When it comes to electronics, there is perhaps no device that has as short a replacement cycle than smartphones. And this is not a surprise: smartphone makers keep pushing out models that are fresher, nicer, more streamlined, and more powerful than last year’s models in their endless quest to win the hearts – and wallets – of their users. New models, of course, are always the most sought-after ones – but for the conscious shopper, this is not always the case. Especially since smartphone makers keep pushing out models that are fresher, nicer, more streamlined, and more powerful models – sometimes it’s worth waiting another year before replacing the smartphone or to choose an older model instead of the latest flashy release. And this is especially true for those using their smartphones to play mobile casino games, read the news, use social media, and listen to music, nothing more.
Today, the smartphone market is in an interesting situation – there are many models still available that are pretty close to each other when it comes to performance but they come at very different prices. Amazon, for example, still lists Samsung’s Galaxy S6 (SM-G920A), the South Korean manufacturer’s 2015 flagship model. The phone comes with an Exynos 7420 Octa-core System on a Chip running at 2.1 GHz, 3 gigabytes of RAM, a 16-megapixel camera, 32 gigabytes of internal storage (for the SM-G920A model), and all the features and sensors a flagship phone needs. It is priced at around $250, half the price of the Galaxy S7, and about one-third of the price of the Galaxy S8. And it is the perfect phone for the average smartphone user – it will even handle more demanding tasks pretty well.
Let’s compare the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S6 with those of the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), Samsung’s highest-performance mid-range model for this year.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) comes equipped with the manufacturer’s own Exynos 7880 Octa-core SoC clocked at 1.9GHz, 3 gigabytes of RAM, and 32 gigabytes of internal storage. It has a slightly larger screen (5.7 inches compared to 5.1 in the case of the S6) but a lower PPI (386 compared to 577 in the case of the S6), which means that the S6’s screen looks more beautiful. Both screens are covered in the same Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Both phones have 16-megapixel cameras but the S6 can record higher-resolution video (2160p@30fps compared to 1080p@30fps). The only upsides of the A7 are its USB type C connector and its FM radio (the S6 didn’t have any). The S6, in turn, comes with built-in wireless charging capabilities.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 currently sells for between $360 and $380 – which makes it more expensive than the S6. And if you happen to buy a used or a factory refurbished Galaxy S6, the price can be even lower. And for this price, you will get a flagship phone – even if it is a flagship from a few years ago.
