Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Review: A Solid Mid-Ranger Holding its Own

I've spent the better part of a few weeks with the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G as my daily driver, and it's given me a pretty clear picture of what it offers. Coming in at what was then a competitive mid-range price point, this phone aimed to bring 5G connectivity to a broader audience. After putting it through its paces – from daily tasks and media consumption to a bit of gaming and a lot of photo snapping – I have a pretty good sense of who this phone is for and where it still stands today. My initial impression is that it’s a dependable workhorse, even if it doesn't pack the latest and greatest features.

Market Context: A Bridge to 5G

Back when the Galaxy A71 5G launched, it felt like Samsung was strategically positioning itself to capture the growing 5G market without requiring everyone to shell out for a flagship. It was a calculated move, offering a taste of future connectivity at a more accessible price. Looking back, it played a significant role in making 5G more mainstream. The pricing felt reasonable for what you got at the time, especially considering the then-newness of 5G technology. It slotted nicely between the more budget-oriented A-series and the premium S-series, hitting a sweet spot for users seeking a balance of features and affordability.

Design & Hardware: Big Screen, Comfortable Feel

My first impression handling the A71 5G was definitely about its size. This is a large phone, no doubt. The 6.7-inch display dominates the front, but despite its size, it actually feels surprisingly comfortable in hand. The polycarbonate back, while not as premium as glass, has a nice feel and avoids being overly slippery. I appreciate the subtle prism pattern that catches the light. While I wouldn't call it the most visually striking design out there, it’s functional and feels well-built. Durability-wise, it's held up fine in my testing, although I'd still recommend a case for added peace of mind. It doesn't feel cheap by any means, and the placement of the buttons is intuitive.

Display: Immersive and Vibrant

The star of the show here is undoubtedly the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. From my experience, the colors are punchy and vibrant, and the blacks are impressively deep. It makes watching videos and browsing photos a genuinely enjoyable experience. The brightness is more than adequate for indoor use, and even outdoors, I found it mostly manageable, though direct sunlight can still be a bit challenging. For media consumption, this screen is a real treat. I spent a fair amount of time watching YouTube and Netflix, and the experience was immersive. Gaming also benefits from the large, vibrant display, though the refresh rate isn't anything to write home about. For daily use, scrolling through social media and reading articles was smooth and comfortable. The under-display fingerprint sensor, while not the absolute fastest I've used, was reliable enough for my needs.

Performance: Solid for Everyday Use

Under the hood, the Samsung Exynos 980 chipset does a respectable job. In my testing, it handled everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and emails without any hiccups. Even multitasking between several apps felt fairly fluid. When it comes to gaming, I was able to play popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile without significant issues, though I did notice occasional frame drops during more intense action sequences. It's not a flagship-level gaming experience, but it's certainly capable for casual to moderate gaming. Temperature management seems decent; I didn't experience any excessive overheating during normal use or even during extended gaming sessions. One thing I did observe is that the phone can sometimes take a moment to fully load larger applications, but overall, the performance is satisfactory for a mid-range device.

Camera System: Versatility in Your Pocket

The quad-camera setup on the Galaxy A71 5G offers a good degree of versatility. The 64MP main sensor captures detailed images in good lighting conditions. I was particularly impressed with the sharpness and color accuracy in daylight shots. I took it out for a few walks and snapped some landscapes, and the results were pleasing. The 12MP ultrawide lens is handy for capturing broader scenes, though there's a noticeable drop in detail and some distortion at the edges compared to the main sensor. The 5MP macro lens is a fun addition for getting close-up shots, and I managed to capture some surprisingly detailed images of flowers and textures. The 5MP depth sensor helps with creating the bokeh effect in portrait mode, which I found generally effective, though edge detection isn't always perfect. Video recording is decent, offering up to 4K resolution at 30fps. I found the electronic image stabilization (EIS) to be helpful in reducing shaky footage. The 32MP front-facing camera takes good selfies in well-lit environments, though, like many phone cameras, it can struggle in low light. Compared to other phones in its class, the A71 5G holds its own, offering a well-rounded camera experience for everyday photography.

Battery & Charging: Gets You Through the Day

Battery life has been generally positive in my experience. The 4500mAh battery is usually enough to get me through a full day of moderate use, including browsing, social media, some video watching, and occasional photo taking. On heavier usage days, with more gaming or GPS navigation, I did find myself needing to top up the battery by late afternoon. The 25W fast charging is a welcome feature. While not the fastest on the market anymore, it's still noticeably quicker than standard charging. In my testing, it could take the phone from near empty to a decent charge in a reasonable amount of time, which is a lifesaver when you're in a hurry. Power management seems fairly efficient, though closing background apps can help extend battery life on those demanding days.

Software: Familiar Samsung Experience

The Galaxy A71 5G originally launched with Android 10, but it has since been updated to Android 13, which is good to see in terms of long-term support. Samsung's One UI on top of Android offers a familiar and generally user-friendly experience. I appreciate the clean interface and the various customization options available. While some might find the pre-installed apps a bit much, many can be uninstalled or disabled. The features offered by One UI, like the edge panels and the always-on display, are genuinely useful. While it's great that it received updates, the fact it didn't launch with the latest Android version at the time was a minor drawback.

Value Analysis: A Decent Option in a Crowded Market

Assessing the value of the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G now, a few years after its release, is interesting. When it launched, it offered a compelling package for its price, bringing 5G to the mid-range. Today, you can likely find it at a lower price point, making it an even more attractive option for those who don't need the absolute latest features. If you prioritize a large, vibrant display, a capable camera system, and solid battery life, the A71 5G is still a worthy contender. However, those who demand top-tier performance or the absolute best camera quality might want to look towards newer devices. Compared to its competitors at the time and even some budget-friendly options now, the A71 5G holds its own surprisingly well.

Conclusion: A Reliable Performer

Overall, my time with the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G has been positive. It's a well-rounded mid-range phone that delivers on its core promises. The large, vibrant display is excellent for media consumption, the camera system is versatile, and the battery life is generally good. While it may not have the cutting-edge specs of newer phones, it still offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience for everyday tasks and even some gaming. I'd recommend the Galaxy A71 5G to anyone looking for a reliable phone with a big screen and 5G connectivity who doesn't want to break the bank. It's a solid all-rounder that continues to offer good value.