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Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017)

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Galaxy A3 (2017)

Starting at

£65.21£269.00 new
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Galaxy J3 (2017)

Starting at

£62.00
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(65 reviews)
(97 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy J3 (2017)?

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) comes down to the battery, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) starts at £62, £3.21 less than the Galaxy A3 (2017).

Refurbished from

£65.21£62

Battery

2350 mAh2400 mAh

Screen size

4.7 inch5 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDPLS

Front camera

8 megapixels5 megapixels

Software updates

Ended Nov 2020Ended Jul 2019
  • The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2400 mAh vs 2350 mAh.
  • The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a bigger screen: 5 inch vs 4.7 inch.
  • The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an OLED screen.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) specs

The Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy J3 (2017) are both Android phones from the same year with similar core features like 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. The A3 offers a smaller 4.7 inch Super AMOLED screen for sharper colours, while the J3 provides a larger 5 inch PLS screen that gives more room for videos and browsing. The A3 has a higher resolution front camera at 8 megapixels compared to the J3's 5 megapixels, which suits selfies and video calls better. Both support 4G and use physical SIM cards, but the A3 uses a USB-C connector, whereas the J3 uses micro USB. These differences suit buyers looking for a compact phone with vivid display or a slightly larger screen with straightforward features.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) price

Colour

  • BlackSold out
  • BlueSold out
  • GoldSold out

Storage

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) battery life and software updates

Durability covers the operating system and update support. Both phones share the same OS and release year, so durability aspects are quite similar.

Operating System

Both the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy J3 (2017) run on Android. This means you will have access to the same basic ecosystem of apps and features familiar to Android users.

Battery

2350 mAh2400 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68N/A

Software updates

Ended Nov 2020Ended Jul 2019

Year of release

20172017

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) performance

RAM

2 GB2 GB

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) screen

Screen quality can affect your viewing experience for videos, games and everyday use. The two phones differ in size and screen technology, which influences the display style and comfort.

Screen Size

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 inch screen, which offers a bit more viewing space for videos, reading or browsing. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a smaller 4.7 inch screen, making it easier to use with one hand or fit in smaller pockets.

Screen Type

The Galaxy A3 (2017) uses a Super AMOLED screen, known for deep blacks and vivid colours. The Galaxy J3 (2017) features a PLS screen, which generally provides good brightness and colour but with a different visual character than AMOLED.

Resolution

Both phones share the same 720 x 1280 resolution, so the sharpness of the display is similar. The difference in screen size means pixel density will be slightly higher on the smaller A3 screen, resulting in a crisper image.

Resolution

720 x 1280720 x 1280

Screen size

4.7 inch5 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDPLS

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) camera

Camera quality is important if you take selfies or photos often. Both phones have the same main camera but differ in front camera resolution, affecting video calls and selfies.

Front Camera

The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an 8 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail for selfies and video calls. The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 megapixel front camera, which is suitable for everyday use but with less image detail.

Main Camera

Both phones feature a 13 megapixel main camera. This means photo quality for regular pictures is similar, suitable for everyday photography needs.

Front camera

8 megapixels5 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels13 megapixels

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) size and design

Other practical features include connectivity, expandability and physical size, all factors to consider for daily use and compatibility with accessories.

Connector Type

The Galaxy A3 (2017) uses a USB-C connector alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. USB-C is a modern standard that allows reversible plugging. The Galaxy J3 (2017) uses a micro USB connector plus a 3.5mm jack, which is more common on older devices.

Carrier Compatibility

Both phones are unlocked, so you can use them with any UK mobile carrier that supports physical SIM cards.

Network Support

Both the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy J3 (2017) support 4G mobile networks, providing fast data speeds where available.

Memory Expansion

Each phone has a microSDXC slot, allowing you to add extra storage for photos, music and apps beyond the built-in 16 GB.

Weight

The Galaxy A3 (2017) weighs 138 g, making it slightly lighter and possibly more comfortable for long use. The Galaxy J3 (2017) weighs 143 g, just a little heavier but still easy to carry.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmMicro-USB + Jack 3.5mm

Depth

7.9 mm8.2 mm

Height

135.4 mm143.2 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

SD card slot

microSDXCmicroSDXC

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

138 g142 g

Width

66.2 mm70.3 mm

Galaxy A3 (2017) or Galaxy J3 (2017): which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A3 (2017) if

  • you want an OLED screen
  • you want a higher-resolution front camera (8 megapixels vs 5 megapixels)
  • you want a lighter build (138 g vs 142 g)

Buy the Galaxy J3 (2017) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £62, £3.21 less than the Galaxy A3 (2017)
  • you want a bigger battery (2400 mAh vs 2350 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (5 inch vs 4.7 inch)

What our customers say

Customers who bought the Galaxy A3 (2017) appreciate its condition and overall performance, often noting it as a good value. Many mention the battery as a weak point, with slow charging times and shorter lasting power. The compact size and reliable condition make it popular for users wanting a smaller device or a phone for children. Some find data transfer from other devices challenging but still enjoy the phone once set up.

For the Galaxy J3 (2017), customers highlight its ease of use and decent condition, with some describing it as looking like new. There are mixed comments on build quality, with one user finding the screen fragile. Battery life is a common concern, with frequent charging needed even with light use. The camera quality has varied feedback, with one user finding it blurry but others satisfied. Setup can require workarounds due to older Android versions.

Both phones suit buyers who want a straightforward Android phone with 4G and expandable storage. The A3 fits those who prefer a compact device with a vivid screen and better front camera, while the J3 is suitable for users valuing a larger screen and simple operation.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) FAQs

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy J3 (2017) comes down to the battery, screen size and screen type. The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2400 mAh vs 2350 mAh. The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a bigger screen: 5 inch vs 4.7 inch.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £62 compared with £65.21 for the Galaxy A3 (2017).

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2400 mAh vs 2350 mAh.

Both have the same main camera: 13 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy A3 (2017) ended in Nov 2020. Updates for the Galaxy J3 (2017) ended in Jul 2019.

Both come in 16GB refurbished.

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