Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy E5 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy E5, released in early 2015, boasts a sleek and stylish design that was typical of Samsung's mid-range smartphones of its time. With dimensions of 141.6 x 70.2 x 7.3 mm and a lightweight build of 140 g, it provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip. The device features a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, ensuring some level of durability against scratches and minor impacts. The plastic back and frame maintain a budget-friendly construction without compromising on the overall aesthetic appeal. Available color options included Black, White, and Brown, allowing users to choose according to their personal preference.

Display

The display aspect of the Galaxy E5 is one of its strong suits. Equipped with a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED screen, it provides vibrant color reproduction and deep contrast ratios, enhancing the visual experience. The screen resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels delivers a decent pixel density of approximately 294 ppi, which, although not the sharpest, was adequate for general multimedia consumption and everyday use. The screen-to-body ratio is about 69.3%, offering a reasonably sized display area for its price range.

Performance and Hardware

The Galaxy E5 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset, featuring a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This configuration, coupled with an Adreno 306 GPU, provided satisfactory performance for basic tasks and light app usage at the time of its release. The device was equipped with 1.5GB of RAM, which, while limited by today's standards, was manageable for its era. Multitasking capabilities were somewhat restricted, but the smartphone could handle day-to-day apps without considerable lag.

Internal storage stands at 16GB, which was fairly standard for mid-range devices back then. Users also had the option to expand storage via a microSDXC card, using a shared SIM slot, to accommodate additional apps, media, and files.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy E5 features an 8 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/2.2 and autofocus capability. The camera setup also includes an LED flash for better low-light photography and supports features such as panorama. Video recording on the primary camera allows for a 1080p resolution at 30fps, providing decent clarity for video capture. On the front, the device sports a 5 MP selfie camera, also with an f/2.2 aperture, which was suitable for social media usage and video calls, albeit with the limitations in low-light scenarios.

Battery Life

The non-removable Li-Ion 2400 mAh battery in the Galaxy E5 was designed to deliver adequate endurance for a single day's use. Considering the efficient power consumption of the Snapdragon 410 processor and the power-efficient Super AMOLED display, this capacity was typically sufficient for moderate usage, including calls, messaging, and occasional multimedia consumption. However, heavy usage might require a mid-day recharge, especially if multiple apps were running in the background.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the Galaxy E5 came with Samsung's TouchWiz UI. This interface offered a range of features such as customizable home screens, a variety of widgets, and Samsung-specific apps that enhanced user experience. Though KitKat was a capable operating system during its time, users today might find it lacks some of the advanced features and optimizations present in later Android versions.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The connectivity options on the Galaxy E5 include support for GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring compatibility with a range of carriers worldwide. The device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, and GPS with GLONASS for location tracking. It also includes an FM radio and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio. However, the device lacks NFC capabilities, which might be a drawback for users accustomed to mobile payment systems.

Sensors on the device include an accelerometer and proximity sensor, providing basic functionality for app interactions and power conservation.

Market Position and Pricing

At its launch, the Samsung Galaxy E5 was priced approximately at 200 EUR, placing it firmly within the budget to mid-range category. It was aimed at users looking for a reliable and stylish smartphone without the need for high-end specifications. The combination of its features, design, and brand reputation made it a competitive choice within its segment.

The Galaxy E5 models came in several variations, identified by model numbers including SM-E500F, SM-E500H, SM-E500HQ, SM-E500M, and SM-E500YZ, each potentially catering to different markets or having slight variances in bands or functionality.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy E5 encapsulated many of the elements that made Samsung a popular choice among smartphone users. Its blend of reasonable performance, stylish design, and Super AMOLED display made it a compelling option for those needing a dependable daily driver without venturing into high-tier pricing. While advancements in technology have since surpassed many of its features, the Galaxy E5 remains a noteworthy example of mid-2010s smartphone design and functionality.