Smartphone Samsung Galaxy A80 - advantages and disadvantages

Samsung has kicked off the year with a bang, with an updated Galaxy A 2019 line of phones, as well as new flagship devices in the form of a series of Galaxy S10.

Samsung mid-range models, namely A30 and A50, are already top sellers due to their excellent cost-to-quality ratio. However, at a recent presentation, another smartphone was demonstrated - the Galaxy A80, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in this article.

Review

It's a little unusual that Samsung's innovations appear in the line of the middle price range "A", and not in the flagship phones of the "S" series. On the other hand, Samsung representatives said that they would experiment with the Galaxy A line of devices, and after that, gradually introduce successful technologies into the rest of the series.

In this regard, it is likely that it is in the novelty considered below that there will be something that will appear in all Samsung devices in 2020.

Design

In appearance, the novelty looks like a premium model: a glass design with a metal base around it, which is practically felt in the hand.

But the phone turned out to be noticeably overall, its parameters are 65.2 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm, which complicates the operation with one hand. In addition, the mechanics of the pop-up photographic module indicates that the device is heavy (there is no official information regarding the weight of the model yet).

The power button is located on the right side of the phone, and the volume rocker is on the left. Both buttons are easy to reach. The smartphone will be sold in 3 colors:

1. Black;
2. White;
3. Gold.

The smartphone does not have a headset jack, since the base of the model is equipped with a SIM card port, a USB type "C" slot and one speaker.

The key highlight of the design is the retractable camera, the module of which is equal in width to the smartphone. Users can switch to selfie mode with the camera program.

The gentle rise and further rotation of the triple camera module is an interesting feature and it is very likely that the camera will appeal to all fans of the Samsung brand.

At the same time, this concept causes some anxiety. As in the situation with Find X from Oppo, which was one of the first to show such a camera solution, experts are wondering to what extent a moving shell device is reliable.

In addition, the very concept of rotation is also worrying, in other words, even more details have appeared in the smartphone that are prone to operational breakdown.

In addition, moving elements indicate that it is difficult to install a case on the phone to protect the entire device, which means that users who decide to order a novelty will have to handle it as carefully as possible.

Either way, the pop-up camera provides a full-screen display that isn't torn apart by the camera module's protrusion or hole, and that brings back the nice appearance of the outside of the device.

Samsung's developers have squeezed the front bezels as tightly as possible across all edges of the 6.7-inch screen. The result is excellent, despite the fact that this screen is made with frames.

Display

The rotary camera solved the issue with the selfie module and saved the display of the new smartphone model from protrusions, monobrows and holes. The large display extends across the entire bezel and makes an incredible impression. With the screen settings, too, everything is fine.

The Galaxy A80 display from Samsung is based on a Super AMOLED matrix, and the resolution is 2400x1080 px. The aspect ratios are unusual, but with a "cine" aspect ratio of 20:9.

At the demonstration, they noted that such a ratio proved to be excellent not only while watching full-length videos, but also when working with a smartphone in multitasking mode. A video is displayed on the top panel of the display, at the bottom it is possible to launch Instagram or instant messengers.

The display diagonal is 6.7 inches, which is one of the most limiting values ​​in the history of Samsung. The sides are not rounded, which many users already liked.

The fact is that rounded displays look elegant, but they are not entirely comfortable.First of all, due to accidental clicks, and secondly, the beveled sides are distinguished by the feature of rejecting glare. The fingerprint sensor is built into the bottom of the display and is optical, not ultrasonic when compared to the flagship Galaxy S10.

Performance

Today it is not so easy to find a Samsung phone that runs on a chipset from Qualcomm. Flagship devices in the Russian Federation are produced on proprietary Exynos processors, and mid-range models, as a rule, are equipped exclusively with Samsung chipsets. To the delight of fans of the brand, the novelty solves this issue.

The phone is based on the innovative Snapdragon 730 architecture, made using 8nm technology, which was formally presented by Qualcomm not so long ago.

The processor is designed to replace the Snapdragon 710 and so far is the best solution for mid-range phones. The RAM in the Galaxy A80 is enough - 8 GB, and the amount of integrated memory is 128 GB.

It should be noted that the new model from Samsung does not have a port for a microSD flash drive, and therefore it is impossible to expand the internal memory. By the way, there are no alternatives. But there is an NFC module, and a fingerprint sensor is built into the display.

cameras

The most intriguing parameter of the novelty is the camera. The triple module, which is located on a retractable and rotary unit, at the same time plays the role of a selfie and the main camera.

In the normal position, the module is retracted and the lenses point backwards. When the user launches the "camera" program and selects the "selfie" mode, the module rises and the camera rotates along its own axis.

This special concept makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of selfie photos, because, as everyone knows, the main camera of the phone is always better equipped, and accordingly, the pictures are better when compared with the front camera. Regarding the acquisition of the camera, it is new in the following:

• The main unit is made in the form of a sensor with ultra-high resolution, which is 48 MP. Aperture is 2.0. There is a "Super Steady" mode, which serves to stabilize the picture during video shooting;
• The second block is a wide-angle camera, the viewing angle of which is 123 degrees, and the resolution is 8 MP;
• The third camera is a ToF 3D depth scanner.

The device is activated by activating the camera program. When you exit the program, the device's camera returns to the rear panel. You can raise the slider manually, but in this way the camera will not turn over, but will be directed backwards.

You can also push the module with your hands, but you will have to expend a lot of effort. The device will not fail, but it is clear that ideally it is necessary to use the "legitimate" method of controlling the moving module - through the program.

Interface

The novelty operates on the basis of Android 9 OS with a custom proprietary One shell, which makes the device very similar to the flagship models. S10 and S10 Plus. It's a simple Android interface that won't have to be adapted from scratch if the user switches to it from another Android device.

At the moment, the system works smoothly, however, the smartphone shown in the demonstration was not installed with the final version of the software.

The "Smart Performance Boost" option activates AI-based software to optimize device performance. It controls the functioning of the battery, chip and RAM, depending on how the smartphone is used. Due to this, the device functions more efficiently, and programs open faster.

The Bixby Scripts app assists the phone owner throughout the life of the phone by examining app usage patterns and analyzing habits to automatically determine which options are useful in which case. The execution of everyday tasks and the functioning of programs are configured depending on the lifestyle of the owner.

The improved proprietary Knox security platform, which is necessary to ensure security at all levels, from the processor to the software, makes it possible to enjoy free communication on the new smartphone.

Owners do not need to worry about the confidentiality of their own data if they use the proprietary "Pass" to enter programs and open sites through biometric identification. For ultimate practicality, the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display of the device, as mentioned earlier.

Sound

Alas, the novelty does not have a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones. Given the lack of moisture resistance, the decision to remove the audio headset slot seems incomprehensible and begs for negative comments from users.

Stereo speakers are also not of high quality. There is only one multimedia type speaker, which is located at the bottom.

Battery

The battery of the novelty, the power of which is 3,700 mAh, as well as the possibility of ultra-fast charging at 25 V, make it possible for a long time to be in touch and use the capabilities of a technological smartphone. Even if the battery needs to be recharged, the fast charge option won't take long.

Samsung's Galaxy A80 also features Smart Battery Consumption Optimization, which adjusts battery usage based on how the phone is used throughout the day. The adaptive power-saving mode confirms that the battery is functioning as efficiently as possible and guarantees the required performance of the gadget.

Characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

• The main camera is combined with a selfie;
• Excellent performance;
• Dimensions and proportions of the sides of the display;
• Type of matrix;
• Supports NFC, the presence of the main USB type "C" slot.

• There is no option to install a flash drive;
• No 3.5mm headset jack;
• High, according to buyers, the cost.

Release date and how much?

Samsung has increased the pace of launching its own devices on the market, and therefore it is expected that the new A80 will appear in Russia as early as 05/27/2019. For the price of a smartphone will cost more when compared with the cost A70:

The average price is 50,000 rubles.

This is quite expensive for the "A" line. It is clear that in retail the price of the phone will drop sharply to the level of 35 to 40 thousand rubles. The fact is that in this segment, Samsung's key rivals are Xiaomi Corporation with their model Mi 9 and Honor with its 20Pro.

The phone from Xiaomi Corporation is interesting with a premium Snapdragon 855 processor, but there is also no 3.5 mm headset jack and a microSD flash drive slot.

The rival from Honor has the best camera in the middle price range, however, in terms of parameters, it slightly loses to the device under consideration today.

In general, an interesting confrontation is brewing, in which Samsung, for once, is not inferior to competitors from China in the middle market segment, and in some aspects even outperforms them.

Galaxy A line

In anticipation of the release of the new Galaxy A80, it will not be superfluous to recall the lineup of the A series and its “evolution” in general:

• Galaxy A10, A20 and A30 are entry-level phones that are positioned as successors to the Galaxy J line. A10 and A20 are in HD + display, however, starting from the model A30 all smartphones of the series are equipped with a Full HD screen;
• Galaxy A40 is the most compact phone in the series with a screen size of 5.9 inches;
• Galaxy A50 is the first example of a line with a camera, which consists of three modules, as well as a fingerprint sensor integrated into the display. The smartphone has a powerful battery with a capacity of 4,000 mAh, there is a 3.5 mm headset jack, as well as an NFC unit. The device is complemented by a proprietary chipset made using 10nm technology, Exynos 9610;
• Galaxy A70 similar to the model discussed in this article.There is a similar screen, the diagonal of which is 6.7 inches, as well as a ratio of 20:9. The camera consists of three modules, but it does not extend or rotate. The selfie camera is housed in a drop-shaped protrusion. The fingerprint sensor is located under the display. The advantage of the model is the battery, the capacity of which is 4500 mAh.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Galaxy A80 from Samsung is a trial device. A Korean firm is experimenting with user attitudes towards modern concepts and testing whether brand fans are willing to pay for them.

If everything goes well, then the innovations will gradually move to the flagship models, and if not, then nothing critical for the company will happen. The new Galaxy A series already has 7 smartphones, each of which has a target audience.

Video review of A80: