Samsung Galaxy A80 smartphone - advantages and disadvantages

The Samsung brand started this year very energetically, presenting an improved line of Galaxy A 2019 phones, as well as new products in a number of flagship devices in the form of a series Galaxy S10.

Samsung's mid-range models, namely A30 and A50are 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.

Overview

It is a little unusual that Samsung's innovations appear in the mid-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 then gradually introduce successful technologies into the rest of the series.

In this regard, it is likely that it is in the novelty discussed below that there will be something that will appear in all Samsung devices of 2024.

Design

In appearance, the novelty looks like a premium model: a glass design with a metal base around, which is practical to feel in the hand.

But the phone turned out to be noticeably large, 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 indicate that the device is heavy (there is no official information on the weight of the model yet).

The power off key 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. The black;
2. White;
3. Gold.

The smartphone lacks a headset jack, as 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 by the camera program.

Gentle lifting and further rotation of the threefold 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 a certain 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 the shell's moving device is reliable.

In addition, the very concept of rotation worries, in other words, even more parts have appeared in the smartphone, which are subject to operational breakdown.

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

Either way, the pop-up camera provides a full screen that is not torn apart by the camera module by a protrusion or hole, and this returns the nice design of the outside of the device.

Samsung has squeezed the front panels as tightly as possible across all edges of the 6.7-inch display. The result is excellent despite the fact that this screen is made with bezels.

Display

The swivel-type camera solved the issue with the selfie module and saved the display of the new smartphone model from protrusions, "mono-brows" and holes. The large display extends across the entire bezel for an incredible experience. With the screen parameters, everything is fine too.

Samsung's Galaxy A80 display is based on a Super AMOLED matrix and has a resolution of 2400x1080 px. The aspect ratios are unusual, but with a "cinematic" aspect of 20: 9.

During the demonstration, they noted that this ratio proved to be excellent not only while watching full-length videos, but also in 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.

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

The fact is that rounded displays look sleek, but they are not very comfortable. First of all, due to accidental clicks, and secondly, the beveled sides are distinguished by the feature of casting 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 easy to find a Samsung phone that runs on a Qualcomm chipset. Flagship devices in the Russian Federation are manufactured on branded 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 on 8nm technology, which was recently formally presented by Qualcomm.

The processor is intended to replace the Snapdragon 710 and is still the most optimal 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 lacks a port for a microSD flash drive, and therefore it is impossible to expand the amount of internal memory. By the way, no alternatives are foreseen. But there is an NFC module, and a fingerprint sensor is built into the display.

Cameras

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

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

Such a 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 equipped with better, and accordingly, the pictures are of better quality when compared with the front camera. With regard to the packaging of the camera, it is new as follows:

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

The device is activated by activating the camera program. When exiting the program, the device camera returns to the rear panel. You can manually raise the slider, but 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 spend a lot of effort. The device will not fail, but it is clear that ideally it is necessary to use a "legal" method of controlling a moving module - through a 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 doesn't have to adapt from scratch if the user switches to it from another Android device.

At the moment, the system is running smoothly, however, a non-final version of the software was installed on the smartphone shown in the demo.

The Smart Productivity 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 Scenarios app assists the owner of the phone throughout the entire time of use by examining the use patterns of programs and analyzing habits in order to automatically determine which options are useful in a particular case. The execution of daily tasks and the functioning of programs are configurable depending on the owner's lifestyle.

The improved proprietary protection platform "Knox", which is necessary to ensure security at all levels, from processor to software, makes it possible to enjoy free communication on a 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 via biometric identification. For ultimate practicality, the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display of the device, as mentioned earlier.

Sound

Alas, the new product lacks 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.

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

Battery

The battery of the novelty, the capacity of which is 3 700 mAh, as well as the possibility of ultra-fast charging at 25 V, make it possible to be in touch for a long time 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 optimization that adjusts battery consumption 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.

Specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

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

• There is no possibility of installing a flash drive;
• There is no 3.5 mm headset jack;
• High, according to buyers, the cost.

Release date and how much does it cost?

Samsung has increased the pace of release of its own devices to the market, in connection with which it is assumed that the new A80 will appear in Russia as early as 05/27/2019. For the price, the 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 the key rivals of Samsung are Xiaomi corporation with their model Mi 9 and Honor with its 20 Pro.

The phone from Xiaomi corporation is interesting for the premium Snapdragon 855 processor, but there is also no jack for a 3.5 mm headset and a connector for installing a microSD flash drive.

The rival from Honor has the best camera in the middle price range, but in terms of parameters it is slightly inferior to the device under review today.

In general, an interesting confrontation is brewing, in which Samsung, for some reason, is not inferior to competitors from China in the middle market segment, and in some aspects even overtakes 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 the HD + display, but starting from the 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 diagonal 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, a 3.5 mm headset jack and an NFC unit. The device is complemented by a proprietary 10nm chipset, Exynos 9610;
• Galaxy A70 is similar to the model discussed in this article. There is a similar screen with a diagonal of 6.7 inches and a ratio of 20: 9. The camera consists of three modules, however it does not extend or rotate. The selfie camera is in a drop-shaped protrusion. The fingerprint sensor is located under the display. The plus of the model is the battery, the capacity of which is 4,500 mAh.

In conclusion, it's worth noting that Samsung's Galaxy A80 is a trial device. The Korean firm is experimenting with user attitudes towards modern concepts and testing if fans of the brand 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 with a target audience.

A80 video review: