Samsung Galaxy A3 2016: Pros and Cons
Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy A3 2016 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.7 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7 Octa 7580 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy A3 2016 series was launched with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4.7 inch AMOLED displays has fast response times. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.
Table of Contents
- Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 specifications
Brand | Samsung |
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Name | Galaxy A3 2016 |
Model | SM-A310F |
Release date | 2015 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 4.66 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.3 x 2.57 x 0.29 inch |
Colors | black, gold, white |
SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 is about 4.66 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
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SoC | Exynos 7 Octa 7580 |
CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Mali-T720 MP2 |
The Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | Super AMOLED |
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Screen size | 4.7 inch |
Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 1.5 GB |
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Internal storage | 16 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy A3 2016 has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 5 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Galaxy A3 2016 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.1, A2DP, LE |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | yes, with RDS |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy A3 2016 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
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The Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Galaxy A3 2016 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, geomagnetic, hall, light, proximity |
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Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 4, Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- Super AMOLED display
- microSD slot
- Dual SIM support
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no digital compass
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.