Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A71

Mid-range power

The Samsung Galaxy A71 is the smartphone that feels like a bargain. It is a mid-range handset that can feel like something more when putting it to the test on performance. Think of it as a workhorse that aims to deliver consistency without carrying all the latest and greatest speeds and feeds. It’s a step up from the Galaxy A51, and a step below the Galaxy S20 lineup, though it may not always feel like it’s missing a step.

The large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display is a good start. Bright, vibrant and colourful, it’s the kind of digital window you would be comfortable looking at to get things done. The Snapdragon 730 octa-core fits right in with where this phone stands in the market. The 128GB of internal storage is a good starting point, with the option to go up to another 1TB through the microSD card slot.

Samsung includes a responsive optical fingerprint sensor right on the screen for quick access past the lockscreen or to confirm payments. The front-facing camera sits on a proverbial island with a small hole-punch cutout on the display that won’t distract you while watching video.

The phone’s body is made of a plastic material called 3D Glasstic that is specially-treated to look like authentic glass. With rounded corners and edges, the phone nestles nicely into your hands, and its build is lightweight by design, adding to the convenience of carrying it around all day. The back's specially-treated plastic blend looks like real glass. For a little flair, you can see an iridescent effect whenever you tilt it just a little to the light.

Four cameras to shoot with

The Galaxy A71 doesn’t hold back much with four cameras in the rear to take photos with. Anchored by the main 64-megapixel lens, Samsung includes some of its flagship software features to the camera app layout. For a much wider perspective, the 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera captures a 123-degree field of view to bring in a big group or large scene into a single frame. A 5-megapixel Macro lens goes the opposite route, bringing subjects so close, certain details become evident. The 5-megapixel Depth Camera works with Live Focus mode to adjust depth of field for a more natural bokeh effect.

There are software tools to utilize in the camera app Samsung carried over from its flagship devices. The AI-driven Scene Optimizer automatically recognizes up to 20 different scenes to do the processing in the background and help improve each image you snap. Night mode takes the guesswork out of capturing beautiful low-light and night scenes, while Pro mode puts more control in your hands, and Food makes every dish look delicious.

The 32-megapixel front-facing camera lets you shoot with a standard or wider field of view to go solo or bring in some friends into frame. Create your own AR Emoji, or use filters and a beauty mode to go for the look you want. An HDR setting can also balance shadows and highlights to create a better exposure for a more dynamic look.

All-day battery

With a 4500mAh battery inside, the Galaxy A71 was designed for all-day performance. That should keep you from looking for a wall outlet to charge from in most cases because the efficiency of the components and the screen are made to make the most of every hour the phone is on.

There is no wireless charging support, but it comes with a 15W Fast Charging adapter and cable to fill up quickly. Plug it in and it will get you back to a comfortable battery level in as little as 30 minutes.