Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Review: Sleek but Samey

Samsung has quietly released the Galaxy A17 5G, a budget Android smartphone that aims to compete in the crowded market. Priced at £199, the A17 5G is an upgrade from its predecessor, the A16 5G, with minor tweaks and improvements. The phone is available in the UK, but not yet in the US.

Design-wise, the A17 5G maintains the sleek and stylish look of Samsung’s A-series phones. It is slightly thinner and lighter than the A16 5G, with a plastic back and Gorilla Glass Victus front. The phone comes in three colors – Blue, Grey, and Black, and retains an IP54 rating for basic dust and splash protection.

The A17 5G features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth performance. The screen has good contrast and brightness, but the noticeable bezels and teardrop notch may be a downside for some users. The phone lacks stereo speakers, relying on a mono speaker at the bottom edge.

Under the hood, the A17 5G is powered by the Samsung Exynos 1330 chip, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The phone offers decent performance for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding apps and games. The addition of OIS to the main camera improves low-light photography, while the triple rear camera setup offers versatility for different shooting scenarios.

The 5000mAh battery provides solid battery life, lasting up to two days with lighter use. The phone supports 25W charging, but a charger is not included in the box. In terms of software, the A17 5G runs on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7 interface, offering a clean and user-friendly experience.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is a good budget option for those looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone. While it may not offer groundbreaking features or innovations, its solid performance, long software support, and competitive pricing make it a decent choice for budget-conscious consumers.