In the bustling market of smartphones priced around Rp 2 million, the Samsung Galaxy A15 emerges as a contender. But what sets it apart from its competitors? Overall, the Galaxy A15 brings significant upgrades from its predecessors. Notably, it's the first in the Galaxy A1x series to feature an AMOLED display. Could this be Samsung's weapon against the aggressive pricing of Chinese budget phones? Let's delve into a comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy A15.
Design:
Available in Indonesia in Blue Black, Blue, and Yellow variants, the Galaxy A15 boasts a sleek design. The Yellow variant, with its pastel hue, offers a refreshing look that doesn't easily show fingerprints. Constructed primarily of solid plastic, both the back panel and surrounding frame provide a sturdy feel. The glossy finish on the back panel adds a touch of elegance, while the matte finish on the frame enhances grip. The Key Island design, introduced with the Galaxy A25 5G, features slightly protruding volume and power buttons on the right side. Despite similarities to its predecessors, the Galaxy A15's design remains attractive, with its rear triple-camera setup and notch waterdrop display housing the front camera. However, it's worth noting that the absence of a punch-hole design may seem dated compared to competitors.
Display:
The most significant upgrade in the Galaxy A15 is its Super AMOLED display, a departure from the LCD panels of its predecessors. Measuring 6.5 inches with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, the display offers a smoother experience with a boosted refresh rate of 90Hz. With a brightness increase of 39% compared to previous models and a maximum brightness of 800 nits with Vision Booster, the Galaxy A15's display provides vibrant visuals suitable for daily use. While lacking HDR support, it still enables Full HD Netflix streaming thanks to Widevine L1 certification. However, the absence of stereo speakers detracts from the overall viewing experience. Despite its brightness, the thick bezels, particularly the prominent chin, give the phone a somewhat outdated appearance. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor, integrated into the power button, occasionally lacks responsiveness, requiring multiple attempts.
Camera:
Equipped with a triple rear camera setup comprising a 50MP primary camera, 5MP ultrawide camera, and 2MP macro camera, alongside a 13MP front camera, the Galaxy A15 offers decent photography capabilities. Outdoor shots exhibit Samsung's signature vibrant colors, albeit with limited zoom capabilities and occasionally soft details, especially in ultrawide and macro shots. Low-light performance is impressive for a mid-range device, with the Night mode enhancing visibility. However, noise becomes noticeable in certain conditions.
Performance and Battery:
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset and paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD), the Galaxy A15 delivers smooth performance for daily tasks and moderate gaming. While games like PUBG Mobile run smoothly at moderate settings, heavier titles like Genshin Impact are limited to low graphics settings at 30fps. The phone's 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day usage, even with extended gaming sessions, remaining relatively cool throughout. The inclusion of 25W fast charging facilitates quick recharging, although a charger is not included in the package.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 caters to consumers seeking a reliable mid-range smartphone. Priced starting from Rp 2 million, it offers a balanced blend of performance and features, including NFC, a large and long-lasting battery, a vibrant AMOLED display, and rare features like a microSD slot and a headphone jack. While its chipset performance may not be top-tier, it's sufficient for daily use and casual gaming. Moreover, with promised software updates and security support, the Galaxy A15 ensures longevity, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing longevity and usability.
