What is the phone's operating system?

The phone runs on Android 10, which is a smooth and responsive operating system.

What is the phone's screen resolution?

The phone has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels.

Can I expand the phone's storage capacity?

Unfortunately, the phone does not have a microSD card slot, so you're stuck with the 128GB storage capacity.

How long does the phone's battery last?

The phone's battery life is longer than expected, lasting a whole day with moderate use.

Can I customize the phone's software?

Yes, the phone allows you to customize the software to some extent, including changing the wallpaper and adding widgets.

Is the phone's camera good?

The phone's camera takes decent photos, especially in good lighting conditions.

Can I use the phone with a SIM card?

Yes, the phone supports SIM cards and can be used with a cellular network.

How do I update the phone's software?

You can update the phone's software by going to the settings menu and selecting the 'Software Update' option.

Budget-Friendly Samsung Phone Review

Hello everyone!

I've been using my old phone for three years now, and it's time to upgrade. I've spent countless hours researching new phones, pouring over pros and cons, and comparing different models from Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, and more. But let's face it, if you need a reliable phone, Samsung's the way to go.

Don't rush out to buy this phone at MTS, Svyaznoy, Euroset, M-Vide, or any of those big chain stores – prices are way higher than they need to be. I found some smaller shops through online services that offered this phone for 6,000 rubles cheaper than the big stores. I'm not naming names, but the shop where I bought it always has huge queues because they really do offer great prices. That's what you should be looking for in your own city.

I paid 15,490 rubles for it.

As of when I'm writing this review, I've had the phone for seven months.

Specifications:

Operating System – Android 10

Screen 6.5"/2400x1080 pixels

Screen technology – Super AMOLED

Refresh rate – 60 Hz

Edge-to-edge display

Screen glass type – 3D

Processor

Samsung Exynos 9611 4 x 2.3 GHz + 4 x 1.7 GHz

Number of cores 8

Main camera 48/12/5/5 MP

Number of main cameras 4

Video resolution 3840x2160 pixels (4K)

Digital stabilization

Digital zoom (x)8

Flash

Front camera 32 MP

RAM 4 GB

Internal storage 64 GB

Features

GPS support

Accelerometer, proximity sensor, G-sensor, barometer, digital compass

Technologies like ANT+, Wi-Fi Direct, and aptX really caught my eye.

The Always On Display, Wi-Fi hotspot, USB Host (OTG) support, and FM radio are all super useful features.

Having a built-in FM radio is a nice touch.

PACKAGING.

I made sure to ask for the phone in its original packaging when I bought it, and I'm glad I did. I wanted the white model, but the only one left was on display, and the salesperson claimed it had just been unpacked. I asked for any phone in its original packaging, and I ended up with the red one. I highly recommend doing the same – you never know what's going on behind the scenes in stores like that.

The phone comes with some decent extras, like earbuds with a microphone and a charger, as well as a user manual. However, you'll need to buy a screen protector, a microSD card, and a case separately.

The earbuds are pretty basic and not that great, to be honest – I've barely even opened them in the past six months.

On the other hand, the charger is a solid piece of kit – the cable is thick and sturdy, and it's clear they didn't skimp on quality.

DESIGN.

I've got to be honest, the plastic doesn't really impress me, glass would be better, but that's not what this model has. I had tempered glass on my previous phone and it looked way better, the quality was different, but here they've switched to plastic, probably to cut costs on the device itself.

The phone has geometric lines that show up more or less depending on the angle. I think the design is pretty good, quite nice-looking, but considering I'll be putting a case on it, the color and patterns on the phone itself aren't that important.

It's visible to see every fingerprint, dust, and other imperfections, so a case is definitely needed here. It looks nice, but you won't be admiring it without a case. The body is slippery, but it won't slip out of your hands. The look is okay, but the fact that it leaves behind various stains isn't great.

The frame is thin, which makes the big screen look even bigger than it is. The front camera is right in the middle of the screen, it took some getting used to, but when watching a movie in full screen, it's actually pretty cool – just a small point on the screen, and then the screen above it too. The frame is symmetrical except for the bottom part, but it's not too big, so it looks modern and stylish.

The bottom row has the charging port, speaker, headphone jack, and microphone. It's not super intuitive, but the charging port and headphone jack don't get in the way when in use. The problem is when you're lying down, the cables can bend awkwardly.

The USB-C port is a first for me – it's my first phone with this type of port, and it's been a smooth ride so far.

The speaker isn't super loud, but it's great for music. However, if you try to use it for voice calls, it's not the best experience – it's easier to just put the phone to your ear.

There's another microphone at the top for noise cancellation.

The volume control buttons and power button are a bit of a letdown for me. Even after using the phone for months, I still haven't gotten used to them. They're too thin, too flat, and the volume control button is combined – you can only adjust the volume in one direction at a time. It's taken me a while to get used to this, but it's all about personal preference.

I've got to say, the camera on the A51 sticks out a bit, just like on many other phones. (I've had my fair share of camera mishaps - like the time I was a student and accidentally dropped my Samsung phone down a staircase. The camera got smashed, and I was left with a nasty surprise.) So, I was a bit anxious about this, and I had to find a thick case to cover it up. Not ideal, if you ask me. I'd have preferred a slimmer phone. But more on that later.

I've got to say, the camera selection on this phone is impressive, just like on many flagships. At first, it was a bit overwhelming, but now I've gotten used to it.

The main camera is 48 MP. To be honest, I was really sold on this feature - I thought the image quality would be top-notch, but by now, we all know it's just a marketing gimmick, and the actual number of megapixels doesn't really matter on any modern phone.

It's got a digital 8x zoom and stabilization.

At first glance, you might think that having four cameras means you can take four times better photos. But that's not the case. Some manufacturers just slap all four features onto one lens. Not here, though. Each camera has its own dedicated function. The third lens is for macro shots, the second is for regular photos, and the fourth is for wide-angle shots. Honestly, I think I could've gotten away with just two, but that's beside the point. The flash is also located there. I've used it a few times as a makeshift flashlight, and compared to my old Samsung S6, the flash on this phone is a bit lacking. But it seems to be sufficient for the types of photos I take.

The main camera has the same features as the regular camera, and its quality is the main selling point. And that's where things get a bit contentious – I don't think the camera is particularly amazing. When taking photos for reviews, I don't always love the quality, and sometimes I have to edit them on another phone. The quality of the photos really depends on the lighting. And, weirdly enough, this phone's camera loves bright, daytime light. When that's the case, the photos turn out great.

The macro shots are top-notch, though. It's 5MP, and some of the shots I've taken are really impressive. This feature actually came in handy for me once when I bought a batch of pickled cabbage and found some tiny metal shavings inside. I couldn't get a good shot with the regular camera, but the macro feature saved the day.

Selfie camera is pretty good, 32MP as advertised, but I don't use it myself - the quality is amazing, it just seems to overdo it with the editing)) But the front camera lacks stabilization, flash, and autofocus.

Like I said, this phone loves sunlight, and under those conditions, photos turn out bright, vivid, and gorgeous. Details are well-defined, and there's no blurriness or inaccuracies.

I especially love photos taken during summer, with plenty of sunlight and vibrant colors. There's nothing to criticize, even when you zoom in - everything looks clear enough.

This photo shows a mountain and a forest from all angles, but it still turned out bright and vivid.

AUTO mode

Night mode I've noticed a big difference, which is why I usually try to take photos in auto mode during the day. Night mode is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest - some shots came out clearer, but they're also way darker. You have to hold your hand steady for 6 seconds or so, or the camera just can't capture the image properly. It's a bit of a trade-off, so I'll let you decide for yourself.

The bezel is thin, except for the chin, which is where my phone case is. The screen itself is bright and great - I haven't got any complaints. It's super sensitive, and I've even added a screen protector since buying it, which hasn't affected the sensitivity at all. There's an option in the settings to boost sensitivity, which I think is for people who've added a protective film, but I haven't activated it, and I think it's perfect just the way it is.

Inside, everything is pretty standard, just like most phones these days. There's a section with tips and tricks, which is where I learned about some of the phone's more advanced features.

Storage.

With 64GB of storage, I'm already running low on space - I've got a bunch of system apps taking up room, so I'm only looking at around 48.1GB available. But I've got a separate microSD slot, so I can just pop in a 128GB flash drive if I need more space.

Battery Life.

4000 mAh.

I've got to say, I'm a bit disappointed with the battery life. When I first got the phone and was still getting used to it, I was able to go for days without needing to recharge - even with a bunch of apps running and no SIM card. I'd watch a 2-hour movie on full brightness, and the battery would only drop by 5-6%. But once I'd fully transitioned to using the phone and had around 15 apps installed, the battery life started to take a hit. Now I'm lucky if I get a full day out of it - I'm charging it every day at around 7pm.

I've compared it to my friend's Xiaomi phone, which has around 50 apps installed and still manages to last two days on a single charge. I've tried to optimize my usage by closing unnecessary apps and reducing the screen brightness, but the result is the same. I was expecting a bit more from the battery life, to be honest.

Performance and Functionality

I've got some reservations about the eight-core processor because...

The phone can feel a bit sluggish at times. It doesn't freeze or crash, but it's just slow. I press the call button and it takes about 7 seconds to connect me. Same thing with Wi-Fi - I press the icon and it takes a few seconds to turn on. Same with apps, icons, and everything else. At first, it really frustrated me, but after using it for a while, I've gotten used to it. Still, I didn't expect it from a phone that everyone raves about.

It's got a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition, and it works great - fast and stable.

Out of the time I've had this phone, it's only frozen once, when I was trying to take a photo and the camera gave me an error message. I closed all my apps and reopened the camera, and it started working fine. On my previous phones, it never happened even after years of use.

It seems pretty solid and durable - I've dropped it a few times, and it's come out unscathed.

In General

There are a lot of cool features inside this phone.

1. Secure Folder. I love that I can duplicate apps in here, like having WhatsApp and Avito, or Telegram and any other files. It's really convenient to separate my personal stuff from my work stuff, so nothing gets in the way. This folder is like a second space on my Xiaomi phone, and it's password-protected – I set up a password.

2. Seamless Windows Connection. I can connect my phone to my laptop and control notifications, respond to chats, and even answer calls from my laptop. It's a game-changer for me, as I don't need to constantly switch between my laptop and phone.

3. Screen Recording. This feature gives me access to all the info on my screen, and I can also use it to record audio or make silent recordings. I used to download separate apps for this, but now I have everything I need in one place.

4. NFC. It works flawlessly for contactless payments – exactly what I need.

5. DND Mode. I can even set a custom time interval for it to turn off notifications at night and turn them back on in the morning. It's a great feature for getting some peace and quiet.

6. Cursor Function. If I hold down the space bar, I get a cursor, which is super helpful for specific apps.

7. Screen capture. Taking screenshots has gotten way easier - no more taking multiple shots, just one will do. And that's exactly what I've been doing almost every day for grocery lists or quick notes. Now I get one file instead of several.

8. Split-screen mode. I can use two apps at once, one on top and the other on the bottom of the screen. It's super handy for having a calculator or calendar open while I'm doing something else.

9. Call window. I wasn't using this feature at first, but it's a lifesaver during long calls. I can move the window to a different part of the screen and use other apps or browse while I'm on the phone.

10. Shutter button. This button can be placed anywhere on the screen, which is great since my phone isn't tiny. I've put it in the top right corner, and it's so much easier to take photos without having to stretch my finger across the screen.

11. Hands-free selfies. I just lift up my hand, and the phone takes a selfie. It gives me a few seconds to put my hand back down in a normal position.

I couldn't just use any old case for this phone because of the camera sticking out the front. I had to be careful not to scratch it, like I did once when I was in a hurry. So, I spent a few days searching for the perfect case.

I needed something lightweight but thick enough to cover the camera. It had to be designed so that the camera was level with the rest of the case or even slightly recessed. I finally found one in Ufa that I really like. The buttons are super grippy, so I can use my phone just like I would with a standard case.

I have to say, the camera lens doesn't stick out too much. I'd recommend finding something similar.

Later, I found a similar case for myself, which is available for iPhones, and I ordered it for my Samsung on AliExpress for 100 rubles. It has this 'curtain' thing that I call it - it completely protects the camera, and for those who worry about being spied on, it's a real lifesaver.

It's a bit bigger and heavier, and looks a bit rougher, but you can open or close the camera at any time.

FINAL VERDICT.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied, and I think it deserves 4 stars. I forgot to mention that what annoys me is that it takes a long time to determine my location, and sometimes it even fails when I have to stand still for 5 minutes because it can't figure out which direction the phone is facing or where I'm actually located.

I've gotta say, this thing's got a great camera – it's awesome for both video and photo. There are plenty of other nifty features, but sometimes it can take a while to send a call or open an app.

After using it for 7 months, I haven't encountered any major issues.

Of course, there are plenty of downsides, but I think the pros outweigh them. Considering it's a budget-friendly option, I can forgive the flaws. I mean, I could've shelled out 50000 rubles for a pricier model, but this one's a steal at a third of the cost, and the drawbacks aren't too significant.

I'd definitely recommend it. In my opinion, it's a solid choice for everyday use, whether you're browsing the web, doing schoolwork, managing a blog, or working with spreadsheets.

If I'm being honest, I didn't get to cover everything – I forgot to mention a few things, and there's still more to say. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll do my best to answer.