Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy A6+ (2018) advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy A6+ (2018) features a sleek and stylish design with dimensions measuring 160.2 x 75.7 x 7.9 mm and weighing 186 grams. The device is crafted with a glass front and an aluminum back and frame, offering both durability and a premium feel in hand. It is available in several color options including Black, Gold, Blue, and Lavender, catering to a wide range of aesthetic preferences. The phone can be configured with either a single SIM or dual SIM setup, utilizing Nano-SIM technology with dual stand-by. This makes it a versatile choice for users who need separate numbers for personal and business use.

Display Quality

One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy A6+ (2018) is its 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display, which offers vivid colors and remarkable clarity. The screen occupies approximately 75.3% of the body, presenting a beautiful viewing experience with a resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. This corresponds to an impressive pixel density of around 411 ppi, ensuring texts, images, and videos are displayed with sharp detail. Whether you are watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web, the display performance is reliable and pleasant to the eyes.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy A6+ (2018) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset built on a 14 nm process. It has an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz and an Adreno 506 GPU, delivering satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks and moderate gaming. The device is offered in multiple configurations with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM and internal storage options of 32GB or 64GB. Moreover, it supports storage expansion via a dedicated microSDXC slot, providing users with ample space for apps, photos, and other media.

Camera Capabilities

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the dual-camera system on the rear, composed of a 16 MP wide lens with an f/1.7 aperture and a 5 MP depth sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. This combination facilitates capturing impressive images with natural depth effects, while features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR enhance the shooting experience. For video recording, the device supports 1080p at 30fps. The front-facing camera is a striking 24 MP with an f/1.9 aperture, equipped with an LED flash for producing high-quality selfies, even in low-light environments. It supports 1080p video recording with HDR functionality as well, making it perfect for vlogs and video calls.

Battery Life

Fueling the Galaxy A6+ (2018) is a non-removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh battery. This considerable battery capacity ensures extended usage times, with Samsung rating up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G networks and up to 60 hours of music play. Users can expect a commendable endurance rating of up to 106 hours based on moderate use patterns. Although it does not support fast charging, the longevity it offers can comfortably endure a full day without requiring a recharge.

Software and UI

Originally shipped with Android 8.0 (Oreo), the device is upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), with Samsung's One UI overlay enhancing the user experience. One UI is known for its intuitive and user-friendly design, streamlining interactions through features such as one-handed usage adaptations and system-wide dark mode options.

Network and Connectivity

The Galaxy A6+ (2018) supports a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE. It offers fast data transfer speeds with LTE (2CA) Cat6 providing 300/50 Mbps, ensuring seamless internet browsing and streaming. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct. Bluetooth 4.2 facilitates pairing with a variety of devices, while GPS, GLONASS, and BDS support precise location tracking. NFC is optional depending on the model variant, and a microUSB 2.0 port is used for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features

The device boasts a solid set of sensors including a fingerprint scanner mounted on the rear, an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. It also accommodates a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, appealing to users who prefer wired audio solutions. Speaker quality is robust, rated at 76dB for voice, 73dB for noise, and 81dB for ring tones. For audio quality, its measurements indicate a noise level of -89.7dB and crosstalk of -91.7dB, ensuring clear sound reproduction.

Availability and Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy A6+ (2018) was announced and released in May 2018. The range of models includes SM-A605FN, SM-A605G, SM-A605F, among others, catering to various market demands worldwide. At launch, it was priced at approximately 230 EUR, representing a competitive mid-range option for users seeking a balanced performance and feature-rich smartphone.