After unveiling the Galaxy A17 5G in August, Samsung is now bringing its $199.99 5G smartphone with Android 15 to the US. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a budget smartphone that has long-term software support, a decent multi-camera setup and a vibrant AMOLED display, you should check out this model.
First and foremost, the Galaxy A17 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, making it smoother than the standard 60Hz. A decent pixel density of 385ppi, 800HBM brightness (enough for indoors, slightly less for outdoors) and Gorilla Glass Victus are among the screen’s key features.
The Galaxy A17 5G is a budget, all-round Android phone
Under the hood, the Galaxy A17 5G has Samsung’s Exynos 1330 (5 nm) octa-core chipset, which may not be the best in this segment, but it definitely gets the job done. What sets the phone apart from other options is the company’s promise of six years of operating system and security updates. Out of the box, the handset runs on One UI 7.0.
As for optics, the phone has a 50MP (f/1.8) primary camera with optical image stabilization, a feature that’s hard to find on a $200 smartphone. Additionally, you get a 5MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2), a 2MP macro camera, and a 13MP selfie shooter (f/2.0). All cameras can only record videos at 1080p (30 fps).
The smartphone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W wired charging. Additionally, Samsung aims to appeal to price-conscious buyers in the US with the Galaxy A17 5G’s modern design, 5G connectivity and a familiar One UI experience derived from the company’s flagship smartphones.
In a market where budget phones often come with compromises, the Galaxy A17 5G could be a better choice for those who don’t want to spend $400 to $500 on a smartphone. The handset will be available starting January 7, 2026 through multiple carriers, Samsung Experience Stores and other retailers.
If you’re buying your first smartphone, upgrading from an LTE device, or looking for a reliable secondary device (or a phone for your parents or elderly), the Galaxy A17 5G could be a compelling choice with a starting price of $199.99 (for the 4GB RAM, 128GB storage variant, expandable up to 2TB via microSD card).
