At a Glance
- Samsung launches the $200 Galaxy A17 5G with Google AI tools Circle to Search and Gemini
- 6.7-inch 90Hz display, 5,000-mAh battery, 25-W wired charging
- Six years of software and security updates, hitting U.S. stores on Jan. 7
- Why it matters: It brings advanced AI to a budget phone, widening access for millions
Samsung announced the Galaxy A17 5G on Tuesday, positioning it as a modest refresh of the lower-cost A16 line while adding AI capabilities that are becoming standard on Android 16 devices. The phone will be available in blue, black and gray, and starts at $200 in the U.S.
Design and Hardware
The A17 keeps the familiar 6.7-inch display with a 90-Hz refresh rate and an IP54 rating for splash resistance. It runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1330 processor, paired with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. Battery and charging remain unchanged: a 5,000-mAh pack and 25-W wired charging.
- 6.7-inch 90-Hz display
- Exynos 1330 processor
- 4 GB RAM / 128 GB storage
- 5,000-mAh battery, 25-W charging
- 50-MP wide, 5-MP ultra-wide, 2-MP macro rear cameras
- 13-MP front camera
AI Features and Market Reach
Samsung says the A17 will ship with Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, both of which are increasingly common on Android 16 phones. By adding these tools to a $200 device, Samsung could broaden the audience for Circle to Search and Gemini, as the brand is one of the few non-Apple phones that consistently tops U.S. sales charts- the A16 already ranked fifth behind the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17.
Key Takeaways
- The Galaxy A17 5G adds Google AI tools to a budget phone.
- It offers a 6.7-inch 90-Hz display, 5,000-mAh battery, and 25-W charging.
- Samsung guarantees six years of software and security updates, a rare feature for $200 phones.
The new A17 underscores Samsung’s strategy to combine affordability with cutting-edge AI, potentially reshaping the low-cost smartphone market.
