Samsung Galaxy A50 evaluation: Nonetheless among the best funds telephones

In April, Samsung introduced updates to its Galaxy A series, its household of funds telephones which can be poised to compete against Apple’s newest iPhone SE for 2020. Whereas some fashions have new options like 5G, all of them are lower than $400 and have headphone jacks. One of many new telephones, the Galaxy A51, is a sequel to 2019’s Galaxy A50. 

The Galaxy A50 from 2019 might not be as fancy as the newest Galaxy S20 phones or as cool-looking because the Z Flip. However at $350 at launch and now discounted by Samsung much more at $300, the A50 is one in every of two greatest Android telephones which can be below $400 and got here out final 12 months. (For extra phones under $500, check out our roundup.) 

That different selection is the Motorola Moto G7, which initially launched at $300 (£189, AU$349), however now you can get it for cheaper (within the US, Motorola at present sells it for $230). For the previous few years, Motorola’s G-series has persistently ranked as our favourite funds cellphone and the G7 continues this legacy as an distinctive cellphone for its worth.

All in all, we nonetheless love the Moto G7. It is a unbelievable, inexpensive cellphone, and it gained our Editors’ Alternative for its cheap worth, good digicam and dependable efficiency. However I do assume the Galaxy A50 is healthier, even when it is a bit dearer. For that, it too earned itself an Editors’ Alternative. In case you have an additional $70 to spare, go for the Galaxy A50 over the Moto G7. Although it does not shoot 4K video and I am not an enormous fan of Samsung’s One UI, the A50’s superior digicam, sleeker design and longer battery life make it the higher cellphone.

Galaxy A50 appears higher, however has no water safety

Although each telephones are comparable in measurement and design, there are a number of particulars that elevate the Galaxy A50 above the Moto G7. For example, the Moto G7 has a bigger digicam bump on the again. Having a bump is not a deal breaker, and numerous telephones have it together with the iPhone. The Galaxy A50’s digicam is far more flushed, it appears flatter and sleeker. The on-screen digicam notch for the front-facing digicam can be smaller, so it is much less obtrusive once you’re viewing the show. Lastly, as a result of the Galaxy A50 has an in-screen fingerprint scanner, the gadget appears extra seamless general. The Moto G7, then again, has a visual reader on the again that is emblazoned with the Motorola brand (and there is a Motorola brand on the entrance too, on the underside bezel), which is not as interesting.

As well as, the Galaxy A50 has an AMOLED show in comparison with the Moto G7’s LCD display. Although each telephones have about the identical decision and pixel density, the Galaxy A50 display is brighter and colours are rather more vibrant. Blacks are a lot darker and inkier as properly. When viewing each telephones at totally different angles, the colour shift is extra extreme on the Moto G7 too. Meaning colours wash out dramatically and the display seems to get dimmer at sure angles.

One benefit the Moto G7 does have is that it is barely water repellent. You may’t absolutely submerge it underwater, nevertheless it does have a nano-coating that protects it in opposition to gentle water sprinkles and splashes. Samsung didn’t add water safety to the A50.

Do not care about 4K video? Galaxy A50’s digicam is superior

Each the Galaxy A50 and Moto G7 take clear and vivid pictures when circumstances are ideally suited, as in settings with numerous even lighting. And whereas the Galaxy A50 can document solely 1080p video (in comparison with the Moto G7’s 4K most), the Galaxy A50’s digicam nonetheless pulls forward of the Moto G7 in some ways. 

Photos are sharper, so you may see finer particulars in issues like leaves and bricks. In low gentle, the A50 brightens and punches up colours, whereas pictures taken with the G7 are muddier with a lot hazier and washed out colours. The A50 additionally has a wider dynamic vary, which means scenes with totally different lighting conditions are uncovered extra evenly in comparison with the Moto G7. I did discover that there have been instances when the A50’s HDR impact regarded slightly too unrealistic, however I most popular it over the Moto G7 nonetheless. The Galaxy A50 has a second wide-angle digicam too, which means you seize extra content material inside every body. That is helpful once you wish to seize huge landscapes and surroundings too.