Review: Samsung Galaxy A3

Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!

Today I want to share with you the review of a new smartphone made by Samsung. The Galaxy A3, were it not for the resolution of the display, we could consider it as the S3 Neo of 2015. It is a smartphone in fact very interesting, balanced and with a hardware design undoubtedly more modern, materials and other specs, it’s able to make Galaxy A3 a really interesting “basic range”. A3 is in fact the smallest of the current  Samsung A Series but, despite this, has some good cards to play. Let’s find out how it goes in the full review.

Hardware, Materials and Ergonomics

Samsung Galaxy A3 is based on the new 64-bit architecture of Qualcomm and in particular features a Snapdragon processor 410 with 4 Core Cortex-A53 1.2GHz frequency helped by a GPU Adreno 306.

By power level we have not really superior performance to Snapdragon 400 but change the type of architecture that is certainly more interesting in future perspective and with Lollipop which we hope will arrive soon.

Interesting memory: in addition to 1.5GB of RAM we find the microSD to expand internal 16GB which are already a great amount for the type of product, and that, combined with the abundant RAM, do not bind to virtually no real compromise.

• Dimensions: 65.5 x 130.1 x 6.9 mm
• Weight: 110 g
• SoC: 410 MSM8916 Qualcomm Snapdragon Quad Core
• Processor: ARM Cortex-A53, 1200 MHz
• GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 306
• RAM: 1.5 GB, 533 MHz
• Internal Memory: 16 GB
• Memory cards: microSD
• Display: 4.5-inch, Super AMOLED, 540 x 960 pixels
• Battery: 1900 mAh
• OS: Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• Camera: 3264 x 2448 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 30 fps
• SIM: Nano-SIM
• Wi-Fi b, g, n, Wi-Fi Hotspot
• USB 2.0, Micro USB
• Bluetooth: 4.0
• Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS

Very interesting design not only for the aesthetic itself, which is still subjective, but for the quality of materials used. The external line is aligned with the Galaxy Alpha or Note 4 but did not “bosses” on the corners and the back has an iridescent finish, plastic coated metal  very thick but really beautiful. Finally, the battery is not removable, and although it is an important detail, makes the smartphone structurally much more robust and solid.

Display

With a diagonal of 4.5 inches, many could expect a HD resolution for the screen, a solution that also other manufacturers have already adopted (for example, Motorola). Unfortunately A3 stops at QHD, or 960×540 pixels, although they are few, however, are less than some competitors. The reason is still easily understood: Galaxy A3 is the basic model of the range A and Samsung had to remove something to make it so.

That said however, we speak of a great Super Amoled able to offer an excellent quality in all lighting conditions and angles. We find various automatic adjustments that make it more or less saturated the panel and a touch screen of excellent quality and with a practically perfect responsiveness and smoothness. This proximity and light sensors that work well and the front buttons backlit.

Battery, Audio and Connectivity

Samsung Galaxy A3 does not open, does not have the back cover replaceable which allows access to the battery compartment. A shame considering the choices made by the Korean manufacturer and, almost certainly, a feature that we find on most smartphones that will come out in the course of 2015, Samsung obviously.

The capacity of 1900mAh is then that, although not particularly large, allows to reach an autonomy really very good. The full day closes smoothly and energy management is well balanced. There is no shortage options to minimize power consumption with two saving mode and the task manager to close any programs particularly energy-intensive.

Also good audio part: both in earpiece that through speakerphone quality is very good and the voice is heard very well with a clean sound and warm. Well even though receiving some flaw with the LTE is this: according to my tests, 4G connectivity is a bit poor compared to Note 4 or other smartphones recently tested.

Camera and Multimedia

With this A Series, Samsung does not seem to have wanted to make real compromises. The camera of A3 is in fact a good 8 megapixel camera and is not a “recycling” of past terminals but has very good features and a good overall yield. With plenty of light subjects are always in focus and also in low light conditions you have still shots discrete. Satisfactory macros and good management software that has only two flaws: it supports new ways as the top range Koreans downloaded from the store and gallery is always a bit ‘slower than it should actually be.

For the multimedia department there are no notes to do. The display allows you to enjoy without problems of any videos or photos and the speaker has good power in music playback. Not bad even the games, taking advantage of the GPU Adreno 306, running well even if they have complex graphics. Perhaps some sacrifice must be made on upcoming titles and particularly elaborate.

Conclusions

Samsung Galaxy A3 proved to be a basic range (in relation to the Samsung Series A) very interesting. As said earlier, except for the resolution of the display, we might consider it a S3 Neo 2015 with good value for money that potentially could become great in a few months. A3 fact came out a few days ago and its official price would be $ 309 but is easily $ 50 less and soon will come to $ 200 will be definitely a product to consider: he lacks virtually nothing and even the materials are very better than the plastic S3 Neo.

If you need to buy a new smartphone for your partner, this will be a nice compromise for the both of you 😉

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