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Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 (2017) specs and redesign: 7 new features to expect

By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Dec 20, 2016, 3:21 AM

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Upcoming Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 (2017) pose for a family photo

Last year around this time, Samsung introduced the 2016 crop of its A-series phones, and, judging from the influx of leaks and rumors, the Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 (2017) may be announced this month, too. The phones are in for a pretty major redesign, it seems, and Samsung will also be bringing features that will be ubiquitous for 2017, like the USB-C port, in order to futureproof the handsets at least until next Christmas. Let's run a quick primer what specs can we expect from each phone in the trio, based on the current leaks, and then we will list all the new features that they seemingly share.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

This is the baby in the A family, which already got its Wi-Fi certification, and has been featured in benchmarks lately, so the launch date isn't far away. It is said to come with a 4.7" HD panel, Exynos 7870 or a midrange Snapdragon processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 12 MP rear, and an 8 MP front-facing cameras - that's all we've heard so far, apart from a fresh tip for a 3000 mAh battery capacity.

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)

The middle of the A road is usually a pretty well-rounded handset that scores a fine value for the money, and the rumored A5 (2017) isn't far away from that tradition, at least in terms of specs. The phone is expected to sport a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED full HD (1080p) display. On the inside, the smartphone might pack an Exynos 7880 chipset, 3 GB of RAM and 32 gigs of storage, as well as 3300 mAh battery. This one is expected to launch in several colors, one of which seems to be the new and shinier Pearl Black of Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)

This is the leader of the A-pack, and it shows in the rumored specs chosen for the handset. The new A7 is expected to sport a 5.7" 1080p Super AMOLED display, which would make it larger than the 5.5-inch A7 (2016). That added bulk may have gone into the battery pack, as the A7 (2017) will apparently come with a 3500 mAh or 3600 mAh juicer now, depending on the rumor source.

The phone is expected to be powered by an Exynos 7880, and have 3 GB RAM, as well as 32 GB/64 GB storage plus memory card slot for its expansion. Both the front and rear cameras were tipped to be with 16 MP resolution, though the main shooter would come with wide f/1.9 aperture.

A finger scanner and USB-C port are par for the course on a phone marked with 2017 in its name, but the most intriguing part of the whole setup, save for the high-res selfie snapper, is that the Galaxy A7 (2017) may sport IP68 certification, marking a first for the A-series of Samsung phones.

Prices and release date

With the purported specs out of the day, there are a couple of underlying design trends and common features that the 2017 edition of the A-series may sport, if we look at the image leaks and feature rumors, which you can preview in the slideshow below. Last year, the A3, A5 and A7 (2016), were announced on December 2, and released January 8, so we can reasonably expect Samsung to announce the 2017 crop by the end of this or next week, with a release by mid-January. As for the price tag, the eventual move from metal to a glass chassis might stick a premium, though historically the A7 has been hovering around the $499 at launch, followed by the A5 at $399, and the A3 at $329, so that might be the yardstick for next year's crop as well.

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.