The Samsung Galaxy A17 offers six years of software updates—a significant advantage over Motorola’s offerings at its price point—but falls short in multi-core performance when compared to the $200 Moto G.
A Budget Phone With Staying Power
The Samsung Galaxy A17 aims to deliver a long-lasting experience, but its processing power leaves something to be desired.
- The A17 boasts a durable build, surviving multiple drops of less than two feet.
- It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and a microSD card slot for expanded storage.
- While battery life is adequate, it doesn’t stand out in a crowded field of budget smartphones.
- The phone lacks a headphone jack, a common omission in modern devices.
Benchmark scores confirmed my initial assessment: the A17 slightly outperformed Motorola’s $200 Moto G in single-core tasks, but lagged significantly in multi-core performance. This suggests the Moto G handles multitasking more smoothly. Frankly, I don’t recall being as frustrated with the Moto G during my testing last month, though it’s certainly not a speed demon either. This phone, however, was surprisingly sluggish.
What Works Well
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is a strong point, providing sufficient brightness even in direct sunlight and delivering a sharp image. The single mono speaker is functional, though easily obstructed when holding the phone horizontally. A microSD card slot allows for storage expansion beyond the included 128 GB, and the phone is IP54-rated for resistance to rain. Contactless payments worked without issue, and the fingerprint sensor proved reliable. GPS performed adequately, though Google Maps occasionally experienced glitches when used with other apps.
Durability is another plus. After a few accidental drops from under two feet, the A17 showed surprising resilience. For those who still prefer wired headphones, it’s worth noting that this phone does not include a headphone jack, unlike the Moto G. The promise of six years of software updates is a major selling point, exceeding Motorola’s support timeframe. While the phone comes with some pre-installed bloatware, the software experience is generally similar to other Samsung phones, and fans of One UI will feel right at home.
Samsung equipped the A17 with a 5,000-mAh battery, but battery life is merely average. It will last a full day with moderate to heavy use, and potentially longer with more conservative usage. Wireless charging isn’t supported, which is typical for this price range, but the 25-watt wired charging capability ensures relatively quick recharge times.
What’s the biggest benefit of the Samsung Galaxy A17? It’s the extended software support, offering peace of mind for years to come.
