The Samsung Galaxy A series has always been known for its sleek designs and mid-range capabilities. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the Galaxy A9 (2016) and the Galaxy A7 (2018). Which phone offers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A7 (2018) edges out the A9 (2016) thanks to its slightly more modern chipset, improved sunlight visibility on the display, and a more refined design. While the A9 boasts incredible battery life, the A7's overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A750F/DS, A750FN/DS |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - A750F/DS, A750FN/DS |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - A750G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, December. Released 2016, January | 2018, September 20. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 80.9 x 7.4 mm (6.37 x 3.19 x 0.29 in) | 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~75.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | Mali-G71 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | - |
| Triple | - | 24 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide) | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Midnight Black, Champagne Gold, Pink | Black, blue, gold, pink |
| Models | SM-A900F, SM-A9000 | SM-A750F, SM-A750FN, SM-A750G, SM-A750GN, SM-A750C, SM-A750X, SM-A750N |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.18 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 103h
|
Endurance rating 93h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.817 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.324 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 65dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1529Basemark X: 15290 |
AnTuTu: 123883 (v7)
GeekBench: 4446 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016)
- Exceptional battery life
- Large display
- Sleek design
- Older chipset
- Slightly lower performance
- Sunlight visibility could be better
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
- More modern chipset (Exynos 7885)
- Improved performance
- Better sunlight visibility
- Refined design
- Slightly shorter battery life than A9
- Smaller display compared to A9
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A7 (2018) has a slightly better sunlight readability score (4.324 vs 3.817), indicating improved visibility outdoors. The A9 (2016) has a larger screen size (6.0 inches vs 5.7 inches), which some users may prefer for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable cameras, but the A7 (2018) generally produces slightly better images, especially in low-light conditions. The A7 also benefits from more modern image processing algorithms. While specific camera specs are not provided, the A7's newer hardware typically results in superior image quality.
Performance
The A7 (2018) utilizes the Exynos 7885, a more modern and efficient chipset compared to the A9 (2016)'s Snapdragon 652. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and generally better overall performance. The A7's CPU architecture (Cortex-A73 cores) also contributes to improved performance.
Battery Life
The A9 (2016) holds a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 103 hours compared to the A7 (2018)'s 93 hours. This means the A9 can easily last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) is a good buy for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a large display on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is ideal for those seeking a more balanced experience with a slightly faster processor and a more contemporary design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy A7 (2018) is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful Exynos 7885 chipset.
❓ Is the Galaxy A9 (2016) still worth buying?
If you prioritize battery life above all else and can find it at a very low price, the A9 (2016) can still be a decent option. However, the A7 (2018) offers a more well-rounded experience.
