Ray Shaw
The Samsung 2020 Galaxy A-series firmly cements this South Korean brand as the prime supplier of phones in the mass-to-mid-range markets ($499 to $899).
The Samsung 2020 Galaxy A-series includes four new models – A31, A51, A71 and the A71 5G with a couple more to come at the lower cost end.
Globally figures show that fewer than 10% spend over $1000 on a handset. This augers well for the Samsung 2020 Galaxy A-series. And the rough breakdown is
- Flagship $1000+ (account for about 10% of sales)
- Premium mid-market $800-999 (10% and this is where we expect mid-range 5G to sit)
- Mid-market $500-799 (about 10% of the market)
- Mass-market $200-499 (about 40% of the market)
- Value pre-paid <A$199 (about 30% of the market – good for pre-paid and children)
BTW Australia is a funny place. It is one of the very few countries still rusted on to Apple. As such, 56% of people spend $1000 or more on a handset. Apple has the lion’s share, and Samsung is the only serious Android contender with its Galaxy S and Note series.
Samsung 2020 Galaxy A-series specifications (website here)
Note all have Android 10, Wi-Fi AC, BT 5.0, GPS and NFC
| Feature | A31 | A51 | A71 | A71 5G |
| Screen | 6.4” 2400×1080 Super AMOLED Fingerprint | 6.5″ Same Same and Face ID | 6.7″ Super AMOLED+ Same | Same |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio P65 2×2.0GHz +6×1.7GHz | Samsung Exynos 9611 (4×2.3GHz +4×1.7GHz | Qualcomm SD730 (4×2.2GHz +6×1.8GHz | Samsung Exynos 980 2×2.2GHz +6×1.8 GHz |
| Ram/Storage Micro-SD | 4/64 512GB | 4/6/8+ 64/128 same | 6/8 and 128 same | Same |
| LTE | Dual Sim | Same | Same | Yes |
| 5G | No | Same | Same | Yes |
| Battery USB-C charger | 5000mAh 15W | 4000mAh Same | 4500mAh 25W fast | Same |
| Camera Main Ultra-wide Depth Macro Selfie | Quad 48MP, F2.0 8MP, F2.2 5MP, F2.4 5MP, F2.4 20MP, F/2.2 | Same 32MP, F/2.2 | Same Main:64MP,F1.8 Same | Same Same |
| Colour | Prism Crush Black and Prism Crush Blue | Same | Prism Crush Black and Prism Crush White | Same |
| Size | 73.1×159.3×8.6 /185g | 158.5×73.6×7.9 /172g | 163.6×76.0x7.7 /179g | 75.5×162.5×8.1 /185g |
| Price | $499 | $599 | $749 | $899 |
GadgetGuy’s take – Samsung 2020 Galaxy A-series hits the spot
Well priced, South Korean quality from Samsung that makes almost all of the components.
The mass seller will be the A31. The AMOLED screen and a 48MP quad-camera are enough for everyone. The 5,000amAh battery makes it the compelling value choice. Interestingly the 2019 A-20 was one of Australia’s top-selling mass-market phones.
Now that 5G costs ‘only $150 more’ I still doubt that there is enough use case for it in Australia on the pathetic 5G network. I will be looking at 5G more seriously in 2023!
We look forward to reviewing these shortly.