Samsung Galaxy A series phones: Your complete buyer's guide

The Galaxy A series forms the bedrock of Samsung's mid-range ambitions. The A-series started by bringing features previously limited to Samsung flagships at a much more affordable price point. While it was traditionally focused on the mid-range segment, Samsung got rid of the entry-level Galaxy J series in 2019 and folded them into the Galaxy A lineup.

The result is that the Galaxy A series now starts under $100, thanks to devices like the Galaxy A02. While the budget Galaxy A options make it easier to upgrade to one of the best cheap Samsung phones, the mid-range options like the Galaxy A52 and A52 5G offer exciting new features for those who want the latest screen tech and 5G connectivity.

The results speak for themselves; the Galaxy A series now accounts for nearly 60% of all Samsung phone sales globally, so there's clearly a lot of interest in what the Korean brand is doing in this area. 

Choosing the ideal Galaxy A phone for your needs can get confusing, with over eight models to pick from across various price points. So if you're in the market for a new phone in 2022, here's what you need to know about the Galaxy A series.

What's new with the Galaxy A series?

For 2022, Samsung is making a few key changes to the Galaxy A series. First up is the fact that the mid-range Galaxy A models will get four guaranteed Android OS updates along with five years of security updates, just like Samsung's flagship phones. 

And while the Galaxy A series is aimed at the budget and mid-range segments, Samsung does a great job carrying over designs from the Galaxy S flagships over to the A series.

The latest slate of Galaxy A models — the Galaxy A53 and A73 — have a prominent camera housing with large rings around the sensors, but unlike the Galaxy S22 series, there's no metal trim for the camera housing. Instead, the modules protrude directly from the chassis, and the subtle design is refreshing.

Another big addition is IP67 water resistance — Samsung offered IP68 dust and water resistance on the 2017 Galaxy A series, but didn't do so in subsequent models. Starting from 2021, this feature is standard across the mid-range Galaxy A models. 

The 2022 Galaxy A launches include the Galaxy A33, A53, and A73, with all three phones offering 5G connectivity. The devices are launching globally on April 1, and are now up for pre-order in select markets. 

Galaxy A53 sets the standard for mid-range phones

For 2022, Samsung is positioning the Galaxy A53 5G as the ideal mid-range choice. The phone picks up interesting upgrades over its predecessor, including faster internal hardware, a larger battery, and more software updates. 

Samsung hasn't changed the fundamentals too much, and that's because the A52 5G by itself is still a great choice. You still get a 120Hz AMOLED screen, 64MP camera at the back, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, microSD slot, 32MP front camera, 25W fast charging, and 5G connectivity. 

On the software front, the A53 5G comes with One UI 4.1 based on Android 12 out of the box. The fact that the phone will receive four Android OS updates along with five years of security updates gives it a distinct edge in the mid-range category — there's no other phone that comes close to Samsung's update guarantee. 

And the best part is that at $449, the Galaxy A53 5G doesn't cost more than its predecessor. So if you're eyeing a mid-ranger, the Galaxy A53 5G ticks all the right boxes. 

Galaxy A72 is a large-screened battery monster

Like the Galaxy A71, the A72 delivers a large screen and a massive battery. The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel is one of the best you'll find in this category, and the phone has a 90Hz refresh rate, making everyday interactions buttery smooth.

The hardware hasn't changed too much; the Snapdragon 720G chipset delivers similar performance as the 730G, and you get 6GB of RAM as well as 128GB of storage out of the box. There's a microSD slot — unlike the Galaxy S22 series — and you'll also find IP67 dust and water resistance. The 64MP lens at the back is unchanged, and Samsung added an 8MP zoom lens that offers 3x zoom.

With a 5000mAh battery, the Galaxy A72 easily manages to last two days between charges. And when you do need to charge it, there's 25W fast charging. The more significant change around the A72 is the software; the phone comes with One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 out of the box, and it will get monthly security updates and three guaranteed Android version updates.

There's also a 5G-enabled version of the Galaxy A72 that has a 120Hz panel and is powered by the Snapdragon 750G, but that particular model is limited to select countries. 

Galaxy A52 is still a great mid-range phone

The Galaxy A52 and A52 5G strike the perfect balance between affordability and feature-set. They deliver all the features you're looking for in the mid-range segment, but you don't have to pay a premium. The standard 4G version of the A52 comes with a 6.5-inch AMOLED 90Hz screen that's a delight to use, and the phone has tiny bezels at the front.

The Snapdragon 720G powers the device, and it holds up just fine in daily use. The base model has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and you get a microSD card slot. There are exciting upgrades around the camera, with the phone picking up a 64MP primary lens along with a 12MP wide-angle module. There's also a 4500mAh battery that lasts well over a day even with heavy usage, and the phone has 25W fast charging. And the A52 and A52 5G offer IP67 dust and water resistance.

The Galaxy A52 5G has the same attributes as the 4G model, but it features a 120Hz AMOLED panel powered by the beefier Snapdragon 750G chipset, giving it just that little more in terms of performance. Oh, and it connects to 5G networks that rely on Sub-6. The 5G version of the Galaxy A52 is the default option for buyers in the U.S., but Samsung sells the 4G model in most global markets.

Galaxy A42 5G is the perfect gateway into 5G

The Galaxy A42 5G offers the same fundamentals as the A52 5G but misses out in a few areas. The upside is that the phone costs $100 less than the A52 5G, and you get the same 5G bands. The A42 5G features an AMOLED panel, but the resolution is 720p (1600x720). So while you still get great colors and viewing angles, the resolution isn't ideal for a 6.6-inch screen.

The device is powered by the Snapdragon 750G — the same as the in the A72 5G and A52 5G — so it should last several years without any slowdowns. The massive 5000mAh battery also ensures the phone lasts two days on a full charge, but unlike the A52, you're limited to 15W fast charging. On the imaging side of things, the phone has a 48MP primary lens, an 8MP wide-angle, two 5MP auxiliary lenses, and a 20MP camera at the front.

The A42 5G has a unique design that allows it to stand out a bit more from its A series siblings, and it is a decent way to get onboard the 5G bandwagon. The underwhelming 60Hz screen is a letdown, but if you're okay with that, then the A42 5G is a decent enough option.

Galaxy A32 gives you the basics for less

The Galaxy A32 is an interesting phone because it delivers the best features from the A52 and A72 for less. You get a similar design, 64MP camera at the back (48MP on the 5G model), and a huge 5000mAh battery.

The phone obviously loses out in some areas; the 4G version is powered by MediaTek's Helio G80, which is laggy in daily use. The 5G model — featuring the MediaTek Dimensity 720G — doesn't have this particular problem, so if you're considering the A32, my recommendation would be to pick up the 5G-enabled version. The Galaxy A32 5G is the default option in the U.S., and it retails for $280 there.

While the A32 5G has a beefier chipset, it misses out elsewhere. The regular A32 has a 6.5-inch Full HD (2400x1080) AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh, but the A32 5G has an inferior TFT screen with a resolution of just 720p (1600x720) and 60Hz refresh. Like the Galaxy A42 5G, Samsung isn't offering a high-quality screen with the device, making recommending the A32 5G just that little bit more difficult.

The phone delivers in other areas, though, and if you are waiting to switch to a budget phone with 5G, there is a lot to like here. Just know that the screen isn't the best you'll find in this particular category.

Galaxy A13 lowers the barrier to entry for 5G

With the Galaxy A13, Samsung is making it easier than ever to make the switch to 5G. The entry-level phone has decent hardware in the form of a TFT 90Hz screen, Dimensity 700 platform with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack, 50MP camera at the back, and a huge 5000mAh battery with 15W charging.

But the highlight here is 5G connectivity, with the phone offering both Sub-6 and mmWave connectivity in the U.S. That makes the Galaxy A13 one of the most affordable 5G-enabled devices in the market, so if you're on an older Samsung phone and want a budget model that offers 5G, the A13 has a lot going for it.

Galaxy A12 is the ideal entry-level phone

The Galaxy A12 doesn't have powerful hardware by any measure, but it delivers the basics in the entry-level segment. The phone features a 6.5-inch 720p screen and is powered by MediaTek's Helio G35 chipset. Unfortunately, it misses out on 5G, but at $180, you are getting a decent amount of value here.

The phone has an 18MP primary camera with a 5MP wide-angle lens and offers a 5000mAh battery — just like the A32 5G — and you get 15W fast charging as default. It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage along with a microSD slot and runs One UI 2.5 based on Android 10 out of the box. It isn't the most exciting device in the Galaxy A portfolio, but if you're interested in an entry-level device and want one that will get regular software updates, the A12 is a great choice.

Galaxy A02s is a solid choice for prepaid buyers

The Galaxy A02s won't set any performance records, but it covers the basics, and debuting at just $110 in the U.S., it is the most affordable way to get into Samsung's ecosystem right now. The phone features a 6.5-inch 720p screen, and while it isn't as vibrant as the AMOLED panels that Samsung routinely uses on its mid-range and high-end phones, it is serviceable for daily use.

You also get a Snapdragon 450 chipset, and the base version has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage along with a microSD slot. The chipset isn't fast by any measure, and you will see some slowdowns in day-to-day use, and the limited memory means the A02s isn't ideal for multitasking. You'll find a 13MP camera at the back along with two 2MP lenses that act as the macro and portrait modules, and there's a 5MP camera at the front.

The battery is where the A02s shines; with a 5000mAh battery under the hood, the phone manages to last over two days on a full charge. There's no NFC here, and you don't even get 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity — the A02s is instead limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The phone also runs the older One UI 2.5 based on Android 10, but it should get the Android 11 update shortly.

To sum it up, the Galaxy A02s isn't a particularly interesting phone, but if you're looking for a device in the vicinity of $100, it gets the job done.

Which Galaxy A phone should you buy?

There are a lot of exciting models to choose from in Samsung's Galaxy A portfolio. For my money, I would go with the Galaxy A53 5G. It has a sublime 120Hz AMOLED screen, powerful hardware with 5G connectivity, microSD slot, standout cameras, and large 500mAh battery with 25W fast charging. You also get IP67 dust and water resistance, monthly updates, and four guaranteed Android version updates.

The Galaxy A52 5G is also a good choice if you want to save some cash. If you're looking for a more budget-focused option, the Galaxy A33 5G should be a great option, provided you're willing to wait until it goes on sale. 

And although the Galaxy A72 doesn't offer a lot of changes from its predecessor, it is a reliable choice if you want a large screen and at least two-day battery life. 

If you are looking for an entry-level device, the Galaxy A12 has the essentials covered. It doesn't have the best hardware, but you get all the standard software features in One UI, and the device works on all U.S. carriers.