Overview
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is a device packed with features. Given everything it offers, many people are surprised to find that this smartphone is part of Samsung’s popular Galaxy A series – the brand’s entry-level lineup.
This surprise stems from the fact that Samsung is primarily known for its premium Galaxy S and Z series devices. Because of this, many consumers are unaware that the brand maintains a robust and attractively priced entry-level smartphone lineup from the start.
My motivation for this review stems from my previous look at the highly budget-focused Galaxy A07. While I found the A07 to be a ‘great everyday phone’ offering high value, it noticeably lacked essential modern features such as NFC.
This brings me to the new Galaxy A17 model, the direct successor to the Galaxy A16 (which I reviewed last year).
My goal is to closely examine the key changes and upgrades over the A16 while testing a superior configuration this time – specifically the A17 5G model with increased RAM – to see if it promises to be the comprehensive solution and provides better overall value than the A07.
My central question is whether the A17 5G successfully fills that crucial feature gap and presents a clear upgrade in the entry-level segment. Does the inclusion of NFC and other enhancements make it perform so well that it challenges Samsung’s more expensive flagship series, or simply offer a better choice than the A07?
Dive into my full video review below to see the in-depth tests and analysis, and find out if the Galaxy A17 5G delivers the best long-term value in its class!
Product details
Brand: Samsung
Model: Galaxy A17 5G (SM-A176B)
In comparison to the Galaxy A16, which it directly replaces, the A17 5G aims to significantly raise the bar in its segment.
This is especially evident in its Triple Camera system, which now features upgraded OIS stabilization designed to iron out subtle hand shakes for smoother video.
Furthermore, the phone utilizes advanced optics to curb light dragging, potentially making night shots up to 2.5 times brighter than before.
Specifications
General & Physical
| Form Factor | Touch Bar |
| Dimensions (HxWxD, mm) | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 |
| Weight (g) | 192 |
| Color | Light Blue, Black, Gray |
| Body Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back |
| Durability Rating | IP54 (Dust & Splash Resistant) |
Processor & Performance
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) |
| CPU Details | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
Display
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm² (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Technology / Features | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Color Depth | 16M |
Camera
| Rear Camera Specifications (Stills) | |
| Resolution (Multiple) | 50.0 MP + 5.0 MP + 2.0 MP |
| F Number (Aperture) | F1.8 , F2.2 , F2.4 |
| OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) | Yes |
| Auto Focus (AF) | Yes |
| Zoom | Digital Zoom up to 10x |
| Flash | Yes |
| Front Camera Specifications | |
| Resolution | 13.0 MP |
| F Number (Aperture) | F2.0 |
| Auto Focus (AF) | No |
| OIS | No |
| Flash | No |
| Video | |
| Recording Resolution | FHD (1920 x 1080)@30fps |
Memory & Storage
| Feature | 128GB Version | 256GB Version |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (GB) | 4, 6, 8 | 8 |
| ROM (GB) | 128 | 256 |
| Available Storage (GB) | ~105.8 | ~233.3 |
| External Storage Support | MicroSD (Up to 2TB) | MicroSD (Up to 2TB) |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM & Infrastructure | |
| SIM Slot Type | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) |
| SIM Slot Count | Dual-SIM / MicroSDXC (Max 2TB) |
| Supported Network Generations | |
| Supported Generations | 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD/TDD, 5G Sub6 FDD/TDD |
| Supported Bands (2G/3G/4G/5G) | |
| 2G GSM Bands | GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900 |
| 3G UMTS Bands | B1, B2, B4, B5, B8 |
| 4G FDD LTE Bands | B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B17, B20, B26, B28, B66 |
| 4G TDD LTE Bands | B38, B40, B41 |
| 5G FDD Sub6 Bands | N1, N3, N5, N7, N8, N26, N28, N66, N71 |
| 5G TDD Sub6 Bands | N40, N41, N77, N78 |
| Connectivity (Local) | |
| USB Interface | USB Type-C |
| USB Version | USB 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz+5GHz, VHT80 |
| Bluetooth Version | v5.3 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Earjack | USB Type-C |
| Location Technology | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS |
OS, Sensors, Battery & Audio
| Operating System | |
| OS (Initial) | Android 15 (One UI 7.0) |
| OS Update Policy | 6 Generations OS + 6 Years Security Updates |
| Battery & Charging | |
| Battery Capacity (mAh, Typical) | 5000 |
| Wired Charging | 25W |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Sensors & Security | |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted |
| Audio & Video Playback | |
| Stereo Support | No |
Inside the box
Pros
Affordable Samsung Price: Offers good value for money considering it’s a Samsung smartphone.
Good Daylight Camera: Delivers strong image quality in well-lit conditions.
Impressive Display: Features a high-quality screen that is bright and vibrant.
Solid Design: The device feels sturdy and well-built for its class.
Strong Battery Life: Comes with a large battery capacity for all-day use.
Excellent Software Commitment: Backed by Samsung’s long-term OS update policy.
NFC Included: Supports contactless payments and quick pairing.
Good Performance: Handles daily tasks smoothly and reliably.
Cons
Mono Speaker: Lacks stereo audio support, which impacts media consumption.
Weak Night Camera: Camera performance degrades significantly in low-light environments.
No Wireless Charging: Requires wired charging (common for this price segment).
Overall verdict
Overall, the Galaxy A17 5G is a great everyday phone. It delivers almost everything one expects from a modern device. Compared to its predecessor, the responsiveness and general speed have notably improved, offering a much smoother user experience. My review unit features the 6GB RAM version (a jump from the base 4GB), and the inclusion of 5G connectivity is a significant upgrade.
If you are looking for a solid, well-rounded, and reliable basic smartphone that offers all the necessary modern features, the A17 5G is an excellent choice.
Value for Money – The Catch
However, its price is higher when compared to the broader budget segment. While the A17 5G is a cheap phone by Samsung standards, it is not the cheapest compared to other budget phones on the market.
The challenge escalates when selecting higher-spec versions (like 6GB or 8GB RAM with larger storage). This quickly pushes the price point into competition with more premium mid-range devices.
This is where Samsung’s update commitment is key. Given the promise of six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates, the A17 5G holds significant long-term value that most budget competitors cannot match. For the long-term buyer, and where every dollar counts, this premium for longevity and security justifies the price difference.
Therefore, the recommendation depends on the buyer: For those seeking the lowest immediate price, stick to the basic configuration. However, if you plan to keep your device for several years and prioritize long-term security and future software, the A17’s update policy makes it a worthwhile investment.
Where to buy
Below are links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G smartphone or similar models:
Videos
Photos
User manual
This is an ongoing review.
I will update this info soon If you have questions – please write a comment.
Additional links
FAQ
Got questions about the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smartphone?
Feel free to drop them in the comments – I’ll do my best to help.
And if you’ve already tried the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Your feedback might help others decide whether this Smartphone is the right fit for them.
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