Samsung Galaxy A7, phablet with the specs of a flagship device

Here's the review of Samsung Galaxy A7

KARACHI: Samsung has released the 2017 model of its Galaxy-A series trio and we got our hands on the largest of them, the A7, for review and here’s what we think about the device.

Before we proceed any further, here are some of the major specifications of the phone: the Samsung Galaxy A7 has a 5.7” FHD Super Amoled Display and runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 7880 Octa-core processor along with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage.



The cameras on the Galaxy A7 have received a major upgrade when compared to last year’s version, boasting 16 megapixel cameras on both front and back.

The device is still running on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1. It also boasts a large 3600mAh battery and has been rated IP68, water and dust resistant. It also has fingerprint scanner underneath the home button -- now a norm in medium to high end smartphones.

Design

Design wise, A7 is one of the best looking Samsung devices out there. It has a premium feel to it with chamfered edges on the back and front giving it a nice seamless design.

The phone follows Samsung’s latest trend of glass back panels which gives it a glossy finish. However, it also means that it’s a fingerprint magnet and you should expect to see fingerprints and smudges all over it.



For the review, we got the A7 in Black Sky colour. The device also comes in three more colours namely Gold Sand, Peach Cloud and Blue Mist. However, we personally feel that the black edition is better than others as it gives the phone a minimalist look.

Despite the fact that it is huge device with 5.7 inch display, the overall design of the phone is such that it doesn’t feel too big in your hands.

Another thing that Samsung got going for it with Galaxy A7 is the absence of any camera protrusion on the back which might not seem that big of a deal but Galaxy S6 users would beg to differ, knowing how annoying the camera hump on the back can be.



Samsung also got creative with the speaker position as it decided to move the speaker on the A7 from the bottom to the right side of the phone, just above the power button.

This is something we haven’t seen even in Samsung’s flagships devices such as the Galaxy S7 and Note 7. With speaker at the bottom, when you play games or watch videos, your hand position tends to block the speaker. But with the speaker on top, you’ll probably be able to hear audio more clearly while playing games.

Performance

Coming to the performance of the device, Samsung Galaxy A7 boasts Exynos 7880 octa-core chip along with 3GBs of RAM which means you shouldn’t expect any lag even under heavy use.



The A7 comes with a standard 32GB internal storage with the option of expandable storage of up to 256 Gigs, so memory usage shouldn’t be a problem.

We’ve had this device for almost two weeks and the best thing about it is its battery life. The phone has a 3600mAH battery which means it will get you past the day with an average 20 per cent charge still remaining at the end of the day. A7 also supports quick charge so you can expect a full battery in just over an hour.

A7 is rated IP68, which means the device is water and dust resistant and can be immersed in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, so you can take it to the beach and take photos, use it with wet hands hassle free. However, we wouldn’t advise taking the phone for a swim.



During review, we did some water tests on it and it came out victorious.

Camera

Camera wise, the A7 has 16 megapixel sensors on both the front and back. The 16MP camera takes pretty decent pictures, but unlike the higher-end S7, it struggles a bit in low light.

PHOTO: NARENDAR KUMAR/EXPRESS TRIBUNE

However, with the 16MP front camera, you should expect great selfies if that’s your thing.



The cameras on A7 are capable of shooting 1080p videos @30fps. One of the most useful features of the A7camera is its floating camera feature which allows you to place the camera button anywhere on the screen, something that is pretty useful for a large phone like this one.

What’s new

With A7, Samsung has decided to go with the USB-C port instead of normal USB-charging port.

Another interesting feature that Samsung has added to A7 is the ‘Always on Display’ feature. You don’t even need to wake the phone to see the time or check your notifications, as the screen permanently displays a clock, calendar or pattern. Earlier, the feature was available on flagship devices only.



Secure Folder, which was introduced with the Samsung’s ill-fated Note-7, has also been included in the A-7. The feature adds another layer of security as it keeps selected apps and sensitive data locked down and separate from the regular contents on your device.

Major drawbacks

One of the major drawbacks of the device is its weight. The phone is a little on the heavier side which was expected in a phone with a huge battery as this one. However, the extra weight also means power users will find it difficult to hold the phone for longer durations.



Another thing that goes against the A7 is its price tag. Although it’s called a mid-range phone, at around Rs55, 000 the phone is just Rs8,000 short of the flagship galaxy S7.



Further, the A7 doesn’t have a Quad HD display at this price which might not be that big of a deal for some given that we don’t have much QHD content. However, users who are coming from Galaxy S6 can clearly see the difference in the lower resolution and PPI.

Verdict

All in all, the Samsung Galaxy A7 is designed for those who are a little budget conscious and are looking for a phablet that has most of the specs of a flagship device but comes in a at lower price.

If you are looking to get a brand new phablet and planning to keep it for a year or two, then A7 gives you the right package at the right price.