Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro Comprehensive Review with Specs Prices and Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro, released in July 2016, offered a blend of affordability and essential smartphone functionality. Despite its discontinuation, the device remains a point of reference for budget smartphones from the mid-2010s. Known for its simple design, decent performance, and budget-friendly price, the Galaxy On5 Pro was a practical choice for users seeking basic smartphone features without the high cost associated with premium phones.

Design and Build

The Galaxy On5 Pro features a straightforward and utilitarian design. With dimensions of 142.3 x 72.1 x 8.5 mm and a weight of 149 grams, it is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The phone is constructed with plastic, a common material choice for budget-friendly phones, offering durability at an affordable price. The Galaxy On5 Pro is available in classic black and white colors, which are both versatile and appealing to a wide range of users.

Display

The device sports a 5.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi. While not as vibrant as AMOLED displays, the TFT screen provides adequate brightness and color accuracy for everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, and media consumption. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 67.2%, which is typical for phones of that era, offering no-frills screen real estate for its users.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy On5 Pro is powered by the Exynos 3475 Quad chipset paired with a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-T720 GPU. This hardware configuration, combined with 2GB of RAM, enables the phone to handle basic tasks and apps efficiently. Running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the phone offers a smooth and user-friendly interface with access to a wide array of apps via the Google Play Store.

Storage and Memory

The Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro comes with 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDXC card thanks to its dedicated slot. This feature is particularly useful for users who require additional space for photos, apps, and media files. The 16GB of storage is adequate for typical usage but will require users to manage storage carefully, especially if they are avid app users or photographers.

Camera

Main Camera

The main camera setup includes an 8 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus capabilities, supported by an LED flash. This configuration allows for decent photo quality in good lighting conditions, capturing images with fair detail and color accuracy. The camera is also capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps, offering reasonable video quality for social media sharing and personal use.

Selfie Camera

The 5 MP front-facing camera shares the same aperture of f/2.2 and is designed for capturing selfies and conducting video calls. While it does not offer the high resolution found in modern devices, it serves as an adequate tool for casual photography and video chatting.

Battery Life

One of the practical features of the Galaxy On5 Pro is its removable 2600 mAh Li-Ion battery. This provides enough power to get through a day of moderate usage, including calls, messaging, and browsing. The removable nature of the battery offers the convenience of swapping it out with a spare, extending the phone's life further on days when charging might not be feasible.

Connectivity Options

The phone supports a range of connectivity options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring good coverage and high-speed internet access. Users can benefit from dual SIM functionality, allowing for the management of two separate numbers or networks. WLAN connectivity is supported via Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.1 facilitates peripheral connections and file transfers. However, the absence of NFC limits contactless payment options.

Additional Features

On the audio front, the Galaxy On5 Pro is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it compatible with most earphones and speakers. For radio enthusiasts, the FM radio feature remains a valuable inclusion. In terms of sensors, the device includes an accelerometer and proximity sensor, adding basic functionality for motion and user-nearness detection.

Market Position and Pricing

At its release, the Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro was priced at approximately 120 EUR, positioning it firmly within the budget segment of the smartphone market. Despite its discontinuation, the device's release highlights Samsung’s strategy at the time to provide accessible smartphones that balance cost and functionality, appealing to a wide consumer base looking for reliable communication tools without excessive expenditure.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro delivered a solid smartphone experience for users focused on essential features and affordability. With its modest hardware specifications, practical design, and core functionality, the Galaxy On5 Pro met the needs of budget-conscious consumers. Even years after its discontinuation, the device serves as a testament to Samsung's ability to offer value in the wallet-friendly smartphone category.