Introduction:
Do you recall when smartphone buying wasn’t a thousand-dollar decision? When you weren’t faced with the choice of selling your kidney or accepting a phone that hardly texts? Released in early 2019, the Galaxy A30 was one of Samsung’s redesigned A-series—a series that set out to find a middle ground between budget-friendly and high-end without sacrificing too much in terms of looks or functionality. It actually pulled it off.
Flash forward to 2025, and you may be thinking: “Why are we still discussing the A30?” Well, that’s the beauty of solid devices—they don’t go away. If you’re in the market for a dependable secondary phone, giving a solid starter device to a teenager or senior, or considering low-cost options with a known brand name, the A30 is still worth including in your consideration set.
Let’s get into it.
Price of Samsung Galaxy A30 Pakistan
The PKR 37,999 priced Samsung Galaxy A30 was at one point a contender mid-tier phone but grew obsolete with time. It carries 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory, yet slower app boot-up times due to the eMMC storage form. With its Exynos 7904 chip processor, casual gaming is possible on the device but falls short when compared with its newer competition.
Its 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen is still a standout, providing a rich, immersive view of the content while streaming. Samsung’s software does enhance image quality, but the outcome is passable at best. The 16MP front-facing camera does the same, also over-processing selfies and merging colors while softening details to an excessive extent.
The phone does not have an oleophobic coating, so the plastic rear is more fingerprint-prone, and the design overall also feels dated and less premium in the hand. While it was a good option at the time of release, by 2020 and beyond, the Galaxy A30 cannot keep up and is no longer a buy without very careful consideration.
Design & Build: Slim, Light, and Contemporary
Let’s be honest: mid-range handsets were once clunky and unremarkable. Samsung put the kibosh on all that with the A30. You have a sleek, contemporary look with rounded edges that are comfortable to hold. It does not shout luxury like the Galaxy S range but neither does it feel or look cheap. For general users who desire something good-looking but functional, it succeeds in the design brief.
Display: AMOLED Makes All the Difference
This is where the A30 really comes alive—literally.
Powered by a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen, it provides rich colors, rich blacks, and great contrast. Regardless of whether you’re watching Netflix all night, thumbing through Instagram, or simply reading text messages, the experience is noticeably improved compared to most LCD-based rivals in the same price range.
And since it’s a Full HD+ screen, the content is sharp and cinematic. Even in 2025, affordable phones hardly even get close to providing this level of screen quality for less than $200.
Real-world usage
- Watching YouTube videos in 1080p? ✔️
- Looking at things in direct sunlight? Mostly ✔️ (it fares surprisingly well).
- Gaming like PUBG Mobile or Asphalt 9? ✔️ (more on performance later).
Performance: Designed for Everyday Use, Not Power Play
Under the hood, the Exynos 7904 chipset with 3GB or 4GB RAM manages most everyday tasks with ease. You won’t be winning mobile gaming championships with it, but that’s not the A30’s purpose.
What it does well:
- Social media scrolling, chatting, and streaming.
- Light multitasking between apps.
- Light photo editing or document management.
What it can’t handle:
- Heavy gaming (expect some stutters with high-end graphics).
- Heavily multitasking (particularly with the 3GB model).
- Nevertheless, for regular consumers—students, seniors, or anybody who is not into performance-hungry activities—it offers smooth, seamless operation for general use cases.
Cameras: Plain but Efficient
Rear Camera System:
- 16MP main camera with f/1.7 aperture (perfect for daytime photographs).
- 5MP ultra-wide lens for scenic views or tight group photos.
- The Galaxy A30 doesn’t try to be a DSLR replacement, and that’s okay. What it offers is reliable, true-to-life images in good lighting conditions.
Front Camera:
- 16MP selfie shooter with Live Focus for bokeh-style shots.
- Beauty mode and AI enhancements for social-ready selfies.
- Low light performance? It’s passable, not great. Noise creeps in, and details suffer. But again, it’s important to keep expectations realistic.
Expert Opinion:
Based on GSMArena’s 2019 review (still applicable context-wise), the A30 “delivers well-saturated and detailed photos during the day, and the ultra-wide lens provides creative flexibility.”
Battery Life: An Entire Day, No Problem
With its 4000mAh battery, the A30 provides great battery life for light to moderate users. On a single charge, you can look forward to:
- Up to 14 hours of video playback
- Approximately 8–9 hours of screen time
- Easily a day’s worth of use, frequently extending into a second day with casual use
- The 15W fast charging through USB-C is another bonus. It charges from 0 to 100% in less than 2 hours—not scorching hot by 2025 standards, but still very respectable for the cost.
Software & User Experience: One UI Done Right
Although it’s a “Core” build (a lightened-up version), it still includes:
Samsung’s minimalist interface
Dark mode
Digital Wellbeing features
Smooth app transitions and animations
Samsung’s software ages well, and the A30 is proof of that. Sure, it likely won’t receive any further significant updates—but it still looks and feels fresh and functional in 2025 for casual users.
Storage and Connectivity
Depending on the model, you receive either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, which can be a bit tight by today’s expectations. Nonetheless, the specific microSD slot can support up to 512GB, and it’s very convenient to store all your files and media without having to compromise on your SIM slots.
- As far as connectivity is concerned, you receive:
- USB-C (a rarity in phones this old)
- 3.5mm headphone jack (phew!)
- Dual SIM support
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Stunning Super AMOLED screen
- Slim, lightweight body
- Excellent battery life
- Solid performance for everyday use
- Decent cameras for its segment
- Fast charging + USB-C
- Affordable price tag (particularly in 2025)
❌ Cons:
- No official water resistance
- Poor low-light photography
- Limited software updates past Android 11
- Plastic rear is scratch-prone
- Not best suited for heavy gaming or multitasking
Who Is the Samsung A30 Best Suited For?
- Students – Want a stylish, affordable phone with excellent display and social media credentials? Ideal.
- Secondary phone buyers – Want a backup or travel phone that won’t cost an arm and a leg? The A30 is a good choice.
- Seniors or newbies – Its easy-to-use UI, dependable battery, and straightforward performance make it perfect.
- Low-budget buyers – Need a Samsung phone with good features under $200 in 2025? Can’t beat it.
Real-World Takeaway: Why the A30 Still Makes Sense in 2025
In an age where flagship handsets cost the same as buying a used car, the Samsung Galaxy A30 serves as a reminder that outstanding phones don’t have to flash or break the bank. It gets performance, design, and value just about right in a manner that relatively few phones have, particularly for the mid-tier market.
Yes, it’s not new. And no, it won’t play Genshin Impact on max settings. But for millions of users who just need a reliable, well-designed phone that gets the job done, the A30 is still a worthy companion.
Final Verdict: A Budget Classic That’s Aged Gracefully
If you come across a Samsung A30—brand new, refurbished, or used gently—it’s still a solid value proposition in 2025. It’s not a beast, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s dependable, good-looking, and functional—the type of phone that doesn’t blow you away when you look at it, but quietly impresses you after a while.
And that, dear reader, is what makes it an unsung hero of the mid-range world.
