Shopping for funds cellphone could be a problem. Excessive-end handsets proceed to get extra options, however on the opposite finish of the spectrum, there are solely so many issues you’ll be able to skimp on earlier than a tool turns into too compromised. With the Galaxy A17, Samsung is making an attempt to steadiness either side of that equation with one thing that sports activities a strong design, a vibrant display screen, first rate cameras and respectable battery life for simply $200. And regardless of some flaws, the corporate has succeeded at making a succesful cellphone that matches into nearly each funds.
Samsung
Despite the fact that its processor is a bit dated, for simply $200, the Samsung Galaxy A17 is a powerful decide amongst funds Android handsets.
Design and show
The Galaxy A17 does job of demonstrating how all plastics aren’t the identical. Regardless of having a polycarbonate body and again, the cellphone by no means feels low-cost. All the things from its buttons to its digital camera module feels good and tight. The optical picture stabilization system used for its rear shooters rattles, although that’s one thing even $1,000 flagships undergo from, so it’s not a giant deal. Some small concessions for price financial savings embrace a teardrop cutout for its entrance selfie cam and a small chin beneath its show, however contemplating its worth, they’re very forgivable. There’s additionally solely a single mono speaker and as a substitute of an in-screen fingerprint sensor, Samsung constructed one into the ability button on its facet. Although for some, the latter may truly be a bonus.
The Galaxy A17’s 6.7-inch OLED show is without doubt one of the cellphone’s finest parts because of strong brightness and a 90Hz refresh fee. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
In the meantime, one factor the A17 has that you do not get on high-end handsets anymore is a microSD card slot (that is shared with its SIM tray) for expandable storage. This provides you an inexpensive method to enhance the cellphone’s base 128GB of house and contemplating how uncommon that is these days, it’s one other win for individuals in search of a very reasonably priced system.
The Galaxy A17’s display screen can also be surprisingly good for its worth, because it sports activities a 6.7-inch OLED show with as much as 800 nits of brightness. Granted, its refresh fee tops out at 90Hz as a substitute of the 120Hz you get on costlier fare. However as soon as once more, contemplating how a lot it prices, I am not complaining. Particularly once you keep in mind that base iPhones have been nonetheless saddled with 60Hz panels as just lately as 2024.
Efficiency
One space the place funds telephones usually wrestle is efficiency as a result of skimping on RAM or the processor can save producers some huge cash. And whereas the Galaxy A17 is mostly wonderful contemplating its worth bracket, I actually want Samsung had opted for a barely newer chip. The cellphone comes with simply 4GB of RAM (although there are barely pricier variations with extra), 128GB of onboard storage and an Exynos 1330 SoC, the latter of which is almost three years outdated.
The Galaxy A17 comes with three rear cameras, however its actually extra like two as a result of a type of is a 2MP macro cam. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
At first, I used to be actually nervous as a result of through the preliminary setup, the cellphone was a laggy, stuttery mess. Fortunately, after signing in, giving the cellphone a while to obtain updates within the background and ensuring all of its apps have been updated, efficiency improved considerably. To be clear, this factor nonetheless is not a pace demon and once you’re multitasking or shortly switching between heavy apps, it’s possible you’ll discover some slowdown. I additionally want contact enter felt a bit extra responsive as a result of generally once you faucet an icon, there is a small delay earlier than something occurs. However fortunately, it is comparatively minor, and in most conditions, the cellphone is snappy sufficient.
Cameras
The A17 comes with a 13-megapixel selfie digital camera and three rear shooters, although in apply it is actually extra like two as a result of a type of is a 2MP macro cam, which does not get a lot use until you’re taking a number of up-close images. That stated, the cellphone takes higher photos than you may count on given its worth. In well-lit circumstances, each its 50MP important and 5MP ultrawide cams do not provide you with a lot to complain about. Pictures look sharp and sport vivid colours.
Nonetheless, in low-light conditions, there’s an apparent distinction in high quality between the A17 and costlier midrange telephones like Pixel 9a. In a shot of some fruit in my dimly lit kitchen, the A17’s pic appears smooth and options washed-out colours in comparison with what Google’s cellphone produced. Then, once I went exterior and snapped a photograph of a automobile nonetheless buried after the current snowstorm, textures on the slush within the highway, together with varied highlights and shadows appeared worse within the A17’s photos. So whereas the cellphone can maintain its personal, digital camera high quality remains to be one of many greatest causes you may wish to take into account upgrading to a costlier handset.
Battery life
The underside of the Galaxy A17 options the cellphone’s USB-C port and its single, mono speaker. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
For a cellphone with a 5,000mAh battery and a low-power chip, the Galaxy A17 did not final fairly so long as I anticipated. On our native video rundown take a look at, it lasted simply over 23 hours (23:08), which is first rate, but in addition 5 hours lower than the Pixel 9a (28:04). Alternatively, its wired charging pace of 25 watts is greater than sufficient. Simply do not be shocked once you plop it on a wi-fi charging pad and nothing occurs as a result of the cellphone does not help that.
Wrap-up
In case you are hard-capped at $200, the Samsung Galaxy A17 is a surprisingly spectacular system. It is acquired a strong construct, first rate cameras with a handful of various lenses, respectable battery life and even a built-in microSD card slot for additional storage. You even get six years of OS and safety updates, which is considerably longer than nearly all of its similarly-priced rivals. And whereas its efficiency may very well be smoother, it is not laggy sufficient to get really bothered about on a cellphone this reasonably priced.
Despite the fact that the Galaxy A17 is made out of plastic, the cellphone nonetheless does not really feel low-cost. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
For these with wiggle room of their gadget allowance, I might significantly take into account taking a look at a model with 8GB of RAM, which is simply $30 extra. Alternatively, the Pixel 9a stays my favourite Android cellphone relating to worth for cash and it’s $399 (down from its launch worth of $499). But when cash is tight, the Galaxy A17 delivers all the pieces you want with out blowing up your funds.
