Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) MORE PICTURES

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)

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  • D
  • AnonD-661962
  • fsT
  • 15 Apr 2017

After using the Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 for a year, this is my 'review', I do not guarantee accuracy. This phone was dropped, has a "stock" permissive kernel, versions are a510fxxu3bpid, a510fxxu3bpi1, a510foxy3bpi2, SM-A510FD, screen was manufactured at 2016, 01, 04 (time is stored at a resolution higher than a millisecond), modem at 16/01/23. I might not include what is already covered by other reviews. The "pros" of this phone depend on the hardware you are comparing relative to.

Specs.
CPU cluster 0 at 400 - 1600MHz Interactive
CPU cluster 1 at 400 - 1600MHz Interactive
Mali-T72x MP2 r1p0 0x0720 GPU at 266 - 800MHz Interactive
bus_int at 100 - 400MHz simple_ondemand
bus_mif at 200 - 825MHz simple_ondemand
bus_isp at 200 - 530MHz simple_ondemand
SDC_400013 S6E3FA3 FHD AMOLED panel U:1080x1920p-59
ROHM OIS gyro (A8BIK01 V005?)
Bosch BHA250 accelerometer
YAMAHA YAS537 magnetic sensor
Capella Microsystems CM36655 light, RGB, proximity
Universal7580-I2S, cod3022x, s2801x for sound
Broadcom BCM4345 WiFi/Bluetooth
Broadcom BCM4752 GPS
SM5705 for charging
Abov Semiconductor mc96ft1804 for the capacitive buttons?
Zinitix BT532 for the touchscreen
S2MPU03 voltage regulator
s2m RTC, max_user_freq 64
MAX86902 (not created?)
s2mu003(not created?)
PPSX60 (not created?)
Shannon 310 S310AP with these carrier aggregation combinations:
3C(A)_, 7C(A)_, 3A-7A(A-n)_, 3A-7A(n-A)_, 3A-20A(A-n)_, 3A-20A(n-A)_, 7A-20A(A-n)_, 7A-20A(n-A)_, bands are known.
MMC 400073.
SLSI_S5K5E3_FIMC_IS front camera.
SLSI_S5K3L2_FIMC_IS rear camera.
Thermometer: Samsung sec-ap-thermistor
Thermometer: thermal-cpufreq-0
Thermometer: thermal-cpufreq-1
Thermometer: thermal-gpufreq-0
Thermometer: batt_temp
Thermometer: sm5705
Check the kernel for more information.

Technologies related to performance.

Touchboost: 1200MHz touch, 1400MHz multitouch, 1000MHz until release, 1600MHz rotation, 1600MHz launch, 1200MHz unlock, 1500MHz activity resume on cores that are online.

GPU Hotplugging: with default power_policy coarse_demand.

CPU Hotplugging: 8 cores, 4 cores, 2 cores, 1 core.

Automatic underclock of the CPU to 1100MHz and the GPU to 350MHz if the app being used is detected as a game and is not in this list: line 2473850 - 2475970 of /system/framework/oat/arm/services.odex or the dalvik cache, without processing. Mostly benchmarks, system apps, browsers, and games. Because those 'stock clocks' are difficult to return even though the CPU/GPU has cooled, this is for battery saving.
Set an app as non-game in the Game Tuner for less of this underclocking ("non-game" looks like thermal throttling, you can also lower the resolution).
The CPU can reach 86C (AnTuTu, and maybe after wiping dalvik cache), it is throttled by the step_wise thermal throttling governor in the kernel, it is not the "CustomFrequencyManagerService", maybe it requires time or uses another sensor. CPU has 12 states, GPU has 7.
Having the battery over 40C is difficult, but I wouldn't have this phone under a pillow during many benchmarks.
If the underclocking of the CustomFrequencyManagerService / Touchwiz DVFS is prevented with root, check those temperature sensors, if those temperatures are high, underclock the CPU (standard) and the GPU (write to /sys/class/misc/mali0/device/dvfs_max_lock).
With 1100/350 the AnTuTu benchmark result is 31583 (3132, 1713, 1419; 11797, 3232, 1707, 1956, 2887, 2015; 11907, 1949, 3841, 6117; 4747); 3DMark Ice Storm is 4347 (3868, 7666, 17, 16.6, 24.3).

Resolution is by default 810x1440 in detected games (75% of the native resolution). Could change with Game Tuner.

Etc.

With the newer Android telephony API the Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 will show these:
GSM: rat, mcc, mnc, cid (maybe 65535).
GSM Invalid: signal strength, ber, arfcn, bsic, cid.
UMTS: rat, mcc, mnc, lac(maybe 0), cid(maybe 1 and ascending), psc.
UMTS Invalid: uarfcn, signal strength.
LTE: rat, mcc, mnc, cid(LTE), pci, tac, asu, rsrp, rsrq, rssnr, cqi, ta(only use if it updates).
LTE Invalid: earfcn. After a handover from 4G to 3G/2G to 4G on a different cell, the old cell might be remembered by the phone with its valid signal strength, but this information has an invalid CQI. The older telephony API shows less but more accurate information, but it might not refresh automatically. To use it in most apps, insert main sim as sim 1 or 2 and another sim; set other sim as default for calls, sms, 4G3G2G; reboot; remove other sim; the main sim will be set as default; disable other sim to prevent sharing of signal strength; the phone is ready. The RIL service mode has cells separated with [1][2][3], which sets the "do not need refresh", maybe it is the same for other applications. Those are mostly used to locate without WiFi or GPS.
The RIL service mode includes RAT(2G, 4G) locking; band locking (2G); band preference (4G); band disable (4G); band, arfcn locking (2G), band, uarfcn, psc locking (3G); band, earfcn, pci locking (4G); neighbour list (no cids); basic information, etc.
To apply the arfcn lock, the menu must be on stack 1, apply and restart the airplane mode.
To apply the pci lock, enable airplane mode, apply, reboot, disable airplane mode.
Do not apply with interference from other cells, even if the bts you are connected to is congested or connected to a congested or slow backhaul. Its only use is to read the cid and ta from other cells?

The AMOLED shows a lower variety of brightness when a pixel is at a low brightness.

Vertical banding?

The screen and fingerprint sensor is sensitive, with very low tolerance.

After removing Smart Manager it was also removed from the settings app, very seamless.

Wear

Burn-in is visible for the status bar with fullscreen blue, but it is almost invisible in full screen apps.

Battery wear, depends on usage.

Volume buttons might get stuck, like the s6 and the s7.

The phone had to have a few disconnections and reconnections to quick charge, a combination of OTG and quick charging disabled USB functionality (Odin, MTP, quick charge, ADB). The accelerometer and the normal charging are OK.

No "screen flicker at low brightness" problem.

    • D
    • AnonD-342429
    • 6Qg
    • 15 Apr 2017

    AnonD-542833, 14 Apr 20172 GB RAM and 16 GB RAM is enough for normal use. But not fo... moreI have installed many heavy games. Asphalt 8. Never alon:ki edition. UFC etc
    Still have 2.5gb free internal space and 5gb free of 16gb sd card. Games are running smoothly. Apps are running perfectly. Even, if i open all the apps simultaneously. To make the sd card adaptable you will have to root your phone. I tried to make adaptable without rooting but it didn't work.

      • D
      • AnonD-342429
      • 6Qg
      • 15 Apr 2017

      AnonD-649787, 14 Apr 2017I have checked out all these devices but the thing is i don... moreSamsung a5 is better than s6. If you make some modifications in the rom. You will have to make sd card adaptable by rooting. But u must use at least class 10 sd card if you want smooth performance. Battery is superb as compared to s6. Camera is nearly equal to s6. A5 2016 has no mirror option if you need this option.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • smp
        • 15 Apr 2017

        Some smartphones may come with high specs at an affordable price but beware the quality offered in these mobile phones leaves a lot to be desired think twice before buying a smartphone these days,on paper the specs are high but real issue stands in hand use how strong and compact these devices are.

          • D
          • AnonD-649787
          • ITJ
          • 14 Apr 2017

          AnonD-542833, 14 Apr 2017At that 300$ budget you have a very wide choice. If you nee... moreI have checked out all these devices but the thing is i dont like big screen phones, 5.2" is big enough so my options are limited. Plus, i want to buy a Samsung phone. How about a used S6? Will it's battery cause problems??

            • D
            • AnonD-542833
            • gM$
            • 14 Apr 2017

            AnonD-649787, 14 Apr 2017So which Phone would you suggest me in the 250-300$ price r... moreAt that 300$ budget you have a very wide choice. If you need a device for heavy gaming than you should go for Mi or Moto or Lenevo devices. But as I use only Samsung devices I cannot say real uses of those devices. Alternatively you can try Samsung C9 pro which looks very strong on specs. Last but not least J7 Prime 32 GB version will also be a good choice if it supports the game you want to play. Regards.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • smp
              • 14 Apr 2017

              AnonD-542833, 14 Apr 20172 GB RAM and 16 GB RAM is enough for normal use. But not fo... moreThats not true most google store apps run good enough without any lag

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • smp
                • 14 Apr 2017

                AnonD-649787, 14 Apr 2017So you mean to say that the 2GB RAM and 16 gb storage will ... moreGood enough for everyday usage and light gaming. If you have enough budget go for a5 2017 if you are a hardcore gamer.

                  • D
                  • AnonD-649787
                  • ITJ
                  • 14 Apr 2017

                  AnonD-542833, 14 Apr 20172 GB RAM and 16 GB RAM is enough for normal use. But not fo... moreSo which Phone would you suggest me in the 250-300$ price range, then??

                    • D
                    • AnonD-542833
                    • gM$
                    • 14 Apr 2017

                    AnonD-649787, 14 Apr 2017So you mean to say that the 2GB RAM and 16 gb storage will ... more2 GB RAM and 16 GB RAM is enough for normal use. But not for games which uses big download such as EA games. Currently I am playing NFS No Limit on my J7 pro which has 16 GB ROM and I left with just about 1.5 GB ROM which is minimum to run Android smoothly. So I will suggest to to go for at least 3 GB RAM, Snapdargon processor and 32 GB ROM g gaming which is now very affordable. Regards.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-649787
                      • uZa
                      • 14 Apr 2017

                      Anonymous, 13 Apr 2017I think A3 looks faster because of latest software optimiz... moreSo you mean to say that the 2GB RAM and 16 gb storage will be enough for everyday normal use and light gaming such as FIFA Mobile on the A3(2017)??

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • smp
                        • 13 Apr 2017

                        AnonD-649787, 13 Apr 2017That's alright but what about performance as i heard that A... moreI think A3 looks faster because of latest software optimization, samsung midrange smartphones slow down a little after a few months of usage IMO.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-649787
                          • ITJ
                          • 13 Apr 2017

                          Anonymous, 13 Apr 2017Both are essentially the same, the only difference is that ... moreThat's alright but what about performance as i heard that A3(2017) is faster than A5(2016)??

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • smp
                            • 13 Apr 2017

                            AnonD-649787, 13 Apr 2017A5(2016) or A3(2017)?? Which is better??Both are essentially the same, the only difference is that A3 2017 is waterproof and dust resistant and has grace UI. If you want a phone with latest features go for a3 if you want a bigger screen go for a5.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-649787
                              • ITJ
                              • 13 Apr 2017

                              A5(2016) or A3(2017)??
                              Which is better??

                                • D
                                • AnonD-660932
                                • uwC
                                • 11 Apr 2017

                                i was using samsung galexy A5 2016. It was working fine for five months then its starts to drain battery faster,now the motherboard is damaged itself,eventhough i use the phone very carefully,i will never buy this brand evey again.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-660798
                                  • avQ
                                  • 10 Apr 2017

                                  me too

                                    • A
                                    • A5(6)
                                    • 0FA
                                    • 10 Apr 2017

                                    It's a good device, I'm using it for about a year now and it's the best phone I ever had so far in this price range. It doesn't have random resets, no lagging it didn't even froze, like previous phones and i also had samsung and sony phones in this price range that had a lot of problems like this, it has good camera and overall performance, the only downside is the internal storage but it's mannagable and that it's not dust or waterproof and it should have glove mode or something similar. Battery life is average but if you don't play a lot of games it lasts a day or two if you don't use yt etc. display is crisp and sharp with rich colors, readable in almost any light circumstances and it's the phone that I would recommend to anyone who doesn't want to spend a fortune for a high end device and would like to use it for various daily tasks or the 2017 variant.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-542833
                                      • gM$
                                      • 10 Apr 2017

                                      AnonD-649787, 08 Apr 2017Moto G5, i have checked out and i like it but i dont know i... moreA series is also best series. It is just below S series which makes it very cool. I got an A5 (2016) in home. As for A3 (2017), the specs looks very good. I don't it has any major fault for a normal user. So, you should try a demo in a nearby store if possible and buy it.

                                      Personally I am also not a fan of Moto and Lenevo devices as there are many complaints by authentic users. May be I will buy a Mi Note 4 for just gaming. But Samsung galaxy is for me is part of my life. I was a huge desktop and laptop fan, but Galaxy has given me mobility to roam free. Regards.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-660629
                                        • RLq
                                        • 10 Apr 2017

                                        mak, 08 Apr 2017my girl friend send to me this phone June 2016 but it says ... moreExactly what it says. It's running out of storage.

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