The Samsung Galaxy A80 has surfaced on benchmark tool AnTuTu's database and, based on the score it achieved, it could be a real contender for the best mid-range handset of 2019. In most instances, that's a claim we'd refrain from making on the back of a benchmark result, but having used the device for a little while, we feel it could live up to the title — in some markets, at least.
Unveiled on April 10, the Galaxy A80 is somewhat of an experimental device for Samsung, introducing a new sliding and rotating camera mechanism, which rotates, after extending, to cater to the front of the handset. It's also the first device on the market to feature Qualcomm's brand new Snapdragon 730 CPU, which is on par with that of the Huawei's Kirin 970, according to the benchmark.
While it's true we're a big fan of Samsung's Exynos CPUs on flagship devices, like the Galaxy S10, and would rather them than the Snapdragon model that makes its way to North America, we've said on more than one occasion that they don't take the biscuit when it comes to mid-range handsets, feeling somewhat unoptimized when compared to that of rival Qualcomm's Snapdragon range.
Related: Galaxy A80 Hands-On
We'll have to spend some more time with the Snapdragon 730-powered Galaxy A80 to discern whether it's a true contender for the title of the best mid-range handset of 2019 — even if it will only scoop that award in the handful of markets the unit will launch in. The true test will be how the device copes after a week or two of consistent use; we've only spent a couple of hours with it to date.
