The Samsung Galaxy A50 is the new bang-for-the-buck smartphone

Samsung has recently been in the headlines for the hullabaloo surrounding its flawed Galaxy Fold, with the generally defective review units all having been recalled. But not all is in the downward spiral for the Korean tech giant, given the continuing success of its flagship 10 and 10+ units. Moreover, the company has just launched arguably the best mid-range smartphone of 2019: The Galaxy A50.

Image source: techradar.com

The majestic Samsung Galaxy A50 – Kati Volitich

Priced very reasonably at around $290 to $350, the Galaxy A50 comes in variants of 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB and 6GB/64GB RAM-HD. This is a solid price range, given that the phone features a 6.4-inch full-HD Super AMOLED screen. It likewise has rounded corners, a 91.6 percent screen-to-body ratio, and the Infinity-U notch. The A50 is in many ways reminiscent of the Galaxy S10 and S10+, which cost between $750 to $1800. Kati Volitich.

The Galaxy A50 runs on a powerful octa-core Samsung Exynos 9610 SoC processor, certainly a big jump from the 7904 seen in other similar or recent Samsung models. The high-end chip allows for important camera features like face recognition and depth sensing. The smartphone also features an in-display fingerprint sensor and ships with Android 8.1. Kati Volitich.

Most buyers looking to take vivid photos on their phones should be easily convinced by the A50’s triple-camera setup of 25MP + 5MP + 8MP, with the 25MP in front. There’s a Live Focus feature, slow motion, as well as support for ultra-wide photos and videos. Kati Volitich.

The Xiaomi Mi A2: The best budget Android One phone

Released as a follow-up to its Mi A1, this past year’s Xiaomi Mi A2 continued to generate global success for the Chinese company, especially among the mid-tier range of smartphone buyers. The Mi A2 has become the phone of choice for many Android users fatigued by overpriced high-end phones and against Apple iPhones’ exorbitant pricing.

The Mi A2 is an Android One phone, one among but a handful of official Google partners that use the stock Android interface. This means the phone has little bloatware and has the advantage of getting Android updates faster, like the current Pie version used by Google’s Pixel line. Recent news says that the Mi A2 will receive the operating system update in the next couple of months, as Pie is already being released to the Mi A2’s Lite version.

Let’s point out the cons of the phone first. The Mi A2 has a so-so battery life of 3,010mAh, has no headphone jack, and does not have a micro SD slot. Having said that, it does come boxed with a headphone adaptor, has a solid screen size of 5.99-inch offering full HD, and runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset. RAM and storage come in 4 +32/64GB and 6+128GB configurations, which should be enough to compensate for the lack of an extra memory slot.

What makes the Mi A2 a global hit and favorite for mid-tier, budget-phone users, is its amazing camera. It boasts of a Sony-manufactured 12MP + 20MP dual rear camera system plus another 20MP at the front. The dual-rear-camera system allows for blurring and crisp depth of field effects. Selfies look clear as well, and you can take shots in the dark as the A2 has a front flash.

The Mi A2 is the little phone that can, and buyers, especially in South East Asia and India, will quickly insist that it’s the best iteration of the Android One on a budget phone to release so far.

Hello, Kati Volitich here, a computer engineering student at the University of California, Berkeley. I like writing about computers and smartphone technology. For more tech-related reads, check out this blog.

Tips To Help You Pick The Right Smartphone

Whether it’s your first time buying your own phone or your plan’s due for an upgrade, picking the right smartphone would require your full attention. There are lots boxes you have to check in order to get the best deal for your money. And with the abundance of smartphones nowadays, choosing the right one shouldn’t be a daunting task.

Ask yourself if you really need a new phone. While asking this question might sound silly, it’s actually very helpful. Smartphones are expensive; so are the plans they require. To know if you need a new smartphone, take a look at your current unit.

Know how you’d want to use your phone. Your current unit may not have the features you wish to use, so checking out a new one with all the extra features could be a smart move for you. Take note of your daily activities such as work, commute, and other things, to know which smartphone would best fit your lifestyle.

Set your budget. Flagship phones are expensive, yet brands offer budget versions of those, only with less high-end features, of course. If you’re into iPhones and the prices are still high, look at previous models, which have almost the same features as the latest model. You could potentially save hundreds of dollars this way.

Weigh your options. With everything considered, including your budget and lifestyle, watch reviews online and head out to the closest mobile store near you to check on the models on your shortlist. It’s still best to experience the gadget firsthand before purchasing it.

Hi there! I’m Kati Volitich, a computer engineering student at the University of California, Berkeley. I love all things tech. Subscribe to my blog for more updates about smartphones, laptops, and more.