When should I choose Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)?

Users who prefer a lighter, more compact phone (155 g and 144.8 x 71.0 x 7.3 mm) for comfortable one-handed use. People who prioritize Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the rear camera to assist with steady low-light shooting. Buyers looking for a smaller 5.2-inch Super AMOLED screen that fits easily into tighter pockets.

When should I choose Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?

Users who want a larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with Always-On Display technology. Multitasking and app performance requiring 3GB of RAM and a 14nm Exynos 7880 octa-core processor. Users needing at least 32GB or 64GB of base internal storage. High-resolution selfie enthusiasts wanting a 16 MP front camera alongside a 16 MP rear sensor. Users needing long battery life backed by a 3,600 mAh capacity. People seeking modern reversible USB Type-C fast charging. Those needing IP68 dust and water resistance for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

What are the advantages of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) over Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?

Features a more compact 5.2-inch Super AMOLED form factor with dimensions of 144.8 x 71.0 x 7.3 mm and a lightweight 155 g build for easier one-handed handling.. Equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its 13 MP f/1.9 rear camera to assist with steady low-light shooting..

What are the advantages of Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) over Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)?

Features a large 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with support for Always-On Display technology.. Delivers faster performance with a 14nm Exynos 7880 chipset clocked at 1.9 GHz, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage.. Equipped with high-resolution 16 MP f/1.9 cameras on both the rear and the front.. Carries a larger 3,600 mAh battery with fast wired charging via a modern, reversible USB Type-C connector.. Boasts official IP68 dust and water resistance for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes..

AI comparison report

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-09-29 · How we compare

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is the superior overall device, offering substantial upgrades in processing, memory, battery capacity, and water resistance over t…

Who wins: Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) or Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) first as it delivers superior overall performance, longer battery life, modern USB Type-C connectivity, and IP68 water resistance, unless the compact size and OIS of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) are strictly required.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) scores 5.9/10 overall while Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) scores 8.2/10 overall.

Dimension	Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)	Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
Display Size & Form Factor	7.3/10	8.6/10
Performance, RAM & Storage	4/10	7.5/10
Camera Setup & Quality	6.8/10	7.4/10
Battery Capacity & Charging	6.5/10	8.5/10
Build Durability & Modern Features	5/10	9/10
Overall	5.9/10	8.2/10

Should I choose Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) or Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?

Verdict: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) first as it delivers superior overall performance, longer battery life, modern USB Type-C connectivity, and IP68 water resistance, unless the compact size and OIS of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) are strictly required.

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is the superior overall device, offering substantial upgrades in processing, memory, battery capacity, and water resistance over the more compact Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016).

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) decisively outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) across nearly every operational category. It features an upgraded 14nm Exynos 7880 processor paired with 3GB of RAM (a 50% increase over the 2GB on the Galaxy A5 (2016)) and at least double the baseline storage (32GB/64GB versus 16GB). Battery capacity is increased by over 24% to 3,600 mAh compared to the 2,900 mAh cell on the Galaxy A5 (2016), and it modernizes connectivity with USB Type-C over legacy microUSB 2.0. Additionally, the Galaxy A7 (2017) adds official IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes), an Always-On 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, and a 16 MP front-facing camera that heavily outperforms the 5 MP selfie unit on the Galaxy A5 (2016). The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) remains relevant only for users seeking a lighter 155 g build with a compact 5.2-inch screen and hardware Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its 13 MP rear camera.

Best for Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)

Users who prefer a lighter, more compact phone (155 g and 144.8 x 71.0 x 7.3 mm) for comfortable one-handed use
People who prioritize Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the rear camera to assist with steady low-light shooting
Buyers looking for a smaller 5.2-inch Super AMOLED screen that fits easily into tighter pockets

Best for Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)

Users who want a larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with Always-On Display technology
Multitasking and app performance requiring 3GB of RAM and a 14nm Exynos 7880 octa-core processor
Users needing at least 32GB or 64GB of base internal storage
High-resolution selfie enthusiasts wanting a 16 MP front camera alongside a 16 MP rear sensor
Users needing long battery life backed by a 3,600 mAh capacity
People seeking modern reversible USB Type-C fast charging
Those needing IP68 dust and water resistance for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes

When not to compare directly

Do not compare them directly if form-factor preference is non-negotiable, as the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is designed as a compact 5.2-inch device (155 g) while the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is a large 5.7-inch phablet (186 g).

What are the key differences between Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) and Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?

Display Size & Form Factor

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) features a larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with Always-On Display support, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) uses a more compact 5.2-inch display [2, 3].
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) features a compact 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display with dimensions of 144.8 x 71.0 x 7.3 mm and a weight of 155 g, offering convenient pocketability and easy one-handed handling [3].
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) provides a larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display equipped with Always-On Display technology, measuring 156.8 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm and weighing 186 g to deliver expansive visual real estate [2].
Scores — Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): 7.3/10, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): 8.6/10
Determines the visual real estate, screen handling comfort, and overall pocketability of the phone.
Sources: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) - Full phone specifications, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Full phone specifications
Performance, RAM & Storage

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) with its faster Exynos 7880 processor, 3GB of RAM versus 2GB, and at least double the baseline storage at 32GB compared to 16GB.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is powered by an Exynos 7580 Octa or Snapdragon 615 chipset paired with only 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, limiting app loading speeds and multitasking capability.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) features a faster 14nm Exynos 7880 chipset clocked at 1.9 GHz, paired with a larger 3GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage for smoother multitasking and ample local space.
Scores — Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): 4/10, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): 7.5/10
Affects app loading speeds, multitasking smoothness, and how much local data can be stored without running low on memory.
Sources: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) - Full phone specifications, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Full phone specifications
Camera Setup & Quality

While the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) includes Optical Image Stabilization on its 13 MP rear camera, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) lacks OIS but delivers significantly higher resolution across both its 16 MP rear and 16 MP front cameras [2, 3].
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) features a 13 MP rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for steady low-light shooting, paired with a 5 MP front camera with an f/1.9 aperture [3].
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) upgrades to higher-resolution sensors with a 16 MP f/1.9 rear camera without OIS alongside a significantly sharper 16 MP f/1.9 front-facing camera for high-detail selfies [2].
Scores — Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): 6.8/10, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): 7.4/10
Influences photo clarity, low-light shooting, and selfie performance for everyday photography.
Sources: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) - Full phone specifications, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Full phone specifications
Battery Capacity & Charging

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) provides a larger 3,600 mAh battery with a modern USB Type-C port compared to the 2,900 mAh capacity and microUSB port on the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016).
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is equipped with a 2,900 mAh non-removable battery that supports fast wired charging via an older microUSB 2.0 port.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) features a significantly larger 3,600 mAh battery with fast charging support delivered over a modern, reversible USB Type-C connector.
Scores — Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): 6.5/10, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): 8.5/10
Dictates daily screen-on time and the speed and connector convenience when recharging the device.
Sources: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) - Full phone specifications, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Full phone specifications
Build Durability & Modern Features

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) adds official IP68 water and dust resistance up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes and a modern USB Type-C connector, neither of which is present on the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016).
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) features a Gorilla Glass 4 front and back with an aluminum frame, but lacks ingress protection, relying on an older microUSB 2.0 port alongside standard MST and NFC Samsung Pay support.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) provides superior environmental protection with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, upgraded Type-C 1.0 reversible connectivity, and full Samsung Pay support.
Scores — Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): 5/10, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017): 9/10
Impacts phone longevity against environmental exposure and provides convenience features like contactless payments and water resistance.
Sources: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) - Full phone specifications, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) - Full phone specifications

What are the pros and cons of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)?