Samsung's 2018 Triple-Camera Pioneer

Launched in 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A7 broke new ground as the first Samsung smartphone to feature a versatile triple-camera array, offering wide, ultra-wide, and depth sensing capabilities in a stylish glass body.

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) was a significant mid-range release that signaled Samsung's commitment to bringing advanced camera technology to a broader audience. As the first device in the company's portfolio with a triple-lens rear camera, it set a new standard for what was expected in the affordable premium segment.

Design & Display

Encased in a sleek 7.5mm thick glass body with a plastic frame, the Galaxy A7 boasted a premium look and feel despite its accessible price point. It featured a 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2220 pixels) and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Performance & Hardware

Powering the device was Samsung's own Exynos 7885 octa-core chipset, built on a 14nm process for efficient performance. It was paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM (LPDDR4X) and offered 64GB or 128GB of internal storage (eMMC 5.1), expandable via a microSD card slot.

Camera

Rear Triple Camera System

• 24MP Main sensor (ƒ/1.7): A wide-angle lens for detailed primary shots.
• 8MP Ultra-Wide sensor (ƒ/2.4): Expanded the field of view for capturing more in the frame.
• 5MP Depth sensor (ƒ/2.2): Enabled portrait mode with bokeh effects.

Front Camera

A single 24MP (ƒ/2.0) selfie camera handled front-facing photos and video calls.

Battery & Charging

The phone was equipped with a 3300 mAh non-removable Li-Polymer battery, which provided a full day of moderate use. It charged via an older Micro-USB 2.0 port, a standard that was becoming less common at the time.

Software & Features

The Galaxy A7 launched with Android 8.0 (Oreo) and received an update to Android 10 with Samsung's One UI 2.0, greatly improving the user experience with a more modern interface and better software support. It included a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and support for Samsung Pay via NFC.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Innovative triple-camera system for its time.
  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display.
  • Generally reliable performance for everyday tasks.
  • Support for Samsung Pay with NFC.
• Cons:
  • Uses an older Micro-USB port instead of USB-C.
  • eMMC storage is slower than UFS standard.
  • No 4K video recording capability.
  • Officially discontinued and no longer receiving security updates.

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A7, Android, triple camera, smartphone, specs, mid-range, discontinued

A look back at the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018), the first Samsung phone with a triple rear camera system, featuring a 24MP main sensor and a sleek design.