Samsung Galaxy A17 5G review: A reliable phone for everyday use

3.5/5Samsung recently expanded its Galaxy A series smartphone range in India with the launch of Galaxy A17 5G. The handset comes powered by Exynos 1330 processor to power day-to-day tasks and boasts of a triple camera setup on the back.

Coming with a starting price of Rs 18,999, Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is aimed to cater to the audience who are looking for day-to-day performance under a budget. But does the Galaxy A17 5G deliver on this front? Let’s find out

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: Design and display

Samsung has given the Galaxy A17 5G a clean, minimalistic design. Rear of the phone features a matte-finish that reduces fingerprints and smudges while offering a secure grip with slippery glossy backs.

The smartphone has a comparatively thin profile with a plastic body. The device measures 164.4 × 77.9 × 7.5 mm and weighs just 192 grams. The thin profile and light weight makes it comfortable for one hand usage.Edges of the phone are curved. Power and volume buttons are placed on the right. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint scanner. SIM tray is located on the left. There is a dedicated microSD slot that allows storage expansion up to 2 TB—often omitted in budget phones nowadays.

With the Victus glass and IP54 rating, the A17 5G is built to withstand daily wear and tear better than many rivals at this price point.On the front, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with 1080×2340 resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. The handset gives balanced screen-to-body appeal, making it ideal for video streaming. Using the smartphone for day-to-day tasks, we found the display bright enough to use under sunlight.

Colours are sharp, balanced and true to real life. Samsung continues to use a U-shaped water-drop notch instead of a modern punch-hole cut-out, and the bezel profiles remain thicker than some competitors. The 90 Hz refresh rate ensures smoother animations and transitions compared to 60 Hz displays common in budget phones. The panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: Camera

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offers a 13MP camera at the front for selfies and video calls.

On the rear, the handset boasts of a triple camera setup consisting of 50-megapixel main sensor featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.During our testing, the main camera delivered sharp and detailed images. Colours feel natural and the processing handles high-contrast scenes reasonably well. In dim environments, the A17’s main sensor maintains to deliver usable results: noise remains under control, and the images retain much of their detail.

Night mode further enhances clarity, though the performance still trails premium rivals.

The 5MP ultra-wide lens, however, tends to lose details compared to the main sensor. Edge softness is noticeable, and in low light, colors and clarity drop more sharply. For best results, use this lens in well-lit conditions. While the 2MP macro camera allows close-up shots, but the low resolution limits its performance. Fun for occasional shots of flowers or textures, it’s more of a novelty than a serious tool for everyday photography.As for the front camera is concerned, the 13MP sensor captures good quality portraits and video calls. Skin tones are accurate and background blur works reasonably well for social media use. In low light, performance is average.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: Performance

On the processor front, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G comes powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 1330 chipset. Built on a 5nm process, the octa-core processor comprises two high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and six energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz.

We did not face any major challenges while using the phone for day-to-day tasks. Switching through apps felt lag-free. There were no noticeable heating of the phone when used for prolonged hours.Samsung Galaxy A17 5G delivers satisfactory performance for moderate gaming. The device offers configurations with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, expandable via microSD. Running on Android 15 with One UI 7, the Galaxy A17 5G provides a user-friendly interface and is slated to receive six major OS updates and six years of security patches, ensuring longevity and up-to-date features.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: Battery

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery and comes with 25watt charging support. Users can expect the device to last a full day under moderate to heavy usage, including tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. In standby mode, the phone can stretch up to four days without needing a recharge

Verdict

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G presents a compelling package for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone without compromising on essential features. Its robust design, vibrant display and versatile camera system, the handset is a solid choice at Rs 18,999 (starting price). While it may not match flagship devices in terms of processing power, it delivers consistent and satisfactory performance for everyday use. For those prioritizing value and functionality, the Galaxy A17 5G is a commendable option.