The Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

Is there an affordable phone that’s good enough to use for a long time? The answer is yes. You may want to consider Samsung Galaxy A17 5G. It’s an entry-level phone, but it comes with a lot of great features. One of the most interesting things is that it gets up to 6 Android updates.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is the next version of the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. There are not many changes, but the ones added are quite useful. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons!

Pros of the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

Based on the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G will be sold for around $250. The price is about the same, but now there are some small upgrades.

1. Android 15 and One UI 7, with 6 Years of Updates

This phone comes with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7. What makes it special is the promise of software updates for up to 6 years. That means this phone can get updates all the way to Android 21. Security updates are also promised until 2031.

This is a great option for people who don’t want to buy a new phone every few years. With regular updates, you can keep using the phone for a long time. That makes it a good choice for saving money.

Even though it runs One UI 7, not all advanced features are available. Some AI features are limited because the hardware is not powerful enough. Still, you can use Circle to Search, a simple feature that lets you look up information on the screen quickly. It’s not as advanced as the full version, but still helpful!

2. Strong Super AMOLED Screen with Gorilla Glass Victus

Just like the previous model, this phone uses a Super AMOLED panel. The screen is quite large at 6.7 inches, and the screen-to-body ratio is about 86%, so you get more viewing space.

The resolution is also sharp, Full HD+ or 1080 x 2340 pixels. With this display, everything looks clear and detailed, whether you're watching videos, scrolling through social media, or playing games.

Using the phone outdoors is still comfortable thanks to its 800-nit brightness. It may not be the brightest screen available, but you can still read it clearly as long as you’re not standing directly under strong sunlight.

The display is also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which helps reduce the risk of scratches and cracks from everyday bumps.

3. Uses 5G Network with Exynos 1330 Chipset

Even though it’s a budget-friendly phone, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G already supports 5G networks. This helps make download and upload speeds faster and smoother.

Because it supports 5G, this phone also uses a 5G chipset called Exynos 1330. This chipset is not new. It was also used in the Galaxy A16 5G and Galaxy M14 5G. Exynos 1330 is a mid-range chipset built with a 5nm process. This helps make it more power-efficient.

It has eight CPU cores, with two high-performance Cortex A78 cores (2.4 GHz) and six power-saving Cortex A55 cores (2.0 GHz). For graphics, it uses the Mali G68 MP2 GPU running at 950 MHz.

To help boost performance, the Galaxy A17 5G comes with several RAM options, 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB. You can also choose between 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage. If that’s not enough, there’s a hybrid microSD slot you can use to expand the storage.

Based on GSMArena’s test, the Exynos 1330 inside this phone scored about 430,000 on AnTuTu v10. This is the same score as the Galaxy A16 5G, so the performance is quite similar.

4. Comes with Complete Sensors and Connectivity, Including Gyro and NFC

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is also equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication). This is useful for checking and topping up e-Money balances. It’s especially helpful for those who use toll roads or need to pay for parking in places like shopping malls.

You’ll also get other modern features, such as 5G support, Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, and a USB Type-C 2.0 charging port. The only thing missing is infrared, which can also be useful for some people.

One of the highlights is the gyro sensor. With this sensor, the rear camera can provide better video stabilization. It also helps improve the experience when playing FPS or racing games like PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, or car racing games..

Other sensors are also available, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, and compass.

5. Ultrawide Camera with OIS Support

The camera is one area that has received a small upgrade, but it’s still quite useful. The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G now has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on its main camera. This helps reduce shaking while taking pictures, so the photos can look sharper and more detailed.

In terms of specs, the camera setup is still similar to the previous model. The main camera has a 50 MP resolution with an f/1.8 aperture. It also supports autofocus and OIS to help improve the overall photo quality.

To support wider shots, this phone also includes a 5 MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. This addition makes the camera setup feel more complete, as it’s not limited to just the main camera. There's also a 2 MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture for close-up shots.

On the front, it still uses the same 13 MP selfie camera. Both the front and rear cameras can record video at 1080p with 30 frames per second. However, only the rear camera offers a bit more stability when recording videos.

6. Long-Lasting 5000 mAh Battery with 25W Fast Charging

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G has a 5000 mAh battery, the same capacity found in the Galaxy A16 5G. Even though the size is the same, its battery life is slightly lower compared to the previous version.

According to GSMArena, this phone can last around 11 hours and 48 minutes of active use. The detailed test shows 27 hours 39 minutes of phone calls, 8 hours 37 minutes of browsing, 10 hours 5 minutes of gaming, and 13 hours 9 minutes of watching videos.

This result is slightly below the Galaxy A16 5G, which scored 12 hours and 8 minutes. Even so, the battery performance is still considered good for a phone in this price range.

The charging speed also hasn’t changed much. It supports 25W fast charging, which is not the fastest available, but still useful. In 30 minutes, the battery can reach about 48%. To get a full charge, it takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

7. Simple Design with New Camera Look and Easy Grip

Another thing that makes the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G more attractive is its design. Like other Samsung phones released in 2025, this model comes with a fresh new look on the back.

Instead of having the camera lenses attached directly to the body, the three rear cameras are now grouped inside a small black camera module.

This black camera section gives the back a livelier and more modern appearance. It is paired with three plain color choices, Black, Grey, and Blue. All of them use fiberglass material with a matte finish. The surface feels smooth and is less likely to show fingerprint marks.

Compared to the older version, the Galaxy A17 5G is slightly thinner and lighter. It has a thickness of only 7.5 mm and weighs 192 grams. This makes the phone easier to hold and more comfortable to use for long periods.

The phone also has an IP54 rating for basic protection. While this isn’t the highest level, it does mean the phone is resistant to dust and light splashes. Even so, it’s still important to be careful, especially when using it outdoors where it might get exposed to heavy rain or too much dust.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

Here are some things you need to consider before buying this phone:

1. Only Mono Speaker, No 3.5mm Audio Jack

If you like playing games without using earphones, it’s better to have a phone with stereo speakers. Stereo sound gives a more immersive experience and helps you hear where sounds come from, like footsteps in games.

Sadly, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G only has one speaker located at the bottom. Because of this, the sound may feel less rich or clear.

Many other phones in the same price range already offer stereo speakers. For example, models like the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, POCO X7, Infinix GT 30 Pro, and realme 14T 5G all come with dual speaker setups.

Another thing that might be disappointing is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack. If you want to use wired earphones, you’ll need a converter or a cable with a USB Type-C end. The other option is to use wireless earphones or TWS that connect via Bluetooth.

2. Uses Infinity-U Notch, and the Refresh Rate is Still 90Hz

From the back, this phone looks stylish, especially with its updated camera module. But the front view still feels basic. The Galaxy A17 5G uses the older Infinity-U display design, which has a small waterdrop-shaped notch for the front camera.

This type of design is now more common on cheaper phones, usually under US$ 65. Phones that cost over US$ 130 from other brands have mostly switched to punch-hole cameras, which look more modern.

Of course, this depends on personal preference. For some people, the waterdrop notch may not be a problem. But for those who like a more modern look, a punch-hole design feels better. Also, the screen refresh rate is still limited to 90Hz. At this price point, many users might expect 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a phone that can last a long time, Samsung is often one of the first brands to consider.

If your budget is limited, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is a good choice. It’s priced at only around US$130 to 195 and comes with a promise of up to 6 Android updates, with support until 2031.

The main camera includes OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which helps produce clearer and sharper photos in different situations. The camera setup also feels complete because it includes an ultrawide lens. However, video recording is still limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second.

For everyday comfort, the Galaxy A17 5G uses a Super AMOLED display that looks good for watching videos or browsing. The battery is also strong enough to last through daily use.

Still, the screen design feels a bit outdated and the refresh rate is not as high as it could be. On the bright side, the back design looks more modern than the previous version.