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Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A40 is the most compact one in Samsung's A-series lineup while still embodying everything great about these midrange phones. It's supposed to be a compact, well-balanced mid-ranger with a Super AMOLED screen serving as a key selling point and main advantage over its direct rivals. It also offers an ultra wide-angle camera as a bonus, which is a rare find in the segment.

In addition to the ultra wide-angle lens and the Super AMOLED panel, the Galaxy A40 packs an in-house Exynos 7885 chipset that can go head-to-head with the competition's Qualcomm offerings and a generous 3,100mAh battery considering the small dimensions of the phone.

Quite frankly, nothing about this phone makes us excited, per se, but it could potentially be one of the most balanced midrangers that should make it into one's shopping list. Well, that's still pending a deeper examination, and this is where this review steps in.

Samsung Galaxy A40 specs

Body: 144.4 x 69.2 x 7.9 mm, 140 grams, plastic back and side frame.

144.4 x 69.2 x 7.9 mm, 140 grams, plastic back and side frame. Screen: 5.9" Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 px resolution; 19.5:9 aspect ratio; ~437 ppi.

5.9" Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 px resolution; 19.5:9 aspect ratio; ~437 ppi. Chipset: Exynos 7904 (14 nm): Octa-core (2x1.77 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.59 GHz Cortex-A53), Mali-G71 MP2 GPU.

Exynos 7904 (14 nm): Octa-core (2x1.77 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.59 GHz Cortex-A53), Mali-G71 MP2 GPU. Memory: 4GB RAM, 64GB built-in storage, microSD slot support.

4GB RAM, 64GB built-in storage, microSD slot support. OS: One UI based on Android 9.0 Pie.

One UI based on Android 9.0 Pie. Rear camera: Main: 16 MP, f/1.7, PDAF; Ultra-wide: 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, no AF; LED flash; 1080p@30 video recording.

Main: 16 MP, f/1.7, PDAF; Ultra-wide: 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, no AF; LED flash; 1080p@30 video recording. Front camera: 25 MP, f/2.0; 1080p@30fps video recording.

25 MP, f/2.0; 1080p@30fps video recording. Battery: 3,100mAh, Fast charging 15W.

3,100mAh, Fast charging 15W. Connectivity: Dual-SIM; LTE Cat.12 3CA 600Mbps (DL) / Cat.13 2CA 150Mbps (UL); USB-C 3.1; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot; A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS; Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE.

Unfortunately, our review unit didn't come in its original packaging so we can't be sure what Samsung will include in the retail box. The phone supports 15W quick charging, which is as high the Galaxy S10 series but we're not sure whether a compatible charger will be supplied with the Galaxy A40 given its market positioning.