The Samsung Galaxy A82 is a mid-range smartphone that manages to pack in some impressive features, making it a compelling option for users who want premium specs without the flagship price tag. Samsung has refined its A-series lineup over the years, and the A82 is a testament to the company’s ability to balance performance, design, and affordability. Let’s dive into what makes this phone stand out—and where it might fall short for some users.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Galaxy A82 doesn’t stray too far from Samsung’s established design language. It features a sleek, glass-backed body with a metal frame, giving it a premium feel that belies its mid-range positioning. The phone is available in several color options, including a striking matte black and a more vibrant gradient finish. The curved edges make it comfortable to hold, though the glossy back is a fingerprint magnet—something to keep in mind if you prefer a cleaner look.

The front is dominated by a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with slim bezels and a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera. The screen is flat, which some users may prefer over the curved displays found on Samsung’s flagship models. One notable omission is an official IP rating for water resistance, which might be a dealbreaker for those who frequently use their phones in less-than-ideal conditions.

Display

The Galaxy A82’s display is one of its strongest selling points. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios, making it ideal for media consumption. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling through apps and playing games feels buttery smooth. The high refresh rate is a welcome addition at this price point, putting the A82 on par with more expensive devices.

Outdoor visibility is solid, thanks to a peak brightness of around 800 nits. HDR10+ support ensures that streaming HDR content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube looks fantastic. The only downside is the lack of LTPO technology, meaning the refresh rate doesn’t dynamically adjust to save battery life—a feature reserved for Samsung’s pricier models.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Galaxy A82 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM depending on the configuration. While this isn’t the latest processor, it’s still more than capable of handling everyday tasks, multitasking, and even demanding games. Apps launch quickly, and there’s minimal lag when switching between them. Storage options include 128GB or 256GB, with the ability to expand via microSD—a rarity in today’s smartphones.

The phone runs Samsung’s One UI 3.1 atop Android 11, with an upgrade path to newer versions. One UI remains one of the better Android skins, offering a clean interface, useful customization options, and thoughtful features like a system-wide dark mode and granular app permissions. Samsung’s commitment to software updates has improved, but it’s still not as reliable as Google’s Pixel lineup when it comes to timely Android version upgrades.

Camera Performance

The Galaxy A82 sports a triple-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 64MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). The other two lenses include a 12MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro camera. In daylight, the primary shooter captures detailed, well-exposed photos with accurate colors. The ultrawide lens is useful for landscapes, though there’s some distortion at the edges. The macro camera feels like more of an afterthought, producing mediocre close-up shots.

Low-light performance is decent but not exceptional. Night mode helps brighten shadows and reduce noise, but images can still look soft compared to flagship devices. The 32MP front-facing camera takes sharp selfies with good dynamic range, though skin tones can sometimes appear overly smoothed due to Samsung’s beauty processing.

Battery Life and Charging

A 4,500mAh battery keeps the Galaxy A82 running through a full day of moderate to heavy use. The combination of the efficient AMOLED display and the Snapdragon 855+ helps with power management, though the 120Hz refresh rate does take a toll if left on all the time. Standby drain is minimal, which is always a plus.

Charging speeds are respectable, with 25W fast charging supported out of the box. A full charge takes just over an hour, and there’s also 15W wireless charging—a feature rarely seen in this price segment. Unfortunately, there’s no charger included in the box, following Samsung’s recent trend of reducing e-waste (or cutting costs, depending on your perspective).

Audio and Connectivity

The Galaxy A82 comes with a stereo speaker setup, offering clear and loud audio that’s great for watching videos or playing games. There’s no headphone jack, so wireless or USB-C headphones are a must. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures stable connections with wireless peripherals, and NFC is onboard for contactless payments.

5G support is included, future-proofing the device as networks continue to expand. Call quality is excellent, and the under-display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. The only minor gripe is the lack of Wi-Fi 6, which might matter to users with high-speed home networks.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A82 is a well-rounded mid-range phone that punches above its weight in several areas. The display is fantastic, performance is smooth, and the inclusion of features like wireless charging and 5G make it a great value. However, the lack of an IP rating, the aging chipset, and the hit-or-miss low-light camera performance keep it from being a true flagship killer.

If you’re looking for a premium Samsung experience without the premium price, the A82 is a solid choice. But if camera performance or the latest hardware is a priority, you might want to consider spending a bit more on a Galaxy S-series device.

Samsung Galaxy A82 Full Specifications:

Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 2400 x 1080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+

RAM: 6GB / 8GB

Storage: 128GB / 256GB, expandable via microSD

Rear Cameras: 64MP primary (OIS), 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro

Front Camera: 32MP

Battery: 4,500mAh, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging

OS: Android 11 with One UI 3.1

Connectivity: 5G, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C

Audio: Stereo speakers, no headphone jack

Dimensions: 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm

Weight: 203g