I recently purchased Samsung’s entry-level smartphone, the Galaxy A07.
I bought it online for a price equivalent to about $80–$90 USD. It was quite a bargain, especially considering the specifications.
The reason I bought the Galaxy A07 was to replace my Redmi Note 5, which I had been using for work purposes for a long time. The battery finally started to swell and the casing began to split. I believe I bought it back in 2018, so it served me well for quite a while.
When looking for a smartphone in a similar price range to the Redmi Note 5, I decided to purchase the Galaxy A07.
The main reasons for choosing the Galaxy A07 were the performance of the Helio G99 processor (which I was already familiar with through the Galaxy Tab A9 tablet) and the promise of 6 years of update support. Considering the total cost including shipping was around $80 USD, it offers significant value.
Since most of my devices are white or black, I decided to go with the Violet color this time.
The box design is simple. The back features text in a foreign language, which AI tells me is Burmese (Myanmar), suggesting this unit was intended for that region.
Unboxing
Inside the box, the components are minimal:
- USB-C Cable
- SIM Ejection Tool
- The Device
The Galaxy A07 supports up to 25W charging, but since no charger is included, you will need to spend a little extra if you want a genuine Samsung 25W charger.
Design and Build
The Violet color looks quite nice and not awkward at all.
Although the back is definitely plastic, it doesn’t look cheap. I tapped around the back, and it feels solid without any hollow sounds, which was a pleasant surprise. Usually, smartphones in this price bracket have back covers that look and feel very cheap, but this one avoids that impression.
On the right side, you’ll find the volume buttons and a power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. On the left, there is the SIM and Micro SD card slot. I particularly like that the tray can hold two SIM cards and an SD card simultaneously.
The frame also appears to be plastic, but it looks sturdy. Overall, despite the materials, the phone has a decent aesthetic. Of course, once you put a case on it, you won’t see it, but it’s good to see that even the most affordable smartphones now have decent build quality.
Turning it On
The battery came charged at around 57%, and the large 6.7-inch screen immediately caught my eye.
Pros of the Galaxy A07
1. 6 Years of Update Support
The biggest advantage is undoubtedly the support policy. 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches are Samsung’s strongest weapon here. While I wonder if I’ll actually use a phone with this performance for 6 years—and I’m more worried about the battery lasting that long than the performance—it is still impressive.
Considering that competitors in the global market usually offer around 3 years of security patches at best, this is a significant advantage.
2. Decent Performance with Helio G99
The Helio G99 has finally trickled down to Samsung’s most affordable phone. It’s a very common AP, but it offers solid performance.
Given that its direct competitor, the Xiaomi Redmi 15C, launched with the Helio G81 Ultra, the A07 seems to have the upper hand in performance.
Personally, I am satisfied with the G99. It handles YouTube, OTT streaming, browsing articles, and social media without any issues.
3. Other Features
Other pros include the 3.5mm headphone jack, IP54 dust and water resistance, and the triple slot for dual SIMs + Micro SD. However, since most competitors also offer these features, they aren’t unique selling points.
Cons of the Galaxy A07
1. Display
The HD+ resolution (not FHD), LCD panel, and 90Hz refresh rate seem acceptable for the price. However, considering competitors are moving toward 120Hz as a standard, it does feel a bit behind.
The maximum brightness seems a bit low, and it’s disappointing that you cannot adjust the color temperature in the settings.
While performance has notably improved with the Helio G99, it feels like they compromised on the display to make up for it. Also, while not a dealbreaker, a punch-hole design would have been nicer than the notch.
2. Lack of Accessories
This is relative, but the package contents fall short compared to competitors. Brands like Xiaomi often include a charger and a case in the box. In some markets, this difference could be a deciding factor for buyers.
3. Software Segmentation
Although it uses the same Helio G99 AP as the Galaxy A17 4G, there is significant software segmentation (“grade separation”).
You cannot adjust display colors, and features like Gemini integration or Circle to Search are not supported. Good Lock isn’t fully supported either. Knox is included, but it seems to lack the full feature set.
User Experience Review
While the above covers the specs, here is how it actually feels to use.
- Charging: 25W is slower than many Chinese competitors, but it doesn’t feel terribly inconvenient. The 5,000 mAh battery is sufficient for a full day of use.
- Grip & Weight: For a 6.7-inch device, the grip is decent. Weight distribution is good, so it doesn’t feel top-heavy.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The recognition rate is good, making it comfortable to unlock and use.
- Multimedia: The screen is large, so despite the lower specs, videos look fine. The 90Hz refresh rate prevents the UI from feeling sluggish. However, the mono speaker at the bottom is a major letdown. It’s high time Samsung included stereo speakers in this tier, as competitors have already started doing so.
- Camera: Don’t expect too much. The 50MP main camera is the only useful one; the front and depth cameras feel like placeholders. It does include Night Mode, though.
- Performance: I bought the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage model to keep costs low. RAM Plus (4GB) is enabled by default, and since the Helio G99 only supports UFS storage (which is faster than eMMC), the performance remains smooth enough for basic tasks.
Conclusion: Global Competitiveness
The Galaxy A07 and A17 are high-volume sellers for Samsung, competing fiercely with other budget brands.
With the Helio G99 providing a performance edge and the 6 years of support (OS & Security), Samsung has equipped this phone with stability as its primary weapon.
Compared to similarly priced rivals, it wins on longevity and stability but loses on display quality, charging speed, and included accessories. The trend is moving toward 120Hz screens and faster charging, areas where the A07 lags behind.
It will be interesting to see how Samsung’s strategy plays out in the global market. If you are looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone that will remain secure and functional for a long time, the Galaxy A07 is a solid recommendation.