There is one year, Samsung introduced the first Galaxy J5. Six months later, he is back with a mobile, J3 (2016) shows that almost identical specifications of his elder. Recycling that goes even to the design of the device.
Last November, we introduced the Galaxy J5, a rather able in smartphone many situations, except perhaps video game, but with good intentions. Launched at 200 euros, it is trading now below the 160 euros. J5 is naturally replaced this year by a new J5, vintage 2016. The latter has a slightly larger screen, a platform a more generous hint, a battery more power and a polycarbonate frame revised and corrected.
Not necessarily all the attributes of J 2016
the J5 (2016) is accompanied by four other models, a J3 (2016). This is a little novelty, as the D3 did not exist in 2015. It comes naturally positioned between J2 and J5. And more specifically, he took the place of the J5 (2015) left vacant by the upmarket J5 (2016). We would even say that the Samsung marketing executive was uninspired as the J3 (2016) contains almost identical configuration J5 (2015), offering only small alterations not always inspired . Here is a summary:
- Dimensions: 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 138 grams
- Screen / size ratio: 68.2%
- Super AMOLED 720p screen 5 inches (resolution of 294 pixels per inch)
- Spreadtrum SC8890 chipset with four Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz
- GPU ARM Mali-400
- 1.5 GB of RAM
- 16 GB of internal storage (expandable by microSDXC)
- Battery 2600 mAh (removable)
- supports LTE Category 4, WiFi n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS (GLONASS), FM radio
- 8MP sensor with goal opening to f / 2.2, LED flash and autofocus, Full HD video compatibility
- 5 megapixel webcam, with goal opening to f / 2.2, supports 720p video
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with Touchwiz overlay
As you can see, the smartphone is technically quite similar to its predecessor, with a big difference: the Snapdragon 410 is replaced by the SC8830 Spreadtrum, a quad-core Cortex-A7 with a Mali-400 GPU. A choice difficult to defend in 2016. Especially as economic solutions, but modern, this is not what is lacking at Qualcomm. Note that in some countries the J3 (2016) has a lower configuration yet. Do we feel so happy.
A Samsung design 100%
On the design side, Samsung has not done in the original. The proof of the smartphone dimensions are particularly close to those of J5 (2015): 0.2 mm less in height, 0.8 mm less in thickness (that we give to a change in the design of the slices) and same thickness. The 5-inch screen, Super AMOLED, is always enhanced with a physical button flanked by two touch buttons for navigation in the operating system.
at the back you find exactly the same hull as J5. The photo sensor centered square. To his left, the LEDs for extra brightness for a dark environment. To his right the gate of the mono speaker. An investment typically “low-cost” for Samsung. Just below, we find the shoe manufacturer. This plastic shell is obviously removable. As with the J5, the notch is to the left of the LED flash. Once removed, you access the battery, but also a double slot for the SIM card and microSDXC card. If the first can be inserted without removing the battery, the second is hot-swappable. However, be sure to close applications that are stored on it, to avoid any loss of data
the slices Galaxy J3 (2016), polycarbonate course, are slightly different Galaxy J5. If it resumed the design of Galaxy A (inherited from the Galaxy S6), the J3 is inspired more of Ax (2016), which were made from the Galaxy S7. This has two consequences. First, the plastic glows less. Then they worked slightly better on the sides, with a less rounded appearance. What meets our impressions of the gap width between the two models. The layout of the few technical elements is identical: to turn right, left volume control, microphone and microUSB down, 3.5mm up to connect a hands-free intraauricular
. a grip almost too classic
the grip J3 (2016) is very similar to that of a Galaxy J, or even any other Galaxy 5 inches low-cost. No real originality in this mobile that boasts a true classic construction, but also pretty good (the bright side). The mobile does not crack when we exert slight pressure on the hull. He is pleased that Samsung does not neglect this point in the mobile entry. If the screen quite easily retains fingerprints, the plastic shell on the back makes it much less. It is also a good point.
the screen, which must be the same as the J5, is not the best that Samsung is able to offer. If the colors are viewing angles and contrast ratio are excellent (perhaps sometimes a little supported, returning to former through technology Super AMOLED), the average brightness is not indoors. It is certainly for this reason that Samsung has included an “external” mode the backlight settings, which quickly maximizes light. This is effective, but far from energy efficient. also difficult to rent the merits of the resolution of this screen, positioned at 294 pixels per inch
A lighter Touchwiz interface
once the monitor on, we find exactly the same interface as the Galaxy A3 (2016), that is to say an overlay Touchwiz rather recent (but less recent than the Galaxy S7, for example) applied to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. We find obviously damage from Samsung to deliver in 2016, after the release of S7, a smartphone, even entry level, with a ROM based on an old version of Android.
We understand that some players of modest size (type Danew) have yet to be satisfied with this version. But we already accept less for Samsung. One possible reason for the appearance of Lollipop here is the inclusion of Spreadtrum chipset founder who must surely also expect his version of Marshmallow like the others. Another explanation is the small size of the platform. A final option would be the lack of manufacturer involvement. Which logically would cause a breach of updates to Marshmallow. As always, be it with a big brand or a smaller, the entry segment is never well off
However procrastinate this bad point. It hardly alter use. New Marshmallow may be absent from the operating system, but they are offset by additions to Samsung’s Touchwiz overlay by whose appearance shows once again that of the Galaxy Ax (2016), the wallpaper less. You will also notice the absence of the wallpaper range J 2016 (light colored lines on black background) based on those of the range A and illustrating all institutional visuals like our product. Instead, we find all the funds of the range in 2015.
A astonishment that continues in the choice of preinstalled applications. If we find the Microsoft Office suite (commercial partnership requires) and a dozen Google services, we also see the return of Samsung Video recently hidden in Touchwiz to reduce congestion print in the application menu. However Upday, the news feed that replaces Briefing / UX Magazine is not present by default. You must go to the App Galaxy to install and activate it. Among Samsung tools, we find also S Planner, Smart Manager, Gallery, Radio, Memo, Browser, etc. But no weather, accessible only by clicking on the dedicated widget.
recessed Performance
The entire operating system weighs 3 21 GB, or just over a third of the pre-installed phone memory. This implies that the installation of a memory card is highly recommended with this mobile. Decked out in this version of Touchwiz and technical configuration “ras daisies” Android Lollipop is not especially fluid, especially when it comes to display screen elements. Some clashes when moving icons or open a menu. Some slowdowns launch applications. Note that the smallness of the platform also significantly reduces energy consumption (and some de facto uses eliminated). The mobile thus has a good battery life.
This is confirmed with the different scores with the tools of common benchmarks. It’s Basemark OS II is here that the most eloquent: the dozen passages made with the application, the Galaxy J3 (2016) offers good performance in managing the OS (through adjustments made by Samsung ), but shows great weakness in the GPU with 160 points only in this theme. The overall score reaches 432 points maximum. The AnTuTu score coincides with this observation: Mobile reached 881 points in 3D, a very low score that decrease the overall average of the phone: 26507 Points
on the other tools, the Galaxy J3 (2016) reached 404 points single 1279-core and multi-core Geekbench points and 3704 points Ice Storm Unlimited, the latter confirming the impression left by the previous benchmarks. A score exceeded by all chipsets from Qualcomm, even two years old, as the Snapdragon 410 that drives the phones sold two cheapest time (because the J5 (2016) is still sold 189 euros in all good dairies).
An unbalanced media platform
It lacks power graphically obviously feels during the game with Dead Trigger 2 Madfinger. Recently the studio has updated its application, preventing users (and testers) to force their way to the finest graphics if the smartphone is really unable to bear it. And so here we have not been able to go beyond the average. And even if we found slowdowns like the game is virtually unplayable. Which is a shame, because the smartphone has a good grip for its size. But this is not enough to provide a good experience.
however, the video, the Galaxy J3 (2016) proves to be a surprisingly small video player, capable of decoding Full HD and even encapsulated subtitles. As usual with Samsung, the video player is a very positive point of the Touchwiz interface. So do not spoil our pleasure, since it is one of the only multimedia uses where J3 (2016) shines more than other phones in the same price category. The experiment is particularly good as the screen is of good quality. Note that the mono speaker location is not ideal, because it is often obstructed by a finger
Not quite the best Samsung sensor
Finally, photo, 8-megapixel sensor does not spark, especially since it is accompanied here by a native version of the photo application of Touchwiz integrating a professional fashion lightened some settings ( when we compare the versions included in the Galaxy A, for example). You can correct the white balance, sensitivity and adjust the type of light. This is not bad, as other manufacturers do not go far. But from Samsung is slightly disappointing.
in use, the Galaxy J3 (2016) produces slightly dark images with lots of grain. difficult to zoom in to highlight a detail, or even reworking the images in order to print them, without you being disappointed with the result. Despite this lack of pep, delicacy and contrast, the pictures taken are generally well balanced, not too dark or lighted area. But this is a small consolation: this little smartphone do not replace your compact digital camera while on vacation (but you will certainly share in mobility for your good times with your loved ones)
Photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
An entry level that lack of scale
in conclusion, Galaxy J3 (2016) is based on a classic design and very marked paw of the Korean manufacturer. Without extravagance, without originality, without taking risks, Samsung resumes its former J5 to create a new J3 (2016), which he repeats almost all components while achieving some economies of scale “neither seen nor known” at the chipset and the photo sensor. A decrease of quality difficult to understand nowadays as competition is strong in entry. Sold 189 euros in the official store of Samsung, J3 (2016) competes with the best equipped phones, more powerful, larger, cheaper and sometimes all at the same time.
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