Samsung's Entry-Level Android Go Pioneer

Samsung's Galaxy A2 Core was a budget-friendly Android Go edition smartphone designed to deliver a smooth experience for first-time users and emerging markets.

Introduction: The Android Go Contender

Launched in April 2019, the Samsung Galaxy A2 Core was the company's first device based on Google's lightweight Android 8.0 (Ore) Go edition. Positioned as an ultra-affordable entry point into the Samsung ecosystem, it aimed to provide a lag-free experience for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light web browsing without breaking the bank.

Design & Display

The Galaxy A2 Core featured a compact and lightweight plastic body, weighing just 142 grams. Its 5.0-inch PLS LCD display offered a qHD resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, resulting in a 220 PPI density. While not sharp by modern standards, the screen was sufficient for its target audience, with a bezel-less design that was functional for its time.

Performance & Hardware

Powering the device was Samsung's own Exynos 7870 chipset, an octa-core processor built on a 14nm process for improved power efficiency. It was paired with just 1GB of RAM, a key characteristic of Android Go devices, which is optimized to run well with limited memory. Storage options were either 8GB or 16GB, expandable via a microSDXC card slot to mitigate the limited internal space.

Camera

The photography setup was minimalist. A single 5MP rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture handled basic photography and could record 1080p video at 30fps. On the front, a 5MP f/2.2 shooter was available for selfies and video calls. The cameras were designed for well-lit conditions and served the essential purpose of documentation.

Battery & Charging

A 2600mAh removable battery kept the device running. Given the low-power chipset and modest display, it was capable of providing a full day of use for light users. Charging was handled via an older Micro-USB 2.0 port, reflecting its budget nature.

Software & Features

The key feature was its software. The Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition) experience meant a streamlined version of the OS with lightweight Google apps (like Google Go, YouTube Go) that used less data, storage, and memory. This ensured that the 1GB RAM felt more responsive than on a standard Android build.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Clean Android Go experience, compact and lightweight design, removable battery, very affordable launch price.
• Cons: Extremely low-resolution display, minimal RAM and storage, basic cameras, outdated Micro-USB port, now discontinued.

Tags: Samsung, Android Go, budget phone, specs, discontinued, review

A look back at the Samsung Galaxy A2 Core, an affordable Android Go phone with a compact design and essential features for first-time users.