When you're shopping for a smartphone under a tight budget, you're probably not expecting bells and whistles. But sometimes, a device comes along that quietly surprises you like the Samsung Galaxy A05. It's not flashy, it won’t break speed records, and it definitely doesn’t fold but it does just enough of the important stuff right. Let’s take a closer look at why this phone deserves more attention than it gets.
A Clean Look with a Big Display
Right off the bat, the Galaxy A05 feels comfortable in the hand despite its size. At around 195 grams, it’s light enough for daily handling without feeling cheap. The design is simple, with a glossy plastic back (Samsung calls it "glasstic") that resists fingerprints surprisingly well.Flip it over, and you’re greeted by a 6.7 inch PLS LCD display, which is surprisingly large for a budget phone. With a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, you won’t get the crispest image, but videos and social media still look just fine. Is it Full HD? No. But it’s bright, colorful, and gets the job done, especially for casual YouTube watchers and serial TikTok scrollers.
Performance That Keeps Up
Under the hood, the Galaxy A05 runs on the MediaTek Helio G85, a processor that won’t win any awards, but handles everyday apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Chrome just fine. Multitasking is smooth if you stick to basics. You can choose between 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and storage options of 64GB or 128GB plus there’s a microSD slot if you need more space.If you're into mobile gaming, this isn’t a phone built for Genshin Impact or CoD Mobile at max settings. But lighter titles like Mobile Legends or Subway Surfers? Totally playable. And if you're just streaming shows or catching up on emails, you'll hardly notice you're using a budget device.
Cameras: Surprisingly Good for the Price
Budget phones aren’t usually known for their cameras but Samsung throws in a 50MP main lens here that performs admirably in daylight. Detail is solid, and colors pop nicely. There’s also a 2MP depth sensor that helps with portrait shots, though edge detection isn’t always perfect.Selfie lovers get an 8MP front camera, and while it won’t win any influencer awards, it’s good enough for quick selfies and video calls. Both the front and rear cameras support 1080p video at 60fps, which is quite respectable at this price point.
Battery Life That Goes the Distance
Here’s where the Galaxy A05 really shines: battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery, it easily lasts a full day sometimes more on moderate use. Whether you're scrolling endlessly on social media, watching videos, or navigating through Google Maps, you won't be reaching for your charger by mid afternoon.And speaking of charging, the phone supports 25W fast charging, though you’ll need to buy the charger separately. Not ideal, but not uncommon these days, especially for budget models.
Software and Everyday Use
The A05 ships with Android 13 and One UI Core 5.1, Samsung’s simplified version of its full-featured interface. It’s clean, functional, and runs well on limited hardware. Samsung has confirmed it will be upgradable to Android 14 and even 15, which adds some future-proofing you don’t always see in this price range.There’s no fingerprint sensor here just standard PIN or pattern lock. Also, no NFC, so you won’t be tapping your phone for payments. But you do get Bluetooth 5.3, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack a feature that's slowly disappearing but still loved by many.
Who Is the Galaxy A05 For?
The Galaxy A05 is built for people who want a reliable smartphone for basic tasks without spending a fortune. It's a great fit for:- Students on a tight budget
- Parents looking for a simple phone for their kids
- Seniors who just need the essentials
- Anyone needing a dependable secondary device
The Verdict: A Little Phone That Could
The Samsung Galaxy A05 doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It knows its place in the smartphone hierarchy and embraces it. While you won’t get high refresh rate displays or ultrawide lenses, what you do get is a solid, user friendly phone with a massive screen and long battery life all backed by Samsung’s brand reliability.Pros:
- Large 6.7" display
- Excellent battery life
- Clean software experience
- Expandable storage
- Decent camera for the price
Cons:
- No fingerprint sensor
- Only HD+ resolution
- Charger not included
- No NFC or 5G support