Samsung Galaxy A17: In summary
- Samsung’s new budget Android phone
- Suddenly on sale with no official announcement
- A similar look with some improvements and upgrades
- Same price as Galaxy A16 5G
- 4G model now available, too
While Samsung holds big Unpacked launch events at glamorous locations around the world, one of its most popular Galaxy phones doesn’t get the limelight it deserves.
Although there have been a few rumours and leaks for the Galaxy A17, Samsung has put it on sale without so much as a blog post or even a quick post on social media.
It’s a bizarre situation, especially when you consider that its predecessor, the Galaxy A16 , is the best-selling Samsung phone of the year. Samsung hasn’t even emailed us to point out the phone is now official and it’s not on the official store at the time of writing, either.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy A17 5G is here and could be the best budget phone of 2025. There’s also a cheaper 4G version, too. Here’s what you need to know about what’s new, where to buy it, and how much it costs.
Read our full Galaxy A17 5G review .
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: What’s new?
In summary
- A slimmer and lighter design with stronger glass at the front
- A key upgrade to the main camera for better photos and video
- Longer software support than any rivals in the budget category
Sometimes, new phones come with a huge amount of upgrades and changes compared to the previous version. That’s not the case here, but there are some notable things about the Galaxy A17 5G to make you aware of.
While the Galaxy A17 5G looks very similar to its predecessor, there are some improvements to the design and build. You may or may not like the camera module change from the porthole style to a group – like the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 – but that’s not the main thing here.
Samsung has made the phone thinner and lighter at 7.5mm and 192g, which should make it more comfortable to use. There’s also Gorilla Glass Victus covering the screen, which is more durable to scratches and cracks.
We would have liked to see an improved IP rating for dust and water resistance, but it remains at a pretty basic IP54. The teardrop front camera cutout remains, as does a chunky bezel – particularly at the bottom of the screen.
You can buy the Galaxy A17 5G in three colours: Grey, Black and Blue. The 4G model looks the same but comes in a lighter blue.
Samsung
A better main camera
The cameras on the Galaxy A17 5G are nearly identical to last year. That means you get a 50Mp main camera, 5Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro on the back with a 13Mp selfie camera.
The big news is the addition of optical image stabilisation (OIS) for the main rear camera. This is like adding a tiny gimbal, which helps keep the camera steady as you’re moving the phone – even without meaning to.
It helps avoid photos coming out blurry and makes video footage smoother, too.
New software
New phones don’t always come with newer software than the last generation, but the Galaxy A17 5G does and the 4G model has the same screen.
You get Android 15 with One UI 7. Those aren’t the very latest versions of each, but it’s perfectly acceptable for a cheap phone and Samsung offers much longer software support than rivals in the category.
In fact, it’s class-leading in this area with 6 years of OS and security support. Some budget phones don’t even come with a software promise.
Samsung
When is the Samsung Galaxy A17 release date?
In summary
- Quietly announced in August 2025
- Ahead of its expected release in October
- 4G model landed a month later
We didn’t expect the Galaxy A17 5G to arrive until later in the year, specifically October, following when the Galaxy A16 arrived last year.
However, as mentioned earlier, Samsung has put the phone on sale without actually announcing its existence . This means it doesn’t really have a specific release date.
How much does the Samsung Galaxy A17 cost?
In summary
- Matches the price of the Galaxy A16 5G
- Now on sale at Samsung and retailers
- Still missing from the USA
You can already buy the Galaxy A17 5G and it stays at the same £199 price as the A16 5G.
There’s a list of retailers selling the A17 5G below, with many offering £20 off already.
- Amazon
- Argos
- Currys
- John Lewis
- Very
- Carphone Warehouse
- Samsung
The Galaxy A17 in its 4G model costs £169 as we predicted and some stores already have it for under £150.
- Amazon
- Argos
- Currys
- John Lewis
- Very
- Samsung
Samsung
What are the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G specs?
Here are the full specs for the Galaxy A17 5G. The 4G model primarily has a different processor in the Mediatek Helio G99.
- Android 15 with One UI 7
- 6 OS updates
- 6 years security updates
- 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 90Hz
- Exynos 1330 (5nm) processor
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB storage
- microSD card slot (up to 2TB)
- 50Mp, f/1,8 rear camera with OIS
- 5Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera
- 2Mp, f/2.4 macro camera
- 13Mp, f/2.0 selfie camera
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W wired charging
- Fingerprint scanner (side)
- Gorilla Glass Victus (front)
- Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (back)
- IP54
- 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5mm
- 192g
- Launch colours: Black, Grey, Blue
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
Recent stories by Chris Martin:
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