Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 66.2 mm (millimeters) 6.62 cm (centimeters) 0.22 ft (feet) 2.61 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 135.4 mm (millimeters) 13.54 cm (centimeters) 0.44 ft (feet) 5.33 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 7.9 mm (millimeters) 0.79 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.31 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 138 g (grams) 0.3 lbs (pounds) 4.87 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 70.81 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 4.3in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black Blue Golden Pink gold |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Aluminium alloy Glass |
| Certification Information about the standards to which this device is certified. | IP68 |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7870 |
| Technological process Information about technological process, on which the chip is made. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 14 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1600 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-T830 MP2 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 2 |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 2 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Single channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 933 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | Super AMOLED |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 4.7 in (inches) 119.38 mm (millimeters) 11.94 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.3 in (inches) 58.53 mm (millimeters) 5.85 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.1 in (inches) 104.05 mm (millimeters) 10.4 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 312 ppi (pixels per inch) 122ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 68.16% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | CMOS BSI (backside illumination) |
| Diaphragm | f/1.9 |
| Focal length | 3.6 mm (millimeters) |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 4128 x 3096 pixels 12.78 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/1.9 |
| Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera. | 2.91 mm (millimeters) |
| Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera. | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with an additional camera. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the secondary camera when shooting video at the maximum resolution. | 30fps (frames per second) |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
| Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 4.2 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) DIP (Device ID Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) HOGP |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
| Video file formats/codecs A list of some of the main video file formats and codecs supported by the device as standard. | 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project, .3gp) 3GPP2 (3rd Generation Partnership Project 2, .3g2) AVI (Audio Video Interleaved, .avi) Flash Video (.flv, .f4v, .f4p, .f4a, .f4b) H.263 H.264 / MPEG-4 Part 10 / AVC video H.265/MPEG-H Part 2/HEVC MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container, .mkv .mk3d .mka .mks) MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14, .mp4, .m4a, .m4p, .m4b, .m4r, .m4v) VC-1 VP8 VP9 WebM WMV (Windows Media Video, .wmv) WMV7 (Windows Media Video 7, .wmv) WMV8 (Windows Media Video 8, .wmv) Xvid |
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 2350 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. Exist different types batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries most often used in mobile devices. | Li-polymer |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 17 h (hours) 1020 min (minutes) 0.7 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 17 h (hours) 1020 min (minutes) 0.7 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998. | 0.349 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by the CENELEC Committee in compliance with the ICNIRP 1998 guidelines and IEC standards. | 1.38 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.86 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 0.74 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
Photos in the interior
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If you read the review of the A5 2017, then I advise you to read the sections “Positioning”, “Display”, “Battery”, “Camera”, “Performance” and “Impressions”, since the rest of the text is almost the same, little things have changed, fortunately these The devices are built using the same tracing paper.
Specifications
- Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, upgrade to Android 7
- Screen 4.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, HD, 312 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display
- Chipset Exynos 7870, 8 cores up to 1.6 GHz (Cortex A53), 14 nm, Mali-T830 GPU
- 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (9.7 GB of memory available to the user out of the box)
- Battery Li-Ion 2350 mAh, no fast charging, operating time in mixed mode 2 days (test result), 3G/4G data transfer mode - 14/17 hours, video playback - up to 17 hours, talk time - up to 17 hours
- Installation of two nanoSIM cards, as well as a microSD memory card (up to 256 GB) - a combined slot, simultaneous operation of microSD and two SIM cards is impossible
- Front camera 8 megapixels, f/1.9, facial enhancements (eyes, skin color, face tone)
- Main camera 13 megapixels, f/1.9, LED flash, autofocus
- Two microphones, noise reduction system
- IP68 water protection, up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters
- FM radio
- Fingerprint sensor located on the front panel
- USB Type C 1.0
- 4G FDD LTE - B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B20(800); TDD LTE B40(2300)
- GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
- ANT+, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, NFC, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2
- Sensors - accelerometer, barometer, fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor
- Samsung Pay
- Color options: black (Black Sky), gold (Gold Sand), blue (Blue Mist), pink (Peach Cloud)
- SAR value - 0.35 W/kg (head), 1.38 W/kg (body)
- Dimensions - 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm, weight - 138 grams
Contents of delivery
- Smartphone
- Charger with USB Type C cable
- Instructions
- Wired stereo headset
- microUSB-USB Type C adapter for charging cable
- “Paper clip” for removing the SIM tray
Positioning
Most manufacturers have completely abandoned the compact smartphone segment; for some reason it is believed that a small-sized phone should be outdated and not the most modern. There are three companies on the market that produce such devices: Apple (iPhone SE model), Sony (Compact series), and Samsung. The 2017 A3 fulfills the desire of some buyers to get a small, compact phone. The relatively small screen diagonal of 4.7 inches determines the use cases for such a device - first of all, it is needed for calls, and secondly for social networks, instant messengers and web browsing. This smartphone can be safely considered as a second phone, in this capacity it is almost ideal - it works for a long time, has a balanced, modern set of functions. But it is also good as a main device for those who are not looking for a large screen diagonal and are used to compact models.
This model has a set of functions comparable to older devices, although the 2017 A3 has removed a number of features compared to the A5/A7 - the phone has a simpler front and main camera, a lower screen resolution (HD, not FullHD), and no fast charging for the battery , which, however, is not critical, the charging time remains comparable, since the battery capacity is also lower. All the advantages in the form of Samsung Pay (NFC/MST), IP68 water protection remain. As well as the use of exactly the same materials, which distinguishes the model from many of its classmates, it is made perfectly. And, perhaps, this is one of the few compact smartphones on the modern market - the difference between this model and 5-inch devices is very noticeable, the impressions from them are very different. Moreover, these differences are both a plus and a minus, and depend directly on what you are used to.
Design, dimensions, control elements
In the A-series, the design is to some extent inherited from older models, the same body materials, no noticeable simplifications or savings. The A3 model looks expensive and stylish, regardless of what color you choose. There are four color options in total; there are no pink phones in Russia yet.
I have a black A3, it is classic and looks good. Mirror surface reflects the world, plays in the light, the device looks very interesting, and hand marks are practically invisible. I’ll add here that the screen with a splash screen can always work (AlwaysOn Display function), which none of the competitors have. In the end, we get an unusual device that has no analogues on the market; it can be distinguished from any other at first glance.
If we talk about which color is the best, then I like blue, it is a delicate shade, very unusual, perfect for girls, however, look for yourself.
Please note that the front and back panels are the same color, as is the side metal edging (6000 series aluminum). The device also looks good in pink, but it is definitely only for girls.
The gold phone is somewhat rustic, but everyone has their own tastes.
The fact that the device has a glass back and front does not hinder it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental falls, although depending on your luck. This device is completely identical in mechanical protection to the Galaxy S6 EDGE, the quality is at the same level. I once recorded a video about how this phone survives collisions with sharp objects or asphalt, you can watch this video.
The innovation of the A-series in 2017 was water protection, which was taken from the S7/S7 EDGE, the implementation is exactly the same. The SIM card tray is protected by rubber gaskets, the microphones and speakers have membranes, the protection level is IP68, which allows the phone to be at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to half an hour. This does not mean that the phone needs to be washed under water, much less with soap or something similar. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it. There are no models with water protection in this price segment.
Now about the control elements. Under the screen there is a mechanical key, it contains a fingerprint sensor, it is simplified compared to the S7/S7 EDGE, it works a little slower, but there are no problems because of this. Nice solution that just works. On either side of it are two touch keys.
On the left side there are two volume keys, on the right side there is an on/off button. There is a microphone at the bottom and top ends, there is a noise reduction system, it does its job perfectly, you can be heard well in any conditions, even when the wind blows strongly in your face.
At the bottom end there is also a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones, as well as a USB Type C connector for the charger. At the top end there is a tray in which a nanoSIM card and a memory card or two SIM cards are installed. This is a combination tray, so it's worth remembering that the A5/A7 can accommodate both a memory card and two SIM cards at the same time.
The speaker is located on the right side surface, due to this it can overlap in the pocket, and it will not be heard very well. The speaker itself is average in volume, but very pleasant.
Phone dimensions - 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm, weight - 138 grams. Compact, very small. It can sink in a man's hand, but some people like this size. In clothes it is completely invisible, you can easily forget that you have a phone in your pocket, it doesn’t feel like a constant burden. If you like compact models, then you'll fall in love with the 2017 A3.
Compared to Galaxy A5 2017
Display
The younger model was equipped with a screen with HD resolution; on such a diagonal, low resolution does not play a big role, the picture looks good. But for those who like to peer at the screen and recognize PenTile, I will not recommend this screen; you will see its structure from a distance of ten centimeters, and from five centimeters you can accurately determine the “looseness” of the picture. It’s clear that no one is looking that close to the screen, but who cares? Ordinary people those who are not burdened with knowledge about PenTile will simply say that it is a good screen that produces a pleasant picture, which is also customizable.
Specifications This SuperAMOLED display is as follows: 4.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, HD, 312 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display.
For my taste, the quality of the screen is excellent for its class, it has a large reserve of brightness in automatic mode, the display is easy to read in the sun, just like the model previous year(in S7 EDGE the screen has greater brightness, as a result, it is even better in the sun).
The screen has an AlwaysOn Display option, that is, you can see application icons, clocks or pictures all the time, the screen operation does not drain the battery much, in 12 hours it’s a couple of percent. Until now, this function has not been widely available in the mid-price segment, which noticeably makes the 2017 A3 stand out and puts it on par with Samsung flagships.
Whatever one may say, the screen in this model is excellent for its positioning and capabilities, nothing more is needed. Considering the scenarios for using the device (a minimum of heavy games with complex graphics as an example), this is the right choice.
Battery
The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 2350 mAh, fast charging is not supported, but the standard charger charges the battery in 1 hour 35 minutes. That is, there is no need for fast charging; due to the small battery capacity, charging time is normal. There is no built-in wireless charging, which is found in flagship models.
In mixed mode, the device lives quietly for two days with 3-4 hours of screen operation, data transmission in LTE and two hours of calls. It all depends on what and how you use it; you can achieve better results, for example, 5-8 hours of screen operation in two days of work, as well as less time.
Playing unconverted video in HD quality in MX Player at maximum brightness - up to 17 hours. This is an excellent indicator considering the size of the battery; many Chinese show comparable results on a 5000 mAh battery.
The operating time of the A3 2017 becomes its strong point, even with a heavy load, it will not be possible to discharge it faster than in a day; on average, this is two days. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5-6 days of work; of course, it all depends on the operator and the number of these calls. But in general, we can state the fact that operating time is the strong point of this model.
Traditionally, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight and processor frequency are limited. In this mode, many will not experience problems with the operation of the device, but the operating time will increase by at least 20 percent. In maximum energy saving mode, everything on the screen turns gray, and the device can provide hours of operation even with a small charge.
Communication capabilities
GPS/GLONASS works perfectly, a cold start takes about ten seconds, navigation works perfectly, there are no problems. By the way, this distinguishes A-brands from many Chinese companies, where the implementation of antennas is such that you can expect anything from typical functions.
Another strong point is the support of almost all necessary LTE frequencies, here the device also shows its strengths (analogs in this price segment cannot boast of this; as a rule, they save on antennas).
Finally, the device has NFC and ANT+ support, which will appeal to those who use sports sensors. Bluetooth version 4.2.
If we talk about Wi-Fi, then it uses 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, there is a repeater mode (distributing a Wi-Fi signal to other devices as an access point).
The version is USB 2.0, but the USB Type C (1.0) connector is used, so fans of modern connectors will be happy; for the rest, it’s time to come to terms with the transition to the new standard.
Memory, RAM, performance
Samsung uses its own chipsets in A-series models, which can be considered a plus; they are improving year by year. For example, in 2016, chipsets in the A-series were made at 28 nm, now it is 14 nm, which gives an increase in performance and operating time. The chipset in the A3 2017 is Exynos 7780, 8 cores up to 1.6 GHz (Cortex A53), Mali-T830 graphics processor.
In synthetic tests, this processor performed well. In real life, everything also works perfectly, you will not feel any shortcomings in performance, the model is at the same level, and the safety margin will last for at least a couple of years.
The device has 16 GB of internal memory (9.7 GB available), memory cards can be up to 256 GB. RAM 2 GB, which is enough for most consumers. And given the screen resolution, everything becomes very good, this solution is balanced, and there are no noticeable compromises.
Camera
The front camera is 8 megapixels (f/1.9), as usual, there is no autofocus, so it’s worth finding the distance from which the pictures are best taken, this is about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. The quality of the front camera is good, but don't expect anything special from it; after all, the main camera is better. There is a traditional improvement in skin color and tone, you can enlarge your eyes, and at the same time make your face thinner. Girls will definitely like these “improvements”.
The main camera is 13-megapixel (f/1.9), of course, there is autofocus, as well as additional shooting modes, including PRO, but it differs from the flagships, since the camera is simpler. The A3 has a simpler camera than older models, so don't expect much from it. But she copes with her job quite well: taking pictures of pages with text, capturing the world around her - all this can be done. But if you want to shoot beautifully for social networks, then look at flagships or higher-class models.
When recording video, the maximum is FullHD resolution and 30 frames per second.
Look at the examples of pictures and videos, I think they will all tell you about the quality of the camera.
Software
The model was originally released on Android 6.0.1, but many interface elements are similar to what we see in Android 7 and Clean UI on S7/S7 EDGE. I advise you to read about what appeared in Android 7, since this model will soon receive this version of the OS.
Describe standard features I won’t talk about Android, you can read about them in a detailed review.
Unlike top models, there is a built-in FM radio, which looks like a nice bonus.
When using KNOX, you can install any program in duplicate, for example, install two WhatsApp messengers on one device and use them for each SIM card (two numbers, two messengers). You can even correspond with yourself. Exactly the same trick can be done with any software; not a single phone allows you to simultaneously work with two instant messengers on the same device with different numbers. Today, many Chinese manufacturers offer something similar in their smartphones, but the implementation is different everywhere. 
Impression
The vibration alert is average, the ringer volume is also average - perhaps I would like there to be more headroom, but the phone is still audible, and you can feel it in your pockets when it vibrates. Rather, there is no reserve in terms of volume, but how will anyone perceive this moment? The device cannot be called quiet.
There are practically no compact models on the market, also keep in mind that Samsung has always been able to make its devices smaller than those of its competitors; just remember that 5.2 inches from Samsung is the body of many 4.7-4.9 inch models. So here too, the 2017 A3 turned out to be very compact; only one competitor immediately comes to mind - the iPhone SE. But the price of this compact phone is noticeably higher with similar characteristics and a memory capacity of 16 GB; in Russia it costs 31,990 rubles. In terms of design, it's the complete opposite of the 2017 Galaxy A3. Plus, the iPhone SE has a camera, but there is no water protection, there is, of course, no AlwaysOn Display, the operating time is the same or less.
Also, the Sony Xperia X Compact is made in a completely different style; the model is small, but extremely expensive (32-33 thousand rubles). Comparable operating time, slightly faster processor, better camera, no water protection and no AlwaysOn Display. This model definitely does not have any special advantage over the A3, which would cost 10,000 rubles. Its price positioning is close to the iPhone SE.
If there were many competitors in the segment of 5-inch models for the 2017 A5, there are practically no competitors for compact 4.7-inch models with small bodies. The two main competitors are the iPhone SE, as well as the Sony Xperia X Compact, but they are significantly more expensive. Sony will release an updated version of this smartphone, but the price difference will be even greater. Only large companies can afford to play in the market of compact models, and, unlike Samsung, they see such devices as models with super profits. In my opinion, this is the wrong approach, since a compact smartphone with decent materials cannot be prohibitively expensive, as the A3 2017 proves. For those who are looking for a compact model on Android, this device will be the preferred choice.
Comparisons with the 2017 A5 may be valid, but here you get a larger body size, higher performance, higher screen resolution and about the same battery life in the older model. But you lose that very compactness. These are different worlds in perception based on the size of the case, and this must be taken into account, everything else fades into the background.
The model of the previous season, namely the A3 2016, is weaker in every sense: shorter operating time in any mode, lack of an AlwaysON screen and water protection, and no support for Samsung Pay. On the other hand, if you have such a phone and it works, then you shouldn’t change it to a new one. Wait another generation and then change it. However, it’s worth buying it now as a compact phone if you don’t have money for a new model (the previous one costs 17,990 rubles). Let me remind you that the price of the 2017 A3 is 22,990 rubles.
The bottom line: the 2017 A3 is excellent for those who are looking for a compact smartphone that will focus on calls, instant messengers, browsing the Internet, and to a lesser extent on heavy games. This device is ideal as a second smartphone, as it works for a long time and is compact. The model turned out to be successful, but compact phones remain in demand not by a very wide audience, so the 2017 A3 is not worth expecting any huge sales, it plays only within the niche of compact devices.
Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017 is simple, productive and durable. We talk about the interface, performance in comparative tests, new features, sound and camera!
Samsung Galaxy A320F A3, the junior representative of the A line, has always been considered a compromise solution for those who wanted to have a premium smartphone, but did not require the high performance of older models. The 2017 model no longer looks like an ordinary average car. This is the second part of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 review. We invite you to read, which describes the main advantages and disadvantages of the model, body, display, battery and autonomy of the device.
Android for Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017
The company is in no hurry to install the latest versions of software on its devices. Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 came out with marshmallow Android 6.0.1 on board (in principle, like the 2016 A series). But the Android 7.0 update for the Galaxy A3 2017 is expected in the first half of this year. Note that the current version of the software already works on the much-anticipated Grace UX, successor to TouchWiz.
Smartphones of 2017 are the first from the A-series to receive the function Always On Display- shows three main applications: time, date, calendar with a number of additional settings. The function also shows new notifications on the display (a feature that does not work with the S7).
In low light conditions, the image becomes dim and turns off completely when the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 is in your pocket.
Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017 equipped with a fingerprint scanner to protect your smartphone and access applications and websites. The fingerprint reading time is not the fastest, but the sensor responds on par with S-flagships.
The user can also create a secure folder with personal files and applications: photos, mail, documents.
For smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 provides 15Gb of memory in branded cloud storage, where you can save everything: from contacts to letters and media files. The user himself decides which files are synchronized and saved via the mobile Internet, and which - exclusively via Wi-Fi.
Home screen on Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017
The home screen has undergone the least changes. Users still have access to Briefing via the left swipe (which is mercilessly annoying and, fortunately, can be disabled). The user can apply themes and install icon packs to change the look of the desktop.
The notification panel remains almost the same. When collapsed, the user sees notification icons, a clock, charge level, active connections and SIM cards. The opened curtain offers the user more settings. Traditionally, under the settings menu there is a slider for adjusting the screen brightness, and below it is the Google search box.
The Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 has a new notification blocking option that allows you to turn off annoying reminders from apps and games. Users have differing opinions on the design of the new menu. Some people like schematic minimalism, while others are critical of the curtain. But you don't have to choose. It is impossible to roll back the Samsung Galaxy A 3 2017 to earlier versions of Android without voiding the warranty.
One of the significant drawbacks of the Galaxy A3 2017 software is the lack of a multitasking mode like in the older Galaxy A5 2017 and Galaxy A7 2017 models. The user cannot open several applications in one screen mode. Switching between active applications has not changed at all. Everything is presented and functions the same as in the previous version of the device.
The main menu has also changed somewhat functionally. The main changes concern search by application. If previously, upon request, the search offered you only installed applications, but now applications from Galaxy Apps are pulled into the search results (you can install the Play Market).
With the introduction of Grace UX, the shell interface has changed little. The operating system takes up a lot of space: of the 16GB of internal memory, only 10GB is available to the user.
Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017 review: Game Launcher
Game Launcher- new option for Samsung A-series - a separate folder for games for quick access. All games and applications are stored in the folder, management and customization functions are available. Game Lauhcner allows you to simplify and organize the main menu for those who install many games and entertainment applications on their smartphone. A large number of icons in the general menu make searching and access difficult.
In the Game Launcher settings, the user can manage notifications from applications, quickly switch between games, disable touch buttons to avoid accidental clicks, and video screen capture to record gaming sessions. The function is useful for those who upload videos of game levels on YouTube. If desired, the user can activate the selfie camera and create a 2 in 1 video. Settings allow you to select the resolution and recording quality if the device memory is limited.
Game Launcher in Samsung Galaxy A320F A3 2017 saves statistics of all games that the user has launched on the device. The application tracks not only results and points, but also genres, and shows what the user plays more: racing, strategy games, logic games, etc.
Game Launcher also allows you to optimize your phone's performance: change settings without having to go to the main menu.
Performance Samsung Galaxy A3 2017
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 is powered by Exynos 7870 Octa processor. Created using a 14nm process technology, the chip uses all 8 Cortex A53 cores (1.6 GHz) and a Mali-T830 graphics processor. The chip is paired with a very mediocre 2GB of RAM. This is enough for normal everyday use (messengers, social media, calls, internet), but may not be able to handle heavier games.
The performance of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 is quite mediocre.
AnTuTu testing results:
Test results of Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 in Basemark OS 2.0:
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 test results in GeekBench (multi-core):
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 test results in GeekBench (single core):
Speaker volume in Samsung Galaxy A3 2017
The Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 has one speaker, quite loud, located atypically, and it is virtually impossible to cover it with your palm during use (intentionally or not). The sound is loud and clear, even at maximum limits.
Comparative test of sound in smartphones:
A little about the output sound
The output of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 provides crisp, clear, high-quality sound, which no one expected from the younger model. The highs are clear, the bass is spacious, the mids are clear. No subsidence. Even at maximum volume, the sound remained clear and rich. Note that a lot depends on the quality of the headphones through which you will listen to the tracks, as well as on the quality of the file and the source - where you get the music from: the cloud, a social network or the file is stored in the phone’s memory.
Messages and keyboard
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Samsung offers a standard SMS messenger. Previously it was assumed that it would be replaced by Google Allo, but this application did not receive proper user support and, despite the large number of downloads, the application is little used.
The interface is simple, all the main functions and settings are hidden in the side menu, called up by swiping. The menu offers quick access to all media files received and transmitted via short messages, blocking incoming/outgoing messages, turning off notifications from specific contacts, marking priority messages (always shown in the TOP, regardless of the date the conversation was received or updated). Messages support emoticons and transfer of graphic files.
Text input is performed using a standard Samsung keyboard with many custom settings: you can change the width and height, hide unnecessary lines and character buttons. You can change the color scheme and increase the contrast.
Camera Samsung Galaxy A3 2017
The camera in the Samung Galaxy A3 2017 is very mediocre. The front camera has improved in megapixels from 5MP to 8MP, while the main camera has not changed compared to the previous year's version.
The smartphone does not have optical stabilization, nor does it have Dual Pixel technology. This is a touch phase detection autofocus technology designed to smoothly and clearly track a moving subject in sharp focus.
While the Galaxy A3 2017 inherited a lot of camera features from the Samsung S7, it lacked the basic functions that determine the quality of the image.
Pro mode is available to users, but the settings are very limited. The user can only change ISO and adjust exposure, nothing more. S-flagships offer much more settings, resulting in the highest quality images.
Examples of photos from the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 camera:
Conclusion
- Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 has virtually no competitors, the market for 4.7-inch smartphones is rapidly shrinking. And those gadgets that are available now do not offer such performance as the younger A-series model.
- The device received premium features, which were previously available only in S-flagships: AOD, dust/moisture protection.
- The autonomy of the device is excellent: 93 hours of moderate use (with AOD turned off) is amazing. A3 2017 will give a head start in terms of autonomy of both Samsung S7 and iPhone 7.
- Camera- not the best strong point smartphone, but copes with everyday tasks with a bang!
All 2017 Galaxy A series smartphones have become much more rounded. So rounded that some reviewers even call the design “soapy.” In my opinion, everything is far from so terrible. On the contrary: the gadgets look extremely neat, no pretentiousness. There is a metal panel around the perimeter, 2.5D glass with a volume effect in front, and a curved glass “back” at the back.
Galaxy A3 (2016)
Galaxy A3 (2017)
Please note that there is no longer an LED on the front panel that signals incoming messages, received SMS or missed calls. Instead, there is now an Always On function.If there is anything to find fault with, it is only the rear panel, which looks a bit empty due to the small camera lens. By the way, now he doesn’t protrude out at all.
The glass body with matte metal on the ends glides in your hands. If it’s frosty outside and your hand is in a knitted glove, then you need to be extremely careful. Falls are unacceptable - this is almost a hundred percent crack or scratch on either the front or rear glass.
The main advantage of the A3 (2017) is its very compact size. The device is comfortable to hold; you can operate it with one hand, whether on the move or while running. Still, it’s a pity that there are fewer and fewer models with 4.7-inch screens on the market every year.
Not without a wow factor: like the flagships S7 and S7 edge, all Samsung A-series smartphones of 2017 are also protected according to the IP68 standard. This means that dust will not get inside the case, plus the phones can be kept for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is protected from water: the gadget can be kept for half an hour at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.
Another important nuance: the A3 (2017) now supports Samsung Pay. The 2016 model did not have it, although the A5 (2016) and A7 (2016) work with the payment service.
The speaker is located cleverly - on the upper part of the right side. And, you know, it's convenient! It does not overlap with fingers either vertically or horizontally. The sound, however, is far from ideal. The volume is slightly above average, the audio is a little muffled due to the protective membrane, and the low frequencies are frustrating.
The fingerprint scanner, like in other Samsung smartphones, is built into the mechanical Home button under the screen. The papillary pattern is recognized quickly, and it is not necessary to press the unlock button.
Sometimes the sensor glitches: it completely refuses to recognize the fingerprint, and that’s it. Only entering a PIN, password or pattern key helps. I got fed up with this already on the second day of testing, and I simply turned off the scanner.
Good picture, low resolution
For IPS this would be enough, but the features of AMOLED are such that due to the PenTile effect, individual pixels are easily distinguishable by the naked eye. This is especially annoying when reading e-books or text from web pages. Grain also makes it difficult to adequately evaluate the quality of the resulting photos after shooting - they look better on a smartphone screen than on a computer monitor.
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has a Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. Not enough.
The Always On function migrated from the flagships to the A3 and other A-series models in 2017. This is when in sleep mode the display shows a clock or calendar plus notifications about missed calls and messages.
According to various estimates, such a feature eats up from 1.5 to 3% of the smartphone’s charge per hour. In a day we get from minus 20 to minus 35 percent of the battery. So it’s better not to turn Always On on at all.
There is a night mode. It’s easy to guess from the name “Blue Filter” that it turns off shades of the blue spectrum, and in the dark your eyes are less tired. There are also four color profiles to choose from and the ability to manually adjust the screen color balance.
One of the options for displaying information on the screen of a locked smartphone in Always On mode
Gaming on low or medium settings
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is not designed for mobile games. The eight-core Exynos 7870 with a frequency of 1.6 GHz and 2 GB of RAM (of which the system eats up more than half) is not enough for serious mobile entertainment. For example, when playing at high (and sometimes even medium) graphics settings in demanding games like World of Tanks Blitz and Unkilled, frame drops often occur - the image jerks. So for serious projects it is better to choose the minimum. Of course, there will be no problems with simple arcade games or puzzles. But the case practically does not heat up and performance does not drop after a long load.
A much more serious difficulty is the constant lack of memory. The built-in 16 GB, of which the user only has less than 6 GB, is very little. The necessary applications, one episode of the series plus a couple of decent games and that’s it - it’s time to put a memory card in the compartment instead of the second SIM. In general, there is no need to have any illusions about the dual-SIM functionality of the Galaxy A3 (2017). The maximum allowed microSD capacity is 256 GB.
Comparison of A3 (2017) performance with other smartphones in benchmarks. The higher the result, the better.
Excellent front camera and good main camera
The 13-megapixel camera of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) pleased with its quick launch by double-clicking the Home button and its user-friendly interface. Everything you need is always at hand, there is a manual mode and a convenient slider with which you can quickly make the frame lighter or darker. This is called exposure compensation.
During the day, at dusk and in rooms with artificial light, the automation works great. The smartphone focuses quickly (although the A5 and A7 are better in this regard due to phase-detection AF), there are no errors with white balance, and frames are saved to memory quickly. In a word, photography is comfortable. There is only one problem - in some places the pictures look a little blurry. When viewing on a computer, you just want to go into Photoshop and turn on the sharpening macro.
No HDR
With HDR
When it comes to night photography, things get sad. Autofocus hunts and misses, detail drops, and a lot of noise appears. It is best to switch to manual mode and compensate for automatic errors with your knowledge of shooting parameters.
Video can only be recorded in Full HD, but the modest processor would hardly be able to handle anything more. You shouldn't play operator at night, but you can during the day. The main thing is to hold your smartphone tightly, move it smoothly and do not remove it while moving. There is no optical stabilization.
If you fail summary according to the main camera, then the impressions are as follows. The Galaxy A3 (2017) takes better photos than budget Meizu and Xiaomi, but worse than some competitor smartphones with a larger diagonal. Of the more budget alternatives, the most interesting in this regard is the Honor 6X. You can also look at the Sony Xperia XA - the quality of the pictures is higher there, but the automation is worse. Comparable in price, Huawei nova can easily compete with the A3 (2017) in terms of selfies.
By the way, about self-portraits. They are good: the 8-megapixel front camera works real miracles in normal lighting. Sharpness, detail, color rendition - everything is in perfect order. Corrections need to be made only for the lack of autofocus. See examples of shooting with comments in our gallery:
photos
photos
photos
Works for a long time, charges quickly
Inside the smartphone there is a 2350 mAh battery, but you shouldn’t be afraid of such a modest capacity. Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) works its fair day with above-average load or 1.5 days in economy mode.
The combination of an economical processor and a low-resolution AMOLED screen has an effect. This is especially evident in monotests. The smartphone can play Full HD video at maximum brightness for 19.5 hours. Our favorite simple arcade game, Subway Surfers, at maximum brightness, drains the battery in about 7 hours.
Operating time of Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) in comparison with competitors and record holders, indicated in minutes
The Koreans equipped all three new A-series smartphones, including the A3, with a USB Type-C connector, and rightly so. The road to unification! The A5 and A7 claim fast charging; the A3 does not support such technology, which, however, does not prevent the gadget from being fully charged from 0 to 100% in 1.5 hours.
Comparison with competitors
Finding a decent smartphone on sale with a screen diagonal of less than 5 inches is quite a quest. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) actually has only two competitors in this field - Sony Xperia X Compact And iPhone SE. Both are much more expensive in official retail. However, a compact Apple smartphone from “gray” supplies can be considered as an alternative - you will get a stable OS, powerful hardware and a combination of a good main and disgusting front camera.
Starting from five inches, very good options appear. Of course, there is no IP68 protection anywhere (this is cool, but do you really need it?) and support for Samsung Pay (not everyone needs it either), but many of the main characteristics of competitors are better, and prices are lower.
The most interesting alternative is Huawei nova. You'll gain a little in price (from 1 to 4 thousand), get a better screen, an all-metal body, 32 GB of memory instead of 16 GB and slightly better performance with about the same cameras. You will lose in autonomy.
The nomination “budget model with a guarantee” is a metal Meizu M3S mini with 32 GB of internal memory. The camera and battery are worse here, and the overall performance is slightly lower, but this is compensated by 3 GB of RAM versus 2 GB for Samsung. The screen is also HD, but IPS, so there is no graininess. The most important thing is the price. In official retail, the gadget costs 9,000 rubles cheaper.
About the same thing, but without a guarantee - this is Xiaomi Redmi 3S with 32 GB of memory, starting at 10,000 rubles. You can, of course, officially from one of the retailers for 15,500, but since there is Meizu, there is little point in this. For almost 2.5 times less money we get comparable performance, good battery life and more memory. Plus shell glitches, compatibility with applications and the possibility of running into a model without support for Russian LTE bands as a bonus.
If the screen diagonal doesn’t matter to you, then among the 5.2 and 5.5-inch models there is an even wider choice, but we won’t dwell on them. Still, the A3 (2017) is a device specifically for lovers of small smartphones; the competitors must be appropriate.
Opinion site
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is an interesting smartphone. No one has yet offered mass models from the middle price segment with protection from water and dust. Ugly rubberized bricks from little-known brands don't count. These are niche products.
However, at a price of 23,000 rubles, this phone should be an almost ideal compact “mid-ranger”. The situation is different: there is a weak hardware, a lack of memory (only 16 GB, of which only 6 are free) and a hybrid slot, a grainy screen and a glitchy fingerprint scanner.
Does it make sense to replace the A3 (2016) with a new model? In my opinion, only if you really want to start using the Samsung Pay service. In A3 (2017) its support appeared. This may also be justified if you like to take self-portraits - the selfie camera is good here. Water protection is not a serious reason for updating, but everyone probably has their own opinion.
Pros:
- Water and dust protection (IP68)
- Compact and convenient body
- Excellent build quality
- Bright AMOLED screen
- Good automatic main camera
- Cool selfie camera
- USB Type-C connector
- Charges quickly
- There will be an update to Android 7.0
- Supports Samsung Pay
Minuses:
- High price
- Low performance
- Slippery body
- Low screen resolution
- 16 GB memory and hybrid slot
- Glitchy fingerprint scanner
4.7", Amoled screen, metal-glass, beautiful, oleophobic coating, energy saving modes, fingerprint, second secret "space"
Minuses
I've been using it for a week, but one of the downsides is the low battery power: with active use it lasts a day. I still don’t fully understand, but it seems to me that in energy saving mode the screen becomes a little dull, sometimes you have to press it two or three times. But this seems to be due to the processor frequency limitation in economy mode.
Review
Very happy with the purchase! I spent a very long time choosing models. The store's discount arrived just in time. So it cost me less. Since I am not a fan of large smartphones, and I consider 5-inch ones to be such, there were only two decent options. With that discount everything was decided. Someone wrote that the sound is quiet (as if this is a price for water resistance) - nothing like that! Quite loud speaker. I really like that there are energy saving modes. Average and maximum. They really help to extend the operating time! I also installed a dark screensaver, removed the blue color, and began to hold the charge even longer. Screen size 4.7 - perfect! You can reach anywhere with one finger. Not disappointed yet. I've been using it for a week. I recommend!
