Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A3 (2017)
Starting at
£65.21£269.00 new
iPhone 7
Starting at
£66.24£179.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A3 (2017) and iPhone 7?
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 comes down to the battery, screen type and main camera. Refurbished, the Galaxy A3 (2017) starts at £65.21, £1.03 less than the iPhone 7. The Galaxy A3 (2017) is the newer model, released in 2017.
Refurbished from
Battery
Screen type
Main camera
Front camera
Software updates
- The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2350 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
- The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an OLED screen.
- The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a higher-resolution main camera: 13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 specs
The Galaxy A3 (2017) and iPhone 7 differ in screen technology, camera resolution, storage options, and connectors. The Galaxy A3 offers a Super AMOLED screen that suits those who prefer vibrant colours and deep contrast, while the iPhone 7 has a Retina IPS LCD screen with slightly higher resolution. The Galaxy A3 has a higher megapixel count for both front and main cameras, which may appeal to those who value detailed photos. Storage-wise, the iPhone 7 comes with larger capacities which suit users needing more space, while the Galaxy A3 includes a microSDXC slot for expandable storage. The Galaxy A3 uses USB-C and keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it convenient for traditional accessories. Both phones are unlocked and have the same amount of RAM, so performance will feel similar for everyday use. Each suits different preferences in screen, camera, storage, and connectivity.
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 price
Colour
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 battery life and software updates
The operating system choice is a key difference.
Operating System Choice
The Galaxy A3 (2017) runs on Android, which may appeal if you prefer Android apps and interface. The iPhone 7 uses iOS, favoured by users who prefer Apple's environment. This choice affects app availability and user experience.
Update Compatibility
This means neither will receive new features or security patches beyond what is already installed. If ongoing updates are important, consider this before choosing.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, with differences in resolution and display technology. Both phones have the same screen size, but the type and resolution vary, suiting different viewing preferences.
Display Technology
The Galaxy A3 (2017) features a Super AMOLED screen, providing vibrant colours and deep contrast. This suits users who enjoy rich and punchy visuals. The iPhone 7 has a Retina IPS LCD screen, which offers accurate colours and consistent brightness, appealing to those preferring natural tones.
Resolution and Detail
The iPhone 7's screen resolution is 750 x 1334, slightly higher than the Galaxy A3's 720 x 1280. This means the iPhone 7 offers a bit more detail and sharpness on its 4.7 inch display, which may be noticeable when reading text or viewing images closely.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 camera
Audiovisual features focus on the cameras, which vary in megapixels. These differences influence photo detail and selfie quality for different types of users.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an 8 megapixel front camera, which suits users who take selfies or make video calls wanting higher detail. The iPhone 7's front camera is 7 megapixels, providing good quality but with slightly fewer pixels.
Main Camera Resolution
The Galaxy A3 offers a 13 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail in photos. The iPhone 7 has a 12 megapixel main camera, which still delivers sharp images but with a lower pixel count. Both cameras suit everyday photography needs.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 size and design
Miscellaneous features include connectivity, size, storage, and network compatibility, which affect how you use and carry the phone daily.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A3 (2017) comes with 16GB of internal storage and supports expansion with a microSDXC card. This suits users who want to add storage easily and keep files separate. The iPhone 7 offers larger internal storage options of 32GB and 128GB but does not support expandable storage.
Connectors and Headphones
The Galaxy A3 provides both USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it convenient to use standard headphones and modern charging cables. The iPhone 7 uses Apple's Lightning connector and does not have a headphone jack, which suits users invested in Apple accessories.
Size and Weight
Both phones weigh 138 g and have similar heights and widths, with the iPhone 7 slightly taller and wider. The Galaxy A3 is a bit thicker at 7.9 mm compared to 7.1 mm for the iPhone 7. These small differences affect pocket fit and hand feel subtly.
Network and SIM
Both phones support 4G mobile networks and use physical SIM cards. They are unlocked, allowing you to choose your preferred carrier without restrictions.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A3 (2017) or iPhone 7: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A3 (2017) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £65.21, £1.03 less than the iPhone 7
- you want a bigger battery (2350 mAh vs 1960 mAh)
- you want an OLED screen
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy A3 (2017) often praise it as a good value phone with a pleasant size. Many found it suitable for everyday use or as a first phone for younger users. Some mention the battery life as a drawback, noting it takes longer to charge and may not last very long, but overall they are happy with the condition and performance. The screen and camera quality are generally appreciated, and buyers feel confident using PhoneMart again for this model.
Reviews of the iPhone 7 highlight its smooth performance and good battery life. Users appreciate the familiar iOS environment and ease of setup, especially when swapping SIM cards. The phone is described as looking like new and working well, with a solid screen and quick charging. Some customers mention minor cosmetic marks but find them acceptable for a refurbished device. A few found data transfer challenging but managed with help from family. The iPhone 7 suits those wanting a simple, reliable phone for calls, texts, and everyday apps.
Both phones attract buyers looking for a dependable refurbished device in a similar size. The Galaxy A3 appeals to Android users valuing screen vibrancy and expandable storage, while the iPhone 7 suits those who prefer iOS and larger built-in storage options.
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 FAQs
Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 comes down to the battery, screen type and main camera. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2350 mAh vs 1960 mAh. The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an OLED screen.
The Galaxy A3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £65.21 compared with £66.24 for the iPhone 7.
The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a bigger battery: 2350 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
The Galaxy A3 (2017) has a higher-resolution main camera: 13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy A3 (2017) ended in Nov 2020. Updates for the iPhone 7 ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A3 (2017) comes in 16GB, and the iPhone 7 in 32GB and 128GB.









