Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Alpha: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.4 (KitKat)
Exynos 5 Octa 5430
Mali-T628 MP6
2 GB / 32 GB
4.7 inch (720 x 1280 px)
12 MP, 4608 x 2592 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy Alpha smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.7 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 5 Octa 5430 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Galaxy Alpha comes with Android OS v4.4.4 (KitKat) pre-installed. The smartphone features a high-end AMOLED screen. They offer a wide range of colors. This allows for more accurate and vivid color. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4608 x 2592 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy Alpha 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 Alpha / 1

Samsung Galaxy Alpha specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy Alpha
ModelSM-G850
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.06 oz
Dimensions5.21 x 2.58 x 0.26 inch
Colorscharcoal black, dazzling white, frosted gold, scuba blue, sleek silver
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha 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 Alpha / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.4 (KitKat)
SoCExynos 5 Octa 5430
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15, Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-T628 MP6

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha comes with Android OS v4.4.4 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15, Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size4.7 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The Galaxy Alpha's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotno

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Galaxy Alpha has 32 GB. The internal storage of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha (2 GB) cannot be expanded.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4608 x 2592 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2.1 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 main camera of Galaxy Alpha smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The Galaxy Alpha supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Galaxy Alpha smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Galaxy Alpha has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Galaxy Alpha comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 1860 mAh

The Li-Ion 1860 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 4

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Galaxy Alpha smartphones. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

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
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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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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