All about Samsung Galaxy A3. Review of Samsung Galaxy A3 – a compact smartphone with moisture protection. Memory, RAM, performance

Samsung continues to regularly update the most popular families of its smartphones, and at the beginning of 2017 it introduced the updated A line. We will do reviews of the Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017) a little later, but now let's look at the most affordable, and in at the same time - the most compact model from the updated family - Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F.

Galaxy A3 (2017) design and controls

The new Galaxy A 2017 series of smartphones replaces the extremely popular 2016 A line devices, offering improved characteristics and a refreshed design. But the most important trump cards of the updated line are the device housings protected from dust and moisture according to the IP68 standard 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 is very much reminiscent of the seventh iPhone, and both of these factors worked in its favor - the smartphone looks solid and expensive, but at the same time quite “fresh”.
The metal and Gorilla Glass 4 body is beautifully put together, and the back is curved at the edges, just like the Galaxy S7. Thanks to this, as well as its compact size, the smartphone fits very comfortably in the hand. The weight of the device is only 138 grams, the body dimensions 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) there are the usual side touch buttons with backlight (and without backlight they are practically invisible), as well as a central mechanical button with fingerprint scanner.
Above the display – front-camera and a speaker. On the back of the smartphone there is only a camera with a flash and the Samsung logo. On the left side of the device there are volume buttons, on the right there is a power button and a speakerphone. At the bottom there are 3.5 mm headphone and micro jacks USB Type C, as well as the microphone hole. On the top there is a tray for SIM cards and Micro SD memory cards, as well as a noise-canceling microphone. The Galaxy A3 2017 has a combined tray - either two nano-SIM cards, or one nano-SIM card and a memory card (up to 256 GB).

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) display and cameras

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 of 4.7-inch devices offered on the market today. The colors are rich, the brightness margin is huge, and the viewing angles are maximum. There is not the slightest complaint about the smartphone’s display; HD resolution is enough for it. Plus, it performs great in the sun.
Main samsung camera The Galaxy A3 (2017) remained 13 megapixels, but the front one has grown a little – now it is 8 megapixels versus 5 for the Galaxy A3 2016 model. Both cameras have an f/1.9 aperture, they have added a little quality to the pictures, and also received a redesigned application menu, in our opinion - it has become more convenient. The photos from the main camera are more than good, the white balance is excellent, the pictures are clear and with correct color reproduction. Moreover, even in low light conditions, the photos are of quite decent quality, although there is a lot of “noise”. Video in Full HD looks more than decent.
The front camera, of course, is inferior in photo quality to the main one, but overall it looks very decent. It can also record video in Full HD quality, but there is no point in this with a “live” main camera; the quality is several levels lower. For video broadcasts, its capabilities are absolutely enough.

Features and performance of Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

The new Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) smartphone has a fairly lively eight-core Exynos 7870 processor with a frequency of 1.6 GHz. This is far from best processor, which Samsung installs on its devices, but, as it turned out, it is more than enough for Galaska A3 2017. The same applies to the amount of RAM – the smartphone has 2 gigabytes. The device has 16 gigabytes of built-in flash memory. The graphics are handled by a good ARM Mali-T830 MP2 video accelerator.
The smartphone has enough of this stuff to its heart's content - the device is very fast, all applications work smoothly and without slowdowns. The same applies to the gaming part - the power of the Galaxy A3 (2017) is enough to comfortably play almost any game on good settings graphics. Asphalt 8 and Dead Effect 2 at maximum settings never “slowed down” during the game; the device can safely be called a “gaming” one.
On this moment Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy A3 Duos (2017) has the Android 6 operating system with an updated proprietary TouchWiz shell, but an update to Android 7 is expected in the near future. Regarding the new TouchWiz, its design has been refreshed, the settings have been rearranged and a number of new functions have been added. Let's not forget to mention synthetic tests - AnTuTu Benchmark rated the new Korean smartphone at 46357 points.

In addition to the cute design, gorgeous display and excellent performance, the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 (SM-A320F) has a number of other nice and useful features. IP68 case protection allows the smartphone to safely endure 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 great, but in reality the A3 2017 holds its 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, a series of useful information– current time, calendar, latest notifications, battery level. It’s very convenient and you get used to it very quickly.
We also note support for LTE Cat 6 and payment service Samsung Pay.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 (SM-A320F) from Quke.ru

What's the result?

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) turned out to be significantly more interesting than its predecessor. The smartphone received a more recent design and improved cameras, became faster, received a protected body and a fingerprint scanner. But is all this worth the price difference, which is about $80 compared to its predecessor? Our opinion is that it 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 superbly balanced, even with a strong desire it is difficult to find fault with anything. The only caveat is that the price is not low; the new product currently costs about $370. Available body colors are black, gold, pink and blue. We invite happy owners of the new Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) to leave reviews on our website.

As you know, Samsung Corporation produces many different smartphones. Three families stand out in particular: the flagship models of the Galaxy S series, budget models of the J series and mid-price smartphones Galaxy A. Today we will talk about the youngest model of the latter family.

The Galaxy A series received another update this year. Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is its junior model. Previously we looked at big Galaxy A7 (2017)

First, let's look at the characteristics:

As you can see, the smartphone received a slightly more powerful filling. The design has also changed - it is very similar to the design of the flagship S7. Water and dust protection according to the IP68 standard are inherited from the older line. We tweaked the cameras a little and changed the connector to a reversible Type-C one.

Box and accessories

The box - standard for A-series smartphones - is made of white cardboard. The smartphone itself, charger, USB cable, adapter with USB Type-C on microUSB 2.0, extractor clip for the SIM card tray, headphones and instructions. It’s nice that Samsung did not deprive it of attention and included headphones and an adapter even in the lowest model, as it did with the A5 and A7.

Frame

As mentioned above, the design of the smartphone was largely inherited from flagship Galaxy S7. It is very similar to the design of the A5 and A7, except that the younger model has only one slot, in which the compartment for the second SIM card is combined with the compartment for the microSD card. The back surface of the case is covered with fourth generation Gorilla Glass, the frame is metal. Due to its compactness, the grip of the smartphone is excellent; it will fit very well in both women's and men's hands. The case is not the thinnest, 7.9 mm, but this is not a drawback.

Screen

Traditionally, the screen in the device is made using sAMOLED technology. The colors are rich, contrasting, the image is clearly visible even in the sun. Always On function available. When it is turned on on the screen in background alerts are displayed. Of course, this slightly increases battery consumption, but only by a small amount (about 10-15%), and the convenience of this function overpowers the desire to save unfortunate percentages of charge.

Operating system and software

The operating system in the smartphone is Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The animation in the menu is smooth and does not lag anything. In the near future, judging by the news from Samsung, all smartphones in the updated A line will receive an update to Android 7.0. The Home button, like its older brothers, is mechanical. To the right and left of it are the “Back” button and a button for calling up the list of running applications.

Processor and memory

The memory of the smartphone is not very smooth. The amount remained constant at the same level - 16 GB, which in itself is not enough for modern needs. On the other hand, you can install a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB, which is more than enough. The amount of RAM has increased by 512 MB - now it is 2 GB, which is the minimum amount for modern smartphone based on Android 6.0.

According to the AnTuTu test, the performance of the device is lower than that of its middle brother Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017), by about 20-25%. This is due to a weaker processor, lower frequency and less RAM. It is unlikely to be suitable for demanding games, but for other use cases - photographing, using social networks, surfing the net - it will do just fine.

Fingerprint's scanner

The fingerprint scanner in the A3 is the same as in the A5 and A7. Works flawlessly. Unlocking occurs when you physically press Home button and correct fingerprint reading.

Interfaces

Wi-Fi in the smartphone is dual-band, Bluetooth latest version 4.2 with support for all kinds of profiles. There is no need to talk about GPS/GLONASS/A-GPS; every smartphone now has it. There is NFC and an audio jack. ANT+ will be useful for athletes. There is also an FM radio. A big plus is support for Samsung Pay, which Lately is becoming increasingly widespread. The USB connector only supports version 2.0, but the shape of the connector itself corresponds to the USB Type-C format. This reversible connector is very convenient. Needless to say, the set of functionality is quite good.

Battery

The battery capacity of the device is only 2350 mAh, which is only 50 mAh more than the version last year. It doesn’t seem like much, but for such a compact and low-power device this is enough. For a day with average use, the capabilities of the smartphone should be enough. Fast charging no, but for such a battery it is not needed: with the original one charger, designed for a maximum current of 1.5 A, a full charging cycle is carried out in approximately 1.5 hours.

Communication and sound

The sound in the smartphone is surprisingly clear and loud. The original headphones did not disappoint either; the sound in them was no less than good. The external speaker is located on the right next to the lock button.

The quality of communication is also excellent. The Galaxy A3 (2017) added another LTE band compared to the Galaxy A3 (2016). The device finally received support for all the main frequencies used in the Russian Federation.

Camera

Both the main and front cameras in the device are inferior in characteristics to their older brothers. Nevertheless, the quality of the output image from both cameras is quite decent. The resolution of the front camera has increased from 5 to 8 megapixels.

Examples of photographs are shown below:

Results

Galaxy A3 (2017) turned out to be the weakest in the family. While the A5 and A7 are almost identical, except for screen size and battery, the A3 has less memory and a weaker processor. However, it has a killer feature - its compactness. In addition, both the A3 and its older brothers were not deprived of design. And the presence of a wide range of interfaces, as well as dust and water protection, adds another significant plus in favor of purchasing this device.

In October 2016, rumors began to surface regarding Samsung's upcoming A series of smartphones for 2017. The most impressive thing was that Galaxy smartphones A (2017) received moisture protection according to the IP68 standard, because previously only flagship models were protected from water. Even the most affordable Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 received protection against water and dust, and this is the most affordable waterproof smartphone from the Koreans. I will try to reveal all its capabilities, advantages and disadvantages in this material.

A-series is a high mid-price segment Samsung. This line dates back to 2015 and is already in its third generation. Every year the Koreans try to introduce premium features into this series at more affordable prices. The body of smartphones is always made of modern materials with a modern design.

Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 first appeared on sale in Russia at a price of 23,000 rubles, a little later it began to appear in Ukraine at a cost of 9,000 UAH. At the time of writing the review, at the current exchange rate, approximately 360 USD (in Russia) and 330 USD (in Ukraine).

The smartphone received a considerable price tag for its filling, in comparison with Chinese brands. However, the quality of execution in detail should not disappoint.

Appearance overview

Galaxy A3 (2017) is made of glass and metal. The back cover looks very plastic, but is actually glass. How protected it is from scratches is unknown and only time will tell, but the back glass of last year’s smartphones in this series was easily scratched. The smartphone has four color options: black, pale blue, pale purple (called rose gold) and, as in our review, gold. Blue appeared for the first time among Samsung smartphones in the A series, and it is still less common on sale.

The front panel is made of 2.5D glass and its cut resembles a piece of jewelry, associated with amber or pearls. This is not the same rounding of the glass as in the previous series, but more pronounced and gives off a mother-of-pearl edge. Below the display is a physical Home button with a fingerprint scanner. This year, it practically does not protrude from the body, not counting the metal edging, which can be felt with your finger. To the left and right of the key are two backlit touch buttons. When the backlight is inactive, they are absolutely invisible. Above the display is the company logo, above which there is a metal fingerprint grille, to the left of which there is a window under which two sensors are hidden: proximity and light. To the right of the speaker is the front camera.

Unlike the front part, I did not like the implementation of the rear panel; now there are more stylish and elegant solutions on the market. Maybe it's the color. The back has roundings not only on the two long edges, but on the top and bottom. Just above the center is another logo, above which is a camera with an iron edging that does not protrude from the body and a single-LED flash.

The back cover is not completely fitted to the iron frame, which you can see in the close-up photos of the Galaxy A3 (2017). A corner of a piece of paper can easily fit there, and there is no guarantee that after a year the rubber gasket will not dry out and the panel will not begin to lag.

The end is made of metal. Samsung in Galaxy A 2017 returns to a design with a strong rounded corners. Well located on the right side closer to the top sound speaker, and now you won’t cover the sound with your hand when holding your smartphone with the display in horizontal orientation. Below the speaker is the power button.

On the left side there are two volume buttons.

At the bottom end in the center USB port Type-C, conversational microphone, headphone jack, as well as two plastic dividers for antennas.

At the top end there is a microphone for noise reduction and sound recording. A tray for Nano format SIM cards, in which one cell is combined with a memory card of your choice. There are also two more dividers from the antenna.

Dimensions of the smartphone: width 66.2 mm, height 135.4 mm, thickness 8 mm. Weight 138 g.

The kit includes a 5V and 1.55A power adapter, USB cable Type-C, adapter from Micro USB to USB Type-C and headphones.

Chipset

The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F has its own Exynos 7 Octa (7870) chipset. It has 8 Cortex-A53 cores operating in the range of 546 - 1586 MHz. This chip is made according to modern 14 nm technological production standards. Today this is the smallest mobile chipset, due to this it is energy efficient, does not reduce frequencies under load and does not heat up.

Processes graphics in the chipset GPU ARM Mali-T830 with a single core and a frequency range of 343 - 1001 MHz.

All this results in 45,700 points in the AnTuTu test. There is no throttling; in subsequent runs the result differed by a maximum of +/-200 points. The increase in performance, compared to the Galaxy A3 of last year, is about 10,000 points, but still does not reach the average level. It’s difficult to call a gaming smartphone, given the small display and low-power chip. In tanks at maximum settings, the number of frames per second drops to 5. With minimal graphics settings, a stable 60 frames per second is produced, so you can play comfortably if you wish.

Memory

At first glance, there is not very much RAM here for the price category, when compared with Chinese smartphones. However, due to good optimization, 2 GB of RAM is quite enough. Compared to last year’s model, an increase of 500 MB. The interface works quickly and no slowdowns are noticeable to the eye. Memory in LPDDR3 format. When completely clearing minimized applications, 625 MB are free.

But there is also 16 GB of permanent memory left, which can be expanded with a memory card, sacrificing a SIM card. Applications cannot be installed on the memory card.

Battery

The battery capacity of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has been increased by 50 mAh compared to its predecessor and has 2350 mAh. But if you take into account the more energy-efficient chip, the energy-efficient display matrix and permanent job manufacturer over software optimization, then autonomy has improved.

I tested the device in different modes and determined that playing at the maximum graphics setting (WoT Blitz) and maximum screen brightness dropped the smartphone from 100 to 0% in6.5 hours, which is a VERY good result for such a battery capacity. Video at maximum brightness, using Youtube playback while connected to the network via Wi-Fi, used up the full volume in13 hours! For comparison:

• LG Class (2050 mAh): games - 3 hours, video via Wi-Fi - 6 hours;
• LG K10 (2300 mAh): games 4 hours, video via Wi-Fi - 8 hours;
• Microsoft Lumia 550 (2100 mAh): games 4 hours, video 7 hours;
• Sony Xperia C4 (2600 mAh): games 4 hours, video 5 hours;
• Huawei Nova(3020 mAh): games 4.5 hours, video 8 hours;
• Huawei Y5 II (2200 mAh): video - 3 hours 30 minutes;
• Xiaomi Mi5s (3200 mAh): games 4 hours, video 9 hours;
• Xiaomi Mi4c (3080 mAh): games 5 hours, video 7.5 hours.

Of course, the diagonal of the display plays a big role, but this would not significantly affect the result. Samsung managed to make the Galaxy A3 (2017) very battery-powered without increasing the battery capacity. Of course, there are competitors in the form of Chinese brands, but they have a larger battery capacity and a thicker smartphone.

Cameras

The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 has a Sony IMX258 sensor. This matrix is ​​1/3 Vidicon inches in size. The pixel size is 1.12μm, it takes pictures in 13 megapixels. This matrix is ​​found in OnePlus X, Sony Xperia XA, Meizu M3E and M3 Max, and one of the dual sensor Xiaomi Mi5s Plus.

The camera on the Galaxy A3 (2017) supports autofocus, which works automatically without touching the display. Not as fast as in flagships, but it works. The photos turned out too dark in cloudy weather, and the dynamic range of the camera was small.

I liked how the noise reduction works in poor lighting, with which the photos turn out a little blurry, but without noise.

Shot in low light

The camera shoots well in the dark, conveying correct white balance and good detail. The Galaxy A3 2017 pictured below beats out the Huawei Nova and Galaxy A5 2016.

A few more shots on Samsung A3:

The front camera has an 8 MP Sony IMX219 sensor. Size 1/4. This camera focuses on low power consumption and no lubrication. The pixel size is the same standard 1.12μm. Dynamic range It’s small, and against the sky, objects will be illuminated, but you’ll be able to photograph your face clearly. This sensor is the main sensor in the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016). Chinese brand Doogee likes to use it as the main camera using interpolation up to 13 MP (software stretching).

Selfie camera shot

The video is shot in FullHD resolution (on the main and front).

In my opinion, the camera does not claim to be the best, but it is superior to the budget segment.

Display

The display matrix in the Galaxy A3 (2017) has a diagonal of 4.7 inches and is made using Super Amoled technology. This matrix differs from other OLEDs in its pixel arrangement called PenTile, where each tri-color pixel has an additional green pixel, resulting in increased color brightness. The pixels themselves emit light in such a matrix and are organic light-emitting diodes, unlike LCDs, which require an additional backlit layer. Due to this, the display has excellent viewing angles.

There is no air gap between the sensor and the touchscreen. The touchscreen supports 5 simultaneous touches, however, it is responsive and there are no complaints about it. The 2017 A3 has maximum viewing angles and colors do not invert when tilted.

The display colors are closer to cool shades, but in the settings you can activate the reading mode. You can make sure that the reading mode is activated according to a schedule, or when it gets dark. It is also possible to adjust the mode with a slider, from a barely yellowish tint of the display (a yellow tint makes the eyes less tired) to a rich red one.

The screen frames are small, but there are some.

Communications and communications

The smartphone supports LTE networks. Wi-Fi 802.11 operates in a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, mobile point access.

There is GPS support with A-GPS and GLONASS support. Navigation works great and in most cases flawlessly. Of course there is a compass. Bluetooth version 4.2.

Among the sensors, the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) finally has a gyroscope built in, now using a smartphone you can view 360-degree video or VR content, if there is a helmet for such a display.

Sound

The sound from the external speaker is quite clear. The set includes a good headset with earplugs. Nothing remarkable can be said about the sound; the manufacturer did not focus its attention on it.

There is an FM radio that works when you connect headphones. Sound recording during video recording is good.

operating system

Version operating system out of the box Android 6.0.1 with firmware version A320FXXU1AQA1. Everyone usually calls the firmware TouchWiz, but there is no mention of it anywhere. In flagship models it is called GraceUX, but in more budget ones, individual software is “cut” for each model, for which you can applaud Samsung.

All Samsung smartphones at more affordable prices are kept up-to-date in terms of software; budget J-series smartphones receive operating system updates and the 2017 Galaxy A3 is no exception. An update to Android 7 is expected in the first half of 2017. Perhaps by the time you are reading this review, the smartphone has already received the latest system.

Among the software innovations in this Galaxy A3, I would like to note the built-in secure folder for storing personal files and accounts under a separate password. The camera application has also been slightly updated, in which you can move the shutter button to any convenient location on the display. The gallery has the ability to create 6-second GIFs from videos, automatically process photos, you can zoom the video you are watching while watching, as well as minimize and view the video in a small window, which will be active when you are going about your business in another smartphone application. While playing a video, you can launch other third party applications, and a small window with the video being played will be active in the foreground.

The 2017 Galaxy A3 carried over from the Always on Display flagships. When this mode is activated, the clock, incoming notifications and date are always active when the display is turned off. This feature does not drain the battery at all, I checked (overnight the smartphone only drained by 5%).

It is also possible to communicate with support directly from the application Samsung smartphone Members, find out information about the nearest service center and even connect the operator to the control of your smartphone through the Smart Tutor application, so that he can suggest something and clearly show what and how to press. I made a separate video about this (look for it on my Youtube channel).

A branded Samsung app Notes, where you can draw with different tools and much more. IN proprietary application S Health can track your walking, running, cycling, food, water, caffeine, weight, sleep and more.

Peculiarities

The main feature of the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 is waterproof according to the IP68 standard, which means that the smartphone can be under water up to one and a half meters for at least 30 minutes.

The second feature for me is the Always on display feature that I described above. An equally significant feature is the excellent autonomy with a small battery capacity.

It is also noteworthy that the camera and button do not protrude from the body. By the way, the sensor in the button unlocks the smartphone without having to activate the lock screen. Unfortunately, the scanner does not work with wet fingers.

Alternatives

If we consider alternatives in terms of display size, then Apple iPhone The 6S (4.7 inches) and Apple iPhone SE (4 inches) are close in terms of compactness, but also twice as expensive. At the same price as the smartphone under review - iPhone 5S, but the diagonal is much smaller, battery life is much worse, and there is no moisture protection. If it is very important for you that the “Apple” sparkles and the melody is “iPhone”, then the 5S is definitely your option, despite the fact that this once masterpiece was released as much as 4 years ago.

Sony Xperia X Compact has a similar display, the same price and significantly best cameras. And in terms of performance and memory, the smartphone is more interesting. For some reason, the Japanese did not implement moisture protection in this model, which cannot be said about their flagship compact model of 2015, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact. Same price as the Galaxy A3 2017, it has the flagship Snapdragon 810 chip (hot guy) and internal memory more. And again, the cameras are a cut above. The same cannot be said about Sony regarding their autonomy.

Well, competitors from China, where would we be without them? The closest 5-inch competitor officially presented on our market is Huawei Nova with an attractive design, about the same main camera, but much better than the front one. Huawei has more memory and a more powerful chipset. Of course there is no such excellent autonomy, good software and moisture protection. Of course, there are other “animals” from China, but I don’t want to compare them with them, since there you will already have to make compromises in some areas.

Pros and cons of Samsung Galaxy A3 2017

pros

• amazing autonomy;
• moisture protection;
• reliable software with timely updates;
• compactness (if you need it);
• Always on Display and other software goodies;
• no heating;
• good main camera.

Minuses

• in the specimen in question there are gaps between back cover and frame;
• there is little permanent memory, and the MicroSD slot is combined with a second SIM card;
• The display frequency is low, perhaps some people will get tired of their eyes quickly.

My review of the Galaxy A3 2017

This is a compact device with good software, acceptable cameras and a bright Super AMOLED display. Many will be attracted to purchase by moisture protection and interesting design. But most of all I liked the autonomy, this is not visible “on paper”, but the real results are pleasing.

Do you often go on business trips and don’t want to overpay for communications? There is no need to buy a new SIM card with an unknown number to your colleagues, now you can make/receive calls over Wi-Fi at the price of calls in Russia for both you and the caller.

Introducing Samsung model Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F/DS (SM-A320FZKDSER), made in black color (Black) with a built-in memory of 16GB.

The updated A-series from Samsung received a premium design, similar to the flagship S7, with a glass body on both sides framed by a metal frame at the ends. For the first time, all smartphones in this series are dust and waterproof. IP68 protection standard. What else is new in the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)?

Samsung updates Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F/DS

As noted above, the 2017 A3 received a more technologically advanced design. The front of the case is formed by a panel made of 2.5D glass, the back panel is made of 3D glass, and the edges are protected by a metal frame. Now the smartphone is protected from dust and moisture. The device feels good in the hand and is comfortable to use in any conditions, even in the rain. In addition to the design, the gadget received a modern technical stuffing: new, more powerful processor (eight-core versus four cores in the 2016 version), increased RAM, improved selfie camera, changed wired and wireless connection, the maximum speed of operation in LTE networks has been increased, the protection of information and the phone itself has been improved, the ability to expand memory has been preserved, and the maximum possible capacity of the memory card has been increased. The device itself has slightly increased in size - 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm versus 134.5 x 65.2 x 7.3 mm for the 2016 A3, while the battery capacity has been increased and the power consumption of the device has been reduced. The manufacturer also promises many intuitive software features that will take the use of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) to a new level.

Display

Perhaps the only thing that has not undergone changes in the device is its display. The smartphone screen has retained the size of 4.7 inches, which many consider optimal. You can reach any corner of the display with one hand and not be afraid that the device will slip out of your hands. The screen is made using Super AMOLED technology, which guarantees rich colors and wide viewing angles. The brightness reserve is enough for the image to be clearly visible, even in direct sunlight, plus there is a sensor for automatic backlight adjustment. The resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels with a density of 312 ppi. So, nothing prevents you from enjoying a high-quality and rich picture, under any conditions. And all this is protected by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 4 with an oleophobic coating, which will protect the display not only from scratches, but also from dirt and fingerprints. By the way, you will have to touch the smartphone screen less, because... it has an Always-on Display function, thanks to which all the necessary information is always on the screen.

Cameras

The main one has a resolution of 13 megapixels and is equipped with autofocus and a built-in flash. It supports HDR technology, which allows you to take high-quality images with vibrant colors, even in difficult conditions. It is possible to record video in Full HD format (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30 frames per second and stereo sound. For the most successful shots, you can apply one of the 16 built-in filters or use the “Food” mode. Setting up the camera is completely simple and intuitive. Selfie lovers will be pleased with the updated 8MP front camera with the ability to install the shutter button anywhere on the display. The display itself acts as a flash. The selfie camera can also shoot Full HD videos at 30 frames per second.

Processor and memory

IN new version The smartphone is equipped with an eight-core Samsung Exynos 7870 processor with a core frequency of 1.6 GHz (the 2016 version had a quad-core Exynos 7578 - 1.5 GHz), and a Mali-T830 video controller is responsible for the graphics. The device's RAM has been increased from 1.5 to 2 GB. The built-in memory can be expanded using a memory card with a maximum capacity of up to 256 GB. Hybrid memory card slot.

Connection

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) SM-A320F/DS is equipped with two Nano-sim slots that can work simultaneously. The device has increased the maximum possible Internet speed from 150 to 300 Mbit/s, thanks to LTE cat. 6. If there is no network, it is possible to connect via Wi-Fi. Communication between a smartphone and other devices and wearable electronics ( smart watch, headphones, fitness bracelets and more) provides Bluetooth 4.2. The following Bluetooth profiles are supported: A2DP, AVRCP, DI, HFP, HID, HOGP, HSP, MAP, OPP, PAN, PBAP. Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules will help you find a quick and accurate route. The wired connection in the 2017 A series is carried out via USB Type C. The manufacturer took care of users with accessories with a microUSB connector by including a USB Type C - microUSB adapter with the phone.

Nutrition

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has an increased battery of 2350 mAh compared to its predecessor. An increase of 50 mAh is only a little over 2%. But thanks to modern hardware and optimization, the autonomy figures are much more impressive. Talk time on a 3G network and video playback has been increased by 3 hours (from 2 to 5 p.m.), Internet surfing on 4G networks has been increased by 3 hours (from 1 to 4 p.m.), Internet surfing via Wi-Fi is possible 2 hours longer (from 15 to 17).

It's safe to say that the new Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) follows the modern trend in the development of wearable gadgets, when one device combines several and provides many possibilities. It has become more technologically advanced, autonomous, unpretentious to use, has acquired a fingerprint scanner, and has the ability using Samsung Cloud and Samsung Pay payment service.

At the beginning of the year it is always interesting to look at the first phones from a variety of manufacturers. This time, Samsung offered something interesting: traditionally, it has updated its mid-segment A-line. This is already the third generation of this line, which can indeed surprise users of previous models. But let's talk about the youngest representative of this model range, about a smartphone with interesting features – Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017).

Appearance of the gadget

Let's start with the fact that three models with fairly large diagonals were presented. In this case, the youngest of them received 4.7 inches. It means that Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) although it relates more to entry level, but has a number of advantages over its competitors. In particular, the smartphone will be chosen by those who value small dimensions. But let's get back to competitive advantages: in the device, as in the previous Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016), the developers used an AMOLED display with HD resolution. And this is not bad, considering the diagonal. There are, of course, some oddities in comparison with the previous smartphone in the series: if you believe the description, from 7.3mm the thickness of the device has increased to 7.9mm. We can assume that this is caused by an increase in battery capacity, but its capacity has increased insignificantly: by only 50 mAh.

But back to the design, the gadget has a stylish design and no longer looks like the previous initial segment. All thanks to 2.5D glass, both on the front panel and on the back. This approach makes the smartphone more attractive, and the available colors are chosen very well: it offers gold, pink, soft blue and black. But the most important feature of the device is that, like the flagship solution, it received protection according to the IP68 standard. Protection against water ingress has never been superfluous, because, as you know, recessed devices are almost beyond repair.

Technical capabilities

The older models of the 2017 line received more advanced cameras of 16 megapixels. Here everything is more modest: 13MP in the main module and 8MP in the auxiliary module. But the aperture remained the same: f/1.9. But the processor received a slightly lower frequency: 1.6 GHz, although it was made by Samsung. As for the amount of RAM, there is 2GB, and this is progress, considering the 1.5GB typical for Samsung.