Samsung is gearing up to expand its popular budget smartphone lineup with the Galaxy A17, bringing noteworthy upgrades and refinements to the ultra-budget segment in 2025. This new model packs several appealing features while maintaining affordability, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious buyers seeking solid performance and modern design.
The Galaxy A17 creates a lighter and thinner profile compared to its predecessor, with the device measuring just 7.5mm in thickness—down from 7.99mm on the Galaxy A16—and weighing 192 grams, a reduction from 200 grams. It sports a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display boasting a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, enhanced visually by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for improved durability. This combination stands out in the budget range, where Apple’s phones below $1,000 typically do not offer refresh rates above 60Hz.
Under the hood, Samsung has retained the Exynos 1330 chipset, a 5nm processor featuring two Cortex-A78 and six Cortex-A55 cores paired with a Mali-G68 MP2 GPU. This setup should deliver solid everyday performance and light gaming capability. The smartphone comes in multiple RAM and storage configurations: 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM paired with 128GB storage, and an 8GB RAM with 256GB storage option. A microSD card slot supporting expansion up to 2TB is also included.
The Galaxy A17’s camera system boasts a triple-camera array similar to last year’s model, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. A key improvement is the addition of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the primary sensor, enhancing image stability for sharper photos and smoother video, particularly in low-light environments.
Powering the device is a robust 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. Notably, Samsung will include the charger in the box, at least for European markets, featuring a European plug. The phone is rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, providing decent protection against everyday exposure.
On the software front, the Galaxy A17 runs Android 15 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 7 skin, delivering a user-friendly and efficient experience. Samsung promises six years of operating system upgrades and security patches, which is exceptional for a sub-$200 smartphone. Additionally, AI features powered by Gemini are integrated, including quick access via the power button, Circle to Search, and Cross App AI functionalities.
The Galaxy A17 is expected to launch around October 2025, similar to the previous year’s Galaxy A16 release timetable, likely arriving shortly after the Galaxy S25 FE debuts. With its blend of premium-like features such as a vivid AMOLED display, improved camera stabilization, generous battery and charging, and extended software support, the Galaxy A17 looks poised to reinforce Samsung’s dominance in the budget smartphone category.
This combination of features makes the Samsung Galaxy A17 a compelling choice for consumers seeking value without sacrificing essential modern smartphone capabilities.