Samsung's EcoLeather Budget Phone Arrives

The Samsung Galaxy F05 blends a unique silicone polymer back with Android 14 and a 50MP camera, offering standout style in the budget segment.

Introduction: Style Meets Substance

Launched in September 2024, the Samsung Galaxy F05 makes a bold entry into the affordable smartphone market. Its key differentiator is an EcoLeather back, a feature rarely seen in this price range, providing a premium feel and grip. Running the latest Android 14 out of the box, it promises a modern and secure user experience.

Design & Display

The Galaxy F05 features a sleek design at 8.8mm thick, weighing 195g. The standout design element is its blue silicone polymer back, which offers a leather-like texture that is both stylish and practical. The front houses a large 6.7-inch PLS LCD display with a 720x1600 pixel HD+ resolution. While not the sharpest on the market (262 PPI), it provides a generous screen-to-body ratio of approximately 82.1% for immersive viewing.

Performance & Hardware

Under the hood, the F05 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, a reliable 12nm processor known for handling everyday tasks and light gaming efficiently. It's paired with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which is expandable via a microSDXC card slot. This hardware configuration is designed for smooth performance within the constraints of its budget-friendly positioning.

Camera

The phone sports a dual-camera system on the back, headlined by a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture for capturing detailed photos in good light. It is accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor to assist with portrait mode shots. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 60fps. For selfies, an 8MP front-facing camera handles video calls and social media snaps.

Battery & Charging

A massive 5000mAh battery is at the core of the F05, promising all-day battery life and beyond for most users. A significant advantage is its support for 25W wired charging, which allows for relatively quick top-ups compared to many competitors in this category that often cap at 15W or 18W.

Software & Features

The device runs Android 14 with Samsung's One UI Core 6.0 layered on top. The Core version is tailored for budget devices but retains many of the user-friendly features and clean interface of the full One UI. Samsung also promises up to two major Android OS upgrades, ensuring the phone stays updated. It includes a headphone jack and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor (likely integrated into the power button, a common feature in this segment).

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Unique and premium EcoLeather design; Large 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging; Clean Android 14 software with upgrade promise; Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Cons: HD+ display resolution is low for a 6.7-inch screen; No 5G connectivity; Uses older eMMC 5.1 storage type.

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy F05, Android 14, budget phone, camera, battery, specs, price

The Samsung Galaxy F05 blends a unique silicone polymer back with Android 14 and a 50MP camera, offering standout style in the budget segment.