Samsung Galaxy A01  Full Bifocals, Extra Tests & Buying Guide

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A01 is an ultra-budget receiver institute in early 2020. It suits light tasks, calls, and messaging. Expect a 5.7″ 720p display, Snapdragon 439, 2GB RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery  sufficient for basic daily use.

Overview

This guide is a complete, NLP-friendly, and SEO-protect rewrite of the Samsung Galaxy A01 product rehearsal. It’s categorized to be copy-paste friendly for product pages, editorial pillars, and practical checklists. The Galaxy A01 launched as Samsung’s entry-level A-series model around January 2020. The device earmarks buyers on strict budgets who want a detectable brand, required  smartphone features (calls, messaging, light web), and expandable storage while tolerating understanding in performance, camera experience, and battery capacity.

Full specs 

Model name: Samsung Galaxy A01 (SM-A015x series)
Release date: Announced Dec 2019  widely obtainable Jan 2020
Display: 5.7″ PLS TFT, 720 × 1520 (HD+), 19:9 aspect ratio
SoC: Qualcomm delphinium 439 (12 nm), Adreno 505 GPU
RAM / Storage: 1 GB or 2 GB RAM; 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage; microSD up to 512 GB
Rear cameras: 13 MP main + 2 MP depth sensor
Front camera: 5 MP
Battery: 3000 mAh; 5W charging via Micro-USB (typical SKU)
OS at launch: Android 10 with One UI Core 2.0
Build & weight: Plastic frame/back, glass front; ~151 g
Connectivity: 4G LTE (bands vary by region), Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS; NFC only in select SKUs
Ports & sensors: Micro-USB, 3.5 mm audio jack; many SKUs lack fingerprint sensor
Colours: Black, Blue, Red (market-dependent)

Note: Band, NFC, and territorial specs vary by SKU  validate before purchasing.

Design  

Form factor & ergonomics

The A01 is physically solid and intentionally light. The plastic back and frame decrease weight and cost and are more impenetrable to shattering than thin glass backs. Buttons are traditional and offer usable travel; the lack of premium visible finishes keeps manufacturing costs down.

Display character


The 5.7″ PLS TFT 720p panel delivers reasonable legibility for text and simple media. Expect lower peak brightness, taper viewing angles, and less contrast than AMOLED panels. Pixel density is bearable for everyday labour but makes fine detail and small fonts appear softer.

Practical impressions

  • Good for perusal messages and browsing web pages.
  • Not ideal for HDR video or drench color-critical work.
  • Use a case: the pliable rear is scratch-prone, and the screen lacks premium glass protection.

Performance 

Hardware limitations in plain terms


The Snapdragon 439 + 1–2 GB RAM combo is Maximized for low-power, low-cost devices. In computational terms, it has fewer CPU threads, slower single-thread throughput, and contrived RAM headroom for background procedure which translates to slower app launches, more frequent app reloads, and limited multitasking.

Real-world checklist :

  • App launch time: open WhatsApp, Chrome, and Instagram and record launch suspense.
  • Tab handling: open 5–8 browser tabs and switch; note reload frequency.
  • Background retention: leave a music app + messaging app in background for 30 minutes; return and observe reloads.
  • Light gaming: run a 2D game and a 3D relaxed title to gauge frame drops and thermal rise.

Expected outcomes

  • Light apps and web browsing: usable but not snappy.
  • Chrome with many tabs and heavy web pages: performance demand quickly.
  • 3D games: only lightweight titles will be playable with decreased settings.
  • Thermal profile: device reheats under prolonged load but is not designed for heavy experience compute.

Optimization tips

  • Reduce background apps, disable startup apps, and use “lite” versions of apps where available.
  • Move media and photos to microSD, but avoid adoptable storage for heavy app use.
  • Use a slight launcher (stock One UI Core) and avoid heavy customizations.
Samsung Galaxy A01
Samsung Galaxy A01 outline infographic highlighting key specs, design, battery, and camera features a simple ultra-budget smartphone for everyday use.

Cameras  

Camera hardware summary
Basic dual-camera: 13 MP main sensor, 2 MP drop sensor for portrayal blurring. Front: 5 MP. The system spotlight simple point-and-shoot use; advanced computational photography features (multi-frame noise reduction, sophisticated night modes, RAW capture) are restricted or absent.

Testing checklist (repeatable tests)

  1. Daylight wide, straightforward, evenly lit scene. Capture JPEGs, check detail and color.
  2. Backlit / high contrast  subject with bright background to assess spirited range.
  3. Close-up / macro  1:1 framing to test focus correctness and depth sensor separation.
  4. Portrait mode  subject separation and edge detection.
  5. Low-light  indoor evening shots, handheld and tripod variations.
  6. Video  record 1080p (if available), note variation and rolling exposure.
  7. Selfie  daylight and low-light checks for skin tone and noise.

Common practical findings

  • Daylight photos: acceptable for social sharing; moderate detachment and slightly muted color.
  • Low-light: noise increases; fine detail lost. Use flash or avoid weighty cropping.
  • Portrait blurs: operative on simple backgrounds; edge artifacts possible.
  • Video: typically limited  alteration and modest bitrate; good for casual clips.

Practical camera tips

  • Take the superiority of bright daylight; it’s where the A01 performs best.
  • Avoid heavy cropping; shoot at highest resolve and frame composition tighter at capture time.
  • Use HDR/backlight recompense (if available) to improve dynamic range in mixed lighting.

Battery & charging 

Battery baseline


3000 mAh is small compared to modern devices but paired with a modest SoC and a low-resolution display it transcribes to reasonable runtime for light users.

Reproducible tests

  • Video loop test: Play a local 720p video at 50% brightness and Wi-Fi on until battery reaches 10%  record screen-on time (SOT).
  • Mixed-use day simulation: Push email, social apps, navigation for 30 minutes, camera tests, and moderate browsing to capture real SOT.
  • Charge rate measurement: Measure time from 0–100% with included 5W charger.

Expected results

  • Light usage: a single day of use is likely.
  • Mixed/heavy usage: SOT may be 3–5 hours depending on activity.
  • Charging: slow  5W extract hours to reach full charge.

Tips to extend battery life

  • Reduce screen  lightness and timeout.
  • Turn off push refresh for non-essential apps.
  • Use airplane mode in poor-signal areas to avoid radio drain.
  • Carry a small power bank for lengthen outings.

Software & updates 

OS history


Launched on Android 10 with One UI Core. Some SKUs received gradational updates depending on region/carrier. As an older budget phone, it receives fewer major updates than flagship devices.

Longevity constraints

  • 1–2 GB RAM constraints accelerate antiquation as app memory demands rise.
  • Security updates may stop earlier than for mid-range and flagship devices.

Maintenance tips

  • Regularly clear cache and uninstall unused apps.
  • Use lightweight replacement (e.g., Facebook Lite, Gmail app with sync limits).
  • If security updates cease and you are technically skilled, consider vetted community ROMs  only after corroborate compatibility and security implications.

Connections & sensors

Cellular & radios

  • 4G LTE only (no 5G). Band support extended by SKU, important if you travel or need carrier compatibility.

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth

  • Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2  fine for universal use but lacks newer Wi-Fi 5/6 and BT 5.x efficiencies.

GPS & location

  • Standard A-GPS/GLONASS; location lock times are acceptable but not immediate like high-end GNSS modules.

NFC

  • Rare on global A01 SKUs; present only on undeniable regional variants.

Ports

  • Micro-USB (common) and 3.5 mm headphone jack (present in many SKUs). Micro-USB is more prone to wear than USB-C.

Repairability & warranty 

Repairability

  • Plastic establishment makes some repairs straightforward (back cover removal), but display modules and OEM batteries may be less common and thus costly to source as the model ages. Authorized service centers are advocates for warranty-preserving repairs.

Common faults reported

  • Storage fills quickly produce app instability.
  • Micro-USB port wear or looseness over time.
  • Speaker or mic issues after drops or water exposure.
  • Battery abasement in used units.

Warranty

  • Standard Samsung regional guarantee applies; terms differ by country and seller. Buy from countenance  channels if warranty matters.

Pre-purchase checklist for used units

  • Confirm RAM/storage configuration.
  • Test charging port and headphone jack.
  • Check camera function and porous connectivity.
  • Inspect water damage indicators and screen for dead pixels or burn-in.

Buying advice 

New vs used

  • New: Guarantees warranty, fresh battery, and known condition. For buyers valuing reliability and support, pay a small instalment for new stock.
  • Used / refurbished: Best value for the cash-strapped customer; check battery health and physical condition.

Carrier-locked vs unlocked

  • Unlocked: Best for travel and switching SIMs.
  • Carrier-locked: May come with band/carrier-specific microcodes and limited update cadence.

Price context

  • Launched near $100–$120 in many markets. As an older model, used prices have dropped in contrast  to slightly newer budget models for value. Small escalation in spend can yield material gains (battery, RAM, camera).

Where to buy

  • Official Samsung stores, Major Discounter (Amazon, Walmart), and reputable local resellers. For Pakistan/Egypt/UAE buyers, check local Samsung regional stores and large e-commerce platforms for SKU similarity and warranty.

What to check before buying 

  • SKU band compatibility; RAM/storage; charger + cable; warranty or reinstate policy; practical camera/mic/charging port.

Samsung Galaxy A01 Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Very affordable  Great value for budget-conscious purchaser
  • Compact and lightweight  Easy to use one-handed
  • Expandable storage  microSD support up to 512 GB
  • Basic everyday use  Handles calls, messaging, social apps, and light browsing
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack  Convenient for troubled audio
  • Samsung brand reliability  Familiar One UI interface

Cons

  • Modest performance  Snapdragon 439 with 1–2 GB RAM limits speed
  • Small battery  3000 mAh disturbance under heavy use
  • Low-res display  720p with basic TFT panel
  • Basic cameras  Limited low-light performance and detail
  • Slow charging  5W via Micro-USB
  • Outdated connectivity  No 5G or modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth pendant 

FAQs 

Q1: Is the Samsung Galaxy A01 still worth buying in 2026?

A1: It’s only worth buying in 2026 if you need a very low-cost phone, a backup device, or a basic handset for calls and messaging. Better alternatives exist in the sub-$150 bracket offering more RAM, larger batteries, and newer Android builds. If warranty and brand are important, check current retail availability and price-to-feature trade-offs.

Q2: Does the Galaxy A01 get Android updates?

A2: The A01 launched on Android 10 with One UI Core. Update availability varied by region and carrier; some SKUs received later Android releases while others stopped at vendor security patches. Before buying, verify your specific SKU’s update history on Samsung’s regional support pages.

Q3: Can I expand storage on the A01?

A3: Yes  most A01 variants support microSD cards (up to 512 GB per official specs). For performance, store media on the microSD but avoid moving critical apps there unless you accept slower app I/O.

Q4: Is there a fingerprint sensor?

A4: Most A01 SKUs do not include a fingerprint sensor. Some firmware versions offer basic face-unlock via front camera, but that is less secure than biometric sensors.

Q5: Which charger does it use?

A5: Most SKUs use Micro-USB and ship with a 5W charger. Charging is slow by modern standards; faster charging is not typical for this model.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A01 was Delineated to do one thing well: offer the lowest-cost entry into the Samsung smartphone biosphere. Even years after its release, it still makes sense for very light userspeople who mainly call, text, use WhatsApp, browse sometimes, or need a backup or secondary phone.However, its limited RAM, slow performance, basic cameras, small battery, and outdated charging standard mean it’s not suitable for demanding users in 2026. Apps are heavier, software requisites are higher, and better-value statement  phones now exist at slightly higher prices.

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