The Samsung Galaxy A06 replaced its predecessor, the A05, as Samsung's cheapest smartphone in the second half of 2024. Accordingly, we have gathered enough customer reviews to assess whether this device has proven to be a good bargain.

Appearance

The Galaxy A06 features a sleek, modern design and a large 6.7-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. This display size is the same as the previous Galaxy A05 model, but the A06 uses an IPS TFT panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate, whereas the A05 had a PLS TFT display. Interestingly, the A06 is slightly more compact, measuring 167.3 x 77.3 x 8.0 mm compared to the A05's 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm. It is also lighter, weighing 189 grams versus the A05's 195 grams.

On the back, there is a dual-camera system consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. The previous model also had two cameras, but instead of a depth sensor, it featured a 2MP macro lens. The front camera remains unchanged, with an 8MP sensor for selfies. The phone’s casing is made of plastic.

As with the device overall, customer opinions on the exterior are mixed. On the one hand, they appreciate the large display, which makes it easy to read—an important factor since the device is primarily purchased by or for elderly users. However, they were less satisfied with the plastic casing and the lack of display protection (as it does not feature Gorilla Glass). Many customers expressed concerns that the device could be easily damaged. 

 Hardware

Customers generally agree that the phone is slow and tends to lag over time, especially when multiple apps are open. But let's take a closer look at what might be causing this perception.

CPU

The processor is the MediaTek Helio G85 MT6769V, the same as in the previous model. It has an eight-core design with two 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and six 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. Surprisingly, despite having the same chipset, the AnTuTu benchmark test shows a 28% performance improvement over its predecessor. The processor speed is acceptable for this price segment. 

 GPU

The device features an ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, an improvement over the A05’s Mali-G52 MP2. While this GPU is capable of handling smaller games, the target audience is unlikely to be heavy gamers. However, it can run Asphalt 9: Legends at 30 fps, for example.

Memory

The device has only 4GB of RAM, just like its predecessor, which may contribute to its slow performance. While this is sufficient for basic applications, such as browsing, emailing, and social media, many users noted that it meets their needs. There is also a 6GB RAM version, which might offer a slightly better user experience.

Storage

One of the phone's strong points is its expandable storage. While the built-in 64GB may be limited, it can be expanded up to 1TB with a microSD card. Many customers highlighted this as a significant advantage.

Communication

The device supports dual SIM mode, but it is limited to 4G connectivity—and even then, not in all regions. For example, some Canadian users reported that the phone is not compatible with their 4G network at all.

The phone supports Wi-Fi 5 and can receive both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals. By comparison, flagship devices now use Wi-Fi 7, which offers speeds of up to 40 Gbps, whereas Wi-Fi 5 maxes out at 3.5 Gbps.

It also supports Bluetooth 5.3. Interestingly, there were no customer complaints about Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, suggesting that while they meet expectations, they don’t stand out as exceptional features.

Audio

The phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the built-in speakers are not particularly impressive. Customers complained about a "boxy" sound quality, with a complete lack of bass.

Cameras

As mentioned earlier, the A06 features a 50MP main camera, but customers found that, despite its high resolution, the image quality is inferior to that of more expensive devices. This is particularly noticeable when capturing moving objects.

Battery

 The battery is one of the device's biggest advantages, according to buyers. With a 5,000 mAh capacity, combined with the listed hardware, it provides 1.5 to 2 days of battery life. However, customers were disappointed that no charger is included in the package and must be purchased separately. On the plus side, the phone supports 25W fast charging.

 Software

The phone ships with Android 14 and is promised two years of major version updates and four years of security updates from Samsung. It runs One UI 6.1, Samsung’s standard interface.

From a buyer’s perspective, the software is easy to use and simple to set up, which is an important factor considering that many of its users are elderly. This was widely praised by customers.

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy A06 received mixed feedback from consumers, but overall, it was positively reviewed, especially in terms of value for money. Most users highlighted that it delivers decent performance for an entry-level smartphone, making it an ideal choice for everyday use.

The Samsung Galaxy A06 could be an ideal choice for those looking for an affordable yet reliable smartphone for basic tasks. Its large display, long battery life, good value, and software updates make it an attractive option. However, its slow performance, mediocre camera, and lack of premium features mean it is not recommended for users seeking more powerful hardware or an advanced camera system.