I still remember my first budget Samsung phone years ago. The screen looked decent, but after a few months, the lag started creeping in. Apps froze, battery drained faster than I could charge it, and updates? Almost nonexistent. That’s why the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, launching in India on August 29, feels so different. It doesn’t just look like another budget phone, it feels like Samsung actually built it to last.

A Display You’ll Notice Instantly

The first thing that caught my eye is the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. Bright, punchy colors, and smooth 90Hz scrolling, that’s something you usually expect when you spend way more. The Gorilla Glass Victus protection is like a safety net, so you’re not panicking every time it slips out of your hand. Add in the slim 7.5mm body and the clean camera layout, and it honestly looks far more premium than its price suggests.

Power and Stability Where It Counts

Inside, the Exynos 1330 chipset does the heavy lifting. I’m curious to see how it handles multitasking with 6GB or 8GB RAM, especially when switching between heavy apps. And that 50MP OIS camera is big. Most budget phones still give you shaky shots at night, but OIS could finally mean stable videos and clearer low-light photos without trying ten times.

Battery and Updates That Go the Distance

A 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging is already reassuring, but hearing that Samsung might actually include the charger in the box for India made me smile. What really stands out though is the promise of six years of security updates and six OS upgrades. That’s unheard of in this segment. It means this phone won’t feel old after just a year or two.

With a starting price expected around ₹18,999, the Galaxy A17 5G could be the sweet spot for anyone who wants a stylish, long-lasting, and genuinely future-ready phone without breaking the bank. If Samsung delivers on its promises, this might just be the budget phone to beat in 2025.