If you have read our reviews of the updated Galaxy A5 and A7 for 2016, then you will not find anything new in the design of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016). If you do not take into account the difference in size, then the appearance is completely identical. Which in this case can only be rejoiced at.
And you can rejoice at the metal, the absence of which in the Galaxy S3, S4 and S5, many so regretted, and the Gorilla Glass 4 glass that covers both the front and back panels of the smartphone. Why this approach is good: the phone looks expensive, stylish, original, and so on in the list of glorifying epithets. Remarkably, this is true. The Galaxy A3 (2016) gold that we got in gold looks very, very good, subjectively speaking, it’s great. Also released are Galaxy A3 (2016) black - black, Galaxy A3 (2016) pink - pink and Galaxy A3 (2016) white - white. And the real metal pleasantly cools the hand.
Why is this approach bad? And the fact that in the vast majority of cases the case of such a smartphone will be non-separable. As a result, you can’t replace the battery on the go, and you’ll pay more for repairs if something happens: it’s more difficult for a specialist to get to the filling. So in this case, the words “image is nothing” are somewhat untrue.
In addition, during the testing process, a certain lack of metal ends was revealed. In this case, they were so smooth that the phone gently slipped out of the hand during a conversation. As a result, I had to support it from below with my little finger, which is not very convenient. When trying to squeeze the device tighter, it slipped out even faster. In the case of the Galaxy A5 and A7, such problems were not noticed. Perhaps their wider cases are better suited to a man's hand.
This is perhaps the only negative point. If we talk about the pros, we can't help but recall Sony's devices from the Xperia Z and Xperia M lines. Sony also decided to experiment with glass and metal, but, as it turned out, not always successfully. For example, the Sony Z5 Premium, a smartphone with a 4K screen, has a metal back panel with a mirror surface. And the Xperia Z3 and the recent novelty M5 are covered with glass. In both cases, the panels collect all fingerprints, and an excellent appearance is “killed” in just a couple of minutes. The only salvation is a case, which will not suit every buyer of an expensive smartphone.
It is possible that Samsung specialists knew about this problem with Sony devices, since neither with the old models from the Galaxy A line, nor with any of the updated models, such an incident happened again. In our case, with the design under gold, fingerprints on the back panel are not visible from the word at all. And the oleophobic coating on the front glass makes it easy to eliminate all traces of use.
Overall, the design and build of the Galaxy A3 (2016) should have been awarded the highest score if we applied this rating system. A non-separable case is a payment for the image, and we will consider problems with girth as subjective.
Connectors and controls
Again no surprises for those who have read previous reviews. However, the only caveat: the Galaxy A3 (2016) does not have a fingerprint scanner. Everything, now you can scroll further.
We, by tradition, will fully describe each connector and control element. And since the conversation has already turned, let's start with an element that is traditional for all Samsung smartphones - with the mechanical Home button.
Double-clicking launches the camera app, even when the display is off. A long press will launch the Google app. It is possible that on the open spaces of Google Play you can find a number of applications that allow you to modify the behavior of the button. Although for this, most likely, you will have to get the rights of the "superuser".
On the sides of the mechanical button are touch "Menu" and "Back". They are only visible when the backlight is on. The degree of brightness is acceptable, in the dark it does not blind the eyes.
Above the display is the peephole of the front camera, earpiece, proximity and light sensors. There is no LED indicator - some kind of strange fluctuation in all new Samsung smartphones.
On the right side in the upper part there is a power button, under it is a tray for SIM-cards and memory cards. Recall that the Galaxy A3 (2016) supports the nanoSIM format.
You can insert either two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD memory card up to 128 GB into the tray. Our short video will tell you more about the installation:
Separate metal volume buttons are placed on the right side.
The top end is almost empty: there is only a microphone for noise reduction and antenna leads.
The headphone and headset jack is located on the bottom. For lovers of listening to music, this is a more convenient option. Next to the 3.5mm audio jack is a microUSB port, the main speaker, a microphone and a pair of antenna leads.
On the back of the device, in addition to the logo, you can see the eye of the main camera, the lens of which protrudes slightly forward, and an LED flash. The lens around the perimeter is protected by a metal edging.
In short, a standard and convenient set of controls. The only remark can be made to a non-separable case, but, as we have already said, this is a feature of many smartphones in a metal case.
Case for Galaxy A3 (2016)
Buying a case or cover for the Galaxy A3 (2016) at the beginning of 2016 is not so easy - the handset is very new. But in any case, they will be released by both various specialized companies and Samsung itself.
For example, this flip case for the Galaxy A3 (2016) will be available from February 2016.
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) is equipped with a 4.7-inch diagonal display. The resolution is 1280x720 pixels, the dot density is 312 ppi. In our opinion, if the ppi density is at the level of 320 and higher, then you don’t have to worry about any pixelation, it will be difficult to notice the “ladder” with the naked eye.
By the way, the old model Galaxy A3 is equipped with a screen size of 4.5 inches diagonally with qHD resolution, i.e. 960x540 pixels. The density in this case was 244 ppi. Also a good value, although, of course, 312 is noticeably better.
The matrix is made using Super AMOLED technology. By the way, Samsung practically does not recognize IPS, smartphones with such a matrix can be counted on the fingers of one hand. So either TFT for budget models, or AMOLED for everyone else.
But since we are dealing with an image line, we can safely hope for an excellent screen. If subjectively, then in terms of brightness and color reproduction, the Galaxy A3 (2016) put on the shoulder blades all smartphones with IPS screens that were nearby during the test. The latter seemed dull, the colors muted. Now we present the measurement results.
The white brightness is 387.83 cd/m 2 . We got exactly the same value during brightness measurements for the new Galaxy A7 (2016), and almost the same for the A5. The value is not a record, but keeps at a good average level. It is also worth considering the excellent black color - due to the characteristics of this type of matrix, its brightness is zero.
As with the A5 and A7 models, you can choose one of four color profiles in the settings. We measured the gamut for Adaptive and Basic. In the first case, the coverage significantly exceeds the sRGB space, the colors become more saturated. For some users, the colors of such an image may seem too “flashy”, for them a more “calm” profile is provided, the Main one, which almost exactly repeats sRGB and approaches the so-loved many “soft” IPS colors.
The white balance with the Main profile selected is close to optimal: the color temperature fluctuates between 6800-7000K with a reference value of 6500K. If you switch to the Adaptive profile, the colors become more "cold", as evidenced by the color temperature at about 8000K.
The deviations of the obtained gamma curves from the reference are very small. This means that the picture is displayed with the desired brightness.
The screen supports five simultaneous clicks. Frankly, we are already used to ten, although to be completely honest, in practice we use no more than two or three.
Again, we recall the possibility of choosing color ranges in the screen settings section "Screen Mode". In addition to Adaptive and Basic, there are also AMOLED Movie and AMOLED Photo profiles. Their name speaks for itself.
The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 4, both front and back. At least the front glass is supplemented with an oleophobic coating. In general, there are no complaints about the screen of the Galaxy A3 (2016). On the contrary, compared to the old handset, I would like to note the increased resolution, since qHD was not enough even for a 4.5-inch screen.
Camera
The resolution of the main and front cameras does not differ from the older models - 13 MP and 5 MP, respectively. The lens aperture is also the same - f / 1.9. The only noticeable difference among the characteristics is that there is no optical image stabilization system.
The camera app is specific to the latest Samsung smartphones. The graphical interface is simple almost to the point of asceticism, but at the same time, a set of settings allows you to work well on shooting modes.
Additional settings for working with focus, white balance, ISO and exposure compensation are available in Pro mode, exactly as for the updated A5 and A7 models.
The maximum resolution for photos taken with both cameras is achieved at an aspect ratio of 4:3. The prerogative of the maximum at a ratio of 16:9 is currently available only to flagship devices.
Video resolution is set in the settings for each camera.
In the conditions of gray winter everyday life and in the absence of an image stabilization system, the photos, however, are quite clear and detailed. Automation almost always selects the correct white balance, a little confused except perhaps with an abundance of snow. Indoors and in the dark, in order to obtain relatively high-quality photographs, it is advisable not to move so as not to get a smeared picture.
You can evaluate an example of shooting a video with Full HD resolution by watching the attached video. In our opinion, despite not the best weather conditions, the quality of the video can be assessed as a good average level, on the verge of "above average".
The front camera has a resolution of 5 MP. The quality of photos for the front camera is also very good, we suggest you check it with specific examples.
The maximum video resolution for the front camera is Full HD. The image quality is more than adequate for video chatting and is good enough for other selfie tasks as well.
In general, we were personally satisfied with the quality of both photos and videos received from both cameras. With good lighting, the picture is excellent, under a gloomy sky the quality is a little lost, but it also remains at a fairly high level. In more difficult conditions, when compared with the reviewed Galaxy A5 and A7 models, the absence of an image stabilizer becomes noticeable.
Specifications Galaxy A3 (2016)
Looking at the list of specifications, we can say that the Galaxy A3 (2016) with the model designation SM-A310F is a modern workhorse with a small margin of power. But before we delve into the details, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the exact list of parameters of the smartphone.
As an opponent, we chose a slightly older, but similar in characteristics model. It is equipped with a fairly popular mid-range Snapdragon 410 processor. According to Samsung's original plans, the Galaxy A3 (2016) was supposed to get the same processor, but at the last moment the decision changed. Also, both smartphones are equipped with approximately the same graphics accelerators, HD-resolution screens and 1.5 GB of RAM per brother.
As you can see in the screenshots from the CPU-Z application, the processor model is defined as Exynos 7580. In fact, this is not entirely true, we have a smartphone with an Exynos 7 Quad processor (Exynos 7578). It includes four Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 1.5 GHz. Obviously, as a result of some of their “undercover” games, Samsung chose to replace the Snapdragon 410 with its own model, albeit a little more powerful.
The processor also includes the Mali-T720 MP2 graphics accelerator. Samsung does not explain whether there are differences between the accelerators on the Exynos 7578 and Exynos 7580 processors (used in the older Galaxy A5 and A7), so it's easier to evaluate the result of the work in practice.
The amount of RAM is 1.5 GB. This is more than the old Samsung Galaxy A3 and is quite enough for the younger model. Approximately 850-870 MB will be "eaten" by the operating system and the TouchWiz shell, the rest will go to the user. In principle, this is not so little.
The amount of internal memory is 16 GB, of which about 11 GB are available. Memory cards up to 128GB are supported. Of the additional "chips" it is worth noting the support for LTE category 4, the NFC module.
Performance Testing
Recall that the rival was the Samsung Galaxy J5 with a Snapdragon 410 processor, which Samsung decided to replace with its Exynos 7578. What did this lead to?
In system-wide tests, this resulted in a draw. The gap in each case is small.
A similar picture is observed in the graphical test. Both smartphones showed excellent and almost identical results.
But subsequently, the Galaxy J5 was no longer able to surpass the novelty. In the gaming performance test, the modern test showed that the A3 (2016) scored more than one and a half times more points.
The fact that the result of the last benchmark was not accidental is also confirmed by Smartbench 2012, where the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) came out the winner both in the game and in the system-wide part of the test. However, the test is quite old, so to be sure, we will conduct another one.
The browser test confirmed the advantages of the new processor from Samsung. Recall that in this test, the lower the result, the better, since we are talking about time costs.
The battery life comparison ended in a tie, although the J5 has a slightly larger battery: 2600 mAh versus 2300 mAh. Probably the reason lies in the fact that the Galaxy A3 (2016) has a smaller screen and a more modern processor.
A more accurate reason for the victory of the Galaxy A3 (2016) can be established by the picture of the detailed battery consumption. Traditionally, 3D games have taken the lead significantly, which is logical. However, other indicators show a slightly lower consumption than we are used to seeing, especially 2D games and surfing the Internet over a cellular network (3G / 4G).
As with the A5 and A7 models, several options are available in the settings to save energy. One of them is the optimization of applications, which allows you to customize their work and receive notifications. The second is a decrease in processor performance, screen brightness, etc. And there is an extreme power saving mode, which, for the sake of economy, converts the entire image to black and white. Thanks to the AMOLED screen, this allows you to decently limit energy consumption.
Thus, the Galaxy A3 (2016) did not concede in anything, and in some places even overtook the Galaxy J5 model, at the same time showing the superiority of the “native” processor over the competitive one. However, the J5 belongs either to the budget or the middle segment (to its very beginning), so the victory over it is not a super-achievement for a modern fashion smartphone, even if it is the youngest in the line.
Games on Galaxy A3 (2013)
With games on this smartphone, things are as follows. As you can see when watching our video review, the Galaxy A3 (2016) can pull even the heaviest N.O.V.A shooter. 3, but with some "brakes". Which is not surprising, since this game "flies" only on higher-end devices with a good graphics accelerator.
The same applies to some other "top" games. You can play, but in some cases you should reduce the quality of the graphics, or be prepared for slowdowns in particularly stressful moments.
However, it should be understood that the Galaxy A3 (2016) is not the smartphone that is designed for such games. But he does an excellent job with all average games, not to mention "birds" or "zombies".
The results of our testing are as follows:
- Riptide GP2: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Asphalt 7: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Asphalt 8: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Modern Combat 5: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- N.O.V.A. 3: some delays are visible;
- Dead Trigger: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Dead Trigger 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Real Racing 3: some delays are visible;
- Need for Speed: No Limits: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Shadowgun: Dead Zone: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Frontline Commando: Normandy: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Frontline Commando 2: some delays are visible;
- Eternity Warriors 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Eternity Warriors 3: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Eternity Warriors 4: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Trial Xtreme 3: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Trial Xtreme 4: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- dead effect: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Dead Effect 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Plants vs Zombies 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;
- Iron Man 3: some delays are visible;
- dead target: excellent, the game does not slow down.
As you can see, most of the games work fine, delays are found only in the heaviest applications.
BY
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016), like its colleagues in the updated line, is running Android 5.1. An update to Android 6.0 is not directly promised, but most likely it will be. At the same time, we believe that the systems of each of the three models will be updated.
There are practically no differences from the A5 and A7 in terms of software, except for the lack of a fingerprint scanner setting. Among the applications, we noticed only the absence of S Health, but we see no reason that would prevent you from installing it yourself.
A proprietary shell TouchWiz is installed on top of the system. Among other things, it allows you to customize shortcuts in the drop-down notification shade, set your own orders in the application menu, and change quick access to basic settings. It would seem - little things, but they make working with a smartphone much more convenient and easier.
From the "chips" you can indulge in smart display shutdown and smart notifications. The correctness of the operation of the functions does not reach 100%, but as additional options for a smartphone - why not.
Of the pre-installed applications, we note the set from Microsoft in general, and the OneDrive application in particular. When registering, the user receives an additional 100 GB for free 15 GB of cloud storage for two years.
If the smartphone is equipped with an NFC module, then it can be used for payment. This is intended to contribute to the Ubank mobile wallet. And the security of the smartphone will be monitored by Kasperrsky Internet Security.
The call log, dialer, work with contacts are quite traditional for Android. If you had a smartphone from any manufacturer running this OS of any version, then you can easily figure out calls, as well as adding and editing contacts.
Branded applications include Galaxy Apps - a store from Samsung, a Smart Manager aggregator for monitoring battery or memory consumption, as well as for protecting the system, S Voice - controlling the device by voice, Store - access to the Samsung store with a detailed description of each product.
The rest of the set of settings and applications has been described an infinite number of times and does not contain any surprises.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) is the youngest in the updated fashion line of smartphones. Outwardly and according to the materials used, it does not differ at all from the older models, which in this case we consider only a plus. The buyer can choose one of the phones, focusing on their preferences and financial capabilities, while not denying themselves the pleasure of buying a beautiful thing.
In terms of performance, the A3 (2016) is relatively good. There will be no problems with everyday applications (browser, social networks and chats, calls, navigation, etc.). The only thing that a smartphone cannot do is top games, but a smartphone is not designed for them. Simpler games, which are littered with Google Play, go with a bang without exaggeration.
The only significant drawback in our opinion is the slippery body. The phone is too beautiful to be sharpened in a case, but it is also uncomfortable to hold. Let's hope that this is subjective, although for the sake of interest we compared the usability of the old and new A3 models. It turned out that holding the first A3 in the hands is much more convenient. But it has a qHD-resolution screen and other characteristics are worse.
Price Galaxy A3 (2016)
Buy Galaxy A3 (2016) at the time of preparation of the article could be for 19 thousand rubles. In our opinion, the price for such a device is more than adequate. The brand, beautiful body made of metal and glass, excellent screen, performance - all this deserves 19 thousand.
But it was not without competitors. In the first place among rivals, you can put one of the following smartphones from Sony: Xperia C4, C4 Dual, M4 Aqua. Each of them more or less fits into our price range and has a representative appearance. For example, Sony Xperia C4 Black for 21 thousand rubles. It is equipped with a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS screen, MediaTek 8-core MT6752 processor, Mali-T760 accelerator, 2 GB of RAM, 13 MP main camera, supports LTE and GLONASS. The body is made of plastic.
If you take the phone not for the image, but for yourself, while cheating a little and ordering it from our eastern friends, then you can take a look at Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. Its price is slightly lower than that of the A3 (2016), but it has a 5.5-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution, an 8-core Helio X10 with a clock speed of 2 GHz, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, a fingerprint scanner, a battery with a capacity of 4 000 mAh and metal case.
But if there is an image, then we simply have to remember about smartphones from Apple. If we talk about the price, then the closest competitor to the South Korean handsome man is the 5S model for 24 thousand. However, it is equipped with a 4-inch screen, so we decided to stick with the younger iPhone 6. The screen sizes are the same, the resolution is also almost the same. At the same time, the iPhone 6 is equipped with only a dual-core processor and a gigabyte of RAM, it does not have a slot for memory cards and has a smaller battery capacity. The main camera takes pictures with a resolution of 8 MP, the front one - 1.2 MP. But the cost of the iPhone 6 is more than twice the cost of the Galaxy A3 (2016)!
It is unlikely that Huawei P8 Lite can be confidently called a fashion device. But still, the smartphone attracts attention with its appearance. At the moment, it costs a couple of thousand rubles less than the Galaxy A3 (2016), while it differs little in size and characteristics. So, Huawei P8 Lite received a 5-inch IPS screen with HD resolution, an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 620 processor with a clock speed of 1.2 GHz, a Mali-450 accelerator, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory, a 13 MP main camera and a 2200 mAh battery. Of the minuses - a plastic case, modest autonomy, an inexpensive screen.
Everyone understands that image costs money. If at the same time the image is packaged in a waterproof case, then you will have to pay even more. About 26 thousand, if we are talking about the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. Externally, modern Sony models are designed in the same way - both flagships and relatively inexpensive models, so you don’t have to worry about the appearance of a smartphone. Specifications are also good: 4.6-inch HD IPS screen, Snapdragon 801 quad-core clocked at 2.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory, 20 MP camera with 2160p video recording, 2800 mAh battery. In a word, the overpayment is quite justified.
Pros:
- acceptable price;
- interesting design;
- case made of glass and metal;
- thin frame around the display;
- excellent build;
- excellent Super AMOLED screen;
- Conveniently located bottom audio jack.
Minuses:
- non-separable body;
- slippery metal;
- The camera does not have an image stabilizer.
We were able to see the metal in the finish of the Samsung-made smartphone case. But not a single “alpha” – a few months later the company announced a line of metal smartphones, which so far included only two devices: A3 and A5. In this review, we will look at the younger model - the Samsung Galaxy A3.
First impressions and appearance
Probably everyone who held an “alpha” for the first time knows this feeling when you pick up a Samsung and can’t believe that it’s Samsung. With A3, everything is exactly the same. Just to the fact that this is Samsung, a new feeling is added. Which? The smartphone is compact and, you see, today it is difficult to remember a small smartphone running Android, which, no matter how trite it may sound, pleasantly cooled the palm from the first touch. The analogy with the iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and 5S immediately suggests itself, but we will not talk about them, since this is obvious.
The smartphone is almost completely metal. Its frame, physical buttons and back panel are all made from a geek-loved material. Almost the entire front panel, as is customary, is occupied by a protective glass. But there is a fly in the ointment in this barrel of honey - almost the entire metal surface of the A3 is covered with a kind of matte-to-touch composition, which gives the smartphone a pearly hue and at the same time deprives the device of some of that wow effect that an all-metal body could produce.
The dimensions of the device are 130.1 x 65.5 x 6.9 mm, weight - 110.3 g. The gadget feels thin and light and, in general, small. We live in such a terrible time when a smartphone with a diagonal of 4.5 inches can be called compact without the slightest remorse.
Display
If the Galaxy A3 is purebred Samsung in one way, it's in the display. A true Korean Super AMOLED-matrix is installed here with all the ensuing consequences. Someone will prefer these acid colors, someone will not like them. Long-suffering black is really black here. The resolution of this display is 960 x 540 pixels, which at 4.5 inches gives a pixel density of 245 ppi.
Using TouchWiz, the A3 display can be calibrated, customized, you can choose from 4 modes: “Adaptive Display” (automatically optimizes the color range, saturation and sharpness of images for gallery, camera and Play Books applications), “AMOLED Movie”, “AMOLED Photo” and “Basic”. There are no questions about the viewing angles and responsiveness of the display, but it does not recognize more than five simultaneous touches - not that this somehow limits the user's actions, but this fact takes place.
cameras
The resolution of the main camera of the Samsung Galaxy A3 is 8 MP. And it sticks out, Samsung engineers failed to place an eight-megapixel module in a 6.9 mm thick case. Next to it is a diode flash. The Galaxy A3 takes really good pictures. There are a lot of chips, filters and camera settings in the best traditions of TouchWiz, but I never found an ordinary HDR. The video is recorded in FullHD resolution, its quality is also quite satisfactory for the layman.
The front camera in the Galaxy A3 has a resolution of 5 MP. She also has a bunch of modes and settings that are designed to make your selfies as cool and unusual as possible. But if we discard all this tinsel unnecessary for many, then a very good front camera will remain, which can not only “cut down” tons of selfies, but also show its owner in Skype in the best possible way.
Sample photos and videos
Hardware and software
Inside the smartphone, there are four cores manufactured by Qualcomm, operating at a frequency of 1.2 GHz, and the Adreno 306 graphics accelerator helps them. The smartphone has 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, it can be expanded using microSD memory cards. By the way, about them. In the Samsung Galaxy A3, the memory card slot is combined with a slot for a second SIM card. As you already understood, Galaxy A3 is a dual SIM smartphone. However, if you insert a memory card into it, there will be no room for a second SIM card.
Samsung on Qualcomm. This phrase is able to please or at least reassure most geeks, but in this particular case, everything is not so smooth. It would seem that it is with processors manufactured by Qualcomm that modern mobile games should at least work smoothly and stably, and as a maximum, show everything they are capable of. But no. No matter how I tried, Real Racing 3 did not start on the Galaxy A3, but Dead Trigger 2 plays without any problems even at maximum settings.
The operating system is Android 4.4.4 KitKat with a proprietary TouchWiz interface in addition. It's cool (although, today it's not very, probably) that the manufacturer has installed a relatively fresh version of Android in the smartphone, and it's not entirely cool that the version of the proprietary shell is somewhat truncated here. It is not clear why, but the HDR mode in the standard camera application has become a victim of such a “cut”, for example.
As befits a mid-range smartphone, there are not enough stars from the sky in the synthetic tests of the Samsung Galaxy A3.
Pleasantly surprised by the battery. After reviewing the characteristics of the device, you think: “How many minutes of smartphone operation will 1900 mAh last today?”. But after spending some time with the Galaxy A3, you realize that this amount of battery is enough for a day of use. Of course, the manufacturer could install a more capacious battery, but for the Galaxy A3, its thickness plays a big role.
Photos in the interior
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If you read the A5 review of 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, since these devices are built on one tracing paper.
Specifications
- Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, upgrade to Android 7
- Screen 4.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, HD, 312 ppi, auto brightness adjustment, auto brightness adjustment to your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display
- Chipset Exynos 7870, 8 cores up to 1.6 GHz (Cortex A53), 14 nm, GPU Mali-T830
- 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (9.7 GB of memory is available to the user out of the box)
- Li-Ion 2350 mAh battery, no fast charging, 2 days mixed mode (test result), 14/17 hours 3G/4G data transfer, up to 17 hours video playback, up to 17 hours talk time
- Installation of two nanoSIM cards, as well as a microSD memory card (up to 256 GB) - combo slot, simultaneous operation of microSD and two SIM cards is not possible
- Front camera 8 megapixels, f/1.9, face enhancers (eyes, skin color, face tone)
- Primary camera 13 megapixels, f/1.9, LED flash, autofocus
- Two microphones, noise reduction system
- IP68 water resistant, up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters
- FM radio
- Fingerprint sensor located on the front
- 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+5GHz, NFC, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2
- Sensors - Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Scanner, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Ambient 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
- Instruction
- Wired stereo headset
- MicroUSB to USB Type C adapter for charging cable
- Paperclip to remove the SIM tray
Positioning
Most manufacturers have completely abandoned the segment of compact smartphones, for some reason it is believed that a small phone should be outdated, not the most modern. There are three companies on the market that produce such devices - these are Apple (iPhone SE model), Sony (Compact series), and Samsung. In A3 2017, the desire of some buyers to get a small, compact phone is just realized. A relatively small screen diagonal of 4.7 inches determines the scenarios for using 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 perfect - 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.
On the side of this model, a set of functions comparable to older devices, although in the A3 of 2017 a number of features were removed compared to the A5 / A7 - the phone has a simpler front and main camera, lower screen resolution (HD, not FullHD), there is no fast battery charging, which, however, is not critical, the charging time remains comparable, since the battery capacity is also lower. All the pluses in the form of Samsung Pay (NFC / MST), IP68 water protection remained. As well as the use of exactly the same materials, which distinguishes the model from many classmates, it is perfectly executed. 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 positive and negative, and depend directly on what you are used to.
Design, dimensions, controls
In the A-series, the design is to some extent inherited from older models, the same body materials, no noticeable simplifications and savings. Model A3 looks expensive and stylish, regardless of what color you choose. There are four color schemes in total, there are no pink phones in Russia yet.
I have a black A3, it is classic and looks good. The mirror surface reflects the surrounding world, plays in the light, the device looks very interesting, and handprints are almost invisible. I will add here that the screen with a splash screen (AlwaysOn Display function) can always work, which none of the competitors has. In the end, we get an unusual device that has no analogues on the market, it can be distinguished from any other at a glance.
If we talk about what color is the best, then I like blue, it is a delicate shade, very unusual, perfect for girls, however, see for yourself.
Please note that the front and back panels are the same color, as is the side metal piping (6000 series aluminium). In pink, the device also looks good, but it is definitely only for girls.
The golden phone is somewhat rustic, but everyone has their own tastes.
The fact that the device has a glass back and front does not interfere with it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental drops, although here someone is as lucky. In terms of mechanical protection, this device is completely identical to the Galaxy S6 EDGE, the quality is at the level. I once recorded a video about how this phone survives a collision with sharp objects or asphalt, you can watch this video.
The innovation of the A-series in 2017 was the 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 speaker are covered with membranes, the protection level is IP68, which allows the phone to be at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for up to half an hour. This does not mean that the phone needs to be washed under water and even more so with soap or something similar. But if you drop it into water, nothing will happen to it. There are no models with water protection in this price segment.
Now about controls. 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 the sides 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 noise reduction system on the lower and upper ends - on the microphone, it does its job perfectly, you can be heard well in any conditions, even when the wind is blowing hard in your face.
At the bottom there is also a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones, as well as a USB Type C connector for a charger. At the top end there is a tray, a nanoSIM card and a memory card or two SIM cards are installed in it. This is a combo tray, so it's worth remembering, A5 / A7 can install 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, 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 someone likes this size. It is completely invisible in clothes, you can easily forget that there is a phone in your pocket, so it does not feel like a constant burden. If you like compact models, then you will definitely fall in love with the 2017 A3.
Compared to Galaxy A5 2017
Display
In the younger model, a screen with HD resolution was installed; on such a diagonal, low resolution does not play a big role, the picture looks good. But for those who like to peer into the screen and distinguish 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 is clear that no one looks at the screen so close, but who cares? Ordinary people, not burdened with knowledge about PenTile, will simply say that this is a good screen that produces a nice picture, which, moreover, is customizable.
The specifications of this SuperAMOLED display are as follows: 4.7 inch, SuperAMOLED, HD, 312 ppi, auto brightness, auto brightness to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display.
For my taste, the screen quality is excellent for its class, it has a large margin of brightness in automatic mode, the display is well readable in the sun, just like in the model of the previous year (in S7 EDGE the screen has a higher 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 does not drain the battery much, for 12 hours it is a couple of percent. Until now, this feature has not been massively available in the middle price segment, which noticeably distinguishes the 2017 A3 and puts it on a par with Samsung flagships.
Whatever one may say, the screen in this model is excellent for its positioning and capabilities, you don't need more. Given the scenarios of 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 a regular charger charges the battery in 1 hour 35 minutes. That is, there is no need for fast charging, due to the small capacity of the battery, the charging time is normal. Built-in wireless charging, which is the flagship models, is not here.
In mixed mode, the device lives quietly for two days with 3-4 hours of screen operation, data transfer in LTE and two hours of calls. It all depends on what and how you use, you can achieve better results, for example, 5-8 hours of screen time 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 given the size of the battery, many Chinese show a comparable result on a 5000 mAh battery.
The operating time of the A3 2017 becomes its strength, even with a heavy load it will not work to discharge it faster than in a day, on average it 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 the operating time is a strong point of this model.
Traditionally, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight, 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 the maximum power saving mode, everything on the screen is painted in gray colors, and the device, even with a small charge, can provide hours of operation.
Communication options
The work of GPS/GLONASS is excellent, 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.
Support for almost all necessary LTE frequencies is another strong point, here the device also shows its strengths (analogues in this price segment cannot boast of this, as a rule, there are savings on antennas).
Finally, the device has NFC, ANT+ support, which will appeal to those who use sports sensors. Bluetooth version 4.2.
If we talk about Wi-Fi, then 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac 2.4 + 5 GHz is used here, there is a repeater mode (distribution of 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, it's time for the rest to come to terms with the transition to the new standard.
Memory, RAM, performance
Samsung uses its own chipsets in the 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. Chipset in A3 2017 Exynos 7780, 8 cores up to 1.6 GHz (Cortex A53), Mali-T830 GPU.
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 level, and the safety margin is enough for a couple of years at least.
Built-in memory in the device is 16 GB (available 9.7 GB), memory cards can be up to 256 GB. RAM 2 GB, which is enough for most consumers for the eyes. 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, which is about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. The quality of the front camera is good, but do not 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. The 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 camera on the A3 is simpler than on older models, don't expect much from it. But she copes with her work 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 the flagships or models above the class.
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 originally came out 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, as soon this model will receive this version of the OS.
I will not describe the standard Android functions, 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 chat with yourself. Exactly the same trick can be done with any software, no 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 everywhere the implementation is different. 
Impression
The vibrating alert is average, the volume of the ringer is also average - perhaps we would like to have more headroom, but the phone is still audible, and it is felt in pockets when vibrating. Rather, there is no reserve in terms of volume, but then whoever perceives this moment, the device cannot be called quiet.
There are practically no compact models on the market, keep in mind that Samsung has always been able to make its devices smaller than its competitors, just remember that 5.2 inches from Samsung is the body of many 4.7-4.9 inch models. So here, the A3 of 2017 turned out to be very compact, only one competitor immediately comes to mind - the iPhone SE. But the price of this compact phone is much higher with similar characteristics and 16 GB of memory, in Russia it costs 31,990 rubles. Design-wise, it's the exact opposite of the 2017 Galaxy A3. Plus, the iPhone SE is a camera, but there is no water protection, there is, of course, 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 battery life, 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. It is close to the iPhone SE in terms of price positioning.
If there were many competitors in the segment of 5-inch models for the 2017 A5, then there are practically no competitors for compact models of 4.7 inches and with small cases. The two main competitors are the iPhone SE and the Sony Xperia X Compact, but they cost significantly more. Sony will have 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, decent smartphone cannot be prohibitively expensive, which proves the 2017 A3. 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 true, 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 terms of 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 2016 A3, is weaker in every sense: less battery life in any of the modes, 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 should not change it for a new one. Wait another generation and then change. However, buying it now as a compact phone is worth it if there is no money for a new model (the previous one costs 17,990 rubles). Let me remind you that the price of A3 2017 is 22,990 rubles.
Bottom line: A3 2017 is great for those who are looking for a compact smartphone, which will focus on calls, instant messengers, web browsing, to a lesser extent on heavy games. As a second smartphone, this device is ideal, as it works for a long time and is compact. The model turned out to be successful, but compact phones remain in demand by a not very wide audience, so it’s not worth reading the A3 2017 for some huge sales, it plays only within the niche of compact devices.
Many criticized Samsung's plastic phones and waited for the Korean company to finally release all-metal smartphones. And after the release of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 models with metal frames, the company presented the all-metal Samsung Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5. We bought the younger version for testing, Samsung A3 - manufacturers do not often indulge consumers with unusual smartphones with a seemingly small diagonal of 4.5 inches.
What did consumers get in the end with the metal case of the Samsung Galaxy A3? For starters, such "advantages" as a non-separable case with a non-removable battery and a high price. The case itself is made in such a way that an inexperienced user (if he has never seen a smartphone advertisement) may never know about the use of metal. The fact is that only the frame looks metal, and the cover is covered with a certain composition, because of which the material feels more like plastic than metal.
Then what were all these changes and the use of premium materials - remains a mystery. To raise the price of the Samsung Galaxy A3? Or is the Korean giant afraid to rush and implement drastic changes?
The appearance of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (SM-A300F) resembles the designer Galaxy Alpha, but the case is less “pretentious”, without bezel bends and white stripes near the corners of the case, with a monotonous back. The square-shaped speakers on the back of the device and the frames around the display look unusual - in our opinion, they could be narrower, given the price. Also note the already trending bulging camera lens. In general, the smartphone looks stylish and girls will especially like it, especially since in many stores it is sold together with a Pandora bracelet.
Smartphone with a diagonal of 4.5 inches fits perfectly in one hand and weighs only 110 grams. By the way, even the 4-inch one turned out to be 2 grams heavier. The thickness of the case reaches 7.2 mm (excluding the protruding camera lens), which is comparable to the iPhone 6's 7 mm. Height and width 130 and 65.5 mm respectively: according to the width of the Samsung Galaxy A3 at the same small Lenovo A2010, and in height - a little less than the Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016) (with a diagonal of 0.2 inches more). The build quality turned out to be at a good level, the phone case does not creak under pressure, and the material is scratch resistant.
Perhaps someone expected water protection from the phone, but it is not certified as water resistant.
Smartphone Samsung Galaxy A3 can be bought in white, silver, black and gold colors.
Screen - 3.1
The screen size of the device is 4.5 inches. The screen has a so-called qHD resolution of 960 × 540 pixels, which is rather typical for budget models or mini-flagships of 2013. Image clarity is not high - 245 pixels per inch, but the display is sharper, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime display with the same resolution, but a larger diagonal. The low resolution is perhaps the only thing you can reproach the display with - after all, it is Super AMOLED with its high brightness and the widest possible viewing angles.
The colors on the smartphone display are bright, even too rich and contrasting. As with most of the company's devices with this type of display, you can choose one of several screen modes in the settings. The maximum measured brightness is quite high for an AMOLED matrix - up to 370 cd / m 2, and the minimum white field brightness is only 5 cd / m 2, which will be very convenient for reading in the dark. In the sun, the display worked well, all the information remained readable. The display is protected by the latest generation Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
According to the results of the tests, the display left us with conflicting impressions. On the one hand, it cannot be said that it is bad, but on the other hand, such a low resolution looks like a mockery for such a rather big price of a smartphone.
Cameras - 3.5
The Galaxy A3 smartphone is equipped with two cameras: the main one with 8 MP and the front “pumped” camera for selfies with 5 MP. The latter is rather a tribute to fashion and a simple, inexpensive way to raise the characteristics of the device in the eyes of consumers, which is used by many manufacturers, especially in the mainstream segment. The main camera has a flash, autofocus, but for some reason there was no HDR mode, which can be found today in every second state employee (if not more often). Both cameras shoot Full HD video at 30 frames per second with stereo sound. At the same time, we found tracking autofocus only in the main camera, which is not surprising.
The maximum resolution of photos is 3264 × 2448 pixels, if there are not enough pixels, then you can shoot panoramas. The front camera of the phone has several features for selfie lovers – gesture or voice capture, 20-frame animated GIF capture, and a wide-angle selfie mode for panorama shots. You can merge three frames into one so that all your friends, or almost all, get into the pictures. It seems to us that the camera is good by the standards of a smartphone, the photos are quite clear, but sometimes there is not enough contrast in the pictures and there is some kind of white veil.
Photos from the camera Samsung Galaxy A3 - 3.5
Working with text - 3.0
The pre-installed branded keyboard on the Samsung Galaxy A3 is good for working with text, but the small size of the diagonal does not contribute to comfortable typing. She has the ability to switch to a 3x4 keyboard, like on older phones (apparently for T9 lovers or those who are just switching to more modern smartphones). Continuous input using gestures (Swype) is supported, you will have to switch between languages by holding the spacebar and pulling it in any direction. The top row of keys has markings for quick dialing of numbers, there are no markings for additional characters. All in all, this is a typical good Samsung keyboard.
Internet - 5.0
Two browsers are preinstalled on the Samsung Galaxy A3 Duos smartphone - "Browser" and Google Chrome. This is a typical set, but with some unusual features. Google Chrome has a one-time auto-fit of text to a pre-selected size and synchronization of tabs with the desktop version of the browser, search on the page, compression mode, and a number of other typical features. The "Browser" has a "normal" text auto-fit, reading mode - very important features, according to many Samsung A3 users. The most interesting is the "Quick control" functions. If you turn them on and slide your finger from the edge of the display, control panel icons pop up near your finger in a semicircle - you just have to move your finger, choosing the desired actions. Filling Galaxy A3 was enough for vigorous browsing with a few open pages.
Communications - 3.8
According to this criterion, the Samsung Galaxy A3 Duos smartphone lacks only support for MHL, OTG or Slimport for a USB connector and dual-band Wi-Fi to the level of flagships. However, the device has something to brag about even without it: A-GPS, the ability to work with domestic GLONASS and Chinese Beidou, LTE (Cat 4, speed up to 150 Mbps) with support for Russian LTE frequencies. Separately, we can mention the presence of an NFC chip. Galaxy A3 can work with two Nano-SIM cards, but there is a little trick here - one of the slots can be used for either a memory card or a SIM card. It turns out that you have to choose: either two SIM-cards, or one, but also with a memory card. In our opinion, this is a very strange decision. In addition, due to the non-separable case, you will have to open the slots with a special key or any paper clip. On the case you can also find standard headphone jacks and a Micro-USB connector.
Multimedia - 3.4
The multimedia capabilities of the smartphone, according to the results of the tests, turned out to be average. In tests, the phone did not play 4K video (in principle, it does not need it), coped well with FLAC and WAV audio, but did not play AVI video and some MKV clips. We can say that Samsung has provided the device with support for rare audio formats, which cannot be said about video containers. But in the video player you can choose external subtitles.
Battery - 3.3
The Samsung Galaxy A3 SM-A300F Duos smartphone is equipped with a non-removable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of only 1900 mAh - almost like a thin "designer" Samsung Galaxy Alpha. This capacity is not at all impressive, but in practice it is quite enough for a day of work. And in tests, especially in the video marathon, the device performed very well, thanks to the AMOLED display and low resolution. So, the smartphone played HD video for almost 9 hours at maximum brightness, which is less than the Samsung Galaxy Alpha (10 hours), but it is longer than most tested smartphones. In the audio player mode, the phone pleasantly surprised, however, in comparison, the results are average for the tested devices - about 51 hours. That's almost a third longer than the Lumia 550. As for daily use, it was quite enough for us for a day of work with an average load. At the same time, the device charges relatively quickly - in 2.5 hours using standard charging.
Performance - 2.2
The Galaxy A3 uses an updated mid-range Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 64-bit chipset. Four processor cores operate at a frequency of up to 1.2 GHz, the Adreno 306 graphics processor is responsible for the graphics. The use of a 64-bit processor is not just a tribute to fashion trends - the smartphone is “in line” in the list of devices that will receive an update to Android 5.0, it is only unknown when exactly. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. In general, the performance of the phone can be assessed as average: the power of the device is enough for a fairly smooth operation of the interface, playback of Full HD video and most games.
Smartphone performance is somewhat of a mystery. The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime for 9,000 rubles has a similar chipset as the Samsung Galaxy A3 for 20,000 rubles, but, as tests have shown, the latter works noticeably faster, both in simple applications and games. For example, Minion Rush on a metal Samsung runs just perfectly smoothly, while on a Core Prime with the same performance characteristics it takes much longer to load and can sometimes slow down. In everyday use, the smartphone works quickly. The company is clearly successfully working on its interface, making it easier and removing unnecessary stuff. And while this isn't the first phone to feature a "lightweight" TouchWiz without a lot of "extra" apps and severe stuttering, Samsung still has a lot of work to do.
Want to play games? On the Galaxy A3, not only mediocre games (for example, Minion Rush) are launched, but also more “heavy”, though not all. So, in Dead Trigger 2 it is quite possible to play even at maximum settings, and Real Racing 3 did not want to start at all. As a gaming platform, it will not work, heavier games will slow down, but for most games, the filling of a smartphone is enough. In various benchmarks, the smartphone is quite capable of competing with mini-versions of the flagships of the 2014 model. In AnTuTu, the smartphone received an average of 21324 points, in the Ice Storm Unlimited test from 3DMark - 4558 points. We saw similar scores for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, and the HTC One mini 2.
Memory - 4.0
Unlike the Galaxy Alpha, the Galaxy A3 has a slot for a memory card, but the amount of internal memory is less - 16 GB, of which about 12 GB is available to the user. Hot-swappable cards are also supported by simply removing the cover. Memory cards up to 64 GB are supported.
Peculiarities
The smartphone runs on Android 4.4.4 (an update to Android Lollipop is promised over time) and runs Samsung's proprietary shell - TouchWiz with its own set of applications, settings, etc. It can be noted that the smartphone is not as packed with a large number of built-in proprietary applications, as one would expect from Samsung.
The main feature of the phone is the metal case. At the same time, it feels like plastic due to the special coating. Another feature that stems from the metal case is the non-separable case: you can’t remove the cover, and you can’t just change the battery just like that. The features include a thin body and low weight of the model, the presence of NFC, support for LTE, as well as a high price.
Samsung continues to regularly update the most popular families of its smartphones, and at the beginning of 2017 introduced the updated A line. We will review the Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017) a little later, but now let's look at the most affordable, and at the same time, the most compact model from the updated family - Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F.
Design and controls Galaxy A3 (2017)
The new Galaxy A 2017 series of smartphones replaces the hugely popular 2016 A-series of smartphones, offering improved performance and a refreshed design. But the most important trump cards of the updated line are the IP68 standard case protected from dust and moisture and the presence of a fingerprint scanner. The design of the new Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has become as close as possible to the Galaxy S7, moreover, the device very much resembles the seventh iPhone, and both of these factors have benefited it - the smartphone looks solid and expensive, while being quite “fresh”. 
The metal-and-glass Gorilla Glass 4 body is superbly built and curved at the back, just like the Galaxy S7. Thanks to this, as well as its compact size, the smartphone is very comfortable in the hand. The weight of the device is only 138 grams, the dimensions of the case are 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm - perhaps ideal for those who are looking for a compact (by today's standards) device. Under the screen of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017), the backlit side touch buttons are habitually located (moreover, they are practically invisible without backlighting), as well as the central mechanical button with a fingerprint scanner. 
Above the display is the front camera and earpiece. Behind the smartphone is only a camera with a flash and the Samsung logo. On the left side of the device are the volume buttons, on the right - the power button and speakerphone. At the bottom, there are 3.5 mm headphone jacks and microUSB Type C, as well as a microphone hole. On the top is a tray for SIM cards and a Micro SD memory card, as well as a noise reduction microphone. The Galaxy A3 2017 has a combined tray - either two nano-SIM cards, or one nano-SIM and a memory card (up to 256 GB). 
Display and cameras Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 (SM-A320F) received a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels (pixel density - 312 ppi). The screen matrix is Super AMOLED, the display shows one of the best pictures from the 4.7-inch devices offered on the market today. The colors are juicy, the margin of brightness is huge, the viewing angles are maximum. There are not the slightest complaints about the display of the smartphone, HD resolution is enough for it. Plus, it does great in the sun. 
The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) remained 13 megapixels, while the front camera “grew up” a little - now it is 8 megapixels against 5 for the Galaxy A3 of the 2016 model. Both cameras have aperture of f/1.9, they have added a little in the quality of pictures, and also received a redesigned application menu, in our opinion - it has become more convenient. Photos of the main camera are more than good, the white balance is excellent, the pictures are clear and with the correct color reproduction. Moreover, even in low light conditions, the photos are of quite decent quality, although there is a bit too much “noise”. Video in Full HD looks more than worthy. 
The front camera, of course, is inferior in photo quality to the main one, but in general, it looks very decent. It can also record video in Full HD quality, but there is no point in doing this with a “live” main camera, the quality is several levels lower. For video broadcasts, its capabilities are enough "with a head."
Specifications and performance of Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
The new smartphone Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) received a fairly “lively” eight-core Exynos 7870 processor with a frequency of 1.6 GHz. This is far from the best processor that Samsung puts on its devices, but, as it turned out, it is more than enough for Galasky A3 2017. The same applies to the amount of RAM - the smartphone has 2 gigabytes of it. The built-in flash memory of the device is 16 gigabytes. A good video accelerator ARM Mali-T830 MP2 is responsible for the graphics. 
Such fillings are enough for a smartphone “with a head” - the device is very smart, all applications work smoothly and without slowdowns. The same applies to the gaming part - the power of the Galaxy A3 (2017) is enough for a comfortable game in almost any game on good graphics settings. Asphalt 8 and Dead Effect 2 at maximum settings during the game never “slowed down”, the device can be safely called “gaming”. 
At the moment, out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy A3 Duos (2017) has an Android 6 operating system with an updated proprietary TouchWiz shell, but an update to Android 7 is expected in the near future. With regards to the new TouchWiz, it has been refreshed, regrouped settings and added a number of new features. Let's not forget to mention synthetic tests - AnTuTu Benchmark rated the new Korean smartphone at 46357 points.
In addition to a cute design, a chic display and excellent performance, the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 (SM-A320F) has a number of nice and useful "goodies". Protection of the IP68 case allows the smartphone to safely transfer a 30-minute immersion in fresh water to a depth of one and a half meters. The 2350 mAh battery gives the device good autonomy, although the figure is not large, but in reality the A3 2017 holds a charge very well. 
Another interesting "feature" of all models of the updated A-line of Samsung smartphones is the Always On Display function. In sleep mode, the device will display a number of useful information - the current time, calendar, latest notifications, battery level. Very comfortable and you get used to it very quickly. 
We also note support for LTE Cat 6 and Samsung Pay payment service.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 (SM-A320F) from Quke.ru
What is the result
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) turned out to be significantly more interesting than its predecessor. The smartphone received a fresher design and improved cameras, became faster, received a protected case and a fingerprint scanner. But is it all worth the difference in price, which is about $80 compared to its predecessor? Our opinion is worth it. 
Galaxy A3 (2017) will be an ideal solution for those who are looking for a compact modern smartphone with good performance and high quality materials. The device is perfectly balanced, even with a strong desire it is difficult to find fault with something. The only nuance is not a small price, the novelty today costs about 370 dollars. Available body colors are black, gold, pink and blue. Happy owners of the new Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) are invited to leave reviews on our website.
