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Samsung Galaxy A or S: What's the difference?

Samsung Galaxy A or S: What's the difference?

What are the differences between Samsung's Galaxy S devices and its Galaxy A series? If you are currently considering buying a new Samsung smartphone, you should be aware of the differences in what it means for you as the end-user. In addition, you can find a short overview below and finally learn what the letters really stand for.

Samsung has already made a good showing of itself in 2021 with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the mid-range Galaxy A72. Along the way, it does seem as though both smartphone series are about to converge with one another where features are concerned. For instance, premium features like AMOLED displays with a 120 Hz refresh rate can already be found in the Galaxy A52 5G.

However, there are definitely reasons why Samsung has ensured its smartphone series remain separated. We will tell you the key differences between the Galaxy S series and Galaxy A series models. If you'd rather know which devices you can select between them, just click on our market overview in the link above.

Jump To:

  1. Galaxy A and Galaxy S: What are the differences?
  2. These models were released in 2021
  3. What does "A" and "S" really stand for

These are the differences between "A" and "S"

The smartphone market is divided into segments such as "flagship", "mid-range" or "entry-level" models. Samsung's flagship range has always been the S series, while it also produces mid-range models in the form of the A series. New technologies like the powerful quad-camera setup in the Galaxy S21 Ultra are usually found in the more expensive models.

In terms of build quality, you can also expect higher-quality materials like metal frames and glass elements in the S series. Samsung uses shatterproof Gorilla Glass Victus in the Plus and Ultra models of the S21 range and thus offers a particularly high-quality look and feel. However, polycarbonate is now also used in the standard model of the S series.

NextPit Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus camera
Models like the Galaxy S21 Plus are characterized by a very high build quality / © NextPit

Even though the Galaxy S21 is an exception, build quality is consistently higher compared to the current A series models. The polycarbonate simply feels more premium and you'll find metal elements on the frame or camera of the phone.

In addition to new technologies and build quality, you can also expect better performance with the S series handsets. Samsung usually uses its own SoCs from the Exynos series in Europe. Find out more about Samsung's latest smartphone processor in our SoC "Best of" list.

In the mid-range segment, Samsung also offers Snapdragon-powered models that hail from chip manufacturer Qualcomm in Europe. These are usually dedicated mid-range SoCs that are less powerful to deliver an optimal user experience, especially in mobile games or tasks such as video editing. However, having more powerful hardware also comes with its own disadvantage as you will discover when using the S series handsets. 

This is because Samsung's flagship handsets always ran into battery life issues. The rather compact Galaxy S21 has a 4,000 mAh battery and that capacity alone simply isn't enough to keep powerful components such as the Snapdragon 888 SoC and bright 120 Hz AMOLED panel powered for too long before requiring a trip to the nearest power outlet. This is a problem that many smaller smartphones have though, and the manufacturer has started to include larger capacity batteries in the new A series.

Samsung Galaxy A72 review
You'll also find a telephoto camera in the Galaxy A72, which is surprising! / © NextPit

Since Samsung has begun to blur the line separating the A series and the S series, you should definitely check out the individual devices from both series if you are interested in picking up a new handset! You'll find an overview of the models released in 2021 for both series below.

These models were released in 2021

Both the S series and Samsung's A series models have already received an upgrade in 2021. In the process, three models each have appeared in Germany, making it easier for you to decide.

Galaxy A and Galaxy S: These devices were released in 2021

Samsung Galaxy A series Samsung Galaxy S series
Samsung Galaxy A72 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Samsung Galaxy A52 Samsung Galaxy S21

With a click on the respective device model, you will be able to obtain more information about that handset. All devices except the Galaxy A52 without 5G are detailed reviews.

This is what the letters "A" and "S" stand for in reality

Of course, Samsung's two device classes is a part of the company's marketing strategy that the company has been pursuing for a few years now. The first S model, which was simply called the Galaxy S, was released in 2010. Here, the "S" does not stand for the "Super AMOLED" display which it used before and as many have assumed, but rather, it stands for "Super Smart".

Were you aware of Samsung's smartphone naming convention?
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The "A" in "Galaxy A", on the other hand, stands for a somewhat less spectacular "Alpha". Other Samsung designations include "Y" for "Young", "C" for "China", "M" for "Magic", and "J" for "Joy". Well, aren't those fun facts to remember as trivia?

Which Samsung device series do you find to be more exciting? Do you prefer the A series or the new S series that were released this year?

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