If you’re shopping for a budget phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise, the Samsung Galaxy A05 has been a go-to recommendation for over a year. Released in 2023, it packed a 6.7-inch display and 5000 mAh battery for under £100 — a combination that still turns heads. But with newer models like the A05s and A06 now on shelves, this article breaks down the real-world price, specs, and trade-offs to help you decide if it still makes sense in 2025.

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Starting price: £89.99 (128GB model) · Battery capacity: 5000 mAh · Display size: 6.7 inches · Processor: MediaTek Helio G85 · Storage options: 64GB / 128GB

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact availability in all UK regions
  • Long-term software update policy beyond the initial promise
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Stock may dwindle as the A06 becomes primary budget offering
  • Price drops expected on remaining A05 inventory

Six key specs, one takeaway: the A05 delivers an unusually large battery and display for its price tier.

Specification Value
Release year 2023
Starting price (128GB) £89.99
Display 6.7 inches, PLS LCD
Battery 5000 mAh, 25W charging (charger not included)
Processor MediaTek Helio G85
Storage / RAM 64GB/4GB or 128GB/4GB

Is the Samsung A05 a good phone to buy?

Is the Samsung A05s worth buying?

  • The A05s adds a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a slightly higher-resolution main camera, but costs more.
  • A review from Canaltech (Brazilian tech site) concluded the A05 is worth it, but with reservations (Canaltech review).

What are the main pros and cons of the Galaxy A05?

Upsides

  • Large 6.7-inch display and 5000 mAh battery at a low price (YouTube review (budget phone tester))
  • Expandable storage up to 1 TB via microSD (YouTube hands-on)
  • Includes headphone jack and dual SIM (YouTube hands-on)
  • Four years of software updates promised (YouTube review (25W charge test))

Downsides

  • No fingerprint sensor on the base A05 model (YouTube hands-on)
  • 60 Hz display, feels dated (YouTube review (25W charge test))
  • Average camera performance; 50 MP sensor but lacks OIS (YouTube review (budget phone tester))
  • 25 W charger sold separately (YouTube review (25W charge test))

The trade-off: you save serious money, but you give up modern comforts like a fast display and biometric unlock.

Bottom line: The A05 is a pure budget phone. People who just want a big screen and long battery will be happy. Anyone who wants smooth scrolling or a fingerprint sensor should look at the A05s.

How much is the Samsung A05 now?

What is the current price of the Samsung Galaxy A05 in the UK?

  • Amazon UK listed the 128GB model at £99.99 in June 2024 (Amazon.co.uk (UK retailer)).
  • One UK buyer paid just £58 on Amazon (YouTube UK buyer review).
  • In international markets, the A05 sells for about $82–$95 (YouTube review (budget phone tester)).

Are there any deals or discounts available?

  • CeX (UK second-hand electronics vendor) offers used units from about £67.
  • Fonez (UK online store) often includes installment plans.

Lowest seen: £58 · Typical new (128GB): £100 · Used from: £67

Why this matters: the A05 is one of the cheapest Galaxy phones you can find, but prices vary widely — timing and condition matter.

Is the Samsung Galaxy A05 still available?

Where can I buy a Samsung Galaxy A05?

  • Amazon UK (new) – £99.99 (Amazon.co.uk listing)
  • CeX (used/refurbished) – from £67
  • Fonez (new) – available with pay monthly
  • PriceRunner (price comparison) – from £89.99

Is the Galaxy A05 still in production?

Samsung has not officially confirmed production status, but the A06 has replaced the A05 as the entry-level model. Stock is still available from third-party retailers, but inventory is likely limited.

The catch: if you wait too long, the A05 may vanish from new stock entirely.

How old is the Samsung Galaxy A05?

What is the release date of the Samsung Galaxy A05?

  • Launched in 2023 — reviews and listings began appearing in late 2023 (Amazon.co.uk listing from June 2024).
  • By early 2025, the A05 is about 1.5 years old.

How does the A05 compare to the newer A06?

The A06 arrived in 2024 with a newer MediaTek Helio G85-derived chipset, a slightly better selfie camera, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The display and battery are nearly identical. The A05 remains the cheaper option.

The pattern: the A05 is a solid budget choice, but the A06 fixes its biggest missing feature — the fingerprint reader.

Which Samsung is better between A05 and A06?

Three budget phones, three trade-offs. Here’s how they stack up.

Feature Galaxy A05 Galaxy A05s Galaxy A06
Display 6.7″ 60Hz PLS LCD 6.7″ 90Hz PLS LCD 6.7″ 60Hz PLS LCD
Fingerprint sensor No Side-mounted Side-mounted
Main camera 50 MP + 2 MP 50 MP + 2 MP 50 MP + 2 MP (improved processing)
Processor MediaTek Helio G85 MediaTek Helio G85 MediaTek Helio G85 (slightly higher clock)
Starting price (new) ~£90–£100 ~£110–£130 ~£130–£150

Which is best, A05s or A06?

  • The A05s offers a 90 Hz display — smoother scrolling — and a fingerprint sensor, all for a small premium over the A05.
  • The A06 adds a newer design and slightly better performance, but keeps the same 60 Hz screen.
  • For most users, the A05s is the sweet spot if you can stretch the budget.

The implication: the A05 is still the cheapest, but you lose a few key features. The A05s gives you the best everyday experience.

The upshot

A UK buyer who wants a fingerprint sensor and a smoother display should skip the A05 and go for the A05s. Someone who just needs a big battery for calls and media will be fine with the A05 — and save £30.

Timeline

  • 2023 — Samsung Galaxy A05 launched (YouTube review (budget phone tester)).
  • Late 2023 — Galaxy A05s introduced with fingerprint sensor and 90 Hz display.
  • 2024 — Galaxy A06 released as the direct successor.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • 6.7-inch display and 5000 mAh battery (YouTube review (budget phone tester))
  • MediaTek Helio G85 chipset (YouTube spec overview)
  • No fingerprint sensor (YouTube hands-on)
  • Four years of software updates promised (YouTube review (25W charge test))
  • Amazon UK listed at £99.99 in June 2024 (Amazon.co.uk listing)

What remains unclear

  • Exact regional availability in the UK
  • Long-term software update policy beyond four years

Quotes from reviewers

“The Galaxy A05 is worth it, but with reservations.”

— Canaltech (Brazilian tech site) review (Canaltech)

“If the budget is capped at KSh 20,000, I recommend the 128GB Galaxy A05.”

— Tech With Muchiri (Kenyan tech reviewer) (Tech With Muchiri)

“The selfie camera is improved to 8 MP compared to the A04.”

— YouTube spec overview

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy A05 remains a compelling ultra-budget phone in 2025, offering a large battery and screen for under £100. But with the A05s and A06 now available, the choice depends on what you’re willing to trade. For the UK buyer who prioritizes battery over everything else, the A05 is still a smart pick. For anyone who wants a fingerprint sensor or a smoother display, the extra £20 for an A05s is money well spent.

The paradox

The A05’s biggest selling point — its price — is also the reason it’s outdated. The A05s fixes the fingerprint gap, but the A06 is the one with the longer future. UK buyers must decide whether saving £30 is worth losing two years of software support.

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Samsung Galaxy A05 support 5G?

No, the Galaxy A05 is a 4G LTE device.

What is the camera quality of the Galaxy A05?

It has a 50 MP main sensor plus a 2 MP depth sensor. Photos are acceptable in good light but struggle in low light. The 8 MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls.

Is the Galaxy A05 waterproof?

No, the A05 does not have an IP rating. It is not water-resistant.

Can I expand storage on the A05?

Yes, it supports microSD cards up to 1 TB (YouTube hands-on).

How long does the battery last on the Galaxy A05?

The 5000 mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use. One review reported up to 18 hours in a mixed-use scenario (Canaltech).

Does the A05 have a fingerprint sensor?

No, the base A05 does not have a fingerprint sensor. The A05s and A06 do.

What Android version does the Galaxy A05 run?

It launched with Android 13 (One UI Core 5.1) and is upgradable to at least Android 15, according to Samsung’s four-year update promise (YouTube review (25W charge test)).

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