Samsung Galaxy A series

The Samsung Galaxy A series (codenamed Alpha) is a line of upper mid-range Android smartphones produced by Samsung Electronics. It is similar to the Samsung Galaxy S series, but with lower specifications and features. The first model in the series, the 4.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Alpha, was first introduced on 13 August 2014.

In December 2014, 3 months after the release of the Galaxy Alpha, Samsung planned to end production of the Alpha in favor of its successor, the similarly-designed, but more competitively-priced Galaxy A series.[1] Samsung's new design philosophy would be fully realized by its 2015 flagship, the Galaxy S6, which combined a unibody metal frame with a glass backing.[2] Since then there have been several models released, most recently the Galaxy A (2016) series, which are similar to the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy Note 5 flagships, due to its metal and glass buildup, as well as NFC which supports Samsung Pay, Samsung's Adaptive Fast charging feature and increased battery capacity.

In March 2015, Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Tab A series with 8.0 inch and 9.7 inch displays, a S Pen stylus, as well as preloaded Microsoft applications. The S Pen feature on the Galaxy Tab A series, makes the first Samsung Galaxy device to be equipped with the Samsung stylus outside of the Note series. However, following the release of Galaxy Tab A (2016) series, the S Pen feature was no longer featured on its models. In September 2015, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and 9.7 series were released, featuring a premium chamfered metal design similar to the first generation Galaxy A series phones.

Models

Samsung Galaxy Alpha (2014)

Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Main article: Samsung Galaxy Alpha

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was introduced on 13 August 2014 and released in September 2014. A high-end device, the Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's first smartphone to incorporate a metallic frame, although the remainder of its physical appearance still resembles previous models such as the Galaxy S5. It also incorporates the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 or Samsung's new Exynos 5430 system-on-chip, which is the first mobile system-on-chip to use a 20 nanometer manufacturing process. However, the Galaxy Alpha received mixed reviews: although praised for its higher quality build and design in comparison to earlier products, the device was criticized for its modest specifications in comparison to its flagship counterpart, the Galaxy S5, and for being priced too high for what they considered to be a "mid-range" smartphone.

Following its launch, Samsung Electronics CEO JK Shin explained that the Alpha was "built and designed based on the specific desires of the consumer market." The company touted that the Galaxy Alpha would mark a "new design approach" for Samsung's products, and that elements from the Alpha could appear on future Samsung models.[3]

Its operating system is based on Android 4.4.4 "KitKat" with its own version of TouchWiz UI. Several updates were made throughout the world and in April 2015, Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" was made available through an OTA update.[4]

Samsung Galaxy A (2015)

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2015)

Galaxy A3 (2015)

The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2015) was announced on October 2014 and released on December 2014. It is considered as a successor to the Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

Its specifications include a 4.5 inch qHD display, a 8MP back and a 5MP front camera, an 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 1 or 1.5GB of RAM and a 1900mAh battery. It comes shipped with Android 4.4.4 "KitKat". An update to Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" started rolling out in May 2015.[5]

Galaxy A5 (2015)

The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2015) was announced on October 2014 and released on December 2014. It is considered as a successor to the Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

Its specifications include a 5.0 inch HD display, a 13 MP back and a 5MP front camera, an 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 2GB of RAM and a 2300mAh battery. It comes shipped with Android 4.4.4 "KitKat". An update to Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" started rolling out in May 2015, and later Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow in August 2016.[6] [7]

Galaxy A7 (2015)

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2015) was announced on January 2015 and released on February 2015, 2 months after the release of Galaxy A3 (2015) and the Galaxy A5 (2015).[8]

Its specifications include a 5.5 inch Full HD display, a 13 MP back and a 5MP front camera, an 64-bit octa-core Exynos 5430 (LTE single-sim model) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (3G/LTE dual-sim model) chipset, 2GB of RAM and a 2600mAh battery. It comes shipped with Android 4.4.4 "KitKat". An update to Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop" started rolling out in May 2015.[9]

Galaxy A8 (2015)

Main article: Samsung Galaxy A8

The Samsung Galaxy A8 was introduced on July 15, 2015 at an event in China.[10]

The Galaxy A8 is thinner than earlier models from the A-series and Samsung's overall smartphone lineup, measuring 5.9 millimetres (0.23 in) in thickness.[11] Other specifications include a 5.7 inch Full HD display, a 16MP back and a 5MP front camera, an 64-bit octa-core Exynos 5430/5433 or a Snapdragon 615 chipset, 2GB of RAM and a 3050mAh battery. It comes shipped with Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop".

Following its release, the Galaxy A8 is only available in Middle Eastern, Asian and African markets.

Samsung Galaxy A (2016)

Galaxy A3 (2016)

Galaxy A5 (2016)

Galaxy A7 (2016)

Galaxy A9 (2016)

Main article: Samsung Galaxy A9

Samsung Galaxy A9 was introduced on December 2, 2015.

Since January 2016, the Galaxy A9 is only available in China and Hong Kong. The Galaxy A9 provides with a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, a 4000mAh battery with Samsung Adaptive Fast charging feature and a 6-inch Full HD display with Gorilla Glass 4 covering on the back and front sides. It runs on Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop".

Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

Main article: Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was introduced on March 30, 2016. It is very similar to the original Galaxy A9, but with upgraded specifications. Its specifications include a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, a 5000mAh battery with Samsung Adaptive Fast charging feature and a 6-inch Full HD display with Gorilla Glass 4 covering on the back and front sides. It runs on Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow".

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2015)

Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2015)

Galaxy Tab A 9.7 (2015)

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2016)

Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Samsung set to discontinue Galaxy Alpha in favor of cheaper phones". The Verge. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  2. ↑ Etherington, Darrell. "The Story Behind Samsung's Galaxy S6 And S6 Edge Design Departure". TechCrunch. AOL. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Samsung ditches all-plastic design with metal Galaxy Alpha". The Verge. August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Lollipop update rolling out for Samsung Galaxy Alpha". GSMArena.com. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  5. ↑ http://mobile.softpedia.com/blog/Samsung-Galaxy-A7-Now-Getting-Android-5-0-2-Lollipop-Update-482481.shtml
  6. ↑ http://mobile.softpedia.com/blog/Samsung-Galaxy-A7-Now-Getting-Android-5-0-2-Lollipop-Update-482481.shtml
  7. ↑ http://www.sammobile.com/2016/07/31/first-generation-galaxy-a5-finally-gets-marshmallow/
  8. ↑ Samsung Galaxy A7 specs
  9. ↑ http://mobile.softpedia.com/blog/Samsung-Galaxy-A7-Now-Getting-Android-5-0-2-Lollipop-Update-482481.shtml
  10. ↑ http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/15/8969735/samsung-galaxy-a8-thinnest-phone
  11. ↑ "Samsung unleashes its thinnest phone ever with Galaxy A8". CNET. CBS Interactive.
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