The Samsung J-Series line-up is the epitome of efficiency and functionality, boasting great features at an affordable price. The South Korean company has rolled out an upgraded 2016 range, which includes the J5, J7 and has now grown even more with the addition of the J3.
The design and the display is what immediately stand out. Your eyes will be mesmerised by the rich colours and superb contrast.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
The downside is the J3’s 8 MP primary camera. The user interface (UI) is very sparse and if you increase the resolution to anything above 720p, lack of detail in the images will make itself known. There is nothing fancy about the front camera unfortunately.
There is no doubt that you’ll find a device to suit your needs from the J-range – this is what it’s all about; it all depends on what features are most important for you.
What can be said for sure is that, except for the questionable quality of the camera and video playback, the J3 is a package that is reliable and will give you bang for your buck.
Key specs
- 5.0” Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
- Resolution: 720 X 1280 pixels
- 8 MP, f/2.2, autofocus, LED flash (J3109, J320F models)
- 5 MP, f/2.2 (J3109, J320F models)
- 720p video recording
- Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
- Spreadtrum SC9830
- Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7
- microSD dedicated slot (expandable up to 256 GB)
- 5 GB RAM
- 8 GB built-in memory
- Bluetooth: 1, A2DP, LE
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
- microUSB v2.0, USB On-The-Go
- Removable Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery
- Up to 22 h talk time
Pros: Affordable, sturdy build; colour-rich screen; looks similar to the Galaxy S7; sharp Super AMOLED display
Cons: Sub-par 8 MP camera and video playback; not very powerful; made entirely of plastic; only 3 GB (out of 8 GB) of memory available to be used; doesn’t use the latest Android OS; only 1.5 GB RAM
Verdict: 7/10
