Test of the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G - Best review
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G presents itself as one of the most affordable models in the highly popular Galaxy A series. This smartphone offers some pleasant surprises but comes with many compromises.
| TECHNICAL DATA SHEET | CHARACTERISTICS |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 200 g |
| Screen diagonal | 6.5 inches |
| Screen resolution | 1080 x 2340 px |
| Pixel density | 396 ppi |
| Screen type | Super AMOLED |
| Screen-to-body ratio | 84.69% |
| Mobile chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ |
| Integrated GPU (iGPU) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Internal storage | 128 GB |
| Memory card | Yes |
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Video recording | Full HD |
| Operating system (OS) | Android |
| Tested OS version | One UI 6 |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Wi-Fi type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth type | 5.3 |
| NFC | Yes |
| 4G (LTE) | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| Dual SIM | Yes |
| SIM card format | Nano |
| Gyroscope | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Rear Camera Module 1 | 50 MP, wide-angle, f/1.8 |
| Rear Camera Module 2 | 5 MP, ultra wide-angle, f/2.2 |
| Rear Camera Module 3 | 2 MP, macro, f/2.4 |
| Front Camera Module 1 | 13 MP, wide-angle, f/2.0 |
| Repairability score | 8.4 /10 |
Introduction:
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G falls into the entry-level segment and is one of the most accessible offerings from the South Korean giant. The 5G version of the 4G smartphone launched simultaneously in February 2024, it features a technical sheet that includes a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ display, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip, a 5000 mAh battery, and 25 W fast charging. It is a clear improvement compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A14 5G released in 2023, though it still retains its status as an entry-level smartphone.
Announced for €249, the Galaxy A15 5G competes with the recent Realme C67 and Xiaomi's Redmi Note 13 but also faces competition from its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
Announced for €249, the Galaxy A15 5G competes with the recent Realme C67 and Xiaomi's Redmi Note 13 but also faces competition from its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
Ergonomics and Design:
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G benefits from similar treatment to other models in the Galaxy A range, inspired by the S24 series. Its front features a 6.5-inch screen surrounded by wide bezels, including an even thicker chin, occupying 84.69% of its surface, and a notch that has fallen out of fashion by 2024.
Its flat back, which integrates a triple camera module, and polycarbonate edges resemble the recently tested Galaxy A35. Here, the highly responsive fingerprint sensor is placed on the power button, highlighted by the Key Island feature present on the high-end models of 2024. The back, this time plastic, is quite pleasing to the eye and touch.
The Galaxy A15 5G is quite large (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm, weighing 200 g, two grams less than the A14 5G) without compromising its grip. In addition to its 128 GB storage, this dual-SIM device includes a microSD card slot with up to 1 TB of storage. In terms of connectivity, it supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Wi-Fi 5, a somewhat outdated standard. However, at this price point, it lacks water resistance certification, wireless charging, and eSIM compatibility.
Its flat back, which integrates a triple camera module, and polycarbonate edges resemble the recently tested Galaxy A35. Here, the highly responsive fingerprint sensor is placed on the power button, highlighted by the Key Island feature present on the high-end models of 2024. The back, this time plastic, is quite pleasing to the eye and touch.
The Galaxy A15 5G is quite large (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm, weighing 200 g, two grams less than the A14 5G) without compromising its grip. In addition to its 128 GB storage, this dual-SIM device includes a microSD card slot with up to 1 TB of storage. In terms of connectivity, it supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Wi-Fi 5, a somewhat outdated standard. However, at this price point, it lacks water resistance certification, wireless charging, and eSIM compatibility.
Audio:
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G features a single speaker and a decent quality 3.5 mm mini-jack port on its lower edge. It offers a reasonable output power but with a limited dynamic range.
VALUES AVERAGES:
VALUES AVERAGES:
- Output level: 122.0 mVrms / 107.9 mVrms
- Distortion + noise: 0.014 % / 0.007 %
- Dynamic range: 86.0 dB / 97.3 dB
- Crosstalk: -61.0 dB / -62.0 dB
The speaker is adequate but prone to distortion. As manufacturers are no longer required to provide headphones with their smartphones, Samsung does not include any with the Galaxy A15 5G.
Screen:
One of the pleasant surprises of this Galaxy A15 5G is its screen. Where Samsung previously opted for LCD, reserving OLED for more expensive models, it equipped the 2024 A15 with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel. It boasts a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels) with a 19.5:9 ratio and a refresh rate of 90 Hz, compared to 60 Hz last year.
Under our tests, we measured a maximum brightness of 817 cd/m², which, despite a reflectance of 50.55%, is sufficient for readability in sunlight. At its minimum, the brightness drops to 2.07 cd/m², ensuring comfortable use in the dark. The touch delay is 68 ms, and the smartphone benefits from almost infinite contrast, and no afterglow thanks to OLED technology.
Regarding calibration, there is an improvement compared to the Galaxy A14. While there are color deviations with a default delta E of 4.4, this is quickly corrected and drops to 1.7 once the Natural mode is selected. The same applies to color temperature: in Vivid mode, it is set at 7037 K, making the tones a bit cooler. They only approach the reference 6500 K when switched to Natural mode (6507 K). This adjustment is worth applying.
Under our tests, we measured a maximum brightness of 817 cd/m², which, despite a reflectance of 50.55%, is sufficient for readability in sunlight. At its minimum, the brightness drops to 2.07 cd/m², ensuring comfortable use in the dark. The touch delay is 68 ms, and the smartphone benefits from almost infinite contrast, and no afterglow thanks to OLED technology.
Regarding calibration, there is an improvement compared to the Galaxy A14. While there are color deviations with a default delta E of 4.4, this is quickly corrected and drops to 1.7 once the Natural mode is selected. The same applies to color temperature: in Vivid mode, it is set at 7037 K, making the tones a bit cooler. They only approach the reference 6500 K when switched to Natural mode (6507 K). This adjustment is worth applying.
Performance:
The performance of the Galaxy A14 5G was not impressive, and the Galaxy A15 5G does not do much better. Again, there is no Exynos chip; the phone is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip coupled with 4 GB of RAM. This combination does not allow the smartphone to excel in multitasking. We observed numerous slowdowns when the phone was heavily used.
However, in gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G performs better than its predecessor, albeit with slight heating. It manages to reach 63 fps with an average of 55.8 fps, allowing it to run most Play Store titles, provided that the graphics are not set to the maximum.
However, in gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G performs better than its predecessor, albeit with slight heating. It manages to reach 63 fps with an average of 55.8 fps, allowing it to run most Play Store titles, provided that the graphics are not set to the maximum.
Camera:
For the camera section, Samsung chose a triple camera module consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor with a wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 5 MP ultra-wide-angle (f/2.2), and a 2 MP macro module... which is dispensable.
Main module: 50 MP, f/1.8, 26 mm equivalent:
Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A15 5G offers less detailed daytime photos but with more accurate colors. There is slight overexposure and the presence of digital noise, compensated by digital smoothing that alters the sharpness.
In low light, however, neither device is convincing, and the A15 5G fares worse with desaturated colors, particularly visible in the color patches. The contours are accentuated to give an impression of sharpness, and despite the colorimetric issues visible in our tests, the overall image is slightly more readable than that of the Galaxy A14; the chromatic aberrations it suffered from are gone in this new generation.
In low light, however, neither device is convincing, and the A15 5G fares worse with desaturated colors, particularly visible in the color patches. The contours are accentuated to give an impression of sharpness, and despite the colorimetric issues visible in our tests, the overall image is slightly more readable than that of the Galaxy A14; the chromatic aberrations it suffered from are gone in this new generation.
50 MP Mode:
By default, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G uses pixel-binning to produce brighter and more detailed images, combining 4 pixels into 1. Switching to full resolution, which is easily accessible within the app, does not bring significant improvement, day or night. However, it allows for cropping without degrading the quality of the shots.
Ultra-wide-angle module: 5 MP, f/2.2:
Compared to the recent Redmi Note 13, the ultra-wide-angle of the Galaxy A15 5G struggles to impress with daytime photos. Digital noise affects the level of detail, and the image suffers from marked distortion, giving a fisheye effect to the whole.
At night, the noise is even more present. The result, although more readable than its competitor, is particularly blurry, and the colors are again desaturated. The photos are unusable in any meaningful way.
At night, the noise is even more present. The result, although more readable than its competitor, is particularly blurry, and the colors are again desaturated. The photos are unusable in any meaningful way.
Front module, portrait mode, and video:
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is equipped with a 13 MP sensor in the center of the screen, placed in a drop-shaped notch, with an aperture of f/2.2. It delivers well-exposed shots but with a bit too much smoothing. In portrait mode, the edge detection is good.
In terms of video, the device allows recording in Full HD at 30 fps, both front and rear, with results sufficient for social media.
In terms of video, the device allows recording in Full HD at 30 fps, both front and rear, with results sufficient for social media.
Battery Life:
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is powered by a 5000 mAh battery, similar to the entire Galaxy A series. This ample capacity allowed it to last 16 hours and 18 minutes in our viSer test protocol. This result is average compared to its competitors and superior to its predecessor, the Galaxy A14 5G. Only the recent Realme C67 performs better, exceeding 22 hours of mixed-use.
For charging, the Galaxy A15 5G leaps and offers 25 W power, compared to 15 W with the 2023 model. While many manufacturers make their devices compatible with much faster charging, it takes 1 hour and 53 minutes to reach 100% capacity, which is quite long. Samsung also omits wireless charging.
For charging, the Galaxy A15 5G leaps and offers 25 W power, compared to 15 W with the 2023 model. While many manufacturers make their devices compatible with much faster charging, it takes 1 hour and 53 minutes to reach 100% capacity, which is quite long. Samsung also omits wireless charging.
Durability:
Our durability score assesses the smartphone's sustainability for both consumers and the environment. It considers the repairability index, durability criteria (protection rating, standard connectors, warranty, and update duration…), and an evaluation of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policies. You can find all the analysis details in our article on the durability score.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G has no water resistance certification, but the brand has announced plans to align its software support policy with its more expensive models. Thus, the brand guarantees four years of Android updates and five years of security patches, enhancing its durability score.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G has no water resistance certification, but the brand has announced plans to align its software support policy with its more expensive models. Thus, the brand guarantees four years of Android updates and five years of security patches, enhancing its durability score.
Interface & OS:
The Galaxy A15 5G runs on Android 14 with One UI 6, accompanied by some preinstalled apps (Snapchat, Spotify, TikTok, etc.) that can be removed. While Samsung reserves seven years of updates and Galaxy AI features for its high-end models, this version of the interface brings some new features to the home screen, notification management, shortcuts, and certain photo/video settings.
Strengths:
Strengths:
- Transition to a 90 Hz Super AMOLED display.
- Nice finishes.
- More generous software support.
Weaknesses:
- Limited camera section.
- Modest performance.
- Slow charging.
CONCLUSION:
How is the rating calculated?
Despite some compromises, such as a less versatile camera and mediocre performance, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G makes up for its shortcomings with a very satisfactory display, a polished interface, and good battery life. Its longer-than-usual software support also makes it a phone built to last, although one might wonder if its chip will still offer the same user experience after five years of updates. Nonetheless, the Galaxy A15 5G remains a solid option for those looking for an affordable smartphone with decent overall performance.
Despite some compromises, such as a less versatile camera and mediocre performance, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G makes up for its shortcomings with a very satisfactory display, a polished interface, and good battery life. Its longer-than-usual software support also makes it a phone built to last, although one might wonder if its chip will still offer the same user experience after five years of updates. Nonetheless, the Galaxy A15 5G remains a solid option for those looking for an affordable smartphone with decent overall performance.
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