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Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6

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Galaxy A3 (2017)

Starting at

£65.21£269.00 new
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Galaxy S6

Starting at

£81.32£399.00 new
See options
(65 reviews)
(102 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy S6?

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A3 (2017) starts at £65.21, £16.11 less than the Galaxy S6. The Galaxy A3 (2017) is the newer model, released in 2017.

Refurbished from

£65.21£81.32

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Battery

2350 mAh2550 mAh

Screen size

4.7 inch5.1 inch

Main camera

13 megapixels16 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels5 megapixels
  • The Galaxy S6 has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB.
  • The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2350 mAh.
  • The Galaxy S6 has a bigger screen: 5.1 inch vs 4.7 inch.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 specs

The Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 differ in screen size and resolution, camera details, memory, and storage options. The Galaxy S6 has a larger and higher resolution screen, making it well suited for watching video and viewing detailed images. Its main camera has more megapixels, which is useful if you want sharper photos. The Galaxy A3 (2017) offers a higher resolution front camera, ideal for clearer selfies. It includes a microSDXC card slot for expanding storage, while the Galaxy S6 comes with more built-in storage. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has less RAM and a smaller screen, making it suitable for everyday use and those preferring a more compact phone. Both are unlocked and have similar weight and network capabilities.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 price

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 battery life and software updates

Durability is important when choosing a phone for regular use. Both the Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 run Android and are unlocked.

Operating System

Both Galaxy A3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 run on Android. This means you will have access to the same type of apps and user experience.

Battery

2350 mAh2550 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68N/A

Software updates

Ended Nov 2020Ended Jun 2018

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20172015

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 performance

Chipset

N/AExynos 7420 Octa (14 nm)

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 screen

Screen quality affects how you view photos, videos and apps. The Galaxy S6 offers a larger and sharper screen, while the Galaxy A3 (2017) has a smaller display with a lower resolution but still uses Super AMOLED technology for good colour and contrast.

Screen Size

The Galaxy S6 has a 5.1 inch screen, which provides more space for watching videos, browsing and gaming. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a 4.7 inch display that fits comfortably in smaller hands or pockets.

Screen Resolution

The Galaxy S6 offers a resolution of 1440 x 2560, delivering sharper and more detailed images. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a resolution of 720 x 1280, which is suitable for everyday use and saves battery life compared to higher resolution screens.

Resolution

720 x 12801440 x 2560

Screen size

4.7 inch5.1 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDSuper AMOLED

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 camera

Camera quality differs between these two phones, affecting how photos and selfies turn out. Front and main cameras have different megapixel counts, suiting different photography needs.

Front Camera

The Galaxy A3 (2017) features an 8 megapixel front camera, which helps capture clearer and more detailed selfies. This is useful if you take many self-portraits or use video calling frequently. The Galaxy S6 has a 5 megapixel front camera.

Main Camera

The Galaxy S6 has a 16 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail and sharper photos compared to the Galaxy A3 (2017) with its 13 megapixel main camera. This is ideal if you regularly take photos where image detail matters.

Front camera

8 megapixels5 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels16 megapixels

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 size and design

Other practical features include storage, size, weight and network compatibility. These affect daily convenience and how much you can keep on the phone.

Storage Options

The Galaxy S6 comes with 32GB of built-in storage, offering ample space for apps and media from the start. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has 16GB but supports microSDXC cards, so you can expand storage with a memory card, which suits those who want to add more storage flexibly.

Size and Weight

Both phones weigh 138 g, but the Galaxy A3 (2017) is slightly slimmer at 7.9 mm depth and smaller in height and width, making it easier to carry or use one-handed. The Galaxy S6 is a bit larger, which fits well with its bigger screen.

Network and SIM

Both phones support 4G networks and use a physical SIM card. Both are unlocked, so you can use them with any compatible carrier.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmN/A

Depth

7.9 mm6.8 mm

Height

135.4 mm143.4 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

Release date

N/A10 April 2015

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

138 g138 g

Width

66.2 mm70.5 mm

Galaxy A3 (2017) or Galaxy S6: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A3 (2017) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £65.21, £16.11 less than the Galaxy S6
  • you want a higher-resolution front camera (8 megapixels vs 5 megapixels)
  • you want a memory card slot

Buy the Galaxy S6 if

  • you want more RAM (3 GB vs 2 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (2550 mAh vs 2350 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (5.1 inch vs 4.7 inch)

What our customers say

Customers of the Galaxy A3 (2017) generally appreciate its size and condition, calling it a good choice for everyday use and for younger or less demanding users. They note the phone is easy to handle and good value for the price. Some mention the battery takes a long time to charge and may not last very long, but overall the phone is liked for its condition and usability.

Galaxy S6 customers often praise the phone when it works well, especially noting how it looks like new and is ready to use with a simple SIM card insertion. However, some customers report problems with the phone being locked to a network or receiving the wrong charger, which has caused frustration. When these issues are not present, the phone is described as working brilliantly.

The Galaxy A3 (2017) suits buyers looking for a compact, straightforward phone with expandable storage, while the Galaxy S6 fits those who want a larger, higher resolution screen and more built-in storage, provided they check network compatibility carefully.

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 FAQs

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S6 has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB. The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2350 mAh.

The Galaxy A3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £65.21 compared with £81.32 for the Galaxy S6.

The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2350 mAh.

The Galaxy S6 has a higher-resolution main camera: 16 megapixels vs 13 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy A3 (2017) ended in Nov 2020. Updates for the Galaxy S6 ended in Jun 2018.

The Galaxy A3 (2017) adds a higher-resolution front camera (8 megapixels vs 5 megapixels) and a memory card slot. Refurbished, it costs £16.11 less (from £65.21 vs £81.32).

Refurbished, the Galaxy A3 (2017) comes in 16GB, and the Galaxy S6 in 32GB.

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