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All-metal Galaxy A5, A3 break new Samsung ground (pictures)

As Samsung's first all-metal phones, the A3 and A5 are worth getting excited about. We go hands-on with both.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Galaxy A3 and A5 come to life

An all-metal frame and Android 4.4 KitKat come together in the long-rumored Samsung Galaxy A5, left, and A3.

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2 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Two sizes

The larger and more advanced of the two phones, the A5 has a 5-inch 720p HD display while the 4.5-inch screen A3 has a 960x540 qHD resolution.

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3 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Color coded

Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy A phones come in white and black, silver and gold, and light blue and pink. Unlike the Note 4, a metal unibody means you can't remove the back cover, and there's no heart-rate monitor on the rear.

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4 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Samsung's slimmest

The 0.26-inch (6.7mm) A5 is Samsung's slimmest smartphone, with the shorter A3 just a hair thicker at 0.27-inch (6.9mm).

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5 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Camera settings

Thirteen-megapixel and 8-megapixel rear-facing cameras adorn the A5 and A3, respectively, but it's those 5-megapixel front-facing shooters that Samsung hopes to highlight with brand-new selfie settings.

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6 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Stacking the deck

Samsung's midrange A-series isn't meant to compete with flagship phones like the Note 4 and Galaxy S5. Instead, the trendy metal models target teens and young adults.

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7 of 7 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Find out more

Get even more hands-on impressions of the Galaxy A5 and A3 in CNET's hands-on here.

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