The trade-offs behind Samsung’s most affordable 5G phone

The Samsung Galaxy M17 5G has become one of the most talked-about phones in the budget 5G segment. It offers a sturdy design, a bright AMOLED display, Gorilla Glass Victus protection, and six years of software support. However, at its aggressive price point, there are some compromises that Samsung has made to keep the cost low. These missing features are important to understand before you decide if this phone suits your needs.

The first and most noticeable limitation is the absence of a 120Hz refresh rate. While the M17 5G offers a smooth 90Hz display, many competing phones in the same range now include 120Hz panels for ultra-fluid scrolling and gaming. The difference may not be drastic for casual users, but gamers and performance enthusiasts will immediately notice the lack of extra smoothness.

Another feature missing from the Galaxy M17 5G is high-speed charging. The phone supports 25W fast charging, which is good but falls behind rivals that offer 33W, 44W, or even 67W charging in similar price ranges. Fully charging the 5,000 mAh battery takes roughly 80 to 90 minutes, which is acceptable but not exceptional in 2025 standards. Samsung has chosen stability and safety over speed here.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the M17 5G includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. While these cameras deliver good daylight shots, they miss out on flagship-level versatility. There is no telephoto lens, and 4K video recording is not supported. Video capture is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second, which may disappoint users who enjoy creating high-resolution content.

The front camera setup also stays basic with a 13MP sensor. It produces decent selfies in bright light but struggles in dim environments due to the lack of optical image stabilization. For most users, this is acceptable, but those expecting flagship-grade selfies might find the results slightly underwhelming.

Another omission is wireless charging. Although rare in this price range, some mid-range competitors have started to include this feature. The Galaxy M17 5G relies entirely on wired charging through its Type-C port, and there’s no reverse charging support either. This means you can’t use your phone to top up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.

Samsung has also skipped stereo speakers on this model. The phone uses a single bottom-firing speaker, which is loud enough for calls and casual media playback but lacks the immersive sound quality that dual speakers offer. A good pair of earphones or Bluetooth speakers will make a big difference in the audio experience.

The device does not feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, opting instead for a side-mounted one integrated into the power button. It works fast and reliably but lacks the premium appeal of an under-display sensor. Similarly, there is no official HDR certification for the display, which limits dynamic range when streaming HDR content on platforms like Netflix or YouTube.

While the Galaxy M17 5G supports multiple 5G bands, it does not include mmWave 5G connectivity, which is typically reserved for high-end models. The phone focuses on sub-6GHz 5G, which is more common in markets like India and the UK but less future-proof for regions that deploy advanced 5G frequencies.

Lastly, Samsung’s software experience on the M17 5G, though smooth, lacks some premium One UI features found on flagship phones. Advanced camera modes, higher AI integration, and customization tools are trimmed down to maintain performance efficiency. The company’s decision ensures stability but slightly reduces the sense of luxury in the user interface.

In conclusion, the Galaxy M17 5G offers an impressive overall package for its price, but it naturally omits a few high-end features. There’s no 120Hz refresh rate, wireless charging, stereo sound, or 4K video support. Still, what it delivers — strong build quality, reliable performance, long-term updates, and balanced everyday usability — makes it one of the most dependable 5G options under its price range. If you value consistency over luxury extras, the M17 5G remains a solid and sensible choice.