The tech world has been buzzing with anticipation for Samsung’s next budget contender, the Galaxy A17. But a fresh leak on Geekbench has doused hopes for a performance leap, revealing the device will likely recycle its predecessor’s chipset—a puzzling move in an increasingly competitive market.
The Benchmark That Tells All
Spotted on Geekbench 6 (listed under model SM-A176B), the Galaxy A17 posted underwhelming scores that mirror last year’s Galaxy A16. The device managed 432 points in single-core and 1,379 points in multi-core tests—figures nearly identical to the Helio G85-powered A16. More tellingly, the chipset is identified as the MediaTek MT6769V/CZ, better known as the Helio G85. This 12nm processor, first launched in 2020, features eight cores (2x Cortex-A75 @ 2.0GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz) and a Mali-G52 GPU.
👉 See the full Geekbench listing here:
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/12970067
Déjà Vu for Samsung’s Budget Line
The Helio G85 is a competent chip for basic tasks, but its age is glaring. In 2024, rivals like the Redmi Note 13 (Snapdragon 685) and Realme C67 (Dimensity 6100+) offer newer architectures, 5G support, and superior efficiency. Samsung’s decision to retain the same silicon suggests a focus on cost-cutting over innovation, especially since the A17 was expected to debut as a 5G device.
Why It Matters
- Performance Stagnation: Apps and games optimized for newer chips will strain the Helio G85, potentially leading to quicker obsolescence.
- 5G Absence: With 5G becoming standard even in budget phones, the A17’s 4G-only limitation could alienate future-conscious buyers.
- Market Positioning: Competitors are aggressively upgrading specs. If Samsung prices the A17 above $200, it may struggle to justify the value.
Silver Linings?
Rumors hint at other upgrades: a 90Hz AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and a larger 5,000mAh battery. These would align with Samsung’s strategy of prioritizing screen and camera polish over raw power. Still, without a modern chipset, the A17 risks feeling like a rehashed A16—especially if priced similarly.
The Bottom Line
Samsung’s Galaxy A series dominates the budget segment through reliability, but the A17’s unchanged SoC feels like a missed opportunity. As brands like Xiaomi and Realme push boundaries with affordable 5G and newer silicon, Samsung’s "if it ain’t broke" approach might not suffice. Unless the A17 arrives at a sharply lower price point, it could face an uphill battle for relevance.
What’s next? Samsung has yet to confirm launch dates, but if Geekbench is right, the A17’s biggest "upgrade" might be its model number.
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