New Budget Phone
Samsung quietly launches the Galaxy A18 4G in Europe with six years of support.
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Key Points
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The Galaxy A18 4G includes a side-mounted fingerprint reader, Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3—connectivity and biometric details not included in the summary.
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Samsung rates the 5,000mAh battery for up to 1,200 full charge cycles, and the phone is advertised as reaching 50% charge in about 30 minutes using its 25W wired charger.
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The 50MP primary rear camera reportedly has an f/1.8 aperture but no optical image stabilization (OIS), while the 5MP ultrawide camera has an f/2.4 aperture.
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The A18 is slightly larger and heavier than the A17, measuring 7.7mm thick and weighing 196g, compared with the predecessor’s 7.5mm thickness and 190g weight.
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Samsung France lists the phone in Gray, Light Blue and Black, with shipping scheduled to begin on September 18; Norway reportedly offers a 256GB version priced at NOK 5,190 in addition to the 128GB model.
Samsung has quietly launched the Galaxy A18 4G in select European markets, marking a modest upgrade over last year's Galaxy A17. The entry-level phone swaps MediaTek's older Helio G99 processor for Samsung's new Exynos 1610 chip and improves dust and water resistance to IP64, while keeping the 6.7-inch 90Hz Super AMOLED display and 5,000mAh battery Gizguide. In France, the 4GB/128GB model costs €280—a significant €80 jump from the A17's €200 launch price.
The phone ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, backed by six years of operating-system updates and security patches through late 2032 Android Authority. No 5G variant has been announced, and Samsung has not released the device globally, focusing instead on key European markets like France, Norway, and Sweden, with shipping set to begin September 18.
Why Samsung Ditched MediaTek for Its Own Chip
The Galaxy A18 marks Samsung's departure from MediaTek's Helio G99, the processor powering the A15, A16, and A17 budget models Gagadget. Samsung's new Exynos 1610 brings internal control over performance and power efficiency. Kernel analysis by tech outlets reveals the chip can handle 4K 60fps video recording, though Samsung officially caps specs at 1080p 30fps, leaving room for future software unlocks.
Price Jump Sparks Value Criticism From Reviewers
Tech reviewers have criticized the A18's price hike as poor value. PhoneArena called it an "overpriced blast from the past," noting that the A17 launched at €200 with 6GB RAM and a stronger value proposition PhoneArena. The A18 costs €280 with just 4GB base RAM, no optical image stabilization on its 50MP main camera, and no 5G option—features competitors offer in this price range.
Camera and Battery Details: Solid Durability, Limited Performance
The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture but no OIS, a 5MP ultrawide at f/2.4, and a 2MP macro lens. The front carries a 13MP selfie camera in a notch. The 5,000mAh battery is rated for 1,200 full charge cycles and reaches 50% charge in about 30 minutes using the 25W wired charger Gizguide.
The phone measures 7.7mm thick and weighs 196g—slightly thicker and heavier than the A17's 7.5mm and 190g. Samsung also added Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, plus a side-mounted fingerprint reader. In France, color options include Gray, Light Blue, and Black, with storage configurations ranging from 128GB in most markets to 256GB in Norway at NOK 5,190.
Six-Year Software Support Sets Industry Standard
The Galaxy A18's strongest selling point is longevity. Samsung guarantees six years of operating-system updates and security patches through late 2032—an industry-leading commitment for entry-level phones Android Authority. This aligns with Samsung's Galaxy A17 promise and undercuts competitors like Apple, which offers five years of iOS updates on budget models. Combined with the IP64 dust and water resistance upgrade, Samsung is betting buyers will keep this phone longer.
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