Loaded with smart options

THE Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) touts itself as a mid-range phone, while sporting some unique premium features other phones could only envy.
Nevertheless, it still possesses some of Samsung’s signature quirks.
Looks do not distinguish the A7 from the lot. Its design is exactly what you’d expect, and it is available in four staple colours – black sky, gold sand, peach cloud, and mist blue.
However, its lack of a camera bump and overall smooth-but-slightly-grippy exterior makes it feel distinctive in the hand.
There is no denying that its 5.7in Full HD Super Amoled display is a looker that makes browsing photos, watching videos, and playing games a treat. But its sheer size may not be for someone looking for a svelte smartphone.
One of the reasons I think the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) stands out is its ability to handle dual-SIM cards and an expandable 32GB memory at the same time, while other phones make you choose between the two features.
The phone also features Samsung Pay, a payment system where the phone functions as your payment card. Right now, it is a novel feature, but it won’t be long before this becomes a practical and more convenient payment option.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)’s IP68 rating is both fun and a boon. The ability to shoot photos in and around water without worry is liberating.
When the phone is in my pocket, I do not have to worry about it getting wet from sweat, or from getting caught in the rain. This also makes it easy to clean.
When it comes to performance, the phone did well. At its core is a 1.9GHz Octa-Core processor paired with 3GB of RAM. It can handle everyday common tasks without a hitch, and runs most mobile games like a champion.
The most frequent slowdown I experienced is with its thumbprint reader.
Most of the time I am not sure if it registers. It also doesn’t help that it is located at the front, which makes it tricky to activate on a phone this size.
On top of that, the fingerprint scanner can only register a maximum of three prints.
This might be enough if it were a rear fingerprint scanner, as it is natural to only use the forefingers to unlock the phone.
However, for a front scanner, one has the choice of using either thumbs or forefingers to unlock a phone instead.
Sound is not the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) forte either. A single speaker on the top right side does all the work. It makes it easy to muffle the phone if the mute option is not within easy reach, but the sound quality is nothing special.
Call quality, on the other hand, is good. I often get compliments on how clear the sound is on the other end of a phone call.
Still, the antenna on the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is not as sensitive or as powerful as I expected. In areas where other phones have full bars, this phone may have one less.
If you are used to Samsung phones, the interface will be second nature; for everyone else, it takes a little getting used to. An example of this is in the navigation buttons. Samsung phones, by default, have the back button on the right and the task menu on the left.
The built-in 3600mAh battery is dependable, surviving an impressive day of activities with some to spare.
The camera is a gem as well. At 16MP with f1.9, both the front and rear cameras are some of the brightest to be found in smartphones in the market today. The photo quality is what you’d expect from Samsung, which is excellent.
So, if you are looking for a phone that is water- and dust-resistant, has a good camera, and is compatible with Samsung Pay, this phone is definitely worth your consideration.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 comes with a price tag of RM1,899 and is available now at all Samsung Experience Stores and authorised dealers nationwide.
For more, visit the Samsung Malaysia website.