Samsung Galaxy F05 Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Samsung Galaxy F05
Network Technology
- GSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
- Announced: September 17, 2024
- Released: September 20, 2024
Body
- Dimensions: 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm
- Weight: 195 g
- Build: Glass front, plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco-leather) back
- SIM: Dual Nano-SIM
Display
- Type: PLS LCD
- Size: 6.7 inches (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels (~262 ppi density)
Platform
- OS: Android 14, One UI Core 6.0 (up to 2 major Android upgrades)
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G85 (12 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G52 MC2
Memory
- Internal Storage: 64GB 4GB RAM
- Expandable Storage: microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Main Camera
- Dual Camera:
- 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, AF
- 2 MP (depth), f/2.4
- Features: LED flash
- Video: 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie Camera
- Single Camera:
- 8 MP (wide), f/2.0
- Video: Yes (1080p)
Sound
- Loudspeaker: Yes
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
Comms
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
- NFC: No
- Radio: Unspecified
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Sensors
- Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity
Battery
- Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Charging: 25W wired
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Twilight Blue
- Models: SM-E055F, SM-E055F/DS
- SAR: 0.46 W/kg (head)
- Price: ₹6,885
Design and Finish :
The Samsung Galaxy F05 features a simple and functional design that is in line with its price range. As is common with budget smartphones, the back and frame are made of plastic. The phone is lightweight and fits comfortably in the hand, making it comfortable to hold for long periods of time while browsing the web, sending text messages, and watching videos.
The back of the phone is very minimalistic, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints, a thoughtful design decision for a budget device. The camera module is housed in a simple rectangular array in the top left corner, with a single camera and LED flash on the back. With very little camera protrusion, the phone sits comfortably on a flat surface.
On the front, the phone stands out with a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display that boasts a relatively high screen-to-body ratio. Though it's not an AMOLED screen, the PLS LCD panel offers decent color and clarity, making it suitable for everyday use, media viewing, and browsing. There's a small notch at the top of the Infinity-V display that houses the 5MP front camera. Overall, the design isn't flashy, but it's functional and meets user expectations for an entry-level device.
Screen :
The Galaxy F05's 6.5-inch PLS LCD display is the perfect size for users who want a larger screen without opting for a premium device. The resolution is 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+), which is typical for budget devices. Though it's not Full HD, the display is pretty sharp for most tasks, including browsing the web, watching YouTube videos, and playing casual games.
Colors are decent, and color accuracy is pretty good, but don't expect the vibrant, deep blacks that AMOLED displays are known for. Brightness levels are good for indoor use, although you might have some issues in direct sunlight, which makes the display hard to read. But considering the price, this display is great value for money and offers great features for everyday activities.
One notable advantage of the display is its size, which makes watching movies and playing games more comfortable than the small, cramped screens often found on budget devices. The screen is fairly responsive to touch, making navigation easier, though it's not as smooth as the 90Hz or 120Hz displays on higher-end models.
Performance :
Under the hood of the Samsung Galaxy F05 is the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, a reliable processor for entry-level devices. It won't win any performance awards, but it can handle basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. You can also play casual games like Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, and PUBG Mobile at low settings without a significant impact on performance.
When running more demanding applications and games, the Helio P35 can stumble, causing lags and stuttering. But for everyday users who only need the phone to communicate, surf the web, and watch media, the processor is more than up to the task. The 4GB of RAM ensures smooth performance when switching between apps and doing multiple tasks at the same time, but it might be a bit limiting for intensive multitaskers.
The 64GB of internal storage is fairly small, but it can be expanded via a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 1TB. This expansion is a great feature for anyone who needs extra storage for media and apps, especially considering the phone's affordable price.
Camera system :
The camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy F05 is simple, with a 13MP main camera on the back and a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies. The rear camera produces decent images in bright lighting with acceptable detail and color accuracy for the price range. It's not as good as premium smartphones, but it does a good job of capturing everyday moments.
In poor lighting conditions, the camera suffers from noise and reduced image detail. The camera's AI scene optimizer is useful in certain situations, but it can't keep up with more expensive devices in terms of dynamic range or low-light performance. The 5 MP front camera is good enough for video calling and selfies, but the quality isn't great. Selfies are fine if the lighting is good, but they lack clarity and can be noisy in dark environments. The camera is good enough for casual social media use and video calling, but it won't satisfy those who value high-quality front-facing photos.
Overall, the Galaxy F05's camera system is decent for the price, offering basic photo and video capabilities, but not the performance levels of more expensive devices.
Battery Life :
One of the most important aspects of a budget smartphone is battery life, and the Samsung Galaxy F05 doesn't disappoint in this regard. It comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is more than enough for a full day of use. Users can expect to get through a full day of moderate usage, including web browsing, social media, messaging, and media streaming.
With light usage, the phone will easily last more than a full day. And with heavy usage, there will be enough battery life to get through the day without needing to charge. The large battery capacity is ideal for those who don't want to constantly worry about charging their device.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy F05 only supports 15W charging, which isn't the fastest in its category. A full charge may take around 2-2.5 hours, which is longer than you'd get with a quality device that supports fast charging. However, given the price range, this is a reasonable compromise.
Software :
With light usage, the phone will easily last more than a full day. And with heavy usage, there will be enough battery life to get through the day without needing to charge. The large battery capacity is ideal for those who don't want to constantly worry about charging their device.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy F05 only supports 15W charging, which isn't the fastest in its category. A full charge may take around 2-2.5 hours, which is longer than you'd get with a quality device that supports fast charging. However, given the price range, this is a reasonable compromise.
Software :
The Samsung Galaxy F05 runs on One UI 5.1 based on Android 13. One UI is Samsung's custom user interface, known for its ease of use and clarity. The interface is intuitive, with a well-organized home screen, useful features like edge panels, and customizable options to make your phone more personal. The software experience is very polished for a budget phone. One UI includes some handy features like App Sleep, which optimizes battery life by putting apps to sleep when not in use, and Digital Wellbeing, which monitors screen time. Samsung also offers Samsung Knox, a security feature that protects your personal information from unauthorized access.
The software runs smoothly on the Galaxy F05, and although it doesn't have the advanced features or premium design of Samsung's flagship devices, it does provide a satisfying experience for everyday tasks.
Conclusion :
The Samsung Galaxy F05 is a solid budget smartphone that offers good value for money, especially for users looking for a simple device for everyday use. It has a large 6.5" display, plenty of power from the MediaTek Helio P35, a 5000mAh battery for extended usage, and One UI for a smooth and user-friendly software experience. It doesn't excel in terms of camera performance, processing power, etc., but it is more than capable for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and media consumption.
