Samsung Galaxy A06

Our current listed price for the Samsung Galaxy A06 is Rs. 35,000 for the 4GB + 64GB version. At that price it is hard to recommend, because the Samsung Galaxy A07 costs Rs. 35,599 and is better in almost every way.

Main advantages:

• Samsung's One UI with no-nonsense software and promised updates
• Smooth everyday performance from the Helio G85
• A 5000 mAh battery that lasts a full day
• Headphone jack, FM radio and a dedicated memory card slot

Main disadvantages:

• A 60Hz, 720 x 1600 PLS LCD that struggles in sunlight
• Average cameras with washed-out colours
• Slow eMMC storage
• No charger in the box and no NFC

If you can find the A06 well below the A07, the base 4GB + 64GB version is the best value of the three variants, since a memory card adds cheap storage. The 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB versions offer poor value, because their extra storage is just as slow as a memory card.

Alternatives: the Galaxy A07 (Rs. 35,599) brings the faster Helio G99, a 90Hz screen and up to 6 major Android upgrades. The Tecno Spark 40C (Rs. 29,999) is cheaper with a 120Hz screen and a 6000 mAh battery, but only a 13 MP camera and 18W charging.

Verdict: a reliable basic Samsung for calls, WhatsApp and social media, but only worth buying at a clear discount to the Galaxy A07.

Official specs: a 6.7 inches PLS LCD with 720 x 1600 resolution and a waterdrop notch at the top.

Real-world use: the large screen is comfortable for videos and reading, and indoor brightness is fine for a phone in this price class. However, the panel runs at 60Hz, so scrolling and animations look less smooth than on rivals that offer 90Hz or 120Hz at a similar price.

Outdoor visibility: opinions differ. Brightness is described as good for a phone under this price, but the screen also struggles in harsh daylight and the image fades noticeably when the phone is tilted, so viewing angles are weak.

Limitations:

• HD+ resolution makes text look less sharp than on Full HD screens
• The 60Hz refresh rate feels dated for scrolling and gaming
• Colours and contrast are basic compared with AMOLED screens

For calls, WhatsApp and YouTube this display is acceptable. Buyers who spend hours on social media will notice the difference on a 90Hz or 120Hz phone such as the Galaxy A07 or Tecno Spark 40C.

The Galaxy A06 uses the MediaTek Helio G85 (12 nm) with 4GB or 6GB RAM.

Everyday use: after a month of regular use, the phone shows no lag in daily tasks such as calls, WhatsApp, social media and browsing. Apps open at a reasonable speed for the price, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor unlocks quickly.

Gaming: the G85 handles popular games such as PUBG Mobile at smooth (lower) graphics settings with steady frame rates. It is not designed for high graphics settings or demanding titles.

Storage: the phone uses slower eMMC storage instead of UFS. Phones with eMMC storage tend to slow down after long use, so heavy users should keep enough free space.

Limitations: the G85 is an older chip, and the Galaxy A07's Helio G99 is clearly faster. The 6GB RAM version keeps more apps open in the background, but it does not make the phone faster in games.

Bottom line: smooth enough for basic use, but not a phone for gamers or heavy multitaskers.

Official specs: a 50 MP main camera with a 2-megapixel depth sensor on the back, and an 8 MP selfie camera.

Daylight photos: the main camera captures acceptable detail, but colours often look dull and washed out, and focus can struggle at times. For a 50 MP camera, results feel average. A 2x zoom option is available.

Portraits: reports differ. 2x portraits can produce pleasant background blur, but the built-in portrait mode can also make clear mistakes around the edges of objects, so results are inconsistent.

Selfies: the 8 MP front camera gives better results than the 5 MP selfie cameras common at this price, though colours are again a little pale.

Low light and modes: night mode and slow motion are available but do not perform well.

Video: the rear camera records Full HD at up to 60fps and the front camera at 30fps. Stabilisation is good for a budget phone, but indoor footage gets noisy and microphone quality is basic.

Bottom line: a basic camera for everyday snaps and video calls, not for buyers who care about photography.

Official specs: a 5000 mAh battery with 25W wired charging.

Real-world use: with mixed use such as social media, browsing, mobile data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the Galaxy A06 delivers around 7 hours of screen-on time. Heavier use brings this down to about 5 to 6 hours. GSMArena's lab test also rated its endurance highly, with an Active Use Score of 13:50h.

Charging: 25W is quicker than the 18W common in this segment, but no charger is included in the box, only a USB-C cable, so you must buy a compatible 25W adapter separately. Full charging time is not confirmed: GSMArena's review unit charged far below its rated speed with every charger tried, which they put down to a faulty unit, so check charging speed when you buy.

Bottom line: battery life is one of the A06's strengths and easily lasts a day for most users. Budget for a charger when comparing prices.

The Galaxy A06 launched with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, and has since been updated to One UI 8. Samsung's official commitment for this model is up to 2 major OS updates, so the move to One UI 8 likely means the phone has already received its promised Android upgrades. Future updates are expected to be security patches only; confirm this with Samsung before buying for long-term use.

Everyday experience: One UI is clean, familiar and easy for older users and first-time smartphone owners. It includes the main Samsung features, and Dolby Atmos support helps the sound through headphones.

Missing features:

• No built-in screen recorder, so you need a third-party app
• No NFC for contactless payments

The phone includes a headphone jack, FM radio and a dedicated microSD slot, which are useful extras in this price range.

Compared with the Galaxy A07, which promises up to 6 major Android upgrades, the A06's shorter update policy is a key reason to consider the newer model.