What Makes the Samsung Galaxy A31 Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy A31 arrived in mid-2020 occupying a thoughtful middle ground — more capable than Samsung’s entry-level budget phones, yet accessible enough to attract buyers who didn’t want to push into the mid-range price tier. A Super AMOLED display, a 48MP quad-camera array, a 5000mAh battery, and an under-display optical fingerprint sensor made the A31 feel premium in ways that its competitors at the same price rarely managed.
The display is where the A31 immediately separates itself from similarly priced alternatives. A 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel at 1080 × 2400 pixels (~411 ppi) delivers punchy, vivid colors with the deep blacks that only AMOLED technology produces. Contrast is excellent, outdoor visibility is better than LCD counterparts, and the tall 20:9 aspect ratio makes the screen comfortable for both scrolling content and watching videos. At 411 ppi, fine text and detailed images appear sharp — a meaningful quality step up from the 270 ppi LCD displays that populate the budget tier.
Camera versatility is a genuine highlight. The A31 ships with four imaging options that cover a wide range of shooting scenarios:
- 48MP wide lens (f/2.0, PDAF, 1/2.0″): The primary shooter with phase-detection autofocus and a well-sized 1/2.0″ sensor, capturing detailed shots with quick subject locking in daylight and decent indoor lighting.
- 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 123°, 1/4.0″): A wide field of view that pulls in group shots, landscapes, and architecture without stepping back — a practical lens that earns its place on the spec sheet.
- 5MP macro lens: Close-up photography for flowers, food textures, or small objects, adding creative range that single-lens budget phones lack.
- 20MP front camera (f/2.2): A capable selfie shooter with a clean wide-angle perspective for video calls, portraits, and social content.
The 5000mAh Li-Po battery is an easy standout for daily users. That capacity reliably handles a full day of mixed use — calls, messaging, social media, and video — without needing a top-up. Lighter users often push into a second day without stress. The 15W wired charging gets the battery filled in a reasonable window, though it won’t win comparisons against faster-charging phones.
Under-display optical fingerprint sensing is a feature that punches above the A31’s price tier. It works cleanly in practice, and its placement feels more modern and natural than side-mounted or rear-mounted alternatives. Paired with the near-bezel-free front, it gives the phone a genuinely premium look and feel. OTG support via USB Type-C 2.0 adds flexibility for connecting flash drives or accessories, and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac provides fast, stable wireless connections at home or in the office.
Connectivity is well-rounded across the board — Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE, GPS with GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS, FM radio with RDS and recording, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. NFC, where available by region, adds tap-to-pay convenience that complements the A31’s polished feature set.
Things to Know Before Choosing the Samsung Galaxy A31
The Galaxy A31 has a lot going for it, but a few realities deserve honest attention before committing. The Helio P65 chipset is built on a 12nm process — functional and efficient for everyday tasks, but not a performance-first chip. Daily communication, streaming, and light multitasking all run without frustration. Push it toward demanding games, sustained heavy multitasking, or processor-intensive apps, though, and its limitations become apparent. The Mali-G52 MC2 GPU is adequate for casual gaming but won’t satisfy players who want smooth performance in graphically demanding titles.
Software longevity is the most important limitation for buyers considering the A31 today. The phone launched on Android 10 and is upgradable to Android 12 with One UI 4.1 — that represents the end of major OS updates. Android 13 and beyond are not coming to this device. Security patches may have continued past Android 12, but buyers planning to hold the phone for three or more years should factor in the aging platform.
Several other drawbacks are worth flagging clearly:
- No 5G connectivity: The A31 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE only. In markets where 5G is rapidly expanding, this affects long-term relevance for buyers who want future-proof network speeds.
- eMMC 5.1 storage: Slower than the UFS 2.x storage found in competing mid-range devices. App load times and file transfers are subtly but noticeably slower as a result.
- No IP water resistance rating: The A31 carries no official dust or water resistance certification. Splashes are likely survivable, but submersion or heavy rain exposure carries real risk.
- Video capped at 1080p@30fps: Neither the front nor rear cameras support 4K recording — a trade-off that matters for video-focused buyers or content creators.
- Virtual proximity sensing: The A31 uses a software-based proximity solution rather than a dedicated hardware sensor, which can occasionally behave less consistently during calls.
- NFC is market-dependent: Not all regional variants include NFC. Buyers who want tap-to-pay should confirm their specific model before purchasing.
The body material is also worth noting — no build material is specified for the rear or frame beyond what’s confirmed, and the absence of Gorilla Glass protection on the front should be considered for buyers who are hard on their devices. A screen protector is a sensible precaution.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A31 Right for You?
The A31 was designed for buyers who want an AMOLED display and a capable camera without stretching into the mid-range price bracket — and it delivers that value proposition clearly. Whether it’s the right fit depends on what matters most in daily use.
Social media users and casual content sharers get a compelling combination. The Super AMOLED display makes browsing photo feeds and watching short-form video genuinely enjoyable — colors are vivid and contrast is high. The 48MP main camera captures detailed photos for Instagram and Facebook sharing, while the 20MP front camera produces selfies that look polished without heavy editing. The under-display fingerprint sensor and clean One UI interface add a premium feel that’s hard to find at this price.
Students and everyday communicators will appreciate the balanced, dependable daily driver experience. The large display is comfortable for reading and video calls. Dual SIM support handles the practical need of separating personal and academic or work contacts. The 5000mAh battery removes anxiety about midday charging, and the included headphone jack keeps audio simple for those who haven’t switched to wireless.
Budget buyers upgrading from older devices will notice an immediate, meaningful quality jump — particularly in display quality and camera performance. The AMOLED panel alone is a dramatic improvement over the LCD screens on older Samsung budget and entry-level phones.
The A31 is a harder sell for dedicated mobile gamers, 4K video creators, or buyers who need 5G connectivity and plan to keep the phone for several years. For those use cases, current mid-range devices with more capable chipsets and network support better serve the investment.
Best Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy A31
The Galaxy A31 sits in a competitive segment, and a few alternatives are worth comparing for buyers doing their research.
The Samsung Galaxy A32 is the direct successor and makes a meaningful jump — an upgraded chipset, a 90Hz Super AMOLED display, an official IP67 water resistance rating, and a larger 5000mAh battery. For buyers who can access the A32 at a reasonable price, it’s a cleaner investment with better longevity and display smoothness.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 launched around the same period and offers the Exynos 9611 chipset — a performance step up — alongside a 48MP quad-camera setup and a slightly larger 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel. Buyers who prioritize chipset performance over the A31’s smaller, more compact body should compare both carefully.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 was a strong rival, offering a 90Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 678 chipset, and a 5000mAh battery at a competitive price. For buyers who prioritize display refresh rate and processing speed, it presents a compelling alternative.
The Realme 7 targeted performance-focused buyers with the Helio G95 chipset and 30W fast charging — a significant speed advantage over the A31’s 15W ceiling for buyers who value quick top-ups and gaming capability.
Samsung Galaxy A31 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest Android version the Galaxy A31 can run?
The Samsung Galaxy A31 launched on Android 10 and received updates through Android 12 with One UI 4.1. Android 12 is the final major OS update for this model. Samsung does not plan further major Android version upgrades for the A31, though security patches may have continued beyond the Android 12 release. Buyers planning long-term use should factor in this software ceiling.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A31 have a good display?
Yes — the Super AMOLED display is one of the A31’s most compelling features. At 6.4 inches with a 1080 × 2400 resolution and approximately 411 ppi, the panel is sharp, colorful, and produces the deep blacks that AMOLED technology is known for. Contrast and outdoor visibility are meaningfully better than the LCD panels found in similarly priced phones. The 20:9 aspect ratio feels natural for scrolling and video. The panel does not feature a high refresh rate — it operates at 60Hz — which is worth noting for buyers comparing against phones with 90Hz or 120Hz displays.
Is the Galaxy A31 camera good for photos and video?
The A31 camera delivers solid results for everyday photography. The 48MP main sensor with PDAF and a 1/2.0″ sensor size captures detailed, well-focused images in good lighting. The 8MP ultrawide at 123° adds genuine creative flexibility for landscapes and group shots. The 20MP front camera is above average for its class and handles selfies and video calls well. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps on both front and rear cameras — 4K video is not supported. Low-light performance is decent but not exceptional without dedicated night mode processing.
How is the battery life on the Galaxy A31?
The 5000mAh Li-Po battery is one of the A31’s most reliable strengths. For standard daily use — messaging, social media, moderate video streaming, and calls — the phone comfortably clears a full day on a single charge. Lighter users often find the battery stretches into a second day without needing a top-up. The 15W wired charging works well but isn’t fast by modern standards. Buyers who want faster charging should compare alternatives that offer 25W or higher speeds.
Does the Galaxy A31 support NFC?
NFC support on the Samsung Galaxy A31 varies by market and regional variant. Some versions include NFC for contactless payments via services like Google Pay and quick pairing with compatible devices, while other regional models do not. Buyers who depend on NFC for daily transactions should verify whether their specific regional variant includes NFC before purchasing — this information is typically available on the retail listing or Samsung’s local product page.