[ad_1]
Introduction
Accompanied by the Galaxy A6 Plus, the Samsung Galaxy A6 represents the 2018 vintage in mid-range at the Korean brand. So, grand cru or vinbade corked?
In the highly competitive mid-range sector, Samsung has placed a new model: the Galaxy A6 (2018). It has many similarities with its big brothers Galaxy A6 Plus and Galaxy A8, which also came out in 2018. But he has the arguments to seduce against other Samsung devices, especially against competing brands like Huawei or Xiaomi? Answers in this test
Datasheet
| Model | Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Version of the OS | Android 8.0 | |
| Interface | Samsung Experience | |
| Screen Size | 5.6 inches | |
| Definition | 1480 x 720 pixels | |
| Pixel Density | 287 dpi | |
| SoC | Exynos 7885 at 1.6GHz | |
| Processor (CPU) | ARMv8 | |
| Graphics Chip (GPU) | Mali-T830 MP3 | |
| Random Access Memory (RAM) | 3 GB | |
| Internal Memory (Flash) | 32 GB, 64 GB | |
| MicroSD | Yes | |
| Camera (dorsal) | 16 Megapixels | |
| Camera (front-facing) | 16 Megapixels | |
| Video Recording | 1080p [1965] 9012] Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 + A2DP + LE | |
| Networks | LTE, HSPA, GSM | |
| Supported bands | 2100 MHz (B1), 800 MHz ( B20), 1800 MHz (B3), 2600 MHz (B7), 700 MHz (B28) | |
| SIM | 2x nano SIM | |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Ports (Input / Output) | microUSB | |
| Geolocation | Yes | |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | |
| Dimensions | 149.9 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm | |
| Colors | Blue, Black, Gold [19659010] Price | 193 € |
|
Product sheet | Test |
The smartphone has been loaned by the brand.
The design: a "Galaxy A8 Lite"
Not very inspired, Samsung offers us a Galaxy A6 looks like a Galaxy A8 cheap, itself taking a design discount Galaxy S8. The front is occupied by an 18: 9 screen surrounded by thick borders: the lower and upper bands are wide for 18: 9 and the side edges are clearly visible in use.
Turning the camera, we discover an aluminum back lined with a kind of plastic notches at the top and bottom. We also find the Samsung logo and the simple photo sensor with the fingerprint reader. The flash was simply juxtaposed with the set and breaks a little the geometry of the back of this Galaxy A6.
In contrast to the top slice naked, the lower edge of the device welcomes a welcome jack and a port micro USB port. In 2018, we would have preferred USB-C here. On the right side, there is access to the lock button, and a speaker grille.
On the other side, the sound adjustment buttons fall just as well under the finger and are also easily accessible in the pocket to adjust the volume without taking his smartphone out of the pocket. The left slice finally hosts a drawer for NanoSIM and micro SD, and a second drawer with a second SIM slot.
The screen: good OLED milk
Side screen, the Samsung Galaxy A6 offers us a convincing Super AMOLED panel for this price range, 5.6 inches at 18.5: 9 ratio. It offers a resolution of 287 dpi for a definition of 1480 × 720, a definition and a resolution seeming insufficient for a device sold at this price.
In everyday life, the screen is pleasant to watch. The colors are bright, the picture is rather fine, despite the definition only HD. The viewing angles are also good, with colors still pretty and very good viewing angles. Finally, the brightness is sufficient, even in full sun with a maximum brightness measured at 518 cd / m². The OLED naturally continues to provide excellent contrast, well calibrated by Samsung.
The color temperature is around 7800 K in default settings, which is average. This one is also modifiable according to several modes (adaptive, cinema, photo and basic), and proposes to retouch manually the red / green / blue color balance.
The interface: Samsung in a nutshell
The Galaxy A6 runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo and Samsung Experience 9.0 duo with the usual features of the Korean brand's devices, starting with the Bixby virtual badistant. Everything is quite far from the pure Android, but still very customizable.
Many applications made in Samsung complement and especially replace Google applications, also present. Most of them are nevertheless a notch below their American counterpart. We also find the Office Pack installed (and not uninstallable), but no other preinstalled applications, which is a good point.
Overall, the interface of this Samsung Galaxy A6 is clean, fluid and pleasant use. We may regret a forced use of Bixby despite its delay on the competition.
The main problem of Samsung interfaces is the delay on updates and security patches. The Galaxy A6 is no exception, with Android Oreo 8.0 and not 8.1.
Note the significant presence of facial recognition, even if it is rather slow. Generally count from half a second to two seconds, depending on the conditions.
The photos: I am Samsung and I remain it
Rear sensor
The photo part of the Galaxy A6 is provided by a photo sensor 16 megapixels in the back, but also in the front. And the result is worthy of a Samsung, whose cameras are regularly cited for their good photos.
In the middle of the day, the photos are beautiful, with a good sharpness and colors that stand out well. Almost too good since the result is a bit over-controlled, as often with Samsung devices.
The scenes with strong light dynamics are not very well managed, the device tends to burn white in case of backlight, which totally ruins the photos in question. Difficult to have a correct sky for example as it will be completely white in many situations.
Indoors, with less brightness, we feel that the sensor has a little more than wrong. The colors are duller, the details less clear. Noise begins to appear in shaded areas. However, we remain on a good result, especially as backlighting that the camera has so much trouble managing are more rare, provided to avoid the windows.
When the conditions s' darken, the photo sensor loses accuracy with less clear photos and there is the appearance of digital noise. The camera has a lot of trouble developing, which can give completely fuzzy pictures if you do not wait several seconds. The result is not very encouraging, especially since the camera tends to strongly smooth the few subjects it manages to capture.
Front sensor
Side front camera, the Galaxy A6 is doing well, with results not far from those of the rear photo sensor. The colors always stand out as well, the level of detail is good and the camera reaches a suitable result in the dark too. On the other hand, the management of the light is less good on the front sensor, making that the dynamics of the image is seldom respected.
To note the appreciable presence of a mode portrait of quality. The contours of the face are well respected and the details preserved. It is also possible to integrate stickers, but we will gladly let this feature gadget dedicated applications that do it much better.
Performance: no miracle for the little chip
Accompanied by 3 GB of RAM, the small microprocessor Exynos 7885 is a chip that already powered the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018), yet nearly 200 euros more expensive at its release. Already disappointing on his big brother, SoC 2017 is no longer convincing on the Galaxy A6. Fortunately, the navigation is fluid, no slowdown is deplorable in normal use, even with many open applications.
The game Arena of Valor is configured by default on the minimum graphic quality. Surprising choice since the fluidity is perfect in average settings with a stable 30 SPF, and only a few jerks were found (falls to 27 FPS) to the maximum parameters. The game does not allow the Galaxy A6 to go up to 60 FPS.
On PUBG Mobile however, which is more greedy than Arena of Valor, we quickly notice the limits of the device. Even in minimal configurations, selected by default by the game, jerks appear. Suitable in static phases, the FPS indeed fall a lot when moving, forcing the game to load additional ground.
Regarding Dragon Ball Legends, set in minimum parameters, the game is still fluid. On the other hand, big graphic bugs appear and make the game almost unplayable. These games warm up the smartphone without it becoming excessive. It gets cold soon after the play sessions.
| Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) | Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoC | Exynos 7885 | Exynos 7885 | Snapdragon 636 |
| AnTuTu v7 [19659103] 63 105 points | 85 223 points | 116 098 points |
Sufficient to guarantee a stable experience, it should nevertheless be noted that the performance of the Exynos 7785 on this configuration is not only lower than those of the Galaxy A8, but also almost twice lower than those of the Redmi Note 5, yet sold cheaper. Proof that such a SoC clearly has no place in a smartphone more than 300 euros in 2018.
Autonomy: long life, long recharge
Much to say immediately: autonomy is a big highlight of this Samsung Galaxy A6. The device will care without a day, and even two days without excessive use. To give an idea, he lost only 6% of battery in 1 hour of video on YouTube WiFi. In addition, if even more autonomy is needed, the energy saving mode extends the life of the battery.
This good autonomy is also found in more greedy uses, such as games where the Galaxy A6 is discharging barely faster than normal use. In standby, the camera does not lose its charge.
Shadow on the board however: the lack of fast recharge is clearly felt. The smartphone is long enough to charge: allow 30 minutes to recharge only 21% battery, a little over three hours for a full charge.
Photo Gallery
Availability Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) is available now at the recommended price of 309 euros.
Test Samsung Galaxy A6 2018 The verdict
Very clbadic, the design of the Galaxy A6 is pleasant to take in hand. However, the thick borders all around the screen are damage, as the lack of USB-C port.
Despite its definition really too fair for this price, the screen of the smartphone manages to get by with nice colors, good brightness and excellent contrast.
Whether you like or do not like, Samsung is true to itself at the interface of this Galaxy A6. Samsung Experience is quite far from a pure Android but still very customizable, but is late on updates and security patches.
The photos in optimal conditions are rather successful, with beautiful colors and a level suitable details. On the other hand, the strong dynamics of light and the dark scenes pose clear problem.
No miracle for the SoC dating from 2017. Although the navigation is fluid, the 3D games in particular put in difficulty a Exynos 7885 totally exceeded for a camera of this price range.
The autonomy of the Samsung Galaxy A6 is very good, able to hold a day without problems, or even two without excessive use. The long charging time, however, tarnish the record.
The Samsung Galaxy A6 is a complete smartphone, but is not without flaws. Its design, although uninspired, has the merit of being efficient and comfortable. Its simple rear sensor is good, but will show some difficulties in backlight or in dark conditions. Results that are found on the front sensor, very similar.
Its main badet is its autonomy, able to keep hours and hours without flinching, but requires a recharge time really too long. The performance is good, but the Galaxy A6 would have deserved a chip more current and more powerful. They serve an interface that will not be unanimous, especially because of its delay on Android updates, as often with Samsung.
In short, the Samsung Galaxy A6 is not a bad phone in itself, but is clearly overpriced for what it offers. And competitors are not lacking in this price range, starting with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 which is better on almost all levels, while being sold at 50 euros less.
Difficult to recommend this Galaxy A6 2018 Unless you are a fan of Samsung, we advise you to see what is happening in the competition.
-
Positive points
- A sublime OLED screen
- Good photos in good conditions …
- An excellent autonomy
- The jack is there
-
Negative points
- A SoC of 2017 who struggles to suffice
- … but a device that runs out of steam fast
- A very slow recharge
- Still in micro USB
- A bad quality / price ratio
Source link
