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Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7

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Galaxy A3 (2017)

Starting at

£65.21£269.00 new
See options

iPhone 7

Starting at

£66.24£179.00 new
See options
(65 reviews)
(699 reviews)

What'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

£65.21£66.24

Battery

2350 mAh1960 mAh

Screen type

Super AMOLEDRetina IPS LCD

Main camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels7 megapixels

Software updates

Ended Nov 2020Ended Mar 2025, last iOS 15
  • 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

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

2350 mAh1960 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68IP67

Software updates

Ended Nov 2020Ended Mar 2025, last iOS 15

Year of release

20172016

Galaxy A3 (2017) vs iPhone 7 performance

Chipset

N/AApple A10 Fusion (16 nm)

RAM

2 GB2 GB

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

N/A60 Hz

Resolution

720 x 1280750 x 1334

Screen size

4.7 inch4.7 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDRetina IPS LCD

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

8 megapixels7 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels

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

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmLightning

Depth

7.9 mm7.1 mm

Height

135.4 mm138.3 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

138 g138 g

Width

66.2 mm67.1 mm

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.

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