Introduction 

The Samsung Galaxy A31 was introduced as a value-first phone that tried to bring installment display technology and massive battery life to budget buyers. In 2026, it’s a legacy device: excellent for cascade video and long battery life but behind the curve on raw performance, charging speed, and modern camera/video features. This article walks you through the A31’s design, display, real-world performance, camera behavior, software story, who should buy it in 2026, what to check if buying used, and how to arrange a review or article for SEO success.

Why read this guide?

This long-form object gives you everything you need about the Samsung Galaxy A31: clear specs, homework pros & cons, plain-English camera notes, battery and gaming expectations, alternatives to consider, SEO tips, and a testing checklist. It’s written simply so a teenager can follow, yet deep enough for buyers and copyreaders.

Short overview of what the Galaxy A31 is?

The Samsung Galaxy A31 is an entry-to-mid-level phone from Samsung’s A-series, first declared on March 24, 2020 and released in the April–May 2020 window. At launch Samsung accentuated a large 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 48 MP main camera in a quad-camera setup, and a very large 5,000 mAh battery. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a premium display and long battery life without a flagship price.

This review revisits the A31 in 2026, encapsulates what still works well, what feels outdated, and who should still consider buying one now  especially on the used/refurb market.

Standout headline facts 

• Display: 6.4″ Super AMOLED, FHD+ (2400×1080), ~411 ppi
• Battery: 5,000 mAh, 15 W charging
• SoC: MediaTek Helio P65 (MT6768)
• Cameras: 48 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide, 5 MP macro, 5 MP depth; 20 MP selfie
• Video: Up to 1080p@30fps on many stock alternative
• Size / Weight: 159.3 × 73.1 × 8.6 mm; 185 g

Who should consider it in 2026?

• Buyers on a Tight Budget who care predominately about an excellent AMOLED screen for streaming.
• People who need long battery life for travel, second-phone use, or simple social apps.
• Avoid if you want strong gaming performance, stabilized 4K video, or multi-year OS/security updates.

Full specs 

Field	Specification
Release / Announced	Announced Mar 24, 2020  released Apr–May 2020
OS at launch	Android 10 + One UI 2.1 (regional updates to Android 11/12 in some markets)
SoC	MediaTek Helio P65 (MT6768)
CPU	Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU	Mali-G52 MC2
RAM / Storage	4 / 6 / 8 GB RAM; 64 / 128 GB storage; microSD up to 512 GB
Display	6.4″ Super AMOLED, 2400×1080 (FHD+), ~411 ppi
Rear cameras	48 MP (main, f/2.0) + 8 MP (ultrawide) + 5 MP (macro) + 5 MP (depth)
Front camera	20 MP (f/2.2)
Video	Up to 1080p@30fps (stock)
Battery	5000 mAh, 15 W fast charging
Sensors	Under-display optical fingerprint, inclinometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Connectivity	4G LTE (no universal 5G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Weight & dims	159.3 × 73.1 × 8.6 mm; 185 g

Design & display  

Screen quality: The A31’s Super AMOLED is the highlight. Compared to many 2020 budget phones that used IPS LCDs, the A31 distributed deeper blacks, strong contrast, and saturated colors. For video streaming, reading, or browsing, it still looks very pleasing in 2026 if you value color pop and deep blacks.

Build & ergonomics: A lightweight, plastic body with prism finish made the phone feel modern without increasing cost. The phone sits comfortably in one hand, and the overall fit-and-finish is reasonable for its class.

Fingerprint tech: The under-display optical fingerprint sensor gives a “modern” feel versus rear-mounted sensors common on very cheap phones. It’s not the fastest compared to high-end ultrasonics, but it works well enough day-to-day.

Performance & real-world speed

The MediaTek Helio P65 was optimized for efficiency rather than raw power. In daily use you can expect:

• Smooth social apps, messaging, email and video streaming.
• Light multitasking works fine, but switching many heavy apps will cause reloads and occasional stutter.
• CPU-bound benchmarks (Geekbench/AnTuTu class results) place it in the lower mid-range of 2020 chips  fine for casual use, not for demanding multitasking.

Gaming note: Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, or Asphalt will run at low-to-medium settings. On sustained 30-minute sessions you’ll likely encounter frame drops, occasional stuttering, and thermal throttling. If gaming is a priority, seek phones with newer mid-range SoCs (2021+) that are faster even at launch.

Battery life & charging 

The 5,000 mAh cell remains a big selling point. Typical outcomes:

• Everyday use: Many users report 1.5–2 days on moderate usage (social apps, calls, light browsing, some streaming). Heavy use approaches a full day but often leaves headroom for evening.
• Media streaming & standby: Excellent; the AMOLED’s efficiency during darker UIs helps.
• Charging: 15 W charging is slow by 2026 standards. Expect ~0→50% in ~60 minutes (charger-dependent) and ~2 hours for a full charge. This is acceptable for overnight charging, but inconvenient if you need a quick top-up.

Cameras: What to expect 

Photo

• Daylight: The 48 MP main performs adequately in good light. Colors are pleasant and detail is decent for social sharing and casual prints. It’s not a pixel-peeping champion but does the job.
• Ultra-wide & macro: Useful for variety. The ultra-wide loses some detail and dynamic range; macro is more of a novelty for close-ups but not for technical macro work.
• Low light: Expect noise and soft detail. Night scenes will be disturbed compared to modern computational photography systems (multi-frame stacking, advanced denoising)  ; these were not typical on the A31’s firmware.

Video

• Limitations: Many A31 variants are limited to 1080p recording; some lack robust electronic stabilization. For creators or anyone wanting crisp, stable 4K footage, the A31 is a weak choice in 2026.

Bottom line: Great for casual photos and social media in good light; insufficient for creators or people who need high-res video and advanced night modes.

Software & updates

The A31 launched on Android 10 with One UI 2.1. Many units later received Android 11 and Android 12 updates in selected regions. However, Samsung’s update policy for budget A-series phones in 2020 was shorter than fashionable flagship policies. If you buy used in 2026, check the unit’s current build and latest security patch on Samsung support pages for your region. Don’t expect multi-year feature updates.

Gaming: realistic expectations

If gaming is a priority, the A31 is a compromise. Casual titles and older games run fine, but demanding titles suffer:

• Settings: Low to medium graphical settings recommended.
• Thermals: After ~15–30 minutes of sustained play, you’ll see reduced frame-rates and potential overheating warnings.
• Battery impact: Gaming drains the big 5,000 mAh battery rapidly expect multi-hour drain at high usage.

Practical advice: If you want cheap gaming, consider used models with Snapdragon 7-series or later mid-range chips from 2021–2022; they offer noticeably better sustained gaming performance and thermal control.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Bright Super AMOLED displays are  rare at its original price point.
• Huge 5,000 mAh battery: excellent endurance.
• Expandable repository (microSD).
• Comfortable size and modern under-display fingerprint sensor.

Cons

• Aging SoC (Helio P65) Limited Gaming and heavy multitasking.
• No 4K video on many variants; limited strengthening.
• Slow 15 W charging compared to modern standards (2024–2026).
• Update support likely limited; check regional firmware history.

Side-by-side rivals 

When comparing, aim for phones that emphasized battery or offered stronger SoCs at similar price points during 2020–2021:

• Redmi/Redmi Note series often have stronger SoC and faster charging.
• Realme budget mid-range devices better charging and sometimes ameliorate camera stacks.
• Samsung Galaxy M31 is a close sibling with better overall battery value and sometimes better pricing.

For a market-specific comparison, you should build a small spec & price table and fetch live retailer prices because availability and used prices vary by region and condition.

Buying advice: new vs used in 2026

New stock: New units are rare in 2026. If you find one, verify guarantee coverage and the firmware build version  older stock can have out-of-date security patches.

Used / refurbished: Generally better value. When buying used, check:

• Battery health (prefer >80% capacity).
• Device unlock status and transporter locks.
• Return policy and seller warranty (even a short 7–14 day return window is helpful).
• Physical condition: screen scratches, back panel cracks, port damage.

Alternatives & comparison guidance

If the camera and gaming experience matter more than battery/display alone, look for:

• Redmi and Realme models (2020–2022) that categorize faster charging and stronger SoCs.
• Samsung Galaxy M-series siblings sometimes offer better value for battery and long-term firmware.
• Recent budget phones (2021–2024 launches) that include 5G and faster charging for marginally higher used prices.

FAQs 

Conclusion: Should you buy it in 2026?

If you want a screen that’s great and a phone that will last for a long time without needing to be charged, the A31 is still a great option if you’re disposed to buy it used or refurbished in 2026. If you want to play the latest games quickly or if you want to be able to charge your phone really quickly or if you want to be able to take super clear videos or if you want to be able to Get Updates on your phone for a long time, consider new budget phones or old high-end phones that you can buy used.