PhoneLifespan

Samsung Galaxy A05

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$80
used/refurbished market price
$120 at launch

How long will it last?

Official promise

Supported until October 2027 · Buy-by October 2025

488
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2023◆ Buy-by Oct 20252027

Samsung promises 4 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until October 2027 — buying it today still gets you about 1.3 years of safe use.

Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$4.98/month

26% cheaper than the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

The cheapest current-generation Galaxy, trading speed for a long support runway.

Pros

  • Two OS upgrades plus four years of security through 2027
  • Large 5000mAh battery with sensible 25W charging
  • 50MP main camera is decent in good light

Cons

  • Only a 720p 60Hz screen, noticeably less sharp than the A05s
  • Helio G85 is entry-level and shows it under load
Best for: Absolute-minimum spenders who still want years of patchesBest for: Light users who mostly call, message and browseAvoid if: You want a high-resolution or high-refresh displayAvoid if: You play demanding games

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.7-inch PLS LCD, 720x1600 (HD+), 60Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetMediaTek Helio G85
RAM4GB / 6GB
Storage64GB / 128GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main50MP
macro2MP
front8MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery5,000 mAh
Charging25W wired
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions168.8 × 78.2 × 8.8 mm
Weight195 g
Materialsplastic frame and back
Water resistanceNone
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 13 with One UI Core 5.1 at launch
Connectivity4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB-C, 3.5mm jack
Update policy2 OS upgrades · 4 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the Galaxy A05 get updates?

Samsung promised the A05 two OS upgrades and four years of security updates, putting its security end-of-support around October 2027. For a phone this cheap, that is an unusually long support window.

What is the difference between the A05 and A05s?

The A05 uses a lower 720p 60Hz screen and the Helio G85 chip, while the pricier A05s steps up to a sharper 1080p 90Hz panel and the faster Snapdragon 680. Both share the same 4-year security commitment.

Is the Galaxy A05 good in 2026?

It is fine for basic use and still patched, but the low-resolution screen and modest chip mean it feels slow next to even the A05s. Buy it only if price is the deciding factor.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.