Samsung A6 Plus review: Underpowered midrange device with premium features

Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, puts its bet on the Galaxy A6+ to establish the company’s presence in the midrange segment, which is currently dominated by Chinese smartphone manufacturers. The smartphone takes inspiration from the Samsung premium line-up, and therefore boasts features like super AMOLED screen, Samsung Pay (Mini), Bixby, dual rear cameras and a metallic build.

However, being a midrange phone, the Galaxy A6 Plus offers limited functionality of certain premium features. For instance, Bixby personal assistant does not support voice commands, infinity screen is not curved at the edges, processor is entry level and the Samsung Pay Mini lack comprehensive digital wallet services.

Business Standard reviewed the Samsung Galaxy A6+ on several parameters to judge its overall performance. Here are the observations:

Galaxy A6+ design

The Galaxy A6+ sports metallic unibody with curved edges that seamlessly holds the glass front within the frame. The chassis is sturdy, plush and easy to hold unlike the slippery glass design that most of the current generation smartphones have.

The front is dominated by a mammoth 6-inch screen covered with a 2.5D curved glass. While the screen is dazzling, there are perceptible bezels around it that do not justify company’s infinity screen moniker. On the back, the antenna lines are too prominent, especially in the gold colour variant. Thankfully, the dual camera set-up is accompanied by a fingerprint sensor, which sits right below the camera module, making it easier to access and operate.

On the left, there are volume rocker buttons and dedicated dual-SIM and microSD card slot. The power button is on the right, while the microUSB data transfer-cum-charging port and 3.5mm audio jack are mounted on the bottom.

Galaxy A6+ display

Samsung dubbed the screen iteration used in the Galaxy A6+ as the infinity screen, similar to the one found in the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S-series. However, the screen is neither curved at the edges, nor has limited bezels around it, which makes one question if only the 18.5:9 aspect ratio is enough to call a display - infinity?

However, in terms of colour reproductions, contrast ratio, brightness levels, the 6-inch super AMOLED fullHD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio screen looks vivid and dazzling. It has deep blacks, just like any other AMOLED unit, and throws saturated colours by default – which can be adjusted from settings based on user preferences.

Just like the Galaxy A8+, which was launched last year, the Galaxy A6+ lacks a pressure-sensitive on-screen home button with tactical feedback that is there in premium Galaxy Note and Galaxy S-series. There is an on-screen home button but that unlocks the screen on double tap, which is as good as gesture-based or knock-based unlock mechanism that most Chinese manufacturers offer.