprint scanner, quite decent hardware, and materials worthy of a flagship. And of course, for the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, the review would be incomplete if we remain silent about the almost complete protection against dust or water-related troubles.

The developers of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 used the classic body shape - almost a rectangle, if not for the rounded corners. The dimensions are quite comfortable for the middle class: width 71.4 mm, length 146.1 mm and thickness 7.9 mm. The model is presented in three colors: black, gold and blue tones. There is also a pink version, but it is not available in all markets.

The main part of the front panel (almost 3/4) is occupied by the display, limited on the sides by narrow frames. Above it there is a speaker, camera and sensors, below there are a pair of touch keys and a hardware Home button with a fingerprint scanner between them.

The volume keys are located on the left side of the device. The power button remains in its traditional place on the right. Next to it, the developers placed the main speaker. The decision turned out to be ambiguous. On the one hand, in the normal position it will not be possible to accidentally block it. On the other hand, if you take the smartphone horizontally, your finger can rest right on the speaker. However, you can get used to it.

The location of the SIM card trays is also interesting. The model supports 2 of them (both nano), and you can also install MicroSD at the same time. To accommodate all three parts, the trays were divided. The first SIM is inserted on the left, next to the volume buttons. The second and memory card are on top. The USB output, microphone and 3.5 mm headphone input are located at the bottom end.

The back of the smartphone is decorated with a logo. Above it is the flash and the main camera. The latter was optimized and recessed into the body, so that now the optics do not protrude from the body at all. As a result, the smartphone fits seamlessly on any horizontal surface.

Design and ergonomics

The design approach to the A5 can be described in one word – minimalism. Decorative elements are kept to a minimum; there are no additional decorations. All parts of the smartphone except the display are designed in the same color scheme. After all, the body itself is beautiful.

The side frame is made of high quality aluminum. But the front and back are glass. And if in front it is half 2.5D on the display, then in the back it is full 3D. As a result, the model looks impressive, quite at the level of a flagship.

But the desire for elegance played a cruel joke on her. Almost the entire body is smoothed out, there are no prominent edges, so it lies comfortably in the hand. But for the same reason, the device can noticeably slide. So it’s better to immediately wrap it in a case.

However, the most important thing in the design is full IP68 level protection. In other words, dust has no chance of getting inside, especially since the assembly is really good and there are no gaps. And water gives in: the smartphone can easily withstand swimming for up to half an hour at a depth of 1.5 meters, not to mention trivial splashes or washing under the tap.

You just need the water to be fresh: after sea moisture, the USB connector may become covered with a crust of salt, so charging will stop working. In this case, it is recommended to rinse and dry it.

To achieve such security, the developers added rubber gaskets to the SIM trays and placed membranes on the speakers and microphones. This had virtually no effect on the weight of the device - only 159 g, an excellent result for a water-resistant smartphone.

Display

The true pride of the model is the screen of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017. It has a 5.2” Super AMOLED matrix with exceptionally rich colors. You can even change the color profile in the settings to a more subtle one, otherwise the picture may seem unnatural. Or turn on blue filtering to protect your eyes from unnecessary strain.

The physical size of the screen is 132.2 mm diagonally, in pixels – 1920 x 1080, that is, at the FHD level. This results in a density of 424 ppi, so details are displayed perfectly. At the same time, the brightness and contrast are enough for use on the sunniest day: the picture is visible up to extreme tilt angles. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used to protect the matrix. The glass is made using 2.5D technology and is rounded towards the edges.

At the same time, the display treats the battery quite carefully, despite the Always on Display function that came from the flagships. It allows you to display the calendar and current time on the lock screen, as well as quickly show notifications. Even if the smartphone is in sleep mode, and the owner has been written to via messenger, this will immediately appear on the display.

Separately, it is necessary to note the intelligent behavior of the screen. First, it takes light data into account to adjust the picture. Secondly, during the first 2 weeks of use it “gets to know” the owner in order to adjust the brightness based on his habits.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with an adapter that connects to USB type-c.

The kit also included a wired headset, instructions for the device, and a needle clip used to open card trays. All other accessories – protective films, cases, etc. – must be purchased independently.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy A5 2017

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is built on the basis of the company’s own development – ​​the Exynos 7 Octa 7880 processor. It has 8 Cortex-A53 cores capable of operating at frequencies up to 1.9 GHz. The processor is 64-bit and is made using a 14 nm process technology. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to combine modern hardware requirements and moderate power consumption.

The calculation and display of the image on the screen is provided by the Mali-T830MP3 graphics module. All this is complemented by 3 GB of memory, which easily fits the OS with a proprietary shell, and another half of the RAM is left for application needs.

Internal memory is 32 GB. But you won’t be able to use all of it: a noticeable part is taken by the OS. As a result, a little more than 23 GB remains for the user’s needs. Relatively little, but there is also a MicroSD slot. And you can put a memory card up to 256 GB in it, solving the problem with free space for a long time.

Some data can be stored in your Samsung Cloud account. The smartphone owner is given 15 GB of cloud storage. They can be used for photos, contacts, calendar, and also to create backups of settings or the main screen. For private information, you can use the protected KNOX folder, which is created by system tools on the smartphone itself.

The set of sensors, in addition to light and proximity sensors, includes a gyroscope, barometer, accelerometer, as well as a Hall sensor and a module for reading the geomagnetic field.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 cannot be called a record holder for performance. Still, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017's specs are good enough for all basic tasks. The OS runs smoothly, applications launch and switch without significant delays. And it’s not surprising - the performance test in AnTuTu shows a rating of 60 thousand.

The total power is enough to run almost all games. But it’s better to keep the settings at a medium level, otherwise FPS drops to indecently low values. Under load, the processor may heat up, but it does not reach excessively high temperatures; internal overheating protection mechanisms are activated.

The multimedia capabilities are quite good: the device can handle playing UHD video in 4K format at 30 fps. Together with support for screen casting via Wi-Fi Direct, this allows you to watch movies on an external display.

Cameras

The model was not without its sad moments. This is what the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera has become - more precisely, not the camera itself, but the lack of optical stabilization in it. Perhaps there was not enough space for her in the new building, or maybe the marketing policy had an effect. In any case, this immediately lowered expectations for the level of quality.

Other parameters correspond to a good representative of the middle class: resolution up to 16 MP, f/1.9, there is an LED flash for shooting in the dark and autofocus.

Photo

Typical photos of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, provided there is full lighting (a clear day, the sun is shining), turn out to be quite decent; the camera justifies installation in a strong average market. Colors are rendered close to the original, details are visible. In addition, the software provides many filters, so you can freely experiment with frames. For example, take not just a photo, but a photo in rich mode. Or install a food filter that softens the environment.

But all this is true only for a static composition. Since there is no optical stabilization, shooting with movement is guaranteed to cause blurring, and the focus does not have time to achieve. Taking a good photo of children playing is quite a difficult task.

And if you add to this a lack of light (evening time or indoor photography), then noise will also be added, completely destroying small details. HDR somewhat saves you from overexposure.

For night photography, this may not be enough and you will have to manually adjust ISO/exposure/white balance. All these options are available in Pro mode. It is recommended to take several pictures at once, since some of them will almost certainly be damaged.

Video

When shooting video, you won’t be able to squeeze more than FHD at 30 fps. 2K/4K formats are not available, as is the frame rate increased to 60. Video in such conditions is obtained at a level acceptable for the middle class - as far as possible in the absence of stabilization. When shooting, it is advisable not to shake the smartphone again in order to minimize blurring.

The time-lapse mode somewhat softens the impressions: the camera periodically takes frames and then assembles an accelerated video from them.

Front-camera

The characteristics of the front camera of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 are almost identical to the parameters of the main module. It also uses a sensor that supports frames up to 16 MP at f/1.9 aperture. In fact, it works like a wide-angle lens: you can take a selfie of several people, while the faces will turn out to be quite detailed.

The camera can automatically adjust parameters to suit current conditions. If there is not enough lighting, the screen will be activated - it will be filled with white to illuminate the face. But there is no automatic targeting: only nearby objects will come into focus.

As a result, the quality of the pictures is lower than that of the main camera. However, you can work with the photo using various corrective effects - for example, to improve the appearance of the skin or change the tone.

The shutter button can be placed anywhere on the screen. This makes it easier to take pictures with one hand, especially if you need to take an original selfie pose.

Sound and music playback quality

There are no special complaints about the performance of the main speaker. The sound is quite clear, albeit with insufficient bass (which is not surprising for an average smartphone). You can try to correct it using the built-in equalizers or switch to headphones by connecting them to the 3.5 mm jack.

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 with other smartphones reveals a quieter sound. The sound of the speaker is influenced by IP68 certification. To prevent water from getting inside the device, we had to cover the hole with a special membrane.

The situation is similar with the speaker. But everything is in order with the microphones: the additional one is used for noise reduction, while the main one records voices with high quality. During the call, the interlocutor will be able to hear clearly.

Communication capabilities

In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 comes with a gentleman's suite of technologies. It can work in networks from 2G to 4G LTE inclusive. In this case, you can use both SIMs, which is convenient when traveling abroad. Certification of 4G module according to cat level. 6 provides data exchanges at speeds up to 300/50 Mbit/s.

The Wi-Fi module supports dual-channel operation according to 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standards. In addition, it can send a picture to an external screen (Wi-Fi Direct) and relay the signal in access point mode. For peripherals there is Bluetooth 4.2 with reduced energy consumption and ANT+. The smartphone supports wireless payment via NFC and MST.

The navigation module works quickly with Beidou, GPS and GLONASS. Even with a cold start, it takes about 10 seconds to find a satellite.

A USB 2.0 output is used for communication with a PC or charging. The symmetrical Type-C connector can be inserted on either side, making connection exactly twice as easy.

operating system

Initially, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 was released with version 6 of Android OS. After the release of updated editions, it was first transferred to version 7 and then to version 8, which is supplemented by the Samsung Experience shell. Thanks to it, you can flexibly customize the phone to suit the owner’s preferences: use different screen modes, operate with one hand, share a picture for multi-screen mode, and so on.

Unlike the most affordable models of the J line, there is full support for S Voice. The voice assistant can answer questions, launch the necessary applications, set reminders and make appointments. It can also work in navigator mode.

Another interesting feature is the use of both SIM cards to simultaneously work with two copies of popular instant messengers. Each instance functions independently of the second.

Autonomy

With a battery capacity of 3000 mAh, a single charge lasts for a day or two, depending on the activity of use. Fast charging is supported in an hour and a half.

Thanks for the autonomy should be said to the combination of a relatively economical screen and processor. In addition, you can additionally enable energy saving mode. At the basic level, the processor frequency and screen brightness are reduced, which reduces the operating time by about 20%. If you switch to extreme mode, at the cost of switching the display to a gray color scheme and other optimizations, you can keep your smartphone turned on even longer.

In standard mode, one charge will last for 53 hours of sound (or even 78 with the screen off), you can watch video for up to 19 hours, talk on a 3G network for up to 16. On the Internet, the smartphone will last 13/16/18 hours when connected via 3G/LTE /Wi-Fi accordingly.

Pros and cons of a smartphone

The analyzed characteristics and reviews of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 allow us to highlight the following advantages of the model:

1. excellent display with Always on Display support;
2. decent selfie camera
3. IP68 compliance;
4. Samsung Pay wireless payment support;
5. fast charging;
6. 2 SIM simultaneously with a memory card.

The disadvantages are:

1. camera without stabilization;
2. The fingerprint scanner is small and only works when the finger is positioned correctly;
3. limited performance.

Comparison with competitors

Based on the combination of strengths, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 model turned out to be quite successful. The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017's competitors may beat it in some specific areas (like a faster processor or more internal storage for the same money), but none of them have the same combination of characteristics.

Final review

The review of parameters and analysis of their combination puts the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone among the leaders in the middle segment. Impressive autonomy, a beautiful and functional display, performance sufficient even for games, a voice assistant and a calm design - you simply cannot find an equally high-quality analogue at this price.

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is trying its best to be like the flagship Galaxy S7 edge, and it succeeds. A thick metal frame surrounds the perimeter of the smartphone, and the back side is covered with glass curved on the sides.

It's comfortable to hold and operate the phone with one hand, but the materials are slippery. You need to be especially careful if you need to take a gadget out of your pocket in the cold, and you are wearing knitted gloves. Glass is a fragile thing, even a small fall can lead to the appearance of a web of cracks both on the screen and on the back panel.

Galaxy A5 (2016)

Galaxy A5 (2017)

Move the slider to compare the appearance of the Galaxy A5 (2016) and A5 (2017).

A5 (2016) was square, A5 (2017), on the contrary, became very rounded. Judging by the first reviews on the Internet, not everyone likes it. Some even tease with the word “remnant”. In my opinion, nothing terrible, although the back panel looks a little empty. The main thing is that the build quality is still fine. By the way, the camera lens no longer sticks out.

The speaker has moved to the upper part of the right side of the smartphone. Convenient solution. Now it cannot be closed by hand either in horizontal or vertical orientation. The sound from it is a little muffled, but in general everything is within the bounds of decency.

Galaxy A5 (2017) is protected according to the IP68 standard. The case is dust-proof, the smartphone can be kept for half an hour under water at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.

The main feature of the entire Samsung A-series of 2017 is protection according to the IP68 standard. Those. The devices are dustproof and can be submerged under water to a depth of 1.5 meters and kept there for 30 minutes.

The fingerprint scanner built into the mechanical Home button miraculously works much more accurately than in the A3 (2017). Well, the reading speed is equally good in both models. You don’t need to press a key to unlock, which is great – it’s more convenient.

One of the best Full HD screens

A cool display is one of the key advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017). The Super AMOLED matrix used here has many strengths: high brightness, deep blacks, very wide viewing angles. Plus, the most important thing is reduced energy consumption.

Many people like saturated (the Koreans have not gone overboard with this for a long time) AMOLED colors. If this is not your case, then in the settings you can choose a more discreet profile or adjust the color balance manually.

The Galaxy A5 (2017) has a stunning AMOLED screen with Full HD resolution.

Unlike A3 (2017), on the A5 (2017) screen the picture does not fall apart into individual pixels. The point is the resolution - for AMOLED panels you need at least Full HD, and here it is 1920x1080. Density: 424 dpi. It’s comfortable to read texts, look at pictures, correspond in instant messengers and by mail.

The LED indicating incoming messages on the front panel has disappeared. Instead, there is now an Always On function. When the smartphone is locked, the black screen displays the clock, calendar, information about the remaining charge and notifications about SMS, calls and other events. Convenient, but not economical. In an hour, when Always On is turned on, it consumes from 1.5 to 3% of the battery charge, per day we lose an average of a quarter of the capacity.

Not all games run at maximum, but that's not a problem

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is not a cheap toy, and the hardware is mediocre. Although maybe it’s just the budget and powerful Chinese smartphones that have spoiled us. All games run, but not every one can be played at high graphics settings. For example, in World of Tanks Blitz, in the hottest moments of battles, even at medium settings, the frame rate drops below a comfortable 30 fps - the image twitches.

Average performance is also confirmed by numbers from synthetic tests. However, 60,000 points in AnTuTu (A5 (2017) scores exactly that much) is exactly the threshold from which smartphones begin to cope with the vast majority of tasks without delays and glitches.

Performance of the A5 (2017) in comparison with competitors and the Samsung flagship. The more points the better.

Well, you will drive “tanks” without beautifully swaying grass and shoot zombies without special effects from explosions, and so what? Another question is that many competitors offer much more for the same money. But more on that later.

The A5 (2017) is powered by an eight-core Samsung Exynos 7880 chipset with a frequency of 1.9 GHz. RAM 3 gigabytes. The beautiful but greedy Grace UX shell installed on top of Android 6.0 usually leaves no more than half of them. However, it is enough for normal multitasking.

In the A5 (2016), the Koreans offered users only a measly 16 GB of internal memory, but the “five” from 2017 is already equipped with 32 GB, and you can live with that.

Now one more “cherry”. The gods heard the prayers of users, gave the developers a strong kick, and they finally made a separate slot for microSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB. So A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) are full-fledged dual-SIM smartphones with memory expansion. Hurray, comrades!

The A5 (2017) has three full-fledged card compartments: two for nanoSIM and one for microSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB inclusive.

The front camera was a success, but the main module was deprived of stabilization

The main disappointment from the A5 (2017) camera is that the optical stabilization that was in the A5 (2016) is no longer there. And this greatly spoils the positive impressions of the new 16-megapixel main module.

During the day, the automation perfectly copes with determining sensitivity, white balance and accurately sets the exposure the first time. The detail is high. However, you will only feel this if you hold the smartphone firmly and confidently in your hands. This is the only way to compensate for the lack of stabilization.

If you take pictures on the A5 (2017) carelessly, it’s easy to get blurry even in good lighting. Another nuance follows from this: photographing moving objects (children and cats, for example) is very difficult.

HDR mode is the strong point of all Samsung A-series smartphones in 2017. It works very neatly without burning out the colors. See for yourself:

No HDR

With HDR

At dusk and in normal artificial light, shooting is still more or less comfortable, but just in case, it’s worth doing several takes - at least half will almost certainly be blurred.

It's hardest at night. Here the automation begins to malfunction, increasing sensitivity (noise) and exposure (overexposure), although autofocus and white balance are still fine. There is only one way to partially compensate for the shortcomings: by setting the required ISO and EV values ​​in manual mode yourself. The matter is quite simple, because in this mode you only allow three parameters to be changed, but it can be intimidating for beginners at first.

The selfie camera has the same resolution as the main one – 16 megapixels. And she's beautiful. In daylight, you get very sharp self-portraits with excellent detail, and in the dark a soft virtual “flash” comes to the rescue. The screen turns bright white and gently illuminates the user's face.

photos

photos

photos

The maximum video resolution is Full HD at 30 frames per second. The frequency clearly could have been made higher, but there is no need to be sad about the lack of 4K - a weak processor would still have difficulty running such a function. During the day, the quality is quite decent, provided that you move the camera smoothly and do not shoot while moving. There is a “hyperlapse” mode: we put the camera on the window, it takes one frame every few seconds, and then combines it into an accelerated video.

Fast charging and slightly above average battery life

Galaxy A5 (2017) has a battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. On average, the gadget works for a full day, although it may run out earlier if you are into mobile games. If the main use cases are mail, the Internet, instant messengers, reading books and a little video, like mine, then in the evening there is from 10 to 25% charge left.

Operating time of A5 (2017) in cyclic monotests in comparison with competitors and standards. Specified in minutes.

In mono tests the performance is quite outstanding. Watching Full HD video at maximum brightness will drain the battery in 17 hours. Fans of TV series and long flights should take note. The simple arcade game Subway Surfers (also at maximum brightness) discharged the A5 6 hours and 15 minutes after start.

A USB Type-C port instead of the outdated microUSB is correct and progressive, I fully approve. Fast charging supported. There was no native adapter, but from someone else’s with an output voltage of 5 Volts / 3 Amps, the gadget was charged in just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Meizu Pro 6

The old flagship has fallen greatly in price Moto X Force with unbreakable screen. One of the mobile operators sells it even cheaper than the A5 (2017) - for 27,000 rubles.

Well, if an official guarantee for you is not an argument in favor of overpayment, then for 29-30 thousand rubles gray suppliers offer Samsung Galaxy S7, which is better than A5 (2017) in the vast majority of key parameters.

This is an item for those who choose a smartphone not by price and characteristics, but by brand. It is logical that with this approach, Samsung has only one competitor - Apple. With a budget of 30,000, the iPhone 7 will not be enough even if purchased from unofficial sources. And here iPhone 6S with 16 GB of memory you can get it from gray suppliers for 32,000 rubles.

But is it worth it? In my opinion, no. Apple's flagship from last year is more powerful, but it has a worse screen, absolutely no selfie camera, a slot for only one SIM and no memory expansion options. With the built-in 16 GB you will suffer so much - it’s very little.

There is also a 4-inch iPhone SE for the official 33,000 rubles, but it is appropriate to compare it with the A3 (2017) rather than with the A5 (2017).

Opinion site

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is a very controversial gadget. On the one hand, 28,000 rubles is expensive. On the other hand, the smartphone has advantages that its competitors cannot yet match: a cool screen, water protection, support for Samsung Pay, and an excellent selfie camera.

In my personal opinion, the last three points are good things, but of secondary importance, and the IPS displays of competitors are inferior more in terms of autonomy than in picture quality. I would focus on OnePlus 3 or Honor 8. However, there are many buyers who are looking for exactly the same “chips” as in the A5 (2017), are closely “sitting” on Samsung Pay, or choose the Korean company solely because of the brand.

Replacing the A5 (2016) with the A5 (2017) is also a controversial issue, because optical stabilization was removed from the smartphone, although a bunch of other goodies were added. If you often take photographs, then you should think carefully. If not, then you can safely go to the store for a new model.

Pros:

• Dust and water protection (IP68)
• Convenient housing
• High build quality
• AMOLED screen with Full HD
• Great selfie camera
• USB Type-C and fast charging
• Separate slots for two SIM and microSD
• There will be an update to Android 7.0
• Samsung Pay support
• Commendable battery life

Minuses:

• Very high price
• Average hardware
• Slippery body
• No optical stabilization
• No notification light