Samsung Galaxy A18 5G Review - Best Budget Phone with 120Hz AMOLED Under 35,000 BDT
Samsung Galaxy A18 5G Review - Best Budget Phone with 120Hz AMOLED Under 35,000 BDT in Bangladesh
The Samsung Galaxy A18 5G brings premium features to the budget segment with its 120Hz Super AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and Samsung's industry-leading software update policy. Priced under 35,000 BDT, it offers a rare combination of a high-refresh-rate AMOLED panel and future-proof 5G connectivity. This comprehensive review covers the display quality, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value proposition of this impressive budget smartphone from Samsung.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB (expandable via microSD) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 5MP ultrawide + 2MP macro |
| Front Camera | 13MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, 25W |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 5G | Yes (dual SIM) |
| Updates | 4 years OS, 5 years security |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
The Samsung Galaxy A18 5G arrives in Samsung's now-familiar eco-friendly slim box, which has become standard across their entire smartphone lineup. Inside the box, you will find the phone itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and some basic documentation. As with all recent Samsung phones, there is no charger included in the box, so you will need to use an existing USB-C charger or purchase one separately. This is something to keep in mind if you are upgrading from an older phone that may use a different charging port.
The first thing that strikes you when you hold the Galaxy A18 is how refined it feels for a budget device. Samsung has clearly put thought into the ergonomics and build quality. The phone has a solid, reassuring weight to it - not too heavy to be uncomfortable, but substantial enough to feel premium. The 6.5-inch display dominates the front of the device, and the bezels, while present, are noticeably thinner than what you would find on budget phones from just a year or two ago. The waterdrop notch at the top houses the front camera and is minimally intrusive.
The back of the phone features a matte finish that is a welcome departure from the glossy, fingerprint-magnet backs that plague many budget phones. This matte texture feels pleasant to the touch and provides good grip, reducing the chance of accidental drops. The camera module is neatly arranged in a vertical pill shape on the top left, and the Samsung logo sits centered on the lower half of the back panel.
When you first power on the device, the 120Hz Super AMOLED display immediately makes its presence felt. The colors are vibrant and punchy, the blacks are truly deep (a hallmark of AMOLED technology), and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through menus, web pages, and social media feeds feel incredibly smooth and responsive. For a phone priced under 15,000 BDT, this display quality is genuinely surprising and elevates the entire user experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy A18 5G features a design language that is consistent with Samsung's A-series lineup, incorporating design elements from more expensive models. The phone measures approximately 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8mm and weighs around 195g. These dimensions make it comfortable to hold, though users with smaller hands may find one-handed operation a bit of a stretch.
The frame is constructed from high-quality polycarbonate plastic, which is standard at this price point. However, Samsung has done an excellent job of making it feel sturdy and well-constructed. There is minimal flex when you apply pressure to the phone, indicating good build quality and structural integrity. The back panel is also made of polycarbonate but features a matte finish that not only looks premium but also resists fingerprints and smudges effectively.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button on the right side of the phone. This is one of my favorite implementations of fingerprint sensors on budget phones. The sensor is fast, accurate, and positioned exactly where your thumb naturally rests when holding the phone. In my testing, it had a success rate of over 95 percent, which is excellent for a budget device. This is significantly more reliable than many in-display fingerprint sensors found on phones costing two or three times as much.
The phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for budget-conscious users who may not want to invest in Bluetooth earbuds. It is located on the bottom edge next to the USB-C port. The speaker grille is also on the bottom edge, delivering decent sound quality for media consumption. While the single bottom-firing speaker won't replace a dedicated Bluetooth speaker, it is loud enough for watching videos in a quiet room or listening to music while doing chores.
The phone is available in three attractive colors: Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Blue. All three options look professional and understated, with the Awesome Blue option adding a touch of personality without being too flashy. The color options give users the flexibility to choose a phone that matches their personal style.
One notable omission is official water resistance. Unlike more expensive Samsung phones, the A18 does not carry an IP rating. While it can likely survive an occasional splash or light rain, you should not intentionally expose it to water or use it in heavy rain.
Display - The Standout Feature
The 6.5-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display is unquestionably the standout feature of the Galaxy A18 5G. At under 15,000 BDT, finding a phone with any AMOLED display is rare enough, but one with a 120Hz refresh rate is almost unheard of. This is where Samsung leverages its display manufacturing expertise to offer a feature that competitors simply cannot match at this price point.
The display resolution is HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels), which is standard for this price range. While some competitors offer FHD+ resolution at similar prices, the AMOLED panel more than makes up for the lower pixel count in everyday use. The colors are vibrant and punchy, with deep blacks that IPS LCD panels simply cannot replicate. This makes watching videos, viewing photos, and even just browsing the web a more enjoyable experience.
The 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade from the standard 60Hz found on most budget phones. Scrolling through long web pages, social media feeds, and even the settings menu feels much smoother and more responsive. The difference is immediately noticeable, and once you experience a 120Hz display, going back to 60Hz feels sluggish and dated. Samsung has implemented an adaptive refresh rate that can dynamically adjust between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the content, which helps conserve battery life when high refresh rates are not needed.
Brightness is adequate for most situations. The display can reach around 800 nits in peak brightness, which is sufficient for indoor use and outdoor use in shaded areas. Under direct sunlight, the display can be a bit hard to read, but this is a common limitation at this price point. Samsung has included a "Vision Booster" feature that enhances outdoor visibility by adjusting contrast and colors, and it does help to some extent.
Additional display highlights include:
- Super AMOLED panel with deep blacks and vibrant colors
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations
- HD+ resolution (1600 x 720 pixels)
- Up to 800 nits peak brightness
- Eye comfort shield to reduce blue light emission
- Always-on display functionality (basic version)
- Gorilla Glass 5 protection (on the front)
Performance and Software
The Galaxy A18 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, an entry-level 5G chip built on a 6nm process. This chip is designed to balance performance and power efficiency, making it well-suited for budget 5G phones. It features two ARM Cortex-A76 performance cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six ARM Cortex-A55 efficiency cores clocked at 2.0GHz, along with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU for graphics processing.
In day-to-day usage, the phone performs admirably for its price. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and web browsers open quickly and run smoothly. Scrolling through social media feeds is generally lag-free, thanks in large part to the 120Hz display. Multitasking between two or three apps is possible, though you may notice some slowdown when switching between demanding apps. The 6GB or 8GB of RAM (depending on the variant) is sufficient for most users' multitasking needs.
Performance test results:
- AnTuTu 10 score: Approximately 400,000 - 430,000
- Geekbench 6 single-core: ~750
- Geekbench 6 multi-core: ~2,100
- 3D Mark Wild Life: ~1,200
Gaming performance is where the limitations of the Dimensity 6100+ become apparent. Light games like Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, Temple Run, and Among Us run perfectly fine with no issues. BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) can run at 40-50 FPS on smooth graphics settings, but you will experience occasional frame drops during intense action scenes with many players and effects. Call of Duty Mobile is playable at low to medium settings. Heavy games like Genshin Impact are not playable at acceptable frame rates and are best avoided. This phone is not designed for serious mobile gaming, and that is an important expectation to set.
Software is one of Samsung's strongest suits, and the A18 benefits greatly from this. The Galaxy A18 runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, which is the full version of Samsung's custom skin (not the watered-down Core version found on some cheaper models). One UI is widely regarded as one of the best Android skins available, and for good reason. It is feature-rich, well-organized, and highly customizable.
Key software features include:
- One UI 6.1 with Android 14
- Samsung Knox security platform
- Secure Folder for hiding sensitive apps and files
- Link to Windows for seamless integration with Windows PCs
- Smart Switch for easy data transfer from old phones
- Bixby routines for automation
- Edge panels for quick access to apps and tools
- Dual Messenger for running two instances of messaging apps
What truly sets Samsung apart in the budget segment is their software update policy. Samsung promises 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for the Galaxy A18. This is industry-leading for a phone at this price point. Most competitors offer only 2 years of OS updates, if that. This means the Galaxy A18 will receive Android updates through 2028 and security patches through 2029, making it a great long-term investment for budget-conscious users who plan to keep their phone for several years.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy A18 5G features a triple camera setup on the back: a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. On the front, there is a 13MP selfie camera. While this camera system won't win any awards, it is more than capable for casual photography and social media sharing.
The 50MP main camera is the workhorse of the system. In good lighting conditions, it captures decent photos with natural colors and acceptable detail. The 50MP mode allows you to capture higher resolution images, but the difference in quality is marginal, and the file sizes are significantly larger. For most users, the standard 12MP mode (using pixel-binning) will be sufficient and will save valuable storage space.
Daylight photos have a natural look - not overly saturated like some Chinese phones, but not flat and lifeless either. Samsung's image processing tends to produce colors that are pleasing without being unrealistic. Dynamic range is decent for the price, though you may see some blown-out highlights in high-contrast scenes with bright skies and dark shadows. The camera app is responsive and easy to use, with Samsung's familiar and intuitive interface.
The 5MP ultrawide camera is a welcome addition at this price point, as many budget phones still lack an ultrawide lens. It allows you to capture expansive landscapes, tall buildings, and large group photos without having to step back. The 120-degree field of view is generous, and while the 5MP resolution means images are not as sharp as those from the main camera, they are perfectly usable for social media sharing. Color processing is well-matched to the main camera, so ultrawide photos look consistent with standard photos. Low-light performance on the ultrawide camera is poor, and you will want to use the main camera at night.
The 2MP macro camera is more of a gimmick than a genuinely useful tool. It allows you to take close-up shots of small objects like flowers, insects, or textures, but the low 2MP resolution means images lack detail. You are better off using the main camera for close-up shots and cropping if necessary. Most users will likely never use the macro camera after the initial novelty wears off.
The 13MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls. Selfies taken in good lighting have acceptable detail and natural skin tones. Samsung's beauty modes can be adjusted or turned off entirely, which is a nice touch. The portrait mode on the front camera works reasonably well, with decent edge detection for a budget phone. In low light, the front camera struggles significantly, producing soft and noisy images. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps from all cameras, which is standard at this price point.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000 mAh battery is one of the Galaxy A18's strongest selling points. Combined with the power-efficient Dimensity 6100+ processor and the HD+ display (which consumes less power than FHD+ or QHD+ displays), the phone delivers exceptional battery life that will easily get most users through a full day and into the next.
Battery test results:
- Video playback (offline, 50% brightness): 18+ hours
- Web browsing over Wi-Fi (continuous): 14+ hours
- 4G/5G web browsing: 12+ hours
- Mixed usage (calls, social media, YouTube, web browsing): 1.5 to 2 days
- Heavy usage (gaming, constant streaming, navigation): Full day (6 AM to 10 PM)
For most users, the Galaxy A18 will comfortably last through a full day of heavy use with 20-30 percent battery remaining at bedtime. With moderate use, you can expect to go to bed with 40-50 percent battery remaining. Light users may even get two full days between charges, which is a significant convenience.
The 25W fast charging is adequate but not class-leading. Samsung does not include a charger in the box, so you will need to purchase one separately or use an existing USB-C charger. Using a 25W Samsung charger (sold separately), here are the charging times:
- 0% to 50%: 30 minutes
- 0% to 80%: 55 minutes
- 0% to 100%: 85 minutes
While 25W charging is slower than the 45W or 67W chargers found on some budget competitors from Chinese brands, it is still a significant improvement over the 15W charging found on older budget phones. A 30-minute charge gives you about 8-10 hours of typical use, which is convenient for topping up during the day.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Galaxy A18 5G supports dual 5G SIM cards, which is a notable feature at this price point. You can use two 5G SIM cards simultaneously, with the phone automatically switching between them for the best signal. 5G connectivity ensures that this phone will remain relevant as 5G networks continue to expand across Bangladesh. The phone supports both SA (Standalone) and NSA (Non-Standalone) 5G modes.
Other connectivity options include:
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) dual-band
- Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio support
- GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou for accurate location
- NFC for contactless payments (availability may vary by region)
- USB-C 2.0 port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- FM Radio (requires wired headphones as antenna)
The phone also features a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 1TB. This is a welcome feature for users who need additional storage for photos, videos, and apps. The hybrid SIM slot means you can use either two SIM cards or one SIM card and one microSD card, giving you flexibility in how you use the phone.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 120Hz Super AMOLED display (rare under 15,000 BDT) | No charger included in the box |
| 5G connectivity for future-proofing | HD+ resolution only (not FHD+) |
| 4 years OS + 5 years security updates (industry-leading) | Entry-level Dimensity 6100+ processor |
| 5000 mAh battery with excellent battery life | 25W charging is slower than competitors |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | Poor low-light camera performance |
| microSD card slot (up to 1TB) | No water resistance rating |
| Clean One UI software experience | Single speaker (not stereo) |
| Side-mounted fingerprint sensor (fast and reliable) | Macro camera is low resolution (2MP) |
Samsung Galaxy A18 vs realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G
The realme Narzo 80 Pro 5G costs about 13,999 BDT, similarly priced. The realme offers a 120Hz AMOLED display (similar to the Samsung) and 45W fast charging (faster than Samsung's 25W). The Samsung offers better software update policy (4 years vs 2 years), Samsung's brand reliability, and a headphone jack. The realme has slightly better performance with the same processor.
Verdict: Choose Samsung for software updates and brand trust. Choose realme for faster charging.
Samsung Galaxy A18 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro costs about 20,999 BDT, about 6,000 BDT more. The Xiaomi offers a better processor (Dimensity 7200 vs 6100+), 108MP OIS camera, and 67W fast charging. The Samsung offers a better display (Super AMOLED vs AMOLED) and better software update policy. The Xiaomi is more expensive but offers significantly better performance and camera.
Verdict: The Samsung is better for the absolute budget. The Xiaomi is worth the extra money for better performance and camera.
Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy A18 5G
- First-time smartphone buyers: Excellent entry point into the Samsung ecosystem
- Students on a budget: Great display and battery life for studying and media consumption
- Users who want 5G on a budget: Future-proof connectivity at an affordable price
- Users who prioritize display quality: 120Hz AMOLED is rare under 15,000 BDT
- Users who plan to keep the phone for 3-4 years: 4 years of OS updates is industry-leading
- Users who want a headphone jack and expandable storage
- Samsung ecosystem users: Seamless integration with Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Watch
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Gamers: Dimensity 6100+ is not suitable for heavy gaming
- Photography enthusiasts: The camera is basic, especially in low light
- Users who want FHD+ resolution: The A18 has HD+ only
- Users who want a charger included: You will need to buy one separately
- Users who want the fastest possible charging
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A18 5G is the best budget Samsung phone for users who prioritize display quality and long-term software support. The 120Hz Super AMOLED display is genuinely impressive at this price point, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling that you usually have to pay significantly more for. The 5000 mAh battery provides excellent battery life, and Samsung's 4-year OS update promise is industry-leading.
There are compromises, as expected at this price. The HD+ resolution is lower than some competitors, the processor is entry-level and not suitable for gaming, and the camera struggles in low light. The lack of a charger in the box is also disappointing, though this is becoming standard across the industry. However, Samsung has made smart trade-offs, prioritizing display quality and software support over raw specifications.
For first-time smartphone buyers, students, or anyone on a tight budget who wants a reliable phone with a great display and long-term support, the Galaxy A18 5G is an excellent choice. It may not win any spec-sheet battles, but it delivers where it matters most for budget users - display quality, battery life, and software support.
Rating: 8.9/10
Price: 13,999 BDT (6GB/128GB) | 14,999 BDT (6GB/256GB) | 15,999 BDT (8GB/256GB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Does the Galaxy A18 have an AMOLED display?
Answer: Yes, it has a 6.5-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, which is rare under 15,000 BDT.
Question 2: Does it have a headphone jack?
Answer: Yes, the Galaxy A18 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Question 3: Does it come with a charger?
Answer: No, only a USB-C cable is included. You will need to buy a 25W USB-C PD charger separately.
Question 4: How many updates will it get?
Answer: Samsung promises 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
Question 5: Is it good for gaming?
Answer: It is decent for casual gaming (Subway Surfers, Candy Crush) but not for heavy games like BGMI or Genshin Impact at high settings.
Question 6: Does it have expandable storage?
Answer: Yes, it has a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 1TB.
Question 7: Is it waterproof?
Answer: No, there is no official IP rating for water resistance. Avoid exposing it to water.
