The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is Samsung’s newest budget Android phone, and one of the cheapest 5G models from a major brand right now. The A17 handles the basics, with a large Super AMOLED display, expandable storage via a microSD card, and Samsung’s promise of 6 years of software and security updates. 5G support also makes it usable on most major US carriers without locking you into a particular network plan.
A capable smartphone that’s perfect for any Android fan
The biggest reason to pick the A17 over similarly priced Android phones is software support. Samsung’s commitment to six years of major Android updates and security patches for the A17 is the longest support window for any phone under $200 right now. Most budget Android phones stop receiving updates after 2 or 3 years, leaving you with a slower phone and increased security risks. The A17 also runs Samsung’s One UI on top of Android, with features such as split-screen multitasking, a secure folder for private apps, and integration with other Galaxy devices.
The A17 features the same 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen that Samsung includes on many of its high-resolution flagship smartphones. These displays deliver much deeper blacks and much more vibrant colors than the lower-cost LCD displays in other budget phones. Additionally, an SD card slot is available for adding additional storage beyond what is built into this smartphone. Plus, it has enough battery life to last through an entire day of normal usage before needing to be charged again.
The camera setup is what you’d expect from a budget phone, which means workable in daylight but limited in low light or detail. A 50-megapixel main sensor handles most outdoor shots well enough for social media, with additional macro and portrait sensors. The front-facing camera handles video calls and selfies at a basic but acceptable quality.
Charging on the A17 runs at 25W over USB-C, which gets the 5000mAh battery from empty to about 50% in 30 minutes. The phone has NFC for tap-to-pay with Samsung Pay or Google Wallet, so you can leave a physical wallet at home for short errands. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor doubles as the power button on the right side of the phone. You also get face unlock as a second option for quick access.
Most budget Android phones either drop software support after a few years or skip features like AMOLED and 5G to hit the price. The A17 has all three, and the $165 sale price knocks $35 off the $200 list to make it a better value than most no-name budget phones.
