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Published Sep 1, 2025
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Review Overview
Design
8/10
Display
8/10
Performance
6.5/10
Rear Camera
7/10
Front Camera
7/10
Software
9/10
Battery
8/10
Audio
6/10
Value for money
8/10
The Galaxy A17 5G feels surprisingly premium for a budget phone, with a bright display and solid camera. It handles social media and calls well, and the battery lasts long with One UI making it easy to use. However, performance is not good enough, as it uses the Exynos 1330 chipset from the A14 5G three years ago.
Today we have the new Samsung Galaxy A17 5G with us. This phone is the successor to last year’s popular A16 5G. In fact, the A16 was one of the best-selling phones in Nepal last year. The A17 5G starts at NPR 29,000 in Nepal. Looking at the specs, Samsung has improved certain aspects, though in some areas it could have been better. Overall, the phone shows a balance of improvements and minor compromises. Now, without further ado, let's dive in this review article to discuss everything we experienced using this device.
Samsung Galaxy A17 Specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, FHD+, 90Hz, 1,100 nits, Gorilla Glass Victus
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1330
- RAM: 4GB / 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (expandable via microSD)
- Rear Camera: 50MP (OIS) + 5MP ultrawide + 2MP macro
- Front Camera: 13MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh, 25W charging
- OS: One UI 7 (Android 15)
- Protection: IP54 rating
- Colors: Black, Blue, Gray
- Read Full Specs Galaxy A17 here
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Review
Design and Build
Starting with design, Samsung has done a good job with the look and hands-on feel. Earlier, budget A-series phones usually came with a plastic back, but now the A17 features a glass back. The design resembles the A35 and A55 series, and the overall feel is premium for a budget phone. The display protection is strong, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus, and it also has an IP54 dust and water resistance rating. While IP67 would have been better, it’s still a solid improvement.
The phone retains a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and positioned comfortably, even for users with smaller hands. In terms of design and build quality, I would rate this phone highly.
Display
There are no major upgrades on the display side. It has the same 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, supporting a 90 Hz refresh rate and 800 nits brightness. A 120 Hz refresh rate would have offered a slightly smoother experience.
The phone still features a tear-drop notch, which feels outdated for a phone priced around NPR 30,000. Despite that, the display quality is good, though the notch slightly affects the visual experience. The A17 has a single speaker, not stereo, but it is loud enough, so there’s no major issue.
Performance
The significant drawback is that the phone uses the Exynos 1330 chipset, also found in the A14 5G from three years ago. Samsung has optimized it over the years, but it cannot be called a powerful chipset. It’s sufficient for social media, calls, and messaging, but not for heavy tasks.
For gaming, this phone is not suitable. Games like PUBG run at around 30 fps, and Mobile Legends can reach up to 90 fps, but with occasional stutters. Users wanting a smoother gaming experience should consider options from brands like Nothing or Infinix, which offer better performance-focused phones.
Samsung’s saving grace is its software. The phone receives Android and security updates for up to six years. One UI is user-friendly, feature-rich, and easy to navigate even for first-time smartphone users.
There is some bloatware, particularly the “App Cloud” app, which collects personal information such as gender and cannot be uninstalled.
Camera
Samsung rarely disappoints in camera performance, and the A17 delivers decent photos. The camera specs are largely the same as the A16, but the main camera now includes OIS (optical image stabilization).
Being a budget phone, moving objects may not always be perfectly sharp, but regular photos are crisp with good color reproduction.
Even in slightly gloomy weather, the phone produces vibrant, eye-catching photos. Portraits are pleasing, although there is no 2x zoom option for portrait mode. Selfies are also good.
The ultra-wide camera is only 5MP, but it delivers decent detail and color if zooming is avoided.
Night photos using night mode balance exposure and sharpness well, though sometimes the images can appear slightly hazy or bluish.
For video, the phone supports up to 1080p recording. With EIS (electronic image stabilization), the footage is stable, though detail is limited. For casual video recording, it is good enough.
Battery and Charging
The A17 has a 5,000 mAh battery with good endurance, providing around seven hours of screen-on time under normal usage. The free 25-watt charger can charge the phone fully in about an hour.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium design
- Good display
- Reliable camera
-
Long battery life
Cons:
- Weak gaming performance
- Tear-drop notch
-
Single speaker
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Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Review: Conclusion
At a price of around NPR 30,000, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is a solid choice if you prefer a Samsung phone. For performance-focused users who want to play games, alternatives like the Redmi Note 14 or CMF Phone 1 may be better. However, for normal social media use, calls, and good camera quality, the A17 is a reliable option. The 8GB variant offers slightly better performance.
