The Samsung Galaxy A33 joins Samsung’s Galaxy lineup as the cheaper alternative to the Galaxy A53 that also made its debut at Samsung’s March 17 phone event. Given the specs Samsung announced, this new model should immediately challenge for a spot on the list of best cheap phones.
The Galaxy A33 makes its play for the hearts and minds of bargain hunters by improving upon some of the features offered by the Galaxy A32 model that it replaces. And in some cases, Samsung even includes the same Galaxy A53 features on the A33, further increasing the value of this cheaper model.
Here’s what you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy A33 and how it compares to other top bargain phones like the Google Pixel 5a and the iPhone SE 2022.
Samsung Galaxy A33 specs
| Price | £329 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD AMOLED |
| Maximum refresh rate | 90Hz |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main (f/1.8), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 5MP macro (f/2.4), 2MP depth (f/2.4) |
| Front camera | 13MP (f/2.2) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1280 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB, expandable up to 1TB |
| Operating system | Android 12 with One UI 4.1 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired |
Samsung Galaxy A33 price and availability
Buying a Galaxy A33 will set you back £329. It comes only in a model with 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage, though you can expand the latter via microSD. Not only does the Galaxy A33 cost less than the A53, but it’s also quite a bit cheaper than the Pixel 5a ($449 in the U.S.) and the iPhone SE 2022 (£419/$429).
The A33 is only slated to go to Europe (including the U.K.) at the moment, where you can buy it from April 22. Whether it comes to the U.S. later is still a mystery.
Samsung Galaxy A33 design
Like the Galaxy A53, the Galaxy A33 features a sloping camera bump instead of the Galaxy S22’s contour cut in which the camera array blends into the side of the phone. The Galaxy A33 also uses a teardrop front camera instead of the punch-hole cutout found on other Samsung phones. That means the Galaxy A33 has thicker bezels, too.
As for colors, the Galaxy A33 is available in black, white, pastel blue and a peach hue. The phone features IP67 water/dust resistance and Gorilla Glass 5 on the front — both changes are a step up in build quality from the Galaxy A32. An under-display optical fingerprint sensor rounds out the Galaxy A33’s design features.
Samsung Galaxy A33 display
While the Galaxy A53 offers a 6.5-inch screen, the Galaxy A33 goes slightly smaller with a 6.4-inch panel. Samsung sticks with the 90Hz refresh rate featured on the Galaxy A32; while other phones like the Galaxy A53 can refresh at 120Hz, the faster refresh rate still gives the A33 an edge over the iPhone SE and Pixel 5a's 60Hz rate.
Other display features include 800 nits of brightness. Samsung includes stereo speakers on the Galaxy A33, an improvement over what the A32 had to offer.
Samsung Galaxy A33 cameras
You’ll find four cameras on the back of the Galaxy A33. The 48MP main camera now includes optical image stabilization, a change from the A32. In addition, you’ll find an 8MP ultrawide angle camera, 5MP macro lens and 2MP depth sensor. A 13MP front camera rounds out the different shooters on the Galaxy A33.
Like the A53, you can shoot photos at the full 48MP resolution of the Galaxy A33’s main lens, rather than capturing photos at a pixel-binned 12MP. Some users will appreciate the more detailed photos, even if it means less image brightness.
Samsung says to expect better portrait shots, a byproduct of improvements to the processor and the phone’s software. Night mode shots should be better, too, giving the Galaxy A33 a leg up on the iPhone SE. Apple’s new phone doesn’t include Night mode support.
Samsung Galaxy A33 performance
Samsung has turned to its own Exynos 1280 to power the Galaxy A33. Considering that’s the same processor in the A53, the Galaxy A33 should have plenty of processing power for a phone in its price range. The A33 shares another A53 feature in that you can allocate up to 6GB of storage RAM to augment the 8GB of memory the phone ships with.
The A33 works with 5G networks, and its SIM tray can fit up to two SIM cards. You could add a microSD instead, if you want to boost storage to up to 1TB.
Samsung Galaxy A33 battery life and charging
The Galaxy A33 features a 5,000 mAh, just like its predecessor. Charging is faster, as the A33 can support 25W wired charging. You’ll need to supply your own charger, though, as the phone ships without one.
Samsung Galaxy A33 software
You’ll get Android 12 with the Galaxy A33, which features Samsung's One UI 4.1 overlay. In addition, you can expect four years of software updates, with an initial year of security patches. Samsung’s been boosting the support for its phones lately, in recognition of the reality that more of us hold onto our phones these days.
Samsung Galaxy A33 outlook
With the Galaxy A33, we have a more capable mid-range phone than before.While I like the higher specs on offer with the Galaxy A53, I'm impressed with how big a leap Samsung's taken with the A33, giving it a higher refresh rate, improved cameras and other basics taken for granted on flagships.
In the end, the Galaxy A33 may prove to be the better deal of the two, if you can manage with the outdated features like the waterdrop notch and thick bezels.
