Samsung launches Galaxy A7, A9

SAMSUNG Electronics Ltd. last week launched two new smartphones in its mid-range line, with one featuring what it said is the world’s first quad read camera.

The mobile phone giant announced the new Galaxy A7 and Galaxy A9 last week, which be available in the Philippines this month and in December, respectively.

The updated Galaxy A7, which will be available locally starting Oct. 27, will retail for P17,990. The phone features a triple rear camera, which includes an 8MP 120° ultra wide lens said to be at the same viewing angle as the human eye, a 5MP (f2.2) lens which, with the phone’s Live Focus feature, allows users to control a photo’s depth of field, and a 24MP (f1.7) lens. The A7 also has a 24MP front camera and adjustable LED flash.

The smartphone has a 2.2 GHz octa-core chip, with 4GB RAM and 64GB in internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card. It features a 6-inch, 1080 x 2220 Super AMOLED screen, with a battery capacity of 3,300 mAh equivalent to about 23 hours of talk time. The Galaxy A7 also has a facial recognition feature and a side fingerprint sensor.

The Galaxy A7 will be available in three colors: blue, black, and gold. The phone is available for pre-order from Oct. 19-26 with freebies worth up to P6,000.

Meanwhile, the new Galaxy A9 will be available in the Philippines starting Dec. 1 for P32,990. The phone’s “pioneering” quad rear camera features a 10MP (f2.4) telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, a 24MP (f1.7) main camera, an 8MP (f.2.4) 120° ultra wide lens, and a 5MP (f2.2) depth lens. It also features a 24MP (f2.0) front camera.

The Galaxy A9 likewise has an octa-core processor and will come with 6GB RAM and 128GB in internal storage, still expandable via a MicroSD card. The phone carries a 6.3-inch, 1080 x 2220 Full HD+ Super AMOLED screen and has a battery capacity of 3,800 mAh. It is also equipped with facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor.

The smartphone will be available in to colors — Caviar Black and Lemonade Blue — and will have a 3D Glass curved back.