I have a strong appreciation for Samsung phones. If I had to rely solely on a Galaxy device for the rest of my life, I’d likely be content.
However, what I find unacceptable are lackluster ‘upgrades’ that worsen the user experience. Regardless of the global RAM shortage, this is simply not justifiable.
This is precisely what Samsung offers with the Galaxy A27, their latest attempt at an affordable phone. Although it might be considered a budget phone, its increased price makes it less accessible in that category.
When compared to the top mid-range phones, it falls short and I struggle to recommend it to anyone.
Some useful upgrades – but nothing major
Let’s first consider the actual improvements the Galaxy A27 has over last year’s Galaxy A26.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset is a notable upgrade from the Exynos 1380. With its advanced 4nm process, it promises better performance in daily tasks, responsiveness, and gaming capabilities.
The use of LPDDR5 RAM also stands out, delivering faster data rates and better power efficiency than the LPDDR4X in the Galaxy A26. This could mean an improvement in battery life, even though the device retains the same 5000mAh battery.
The A27 also replaces the teardrop notch with a punch hole for the selfie camera, giving it a more modern appearance, despite the bezels remaining unchanged.
Samsung
Both devices run One UI 8.5, but the Galaxy A27 adds DeX support, a Samsung feature that turns your phone into a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor. Although it doesn’t replace Windows or macOS, it offers enhanced productivity, especially for those on the go.
These developments are welcome, but they hardly justify a new phone. Unfortunately, the negatives continue to accumulate.
A worse buy than the Galaxy A26…
Despite my hopes, the Galaxy A27’s downgrades are glaring.
The reduction in water resistance is particularly disappointing. The A26 boasted an IP67 rating, making it safe for submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater, but the A27 only has an IP64 rating. This means it can only withstand splashes, posing a risk if dropped in water.
I really wanted to like the Galaxy A27, but Samsung’s downgrades are impossible to ignore
This change isn’t due to the updated design—many flagship phones have punch-hole selfie cameras and still maintain an IP68 rating. The materials of the phone remain the same, so the reasoning behind this downgrade is unclear.
Additionally, the selfie camera resolution has been reduced from 13Mp to 12Mp. While megapixels aren’t everything, expect a minor decline in selfie quality.
Samsung
It’s not just the selfie camera. The ultrawide lens resolution has decreased from 8Mp to 5Mp, solidifying its status as a less useful feature. It pairs with an unchanged 2Mp macro lens, which has rarely proven valuable on smartphones.
Furthermore, the A27 is slightly thicker at 7.8mm, and Bluetooth has been downgraded from version 5.3 to 5.1. These changes might not be noticeable, but their necessity is questionable.
…but still more expensive
Despite the perplexing downgrades, Samsung has increased the price of the Galaxy A27. At £319/$349, it costs £20/$50 more than its predecessor. Although some price hikes were anticipated due to the global RAM shortage, the phone’s value for money is questionable.
This situation offers the worst of both worlds: a phone that is inferior in key aspects and more expensive. Though it hasn’t been reviewed by Tech Advisor yet, it’s hard to imagine it being worth the purchase when it becomes available on 3 July in the UK and 14 July in the US.
Alternatives aren’t in short supply
If the Galaxy A27 was a top contender in its pricing category, these lackluster updates might be more forgivable. But it isn’t.
Consulting our guide to the best mid-range phones, the Nothing Phone (4a) is priced at £379, £50 more than the A27, but it likely offers a superior experience overall. For a more affordable option, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a solid choice at £299.
Neither of these phones are available in the US, but the Pixel 9a from last year remains a preferable choice over the A27. Substantial recent discounts have kept its price around the same £319/$349 mark.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Unless the Galaxy A27 unexpectedly impresses in practice, I would advise exploring other options. In a time of minimal upgrades and rising prices, Samsung’s latest release is particularly disappointing.
