Samsung’s 2021 Galaxy A Series Phones

In recent years, the midrange category has been generating nearly as much interest as its flagship counterpart. The phenomenon has further been amplified by the economic impact that the COVID pandemic had last year, a clear indication that now more than ever, customers are looking for value just as much as they are for head-turning specs and features. 

Galaxy A Series 2021
Image credit Samsung

So, when Samsung announced what is arguably the best set of mid-range devices in the market, the smartphone world stopped and watched. On March 7th, 2021, the Korean tech giant announced the latest additions to their already solid A series lineup of devices, and just over a month later, on April 9th, the devices graced the Australian market.

The four phones, the Galaxy A32 and A32 5G, Galaxy A52 and A52 5G, and the Galaxy A72, seriously make you question the decision to drop $1000 for a flagship device. I mean, why break the bank when you can get everything you need for half the cost? That’s not to say that the devices’ features have been reduced to the bare minimum; you still get an impressive set of specs even with the entry-level Galaxy A32 Device.

Ooh, and most interestingly, all five devices bring back the long lost headphone jack, the already disappearing in-box charger, and allow you to expand the internal storage to your liking- something you won’t find in the 2000-dollar flagship lineups of today.

Samsung Galaxy A32 and A32 5G

Introducing the lineup are the Galaxy A32 and A32 5G, the most affordable phones of the lot at $499. At first glance, it’s pretty weird that both retail for the same price (given that one is 5G enabled while the other isn’t) and it gets even more confusing when you look at the phones’ spec sheets.

Starting with the A32, the device has an impressive 6.4-inch display with a somewhat modest 1080p resolution. And given that the refresh rate stands at an impressive 90Hz, the A32 promises a more than satisfactory viewing and scrolling experience. On the other hand, the A32 5G has a larger 6.5-inch display, but with a smaller resolution at 720p? The refresh rate has also been notched down to a mere 60Hz! Odd, right?

Both devices have a rear quad-cam set up, but again, the numbers differ. The Galaxy A32’s stands at 64MP + 8MP + 5MP + 5MP, while on the other hand, the Galaxy A32 5G has a toned-down 48MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP set up. Going on to the front, the Galaxy A32 has a 20MP lens, while the A32 5G has a 13MP lens. Still weird! Read our Galaxy A32 5G review.

The internal storage on both is a  modest (but enough for most people) 128 GB, but the Galaxy A32 features a higher RAM, 6GB, than the Galaxy A32 5G, 4GB. The A32 runs on a Helio G80 chipset, while the A32 5G has the DImensity 720 5G. Both devices are powered by a 5,000mAh battery and are available in black, blue, or purple colours. Unfortunately, none has dust and water resistance.

So, what was Samsung’s thinking? Two seemingly different phones having the same name and selling at the same price; why? Plus the 4G smartphone has bigger specs than the 5G one! Well, the company said they did this to allow their customers to choose what they valued most; is it bigger specs or the latest generation of mobile network speeds.

And honestly, this idea makes some sense, given that the Galaxy A32 5G is the cheapest 5G smartphone ever launched in the Australian market.

Galaxy A52 and A52 5G

Next in the lineup are the Galaxy A52 and A52 5G devices. Here, Samsung took the more conventional approach and implemented a noticeable spec bump to go along with 5G technology.

Starting with the display, the Samsung A52 has a 6.5-inch super AMOLED panel with a 1080p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. The A52 5G retains the same display panel but with a higher refresh rate (120Hz).

Nothing separates the cameras though, with both devices having the same rear quad-cam setup (64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP) and a 32MP front camera lens. The numbers are pretty promising, so you can be sure that the photo output will be nothing but impressive.

The internal storage on both models stands at 128GB, but the A52 5G has a 256GB variant going at a higher price. The Galaxy A52 has 8GB of RAM and runs on the Snapdragon 720G processor, while the A52 5G has 6GB for the 128GB variant and 8GB for the 256GB one, powered by the 750G 5G chipset.  

Both have an 1P67 water and dust resistance rating and are powered by a 4,500 mAh battery. The phone’s backs are made from polycarbonate with a matte finish, and they are available in black, blue, or purple colours.

The standard Samsung Galaxy A52 (128GB) will cost you $599 and the Galaxy A52 5G variant $649. The 256 GB of the Galaxy A52 5G goes for $749. Read our Galaxy A52 5g review.

Galaxy A72

Going for $749, the Galaxy A72 has the biggest specs, but unfortunately, the 5G version won’t be available locally. The device is still an excellent choice for those looking to grab a beefed-up midrange smartphone. Here is a look at the specs

Samsung Galaxy A72 Specs

The Galaxy A72 has a large 6.7-inch 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, promising an excellent viewing experience. There is a quad-cam set up at the back, 64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 8MP, and a 32 MP front camera to freeze those moments in crystal clear photos.

Matters storage and performance, the device runs on the Snapdragon 720G processor, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Its components are powered by a 5,000 mAh battery that will easily last two days on light usage. The device has an IP68 water rating, a matte polycarbonate back, and is available in purple, blue, and black.

You’re probably wondering, why does the A72 cost the same as the A52 5G? Well, it’s for the same reason that the A32 and A32 5G have a similar price- to let customers choose what they appreciate most!

Final Take

Samsung’s A-series has always been a value lineup, and these latest additions have cemented that reputation. These devices are well supported with cases and accessories for Galaxy phones. From as low as $499, the Galaxy A32 and A32 5G, Galaxy A52, and A52 5G, and the Galaxy A72 present customers with a near-flagship experience, making them some of the best mid-range devices out there. Read about Samsung’s 2022 Galaxy A Series phones here.

Tagged with: , , , , , ,