Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Review: The best Android smartphone in its price range.

 

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Operating System	Android 14
CPU Speed	2.2GHz, 2GHz
Dimensions	6.30 by 3.02 by 0.33 inches
Screen Size	6.5 inches
Screen Resolution	2,340 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)	50MP, 5MP, 2MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)	15 hours, 3 minutes

With a large, vibrant display, impressive battery life, and solid performance, the SamsungGalaxy A15 5G at Rp. 2.699.000,00  is a tough contender in its price range. It also comes with the promise of four years of system updates, ensuring longevity before needing a replacement. While some aspects of its build quality could be improved, the Galaxy A15 5G stands out among its similarly priced competitors, earning it our Editors' Choice award for budget-friendly Android smartphones.

DESIGN AND DISPLAY

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G features a simple yet functional design. With dimensions of 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm and weighing around 200 grams, the phone is comfortable to hold. It boasts a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing bright and sharp visuals. 

Credit: J.Nisa Arum

In hand, the Galaxy A15 feels solid but lacks some of the refinement found in the more expensive Galaxy S models. The display is protected by Dragontrail Pro glass, while both the back and frame are made of plastic. The front glass is slightly elevated above the frame, whereas the back plastic is set in a bit. Like many other smartphones in this price category, the A15 lacks an IP rating, which means it is advisable to keep it away from dust and water. In contrast, some budget-friendly Motorola models perform better in this regard. The display supports a refresh rate of 90Hz, enhancing the smoothness of scrolling and overall user experience.

Samsung refers to the small protrusion that contains the volume rocker and power button as the "Key Island." The volume rocker extends slightly outward, while the power button is set back. The volume rocker is easier to locate and use compared to the power button, which is significant since it also functions as a fingerprint reader. Initially, I often placed my thumb on the raised frame surrounding the power button instead of directly on the button itself, but I eventually adapted and was able to use the fingerprint sensor consistently. 

Credit: J.Nisa Arum

The left side of the Galaxy A15 features a combined SIM and microSD card tray, while the bottom includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C port (USB 2.0), and a down-firing speaker. It's great to see the inclusion of a headphone jack and microSD slot, as these features are increasingly rare in midrange and high-end devices. On the rear, three cameras are arranged vertically, and true to Samsung's recent designs, there is no camera bump; the lenses protrude directly from the back surface. A selfie camera is positioned in a U-shaped notch at the top of the display.

In terms of color options, Samsung offers the A15 in Blue Black or Light Blue and yellow; I tested the yellow variant.

BETRRAY life: Better Than the A14

The battery life of the A15 significantly surpasses that of the A14. In battery endurance tests, where I streamed full HD video over Wi-Fi at maximum brightness, the A15 lasted for 14 hours and 3 minutes, a notable increase from the A14's 9 hours and 40 minutes. The TCL 40 X performed in between the two, lasting 11 hours and 13 minutes, while the Nord N30 provided slightly better performance at 11 hours and 18 minutes. It's important to highlight that all these devices are equipped with a 5,000mAh battery.

The A15 does not support wireless charging, but it offers 25W wired charging, an improvement from the A14's 15W. With a 25W charger, the battery charges fully in approximately 90 minutes. A 15-minute charge restores 28% of the battery, while a 30-minute charge reaches 49%. However, Samsung does not include a charging adapter, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Decent Cameras for the Price

Samsung has made slight adjustments to the A15’s camera setup compared to the A14. The A15 features a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, a 5MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera. While the main and macro cameras remain unchanged from the A14, the ultra-wide lens replaces the previous 2MP depth sensor. Unlike the premium Galaxy S24 series, the A15 does not include AI-powered enhancements.

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The primary camera produces the best images out of the rear trio. By default, it captures 12MP images via pixel binning, but it can capture full 50MP shots if you wish. Colors look slightly oversaturated compared with reality, but the details are sharp. Minor lens flare was apparent in some photos.

With four years of system updates, users can rely on this device for long-term use. The 50MP main camera captures sharp images, though colors may appear slightly oversaturated. Additionally, the improved 25W wired charging helps speed up battery replenishment. Overall, the Galaxy A15 5G is a compelling choice for a budget-friendly Android smartphone, earning it the Editors' Choice award in this category.