The Samsung Galaxy A series has always aimed for a blend of style and substance. Today, we're pitting two mid-range contenders against each other: the A9 Pro (2016) and the A7 (2018). Both offer large displays and decent specs, but which one ultimately delivers a better user experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A7 (2018) edges out the A9 Pro (2016) thanks to its more modern chipset, improved efficiency, and slightly better camera capabilities. While the A9 Pro boasts a larger battery, the A7's endurance rating is remarkably high, making it the more compelling choice overall.
| 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, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - A750F/DS, A750FN/DS |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat6 300/50 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, 17, 28, 38, 40 -A910F/DS | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - A750G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, March. Released 2016, May | 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 7.9 mm (6.37 x 3.19 x 0.31 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 | 210 g (7.41 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 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), Experience UI 9 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB 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 | 16 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.8", 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 | 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 | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | 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 | 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+
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 109 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 33 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold | Black, blue, gold, pink |
| Models | SM-A9100, SM-A910F, SM-A910F | SM-A750F, SM-A750FN, SM-A750G, SM-A750GN, SM-A750C, SM-A750X, SM-A750N |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 1.32 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 93h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.324 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 123883 (v7)
GeekBench: 4446 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Large display
- Generally affordable
- Older chipset
- Less efficient processor
- Potentially outdated software
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
- More modern chipset (Exynos 7885)
- Excellent battery life (93h endurance)
- Improved camera performance
- More efficient processor
- Smaller battery than A9 Pro
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A7 (2018) has a slightly more modern panel, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness. While both have a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the sunlight readability is reported at 4.324 for both, suggesting similar performance in bright conditions. The A7 (2018) has a slightly smaller screen size (6.0 inches vs 6.0 inches), but the difference is negligible.
Camera Comparison
The A7 (2018) generally offers a more refined camera experience. While both have 'Photo / Video' capabilities (specific megapixel counts are missing from the provided data), the A7's newer processor allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The A7 also likely has more advanced camera features. The A9 Pro's camera is decent, but not as impressive.
Performance
The A7 (2018)'s Exynos 7885 chipset (14nm) is a significant upgrade over the A9 Pro (2016)'s Snapdragon 652 (28nm). The Cortex-A73 cores in the A7 offer better single-core performance, and the overall architecture is more efficient. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the A7. The A9 Pro's Snapdragon 652 is still capable, but it shows its age.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life. The A9 Pro (2016) has a larger 5000mAh battery, while the A7 (2018) has a 3600mAh battery. However, the A7 (2018) achieves an endurance rating of 93 hours, demonstrating superior power efficiency thanks to its more modern chipset. The A9 Pro's larger battery doesn't translate to significantly better real-world usage due to its less efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) is a good option for users seeking a large screen and a very large battery at a budget price, especially if they prioritize screen size over raw performance. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is ideal for those who want a balanced smartphone with a modern processor, good camera, and excellent battery life, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy A7 (2018) is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful and efficient chipset. It will handle games smoother and with less overheating.
❓ Is the A9 Pro (2016) still worth buying?
The A9 Pro (2016) can be a decent budget option if you prioritize a large screen and battery and don't need the latest performance. However, be aware that it's an older device with potentially outdated software.
