Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226
Adreno 305
1.5 GB / 16 GB
4.8 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S3 Neo smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.8 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery. The phone comes with a high-quality AMOLED display. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo 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 S3 Neo / 1

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S3 Neo
ModelGT-I9300I
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.66 oz
Dimensions5.38 x 2.79 x 0.34 inch
Colorsamber brown, garnet red, la fleur, marble white, pebble blue, pink, sapphire black, titanium grey
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo is about 4.66 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226
CPUQuad-core 1.2 or 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUAdreno 305

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size4.8 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 4.8 inch phone comes with AMOLED display. Smartphones use the AMOLED, which is a type of OLED display. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1.5 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S3 Neo has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera1.9 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Galaxy S3 Neo comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes, with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S3 Neo smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The Galaxy S3 Neo has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2100 mAh

The Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy S3 Neo smartphone has an accelerometer. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

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

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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