Samsung Galaxy A11 review: a reliable entry-level smartphone

You don’t have to go bankrupt for your first smartphone. In fact, Samsung will provide you with the perfect combination of One UI, a headphone jack and three rear cameras for less than $200. This sounds good in practice, but let’s see how it is in reality. This is our Samsung Galaxy A11 review.

You can also take a look: The best Samsung phone

• Samsung Galaxy A11 (2GB RAM, 32GB): 169 USD / 139 GBP / 160 Euro
• Samsung Galaxy A11 (3GB RAM, 32GB): 179 USD / 235 GBP

The Galaxy A11 is one of Samsung’s most affordable smartphones, and it replaced the Galaxy A10E in early 2020. It offers limited storage options-32GB or 64GB-but you can choose some classic Samsung finishes, including blue, white and black. The Samsung Galaxy A11 we tested runs Android 10 with One UI 2.1 on top. Since then, it received Samsung’s One UI 3.1 update in May 2021 and is now running Android 11.

As for the internal structure, Samsung uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 450 processor, up to 3GB of RAM and a healthy 4,000mAh battery. Samsung’s 6.4-inch HD Plus display connects them together, and there is even a headphone jack on the top of the phone. You can also get a bottom-emitting mono speaker for more audio flexibility.

The Samsung Galaxy A11 comes with a USB-C charger in the box, as well as a pair of white wired earplugs and a SIM card eject tool. Mobile phones at this price are generally good.

Samsung’s Galaxy A11 is similar in price range to OnePlus Nord N100 and Motorola Moto E. If you are desperate for Samsung, the updated Galaxy A12 is also worth a look. Although the Galaxy A12 may use the latest technology, it is not as widely used as its older brother.

Samsung’s One UI interface is hard to make mistakes. In fact, the ability to operate with one hand makes the Galaxy A11’s 6.4-inch display feel more comfortable. There is almost no bloatware on the unlocked Samsung Galaxy A11, but carrier-based devices may have some extra features that are not needed.

My Samsung Galaxy A11 also runs on Android 10, but received the Android 11 update in mid-May. This is not the fastest update Samsung has ever made, but the latest version of Android with One UI 3.0 undoubtedly provides some improvements. The volume control is bigger than ever, and the notifications are cleaned up very well.

Samsung has redoubled its efforts on the security options of the Galaxy A11, providing a rear fingerprint reader and face unlock options, although the latter is software-based, so the security is slightly less. Although the requirement for public masks still exists, it is good to have an unlock option at home. If either of these two methods fails, you can switch to the PIN unlock or pattern method.

You can also take a look: The best phone with a headphone jack

The Galaxy A11 retains a classic feature that most Samsung flagship products have abandoned: the headphone jack. If we do not show at least a little love, we cannot pass this part. You can also purchase a pair of wired earplugs with your phone. They are not the most comfortable for long-term listening, but they are good partners you don’t have to worry about.

Of course, if you are considering a budget-friendly smartphone, you may worry that the camera is slightly weaker. I certainly have my own reservations, but the main 13MP shooter has left a deep impression on me. Of course, you can still use some bad smells, but considering the correct lighting, it should suit you. You can check out some examples later in this review.

The last benefit of the Samsung Galaxy A11 is its battery life. The 4,000mAh battery is large enough, especially considering that you don’t have to worry about 5G consumption. I find that the phone often lasts a full day or more between the app and the video.

What’s wrong?

Although the main 13MP lens was impressive, the other lenses did not. Whether it’s a selfie or an ultra-wide-angle lens, there is always something missing. I found that 5MP ultra-wide samples are often grainy, and any scaling (digital only) will result in an immediate loss of detail and fidelity. When it comes to selfies, the images usually look as if there are fingerprints on my camera-even if I just wiped it off. I occasionally take a decent selfie, even though the indoor background noise is much more pronounced and there is a lot of skin smoothing effect.

I also found it difficult to go beyond the smooth plastic structure. Not because it is plastic, but because the Galaxy A11 proved to be a magnet for fingerprints and dirt. I prefer clean phones, so I find myself always eager to wipe the back panel. Plastic doesn’t feel too bad in the hand, but the matte finish may go a long way.

Unfortunately, Samsung filled the Galaxy A11 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 450 processor. Although this will be good in the past few years, Snapdragon 450 was launched in 2017 and began to show its age. If I try to switch between apps in a hurry, I notice occasional delays and downloading games like Pokémon Go takes longer than expected. I’m not sure if this is caused by the processor itself or 2GB of RAM, but Samsung may be able to solve it with some enhanced specifications.

Although I mentioned the stable battery life of the Galaxy A11 above, the charging performance is not excellent. You can use the included charger to get a speed of 15W, but you must be prepared to sit by the socket for a while-if you start from scratch, it can easily be an hour and a half​​. There is no wireless charging option, but considering the price, this is not surprising.

Samsung Galaxy A11 camera sample

Samsung Galaxy A11 is an affordable textbook phone. It contains modest specifications and cuts some corners, but it still surprises you. It scores on battery life, headphone jack and 13MP main camera. However, the Galaxy A11 was missed due to the aging processor, insufficient camera support and insufficient fingerprints.

You can also take a look: The best budget phone you can buy right now

Samsung’s Galaxy A11 is the same as OnePlus Nord N100 and Motorola Moto E in terms of pricing, and it is most suitable for people with little smartphone experience. You can also check out the successor to the Samsung Galaxy A12. Still, older devices are more popular in MVNO, so you may be able to find affordable plans that match your affordable phones.