While smartphone buyers in the USA might not be aware of this, Samsung makes a lot of smartphones. A lot. In the USA, Samsung has historically focused mostly on flagship smartphones, like the Galaxy and Note lines. But in markets like India, Africa, and South America, Samsung’s “budget” and mid-range smartphones are extremely popular, helping make Samsung one of the top smartphone makers in the world. And it seems Samsung is finally ready to push these budget-oriented smartphones in the states.
The new “A-series” samsung smartphones are all priced at $499.99 or less, while still offering decent specs and performance. This decision to go big with the A line in the USA is likely a response to chinese OEMs gaining success with “budget phones” in North America and Europe. Here’s what you can look forward to:
The A52 5G
This is the most expensive of the new budget-friendly Samsung phones at $499.99. It boasts a Snapdragon 750G, 6GB of RAM, a 6.5-inch 10880p OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 4-camera array system. To really push the “flagship at a fair price” angle, Samsung has included an optical fingerprint scanner under in the display, which is an impressive feature at this price point.
The A52 5G will be available unlocked from Samsung and carrier-locked at all major US carriers.
The A02s
This is the truly budget-friendly new offering. At a shockingly-low $109.99, this phone is rather basic, but still an interesting option for those trying to save some cash. There’s no 5G or quad camera, but it does have a a 6.5-inch 720p LCD, a Snapdragon 450, 2GB of RAM, and a dual-camera setup. In short, it’ll get the job done, without any fancy bells or whistles.
The A02s will be sold through Samsung directly, as an unlocked device. Carriers may also offer the device, but likely only for their prepaid services or sub-brands (think Cricket or Straight Talk).
The A42 5G
A downgraded version of the A52 5G, the A42 5G is a similar device with a less-premium display (720p display resolution, but it’s still an OLED with an in-display fingerprint scanner). It also has a Snapdragon 750G, but the RAM has been lowered to 4GB. This phone has an MSRP of $399.99.
The A42 5G is a Verizon exclusive.
The A12
Another super budget offering, the Galaxy A12 is a minor upgrade from the A02s at just $179.99. It’ll have the same 720p LCD, but internal specs include a MediaTek P35 chip and 3GB of RAM.
The A12 will be available on T-Mobile and AT&T
The A32 5G
The A32 5G is perhaps the most interesting of the bunch, as it is the cheapest 5G phone in the mix. For just $279.99, users can get in on the latest, fastest network speeds. Specs aren’t amazing, though. We’re looking at a MediaTek 720, 4GB of RAM, and a 6.5-inch 720p LCD (with a 90hz refresh rate, which is a bonus). However, this one has a 90Hz refresh rate.
Most of these phones will launch this week, except the A02s, which is expected in May or June.
At the end of the day, these aren’t the most exciting releases from Samsung, but it’s nice to see the manufacture put some emphasis on budget and mid-range devices. After all, not everyone wants to pay $2,000 for a phone with 8 cameras.
