Samsung Galaxy Alpha: Pros and Cons
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
- Samsung Galaxy Alpha specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
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 specifications
Brand | Samsung |
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Name | Galaxy Alpha |
Model | SM-G850 |
Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 4.06 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.21 x 2.58 x 0.26 inch |
Colors | charcoal black, dazzling white, frosted gold, scuba blue, sleek silver |
SIM type | Nano 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.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.4.4 (KitKat) |
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SoC | Exynos 5 Octa 5430 |
CPU | Octa-core, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15, Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
GPU | Mali-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.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | Super AMOLED |
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Screen size | 4.7 inch |
Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
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.
Memory, storage
RAM | 2 GB |
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Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | no |
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.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 12 MP, 4608 x 2592 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 2.1 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.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | no |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 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
Type | Li-Ion 1860 mAh |
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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
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity |
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Specials | Corning 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
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.