Galaxy A05 And A05s: A Deep Dive Into The Specs Of Samsung's Budget Beauties

Design and Build: Plastic Fantastic

Both the A05 and A05s embrace the plastic fantastic club with open arms. It's like they're saying, "Who needs glass and metal anyway?" They're lightweight, sturdy, and perfectly pocketable. If you're looking for a premium feel, you might need to up your budget, but hey, plastic's fantastic, right?

Here are the relevant specs for both the variants:

If we compare the Galaxy A05 series with the older Galaxy A04 series, the design and the build materials are quite similar. The models in the new series are a bit larger in area, and slightly slimmer. (The dimensions of the Galaxy A04 and the Galaxy A04s models were 164.4×76.3×9.1 mm and 164.7×76.7×9.1 mm, respectively.) The weights are also comparable. Both series feature plastic backs and frames, which keep them lightweight and affordable. There's no significant upgrade in this department.

Now, in the era of glass and metal builds, would you fall head over heels for a plastic phone or might you want to swipe left? Let's see.

Starting with the plus points, plastic phones are often lighter than their glass and metal counterparts. That means less strain on your wrists during long texting sessions. They are also affordable; plastic is budget-friendly, which is a huge plus if you're looking for a smartphone that won't break the bank.

There's more. Surprisingly, plastic can take a beating. It's less likely to shatter if you accidentally drop it, which is excellent news for the clumsy among us. And phones with plastic builds have very good signal reception, as plastic does not interfere with signal strength like metal can. Your calls won't mysteriously drop when you hold your phone a certain way.

As for the negatives, plastic phones have a decidedly less premium feel. Plastic does not scream luxury. It lacks the cold, solid feel of metal and the smooth, reflective surface of glass. Secodnly, it is more prone to scratches, even though it can handle drops. Your keys might leave their mark if they share a pocket with your phone.

Plastic can warp or become misshapen if exposed to high temperatures. So, be careful not to leave it on the dashboard of your car on a sweltering day.

Based on the above factors, here is what we have to say:

In the end, it's all about priorities. If you value practicality, durability, and affordability, a plastic phone is a sensible choice. But if you're all about making a style statement or need cutting-edge performance, you might find yourself reaching for the glass and metal options (such as the iPhone 15 series phones) instead.

IP Rating: N/A

Ah, the absence of an IP rating - a mystery wrapped in a tech enigma! An IP rating, short for Ingress Protection rating, is like a phone's secret superpower that tells you how well it can withstand dust and water. If a phone lacks this rating, it means it hasn't been officially tested and certified for dust and water resistance, which is the case for the Galaxy A05 and A05s models. It was the same with the previous series.

Without an IP rating, these phones aren't officially certified to be dust or water-resistant. So, you probably shouldn't take them for a swim or drop them in a pile of sand at the beach. While they might handle a few raindrops or a minor spill, it's best not to test their limits.

It is quite common for budget-friendly smartphones to skip the whole IP rating party. Achieving water and dust resistance involves extra engineering and sealing, which can drive up manufacturing costs. Budget phones often prioritize other features, like performance and camera quality, over waterproofing.

Should it be a concern for you as a buyer? Well, here's the thing: it depends on your lifestyle. If you live in a particularly wet or dusty environment or you're prone to phone accidents (spills, drops, etc), you might want to consider a phone with a decent IP rating. But if you're generally careful with your devices and don't plan on taking underwater photos, the absence of an IP rating in budget phones like the Galaxy A05 and A05s might not be a deal-breaker.

Instead, you can invest in a good quality protective case to add a layer of defense against accidental water exposure or dust ingress. These cases can provide some peace of mind and enable your phone to serve you well without a worry in the world.

Display: Pixels Galore

Now, here's where the A05s starts flexing its muscles. It sports a Full HD display, with a pixel density that makes you go, "Whoa, that's crisp!" The A05, on the other hand, sticks with an HD display, which is like watching your favorite movie through a screen door. Not a deal-breaker, but if you're all about those pixels, A05s is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy A05s. Image credit: Samsung

Here are the relevant specs:

The PLS LCD display is not too common, but it is similar to the IPS LCD display, and provides wider viewing angles and better color accuracy. The PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching) LCD displays provide a more optimized molecular alignment of the liquid crystals in the LCD panel, resulting in higher brightness and better picture quality.

Compared to the Galaxy A04, the A05 display is not substantially changed. (The Galaxy A04 and A04s both had PLS LCD displays, with a resolution of 720×1600 px.) The refresh rate of 90 Hz of the Galaxy A04s is also repeated in the Galaxy A05s. However, the A05s rocks a Full HD screen with a higher PPI (pixels per inch). If you're all about those crispy visuals and enjoy media consumption or a bit of gaming, the newer model would be a worthy upgrade. The Full HD screen offers a noticeable improvement in clarity and sharpness.

Networks Supported

Both the Galaxy A05 and A05s support GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. There is no 5G support.

SIM

Both the variants sport either a single nano-SIM or dual SIM (nano-SIM, dual stand-by). This configuration is similar to the older Galaxy A04 models, except that the Galaxy A04s only featured the dual SIM (nano-SIM, dual stand-by).

Chipset: The Heart of the Matter

Under the hood, both these champs run on Android 13. The A05 packs a MediaTek Helio G85, while the A05s goes for a Snapdragon 680. In real-life terms, think of it as choosing between a casual stroll and a brisk jog. Both will get you there, but one will get you there a tad faster. Casual gamers, you might lean towards the A05s for that extra oomph.

Here are the relevant specs:

The chipset and the CPU of the older Galaxy A04 (which featured a 12 nm Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, and an octa-core CPU with 4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) were actually quite decent, and we have not seen much of an upgrade in the current version A05.

However, the latest series does have a slight advantage in terms of chipset fabrication, with a 6nm process for the A05s and better clock frequency of the performance cores. (The older Galaxy A04s featured an 8 nm Exynos 850, and an octa-core CPU with 8×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55.) This generally means better power efficiency and potentially improved performance. If you're a casual gamer or a power user, the latest model will offer a slight edge in terms of performance.

Memory and Storage: Space for Your Digital Life

They both offer a generous 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM. It's like having a closet that never gets full and a memory that never forgets your anniversary. You can store a gazillion apps, photos, and memes without breaking a sweat. Here are the relevant specs:

The older Galaxy A04 series offered multiple variants with RAM 3 GB and 4 GB, and internal storage ranging from 32 GB to 128 GB. The microSDXC memory card slot was present in both the models A04 and A04s too, and the internal storage type was also the same (i.e., eMMC 5.1). Basically, the latest series improves on the RAM.

The eMMC type of internal storage is more common in budget and mid-range smartphones. (In the upper-range smartphones, you'll see UFS or NVMe type.) eMMC is slower and less durable than UFS and NVMe, and it cannot perform the read and the write operations simultaneously. It also consumes more power than UFS. However, it is more affordable and quite reliable for everyday tasks.

The eMMC version 5.1 was originally released in 2014, and is still going strong.

Cameras: Ready for Your Close-Up

The camera game is a tie here. Both come with a 50 MP main camera for those Instagram-worthy shots. Both the variants throw in a depth sensor to make those portrait mode pics pop, while the A05s additionally opts for a macro lens, perfect for capturing the tiniest details.

Battery: Power to Keep You Going

With a 5000 mAh battery, you'll be scrolling, streaming, and gaming all day long on either phone. Plus, they support 25 W wired charging, so you won't be tethered to the charger for too long. Go ahead, binge-watch that entire series guilt-free.

Here are the relevant specs:

Battery-wise, there's no significant difference from the older Galaxy A04 series, which also packed a 5000 mAh Li-Po battery. The A04s model had a 15 W wired charging support. In the new series, you can expect a better charging speed.

Sound

Both the models in the series have similar sound capabilities. Here are the relevant specs:

The Galaxy A04 series also had similar audio capabilities, so there is not much change in this department.

Connectivity

Both phones come with the essentials like dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth (5.3 on A05, and 5.1 on A05s; A2DP; LE), and GPS (both the models have GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS; the A05s additionally has QZSS).

NFC is absent in both the models. Both sport a USB-C 2.0 connector.

Sensors: The Little Things

The Galaxy A05 series phones come equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your phone close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint sensor: (Galaxy S05s only.) Used for quick and secure unlocking.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the phone's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your phone, the accelerometer knows.

The A05s sweetens the deal with a side-facing fingerprint sensor, so your cat can't unlock your phone when it steps on it. It's a nice-to-have feature if you prefer biometric unlock methods, a small but handy addition.

The Verdict

In this duel of the budget-friendly titans, it's clear that the Galaxy A05s brings some extra zing to the table with its Full HD display and Snapdragon chipset. However, the A05 holds its ground with a reliable performance and a wallet-friendly price tag.

If you're upgrading from the Galaxy A04, the Galaxy A05 series offers improvements in chipset efficiency and camera versatility. If you're a tech enthusiast who craves the latest and greatest, especially for media consumption and casual gaming, it could be a worthy upgrade. However, if you're satisfied with your current phone's performance and don't need the extra bells and whistles, sticking with the current series is perfectly reasonable. It all boils down to your specific needs and how much you value these enhancements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What are Samsung Galaxy A05 specs?

  The Samsung Galaxy A05 is a budget-friendly plastic phone with a glass display, running Android 13 with OneUI Core. It sports a 6.7″ PLS LCD display with HD+ (720×1600 px) resolution (about 262 PPI).

  Under the hood, it has an octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz + 6×1.8 GHz), 6 GB RAM, and 128 GB eMMC 5.1 internal memory (expandable via memory card).

  It comes with a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP selfie camera, and a 5000 mAh Li-Po battery (25 W wired charging). It also has the 3.5 mm headphone jack, but no NFC.

  These were the main specs. For more details, refer to the article above.

• Motorola Moto Z Play 2017 vs Galaxy A05: which is better?

  The Moto Z Play, released in September 2016, has been discontinued. It had a glass build with an aluminum frame, and a Super AMOLED display with Full HD resolution. In these particulars, it was better equipped than the Galaxy A05 series.

  The CPUs are comparable in both the phones.

  The Moto Z Play featured a 16 MP main camera and a 5 MP selfie camera, 3 GB RAM, and 32 GB eMMC 5.1 internal storage space. In these particulars, the Galaxy A05 series excels over it.

  So, which is better depends upon your priorities and needs. If you prefer a more solid and stylish build and a better display, Moto Z Play could be your choice. If you need more internal storage and memory and are a photography fan, Galaxy A05 series would fit the bill.