4G smartphones for less than 200 euros, there are now dozens. It is even less than 100 euros. This shows how mobile broadband point democratized in two years. All OEMs now offer even among the “AAA” brand, that is to say, the international manufacturers like Sony, LG, Motorola, HTC or Samsung.
The global leader in telephony offers currently below the 200 euros three smartphones: Galaxy Ace 4, Galaxy Grand and Galaxy Core Prime Prime. The first two have been fully tested in our columns, so it was logical that the third is as
The Core Prime is definitely the right balance between Ace 4 and Grand Prime. First, he took the compactness and weight, although it is clear that the Ace 4 is part of an older product policy. Grand Prime, he states the general design and technology platform almost identical to a few details, including photography. Here’s the full specs to get a better idea:
- Dimensions: 130.8 x 67.9 x 8.8 mm
- Weight: 130 grams
- IPS WVGA display (480 x 800) 4.5-inch, a resolution of 207 pixels per inch
- screen ratio / size mobile: 64.9%
- chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core Cortex-A53 1.2GHz GPU Adreno 306
- 1 GB RAM
- 8 GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD)
- 2000mAh removable battery
- 5 megapixel sensor supports 720p video
- 2 megapixel webcam
- Compatible LTE Category 4, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi n, GPS (Glonass and Compass), NFC, FM Radio
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat with TouchWiz overlay
Some small blackheads obviously noted even in these conditions: low screen resolution, low-power photo sensor and a chipset that is not free of kinks. A rather crude datasheet therefore, but remember that this is a smartphone 150 euros excluding operator subsidies.
The Galaxy Grand Prime smaller
Visually, the smartphone looks very similar to Galaxy. The relationship with many previous mobile is obvious. We are not talking only of the position of the logos on the front and back. We do not talk about the marking of touch buttons surrounding a physical button below the screen. But more usually curves, shapes and materials. Of silver plastic, to create the grid of the phone earpiece, the removable rear polycarbonate shell (with a little tone quite pretty iridescent), to the position of multimedia elements (webcam, speaker, camera, flash) and of course the silver outline. This is a Samsung without a shadow of a doubt.
The Great Galaxy Prime, not really the most ambitious model by its design, is its closest relative. It is therefore logical to find there many physical similarities. We would even be tempted to say that the Prime Core is a simply smaller version of Grand Prime, although the change in dimensions is also reflected in an easing of characteristics (screen resolution, definition of image sensor size battery). If for points, it makes sense, for others, we are not of the same opinion …
The positioning of elements around the chassis is pretty standard. Whether for a Phablet 6 inches or a small 4-inch smartphone, Samsung instead standby right in the thumb and the volume left to the index or middle finger (depending on the position of the hand). The microUSB port on the bottom with earphone, 3.5mm jack port on top. By studying the chassis, we did not find a secondary mic for noise reduction.
A good construction, but a bad screen
Smartphone grip is good, maybe better than the Galaxy Ace 4 yet is visually quite unique in the range of Korean input catalog. The more square frame is well in hand, the buttons fall naturally under the fingers and mobile enjoys a pretty solid construction. No bad game, even at the removable back. By dint offer this feature, Samsung is clearly a master in the field. Only downside: the speaker is regularly under the index finger and the sound is completely muffled. It’s a shame.
Its screen is clearly its biggest fault. And it’s not a matter of size. It’s not even a matter of definition, although the WVGA does nothing to improve the rendering of the image. No, the main problem is the display technology. If you enjoyed the AMOLED Galaxy Ace 4, you will be disappointed by the traditional TFT Galaxy Core Prime. Indoors, the brightness is decent for colorimetry rather respected without being overloaded as AMOLED). However, once you get out, you will not see anything. In addition, the pixels are seen to the naked eye and the polycarbonate material, which protects the slab does not slide as well as a mineral glass. The impression is not good.
A very light version of Touchwiz
Like all Galaxy smartphones, the Core Prime runs on Android here version 4.4.4 KitKat dressed Touchwiz. This is the same interface as the Grand Prime. A majority of so blue tones, with a particularly refined departure interface. The proof is: out of the box, the mobile has only one home screen. No UX Magazine on the left side. No promotional widget on the right side. It seems that Samsung believes that users of Core Prime will not be tempted by some premium products on the Samsung Apps. And it’s not so bad for readability.
Interface Touchwiz
A clear uncluttered interface, therefore, both ergonomically and visually. The parameter menu no longer has tab. The effects of multitasking management are removed. Marketing applications are absent. The notification area offers only a small space to the fast setting (where you have to drag the sides to view other options). And not all the better for it.
Samsung Apps, Voice memo and Gallery
Of course, you find here most of Google and Samsung applications. This home offers some software, as always, including an email client, a photo gallery, a voice recorder, a calendar, a media player, an address book, a file explorer and of course an application store. Funny choice but to Samsung to enhance the home screen of the Galaxy Core Prime: Camera, Play Store, a Google folder (with all the application suite, in response to the requirements of the Mountain View company) and “Email “standard article arrow mail client. Why did you choose to include it, not the web browser or its Touchwiz Galaxy Apps store, two applications that would logically have their place? Mystery
A fluent interface despite an obvious lack of power
This lighter overlay offers a considerable advantage. Despite limited technical platform, the all runs smoothly, from the time when you do not ask too much to the operating system. For the Snapdragon 410 is far from a “racing machine”. The scores obtained by the Core Prime are quite similar to those of the Great Prime, Galaxy Ace and Galaxy 4 A5, that is to say, passable, despite a display that does not require a lot of resources.
AnTuTu, 3DMark and Basemark OS II
On AnTuTu, 3DMark and Basemark, the Galaxy Core Prime reaches 21,186 points, respectively, 2638 points, 524 points. Scores in the average of the results offered by the competition with one difference: the Pop 2 Alcatel OneTouch, the Moto E 4G and Motorola Aquaris E5 bq do better in terms of graphics. If the Iberian smartphone has sold more expensive, the other two mentioned models themselves are cheaper by 30 to 40 euros. This will obviously have an effect on our final verdict. At AnTuTu Video, no surprise here either: 262 points as the Grand Galaxy Prime. Which translates into a good video player, but not enough power to display them.
Not really a multimedia mobile …
At use, the Galaxy Core Prime is similar to Grand Prime and 4. Ace game, some slowdowns here and there, a little long loading times, but this is actually not the most troublesome. The real problem is the smartphone polycarbonate protective layer that will not slip under the fingers. Hence a certain lack of precision and responsiveness during games Dead Trigger 2. If you want to play with this phone, so you settle for a Candy Crush Saga.
In video, the picture is better . First, because the Samsung video player is capable of reading and decoding on mobile unreadable files of most competitors. Then, the screen is not bad for this use. Beware videos with too good a definition: Core Prime is able to decode Full HD MP4, but not extracts Blu-Ray movies. The position of the speaker is again far from optimal.
… or replacing your compact camera
The photograph on the Core Prime also vis-à-vis disappointment Grand Prime. Samsung removed the photo sensor 8 megapixels of the latter to integrate Model 5 megapixel Ace 4. The result is similar, that is to say, not really good. There is no contrast, no dive, even for a 5 megapixels. The management of the brightness is better here, however, the Parisian spring sky ressortant well enough to adjacent streets that are not immersed in the dark, but the pictures are a bit washed out.
Photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy Core Prime
However, the associated application development offers some options that are not devoid of interest. They give you hands on the ISO sensitivity, white balance, exposure compensation, metering mode autofocus and some special effects. Significantly different from Ace 4, the photo application is identical to that of the Grand Prime. Too bad again that Samsung has played here the map of the economy at the hardware level.
Too light on ingredients, not enough on the price
Finally, the Galaxy Core Prime is a mobile can be attractive on paper (quad-core chipset, NFC and 4G sensor connection for 150 euros), but some flaws weaken this beautiful promise. First, the TFT panel, the resolution is too low and that benefits more than the AMOLED. Then the protection of the screen, reflecting the sun and does not slip under the fingers. Not to mention the photo sensor, reduced to a 5 megapixel tasteless. And finally the technical platform, which shows a little too often its limits, especially in multimedia.
Smartphone certainly Economic and rather elegant, despite exterior materials far from noble, the Galaxy Core Prime is clearly a model designed before the strategic changes to the management of Samsung. Photo Sensor difference between the Core and the Grand Prime Prime is proof.
The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime is facing fierce competition in the 4G smartphone segment less than 150 euros. Thus, the Motorola Moto E 4G, whose performance is broadly similar (with better results on graphics tests) done better and offer for less.
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