Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Exynos 7 Octa 7580
Mali-T720 MP2
2 GB / 16 GB
5.2 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy A5 2016 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7 Octa 7580 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) operating system. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 / 1

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy A5 2016
ModelSM-A5100
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.47 oz
Dimensions5.7 x 2.8 x 0.29 inch
Colorsblack, gold, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
SoCExynos 7 Octa 7580
CPUOcta-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T720 MP2

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays are famous for their vibrant colors. They also have high contrast and are energy efficient. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Galaxy A5 2016 (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Galaxy A5 2016 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes, with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This Samsung phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Galaxy A5 2016 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The Galaxy A5 2016 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Galaxy A5 2016 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, geomagnetic, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 4, Fast Charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy A5 2016 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Galaxy A5 2016 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
Add Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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