Buying a SAMSUNG smartphone
sympa84 -
Hello,
I neither have the age nor the means to invest 1,000€ in a smartphone, I was considering a Samsung S21 5G, but friends advised against it.
What do you think?
Thank you
16 answers
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Hello,
Completely agree with Winux01.
Buy a Galaxy A57 with 256 GB of storage. You’ll have an excellent smartphone with the essentials that people expect from a modern smartphone, and you’ll save 500 €.
What is well conceived is clearly expressed,
And the words to say it come easily.
(Boileau) -
Hello,
It's normal, the S21 is an older model, with the update/support ending in January 2026. It’s better to focus on a more recent model, but from a slightly lower tier such as the A37 or A57.
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Hello,
Some scattered clarifications:
At purchase price, you will very likely need to add a case or a flip cover.
If you want to benefit from ultra-fast charging, you will need to buy a 45 W charger. Prices have dropped a bit, but you should count on around €30. This isn’t an absolute necessity, but when you forget to recharge the smartphone, you can reach a decent level of charge in 20 minutes.On the Galaxy A36 and on higher models, you cannot add an SD card. That is why you might be tempted to prefer a model with 256 GB of storage.
On my Galaxy A56, I used 72 GB of storage in a little over a year. And there are no videos, nor apps requiring a lot of space.If we compare the A36 and the A37, it seems the major difference is the battery life. Normally you should be able to count on 48 hours. The A36’s battery life is quite weak.
Source:Regarding AI, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s not because some people misuse it (photos altered) that it should be rejected. Its search capabilities are currently at an unparalleled level. The same goes for voice recognition.
Finally, I agree with brucine on the low prices: beware of smartphones that are not intended for the European market and sold well below what is normally practiced. I usually take Fnac/Darty prices as reference; they aren’t the lowest, of course.
What is well conceived is clearly expressed,
And the words to say it come easily.
(Boileau)-
I bought two months ago a flip case and a 120W fast charger for my phone (not a Samsung but it doesn't matter), each around €13.
All recent branded phones and chargers are Power Delivery, which means they limit any power above the maximum they can handle.
On storage, it depends on how each uses it (number of apps, tidying up attachments, videos...), mine is only about 42 GB used.
A similar remark on battery life: mine is power-hungry in use, but mine with a battery of the same capacity is frugal; it lasts at least 2 days without issue (and recharges roughly in a quarter of an hour from 50%, certainly with a 67W charger).
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Thank you for these responses that go in the same direction
I understand better why I was advised against the S21
Yet someone in a relationship told me about the S23
@+
j c
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Hello,
The proverb says that the advisor isn’t the payer.
Samsung is often more expensive than other brands and not mandatory.
The real question depends on how it will be used; if it is mainly for calls, messaging, email, internet and a few apps, even 256 GB of storage is superfluous (except for particular requirements such as screen brightness, water resistance rating...) and there are a lot of models that do the job very well in the 200–300€ range.
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Hello,
The S21 5G is still decent but it’s starting to feel dated, and its price doesn’t really reflect that anymore. You can ask your friends what exactly bothers them about it (battery, price, other) to know what to look for instead.
For your budget, two simple options:
- An older flagship refurbished (S22/S23, iPhone 12/13) → often 40-50% cheaper than new, with the seller’s warranty
- A recent mid-range (Galaxy A, Pixel A) → new, guaranteed,
widely sufficient for daily use
What’s most important to you: the battery, the camera, or just a reliable phone that lasts? -
Thank you for these answers.
I know the proverb "advisers are not payers," but if I sent this message it's because I need advice.
If I understood correctly, my friends advised against the S21 because it is outdated after its five years, no doubt soon for S22/S23!
Are the mid-range models A37/55 recent?
I’m looking because even a phone that lasts.
I will continue to give news.
@+
J C
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According to usage, the limitations of an older processor, more RAM on newer models, and storage that would be “insufficient” at 128 GB are fairly theoretical. The sore subject but generally after more than 5 years is that most phones only receive Android updates for 2 years or versions. Samsung claims at least 6 Android update versions for the 256 GB 5G version of the A37, which is a recent model, to be verified if one opts for another variant. If you manage well and avoid questionable low-price online sellers, you’ll find it around €350; the nominal price is supposed to be over €500, which, to be schematic, should be weighed against two new phones at €250-300 bought roughly every 5 or 6 years, even if they are no longer necessarily updated to the latest Android versions.
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Thanks for these answers
I think I’m going to be tempted by the A36 5G!
I found it online for €250 at Carrefour and €260 at Leclerc Market, but there it says IA....................how can I tell if the AI is useful and especially if there aren’t versions other than French?
Here too, your advice would be helpful!
See you,
J C-
The critical issue of smartphones that are not in French (indeed, European) version exists only for purchases at unbeatable prices on exotic sites abroad that one must beware of.
AI is now systematically integrated into almost all phones, but in principle it can be disabled (at least on mine, which is not a Samsung).
The phone is criticized for night photo quality being insufficient (but we are not obliged to take night photos, and that is the case for all low- and mid-range phones) and for relatively slow charging (about 1h30 from zero since fast charger is only 45W to buy separately as the law now requires, but we are not necessarily in a bigger hurry either).
All things considered, it is a good device for someone who does not have high photography requirements or who is not an avid gamer and recent (2025, Android 15 with 6 updates).
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Hi
A little help to simply navigate Samsung's lineup.
There are three main series, the "A" and "S" and the "foldables" (the Z line)
The A series are the common models, the second digit indicates the tier, for example an A1x is entry level up to A5x which is the high end of the A series.
The last digit is the year of the smartphone generation; for example an A16 is the entry-level of the A series for the year 2016. As brucine notes, models from the 7 series for the next year's lineup are already on sale; these are the newest models, you should favor the "6" or "7" and avoid the oldest for the A series. For the high end, the S26.
All of this applies to new devices.
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Hello, I don’t understand the Series A ranges and the year: I have an A70, does it date from 1970?
It’s obviously the 2020 range, the A70s were marketed mid-2019.
I thought I had been clear; apparently I was mistaken if we consider that my explanation gives the year 1970..........
The "7" is the range, like the first digit at Peugeot... the "0" the year, but the years in the current decade, I didn’t specify that, that’s true......
Hello,
The nomenclature would not signify 1970 but serial number 7 and year 0 (start date 2020 for 2019, there were then 71 to 74 perhaps for 2021 etc) but this nomenclature may also have changed since these old models.
I had a J7 in the past, I suppose because Samsung was also planning the next year (2017, it was released in 2016).
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Hello
Thank you for all these answers which I will read with a clear head because they are very complete
@+
j c
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Good evening
The problem I’m encountering is the following: for an A 36 you can find online offers around €250 on Darty, Carrefour, etc. When I contact them by phone, I’m told that this is not the in-store price but the price via a company as you find on Amazon that ships refurbished or even American models or other things!
I’m not sure what to do
thanks for your advice
@+
J C
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Hello,
It makes sense that the phone is more expensive in-store, which bears defined rent and staff costs, than online.
Darty, like everyone else, has online Marketplaces, but it is these that are responsible for the sale; when the phone is refurbished, European or American, this is specified.
Other stores such as Cdiscount or Amazon (I do not own shares) also specify these criteria and whether the phone is shipped or sold by them or by these third-party companies.
By favoring the first option as the path to take, one can easily find around €250-270. -
Hello,
The A36 is a device from the previous generation, so it becomes difficult to find in physical stores and you have to beware of online offers.
For example, Amazon highlights devices that are intended for the Australian market: not sure they are compatible with the frequencies of mobile internet in France.
That is why I always prefer stores that have a physical presence in France.
If you are set on the A36, you will find it for a little under €300 at Darty (but not necessarily shipped by Darty).
I don’t have any shares in Darty (and I detest certain commercial practices), but I think you can trust them to sell smartphones that will work fine in France.
You’ll also find it at Boulanger for €299 (sold by Boulanger and available in-store).
After that, if you’re a gambler and not averse to some risk, you can opt for offers at €250!
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Hello everyone
You can also check with your provider, who may be running promotions on a selection of smartphones; for example, Bouygues offers the A 36 model at €379 for subscribers.
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Hello,
It isn’t very competitive.
As you point out, the downside is that the promotion is temporary and tied to a carrier, sometimes to subscribing to a higher plan with the same carrier, it’s rare that these promos are really interesting and you shouldn’t be fixated on a brand or a model or even a price range.
I did this 2 or 3 months ago at a really attractive price on a model I didn’t really "choose" except for the range; I think the amount of this promotion is linked to the manufacturer replacing the model that is from 2025 and thus clearing out the drawers.
Part of this promotion is often a cashback offer, which we only get monthly at the end on our mobile plan that we must keep for that time.
Without going online to compare the cheapest price for the phone in question, which is risky, we must also not forget that the "striked-through" price is the manufacturer’s theoretical price that no one applies, which can keep it attractive but less compared to serious online retailers.
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Hello
After reflection I have just ordered on Cdiscount an A36 new French version for about €250
Thanks to all of you, because it’s thanks to your advice
See you later
J C -
Hello
My son alerted me (too late!) that I’m going to have trouble transferring my contacts from the SIM of my old Samsung to the new one, which doesn't have the same format. I hope to find a workaround
See you later
J C-
Hello,
If the goal is to reduce the size of the current SIM, of course we cannot do that and you need to order a new one from the operator; it's not a fortune, they are generally delivered nowadays in micro format with a detachable plastic adapter to “enlarge” them as needed.
If, on the other hand, you need to increase (the size), those famous adapters can be found anywhere online or in mobile phone stores.- The relationship with the contacts escapes me; if they are on the SIM card they will stay there if the size of the card allows reusing it. If they are in the phone memory, we will have to transfer the data from the old phone and its compatible apps using Samsung Smart Switch, which is what we would have done anyway. Assuming they are on a non-recoverable SIM card and contrary to newer ones, the older Android versions allow moving them to the phone memory and returning to the previous situation.
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To complete the two brucine responses, the A36 needs a nanoSIM. If the old smartphone is in that format, no problem; otherwise you indeed need to request a nanoSIM from your operator. As far as I recall, it's free with Orange, around €10 with Free, I think. Etc.
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Hello,
It should not be forgotten that on the SIM card there is only very little information stored, concerning contacts (essentially the name and the phone number).
It is much better to use Google Contacts or Samsung Contacts, where you can record a lot of information.
Google contacts are visible on every device using your Google account, so likely on the new Galaxy A36. In the Contacts settings you can copy them to the SIM card.So there is no problem.
I also recommend following flo88's advice regarding the use of Smart Switch.
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Hello
These two responses complement each other; yes, it is indeed about the size because you can’t imagine putting a mid-sized card from the old Samsung on a new one! Manually it’s VERY long, because I had thought to transfer the contacts from the old SIM onto the old phone and then upgrade to the new one to transfer again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Work by Romain!
Thank you
see you
j c
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Use Samsung Smart Switch when you get the new smartphone:
Install the app on both devices, with the old SIM still in the old one.
Follow the tutorials (e.g.: )
The data from the old SIM (address book in particular) will be automatically transferred to the A36's memory, as well as all apps (if compatible), and photos, etc.
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Hello
This morning I received my A36, I’m trying to get used to it a bit.
I’m having a fairly annoying problem:
Phone on, I receive calls (normal!) but I have to re-enter my SIM PIN code which slows me down and causes me to miss calls (annoying!)
I tried the following:
settings
connection
SIM manager
other SIM settings
SIM card lock
then in require your PIN to unlock I remove the blue light.............that doesn’t change anything!
Hope to find the solution here
Thanks
@+
J C
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hi
It is possible that it’s Samsung’s call restriction, but it’s strange because it isn’t enabled by default on new devices... To remove the call restriction, open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the top right, go to Settings, then Additional services or More settings. Select Call restriction, then disable the active options by entering your SIM password
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Thank you flo88 for this reply
I was wondering if I should switch topics to fix this device.
What do you mean by SIM password, isn’t that the PIN code?
@+
J C
