Samsung Electronics currently sell a range of Galaxy-branded smartphones, powered by Android. The flagship models of the range are the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S families, which offer the highest specification and a premium build quality. Lower down in the range, Samsung offers the Galaxy A family, which combines a mid-range specification with a premium build quality, plus less expensive models such as the Galaxy J series, offering progressively fewer features and less in terms of specs. Over the years, Samsung has consistently upgraded each family of phones, typically introducing new features into the flagship Galaxy Note or Galaxy S model, which subsequently trickle down into lower models of the range. Such features include both software functions, with Samsung Pay being one example, or hardware, as Samsung have introduced AMOLED panels into more and more devices of its overall range.
For 2017, Samsung is continuing this policy of a gradual improvement of its device families as the 2017 Galaxy A series of smartphones are set to gain IP68 environmental proofing: next year’s mid-range devices are likely to be both waterproof to a depth of 1.5 meters for at least half an hour, which is a similar level of protection applied to the 2016 flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 family. Elsewhere, the Galaxy A models are gaining a 16MP rear camera and batteries of up to an extra large 3,500mAh capacity – larger than each of the flagship Galaxy S7 models. As far as the Galaxy A’s premium design, the 2017 range is expected to look similar to the Galaxy S7 but without the curved dual edge design highlight, likely because this requires an expensive manufacturing process and because Samsung is reserving this feature for the flagship devices. As such, the Galaxy A range may well appeal to customers looking for a “lifeproof” smartphone with the potential of strong battery life, and who do not wish to spend quite as much as the flagship model.
When the 2017 family of Samsung Galaxy A smartphones are released, we are expecting at least three models: the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7, offering a different specification with the main difference being the size of the screen. Each model should be offered in silver, black, gold and rose gold colors. Although we do not yet know how much the smartphones will be, the devices will come with a number of Samsung’s special features, including Samsung Pay and Samsung Cloud.