Photo: Beamish4 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Samsung Galaxy Alpha Price
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha lowest price is $2,999, based on current retailer listings.
Full Specifications
Display
| Type | Super AMOLED |
| Size | 4.7 inches |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 (region dependent) |
| Pixel Density | ~312 ppi |
Platform
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop) |
| Chipset | Exynos 5 Octa 5430 (20 nm) - Global; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 - Regional |
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP6 |
Memory
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM |
Main Camera
| Modules | 12 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps |
Selfie Camera
| Modules | 2.1 MP |
| Video | 1080p |
Battery
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1860 mAh |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (3G) |
| Music play | Up to 37 h |
Body
| Dimensions | 132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7 mm |
| Weight | 115 g |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Launch
| Announced | August 13, 2014 |
| Status | Released September 12, 2014 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Premium metal frame design
- Extremely thin and light form factor
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Good performance for its release era
- Removable battery
- Integrated fingerprint and heart rate sensors
Cons
- 720p display resolution, not Full HD
- No expandable storage via microSD card
- Relatively small 1860 mAh battery capacity
- Plastic back cover, despite metal frame
- Outdated Android operating system (up to Lollipop)
- Lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for the camera
In The Box & Warranty
- Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone
- Charger
- MicroUSB Cable
- Earphones
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
At launch, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
Questions & Answers
Is the Samsung Galaxy Alpha still a good phone in 2024?
No, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is significantly outdated in 2024. Its operating system is old, and its hardware cannot support modern applications or provide adequate security.
Does the Samsung Galaxy Alpha have a metal body?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha was notable for being Samsung's first Android smartphone to feature a premium metallic frame, though its back cover was still plastic.
When was the Samsung Galaxy Alpha released?
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was officially released on September 12, 2014.
Can the Samsung Galaxy Alpha run the latest Android apps?
No, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, upgradable to 5.0.2 Lollipop. Many modern applications require newer Android versions and will not function on this device.
Does the Samsung Galaxy Alpha have expandable storage?
No, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha does not have a microSD card slot, meaning its internal 32GB storage cannot be expanded.
What was unique about the Samsung Galaxy Alpha?
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was unique for its time as it was Samsung's first Android smartphone to incorporate a metallic frame, offering a more premium feel compared to its all-plastic predecessors.