Samsung SM-A500 may have a full metal body and a 5-inch display

posted by Florin T. / Sep 08, 2014, 2:53 PM

Samsung SM-A500 may have a full metal body and a 5-inch display

The Samsung SM-A500 is expected to be part of a brand new series of metal-made smartphones - which, for the moment, includes only the Galaxy Alpha. Earlier this month, we told you that the SM-A500 would sport a 4.8-inch 720p display, but it seems that this may not be the case.

According to SamMobile, the SM-A500 is larger than we thought, featuring a 5-inch screen (with the same 720 x 1280 pixel resolution). More interestingly, it’s said that the SM-A500 may have a full-metal body - including the back cover, which reportedly isn’t removable.

As you may know, the Galaxy Alpha (seen above) isn’t completely made out of metal, as its rear cover still uses plastic. So the A500 could have a more premium feel.

Despite of what we previously heard, SamMobile says that the Samsung SM-A500 won’t be powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon 410 processor, instead using a Snapdragon 400 chipset (which seems to be the chipset of choice for lots of mid-range smartphones nowadays). Other features should include a 5 MP front-facing camera, 8 MP rear camera, 16 GB of internal memory, microSD card support, and a 2330 mAh battery.

All in all, we're really curious to see what this Samsung SM-A500 will look like. Are you?

source: SamMobile

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44 Comments

1. hellonerds

Posts: 334; Member since: Aug 27, 2013

Whats next? Note 4/edge full metal?

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 2:57 PM 9

43. Cicero

Posts: 1149; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

They are changing the middle line of phones.

posted on Sep 09, 2014, 4:07 AM 0

2. McLTE

Posts: 922; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

No, really I'm not interested. The idea of a full metal phone is a turn-off for me. The only reason it would exist is to answer the critics and be more apple-like. I enjoy my Note 2 and G3's removable back. I really didn't mind the all plastic build of the Note 2, though the G3's materials are nicer. I do look forward to seeing what the Aluminum chassis of the Note 4 is like. I don't want a phone without a removable back - non-removable battery SD card. It's getting so OLD to read review after review done here where the plastic back of the phones are seen as inferior. A unbiased review would recognize that they aren't any worse, just different. There are many of us who WANT removable backs.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:01 PM 18

12. promise7

Posts: 894; Member since: Jul 03, 2013

I think they should keep using the metal band, and plastic removable back combo. I think it's a good trade off and combo. Consumers still get access to battery, plus they can swap out different covers to suit their moods.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:53 PM 9

23. vincelongman

Posts: 5753; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Agreed, I'm liking how many new phones are using the metal band and plastic back combo But OEMs need to stop using aluminum, aluminum is too soft, it scratches too easily OEMs need to start using steel for the metal frames, so we can use them without having to worry about scratches Or at least other OEMs need use brushed aluminum (like on the M8), because its already scratched so new scratches are harder to see

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:53 PM 3

25. SuperMaoriBro

Posts: 533; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

The Samsung Wave was an all metal phone that still had a removeable battery and microSD card slot, and in its day it was thinner than other phones in its class like the HTC Legend that didn't have removeable batteries. So no reason why full metal has to mean no removeable battery.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 5:57 PM 1

21. Slammer

Posts: 1515; Member since: Jun 03, 2010

Thank you for explaining my exact thoughts. I laugh at the fact that when my friends and colleagues start to have problems with their non-accessible batteries, they have to take time out to go to a service center to verify the issue and then wait for a replacement. For a flagship phone? I know people with dumb phones that don't miss a beat when the battery fails. They just swap in a new battery and away they go. It also amazes me that phone sites and its editors are so ignorant to the money grab that these manufacturers are creating by making the most failed component on a device; inaccessible. I would just once love to hear an editor praise a manufacturer for keeping the weakest link acccessible. In my day, augmenting a computer by accessibility and easy swaps was what made us the gurus for knowledge. Today's geeks have no intuition or pride. They are more into pretty things and would rather the manufacturers or the industry control the user experience. The days of knowledgeable geeks will be gone. And sites like this will be become irrelevant due to all control and knowledge being forfeited to the manufacturers. John B.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:40 PM 4

27. edelxander

Posts: 58; Member since: Oct 01, 2013

Agree with you @McLTE

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 6:29 PM 0

33. hurrycanger

Posts: 1773; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

I am totally fine with plastic back phones. Galaxy S Blaze, GS4, Mega 6.3, Note 3. They all feel great in my hand. And yes, having removable battery is a plus. I wonder why some people go all crazy for all metal body. Not like anything is wrong with them, but they start to be a little dumb once they criticize plastic. The HTC One M8 gives me some smooth, cold feel in hand. But it's uncomfortable for handling comparing to all the devices I mentioned above (Even the Mega gives a better grip on M8 in many cases). Fortunately, cases exist. They hide the metal body, I'm totally fine with that. Like you said, metal is not any better, just different.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 8:50 PM 0

3. John.v2

Posts: 45; Member since: Sep 08, 2014

no 3000mah or above battery no second look

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:06 PM 1

4. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

This is exactly what I was waiting from the apple propaganda. LOL Just when new samsung flagship phone come , they always put some rumors about "soon coming" "more premium" phone. And by "premium" they always mean the chep aluminum tin can , like on the icrap. Pathetic

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:06 PM 0

8. Ninetysix

Posts: 2965; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

Apple propaganda Source: SamMobile tsk tsk..SamMobile spreading Apple propaganda again!

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:19 PM 0

13. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

1LOL Do you think tha sites like AndroidAuthority, AndroidPolice, AndroidCentral, CultOfAndroid....are not iguys ALL OF THEM????? Come on. Grow up. Well there is nothing wrong Samsung to make some mid range phone whole aluminum. But to call it premium????And make big noise of it???? ROTFL

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:59 PM 0

15. Ninetysix

Posts: 2965; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

http://pinkie.ponychan.net/chan/files/src/133095931939.gif Dying here. More!!!

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:05 PM 0

5. darkvadervip

Posts: 366; Member since: Dec 08, 2010

What happened to Tizen? Lol

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:06 PM 2

6. DogeShibe

Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

Tizen is not happening.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:10 PM 2

7. Kishin

Posts: 706; Member since: May 30, 2013

Samsung! thats a lot of devises.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:14 PM 2

14. magnanimus

Posts: 565; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Brother?

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:04 PM 2

18. Kishin

Posts: 706; Member since: May 30, 2013

iOS!!.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:22 PM 1

9. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

Somebody put a muzzle on this company. QUICK!

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:21 PM 2

10. marcski07

Posts: 600; Member since: Apr 25, 2014

Spamsung is at it again.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:27 PM 3

11. promise7

Posts: 894; Member since: Jul 03, 2013

I don't get why they're putting the premium materials on the lower spec phones unless they're saving both for the Galaxy and Note series since they're the flagships of the company. "A brand new series of metal-made smartphones - which, for the moment, includes only the Galaxy Alpha." The Note 4 uses the same design and material as the Alpha, it should be included in that comment.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 3:44 PM 1

19. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

Yup . It's pathetic to mention Alpha, but not Note 4. The only explanation is; NOT TO ADVERTIZE NOTE 4 as "premium".

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:34 PM 0

20. McLTE

Posts: 922; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

Perhaps they are just trying to match harware specs with Apple. I kid! I Kid! Really, I do wonder the same, however - I think if we had no idea of the specs, Most users probably wouldn't notice either. I still find my Note 2 fast enough for anything I try to do. I can't imagine getting the N4 and thinking.. ahhhh.. much better. :P

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:36 PM 0

16. vuyonc

Posts: 1091; Member since: Feb 24, 2014

No, I am not curious.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:15 PM 0

17. magnanimus

Posts: 565; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

I feel that Samsung is digging its own grave and setting a bad name for android because it is the most used Android device. When this premium device outs, people looking for alternatives to the iPhone will likely get this for its premium build (because Samsung is what the average joe knows). When they get this and it lags (due to the mid range processor and heavy touchwiz), they'll associate Android to lag. If you're going to release the first all metal phone, how about make it a flagship or use a more powerful chip.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:16 PM 2

22. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

iBS The sealed cheap aluminium is for mid range phones. Not for flagship phones. For flagship phones is a waste. Only iboys buy sealed all-metal crap for bunch of money. But they buy only Apple logo. See the M7/8 sale. Normal ppl don't buy sealed bricks (at least most of them) Why should Samsung make same mistake?

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 4:46 PM 2

31. fzacek

Posts: 2486; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

And don't give it a crappy 720p Pentile display...

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 7:44 PM 1

34. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

Why do you mention this "pentile" in every comment? That only shows how ignorant and pathetic you are. LOL Alfa is for those (IPhone5 iboys) that hate the design of iPhone6. Enjoy your obsolete LCD.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 10:17 PM 1

37. fzacek

Posts: 2486; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

Pentile = 2/3 of the pixels, as each pixel only has two subpixels instead of three. This results in lower quality details and colors at the edges of objects. I acquired my disliking of Pentile from Erica Griffin, just thought you might like to know...

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:18 PM 1

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