8 Pros and Cons of the Samsung Galaxy A15 LTE
The Samsung Galaxy A15 LTE, simply known as the Galaxy A15, was introduced in January 2024. This model follows the Galaxy A14 LTE and is released alongside the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G.
The Galaxy A15 retains a familiar design seen in the 2023 Galaxy A Series and the Galaxy S23 Series, featuring a flat back cover without a protruding rear camera module, giving it a generic yet sleek appearance.
However, the Galaxy A15 stands out with its MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, enhancing its performance significantly, especially for a phone in the USD 118 price range. Curious about what makes the Galaxy A15 worth considering? Read on for a detailed review.
Pros of the Samsung Galaxy A15
This phone has several design and functional enhancements. Let's take a look at the information below:
1. Minimalist and Ergonomic Body Design
The design of the Galaxy A15 mirrors the minimalist aesthetic of the 2023 Galaxy A Series, characterized by a flat back cover and absence of a rear camera bump. This simplicity contributes to its sleek appearance.
Samsung has introduced a unique ergonomic feature to this model: a wedge-like indentation in the frame. This subtle design element not only distinguishes the Galaxy A15 but also enhances functionality.
The indentation strategically separates the resting area of the hand from the fingerprint sensor and volume buttons, facilitating easier access to these controls without the need to look at the phone. Tech YouTuber Oscarmini praised this feature, noting that it provides a natural rest for the thumb.
Source: OscarminiCompared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A15 is more compact, with dimensions of 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm, making it shorter, sleeker, and thinner than the Galaxy A14, which measures 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm.
Despite its reduced size, the phone weighs nearly the same at 200 grams, only a gram lighter than the Galaxy A14’s 201 grams. While some may find a 200-gram phone quite heavy, the improved ergonomics may offset this.
The Galaxy A15 features a glass front and a plastic back with a glossy finish, available in three color options: Yellow, Blue, and Bluish Black.
2. Super AMOLED Display with Up to 800 Nits Brightness
The Galaxy A15 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, having a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340) and a 90 Hz refresh rate, a significant upgrade from the Galaxy A14's 60 Hz PLS LCD panel.
Samsung claims that the Galaxy A15's screen can achieve a brightness of up to 800 nits when used outdoors, which is more than sufficient for clear visibility. Standard visibility outdoors generally requires a minimum of 500 nits, which means the Galaxy A15 excels in this aspect.
YouTuber Rick Aqua praised the quality of the display, noting that watching videos on this device is particularly enjoyable due to the vibrant colors and high contrast typical of AMOLED panels.
However, the Galaxy A15's display features an Infinity-U notch, which might be considered outdated by some users. Additionally, it is unclear whether the screen is protected by any type of hardened glass like Gorilla Glass.
3. Impressive Performance with MediaTek Helio G99
The "engine" of the Galaxy A15 is driven by the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC. This phone is Samsung's second model, following the Galaxy A24, to utilize the popular 6 nm Helio G99, which is known for its robust performance among 4G SoCs.
The Helio G99 includes an eight-core CPU with two Cortex A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, along with a dual-core Mali-G57 MC2 GPU that can reach up to 1.1 GHz.
Equipped with 8 GB of RAM, the Galaxy A15 has demonstrated smooth and responsive performance in daily use, significantly faster in app operations and multitasking compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A14, which used the Exynos 850. Social media browsing is seamless, and switching between apps is fluid.
Testers, including Rick Aqua, also noted impressive gaming performance. Popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly on this device, with PUBG supporting 'HD' graphics settings at a 'High' frame rate and Call of Duty on 'Medium' graphics with a 'High' frame rate.
Benchmark scores further reflect this efficiency, with the Galaxy A15 scoring 723 in single-core and 1835 in multi-core scenarios on GeekBench 6. Additionally, according to Infofull, it has an AnTuTu 10 score of 393,103.
4. Generous Up to 8/256 GB Memory Configuration
The Samsung Galaxy A15 is available in two memory configurations: 8/128 GB and 8/256 GB. Both options offer ample RAM and storage.
However, the 256 GB storage variant is especially appealing due to its larger capacity. With this variant, you can store more files and install more applications.
Despite the ample internal storage, Samsung still provides an option to expand the storage via a microSD card up to 1 TB. It's important to note that the Galaxy A15 uses a hybrid dual-SIM slot, which means you must choose between using two SIM cards or one SIM card plus a microSD card.
5. Good Camera Capture in its Class
The camera setup on the rear of the Galaxy A15 is straightforward and nearly gimmick-free. It includes a 50 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and autofocus, a 5 MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2 MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture.
Although the macro camera is the least impressive, it is still functional for taking photos. The front of the phone features a 13 MP fixed-focus camera with an f/2.0 aperture.
Apart from the macro camera, all the Galaxy A15's cameras are capable of recording videos at a maximum resolution of 1080p (Full HD) at 30 frames per second. The photos produced are quite good; they show high detail and colors that are not too intense, and the exposure is decent.
The bokeh effect in the photos is neatly executed, and the camera performs surprisingly well in low light. However, the dynamic range is average, meaning the photos do not clearly show the contrast between dark and light areas.
Below is an example of photos captured by the Galaxy A15 for you to see:
Source: Infofull
Source: Infofull
Source: Izzi Boye
Source: Izzi Boye
Source: Izzi Boye6. Has NFC for Cashless Transactions
The Samsung Galaxy A15 includes NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which is increasingly essential for its users. NFC technology facilitates a range of contactless interactions such as cashless payments that makes it convenient for everyday transactions.
This feature is especially useful for those who frequent public transport, use toll roads, or prefer the ease of contactless payments in various shopping and dining environments.
With NFC, this phone becomes a handy tool for managing and topping up e-money cards and simplifies the process of making secure purchases with just a tap of the phone.
7. Good Battery Life of 5000 mAh
The Galaxy A15 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which is quite standard nowadays. However, a battery's lifespan is influenced by more than just its capacity; the efficiency of the system on a chip (SoC) and the phone's power management capabilities also play crucial roles.
Reviewers have found the battery life of this device to be quite impressive, with the Galaxy A15 lasting a full day on a single charge. Oscarmini notes that under normal usage, you can expect between 15 to 20 percent of battery life remaining at the end of the day.
Moreover, the device supports 25-watt fast charging, an improvement over the Galaxy A14’s 15-watt capability. According to Oscarmini, when using the appropriate charger, the Galaxy A15’s battery can be fully recharged in just 90 minutes.
8. 5-Year Software Update Guarantee
Samsung guarantees software updates for the Galaxy A15 for five years. This commitment includes four Android version updates and five years of security patches. With this update plan, the Galaxy A15 will be able to upgrade to Android 18, starting from Android 14.
Security updates will also be regularly provided until 2029. For a USD 118 phone, the length of these updates is quite generous. Usually, phones in this category receive only two operating system updates and three years of security updates.
Cons of the Samsung Galaxy A15
Here are some potential drawbacks of the Galaxy A15 that potential buyers should consider. While these issues may not concern everyone, they are worth noting.
1. Minimalist Sales Package
The packaging of the Galaxy A15 is quite slim, which is understandable since it only contains a SIM ejector tool and a USB-C cable. However, what about the charger? Although a 25-watt charger is included, it comes in a separate box.
2. Limited Video Capabilities and Camera Specifications
Despite the Helio G99 SoC being capable of supporting video recording at 60 frames per second (FPS), this feature is unfortunately not available on the Galaxy A15. This means the device cannot produce 60 FPS videos, which are particularly desirable for uploads to platforms like Instagram due to their higher quality.
Furthermore, the camera suite of the Galaxy A15 lacks electronic image stabilization (EIS), and the ultrawide camera is limited to just 5 megapixels.
The absence of a gyroscope sensor in the phone is why it lacks video stabilization features. Consequently, the ultrawide camera, with its lower resolution, does not capture images as sharply as the main camera, leading to a noticeable difference in photo quality.
3. No Stereo Speaker
The Galaxy A15 is equipped with only one speaker, which means it has a mono configuration rather than stereo. Mono speakers generally do not produce sound as rich as stereo speakers, especially in terms of bass quality. However, Oscarmini notes that the sound quality of the Galaxy A15's speaker is clear.
He also mentioned that the volume is slightly better compared to that of the Galaxy A14. Unlike the speaker, the Galaxy A15 features two microphones, which provide fairly good sound recording quality, similar to other Samsung phones.
Conclusion
The Galaxy A15 represents a significant upgrade from the Galaxy A14, with enhancements across the board including the screen, performance, storage, and charging capabilities. These upgrades make it more appealing than its predecessor.
Moreover, this phone is considerable in its class with well-balanced features. Usually, phones in this price range excel in one area, but the Galaxy A15 excels in multiple areas as highlighted above.
Additional features such as the concave frame, the presence of an ultrawide camera, and the five-year software update guarantee also set this phone apart from its competitors. However, the Galaxy A15 is not without its flaws.
It may not be the best choice for video enthusiasts due to the absence of a video stabilization feature. Similarly, audiophiles who prefer stereo sound might find the audio output of the Galaxy A15 lacking.
In the 2 million IDR price range, there are many smartphones that offer 5G connectivity, which could be considered more future-proof. Consumers must decide whether they prefer a 4G phone with robust features or a 5G phone with more basic features.
Nonetheless, the lifespan of 4G technology in Indonesia is expected to continue for quite some time, as 5G Sub6 networks are still being rolled out. Therefore, if you are considering the Galaxy A15, you shouldn’t worry about it becoming obsolete too soon.