Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“It's a clear sign that the phone fills a specific hole in the market. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has the potential to become a quiet hit - it won't put the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7 out of business, but it will rescue many people from overspending on a flagship they didn't need.”
“There is little to no need for an upgrade for those who already own last year's Galaxy A3 (2016). With its similar build quality, this year's model does have a few advantages, though.”
“The Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 is ideal for those who want the classy look and feel of the Samsung Galaxy S7, but aren’t prepared to pay the premium price. Its small 720p display and modest CPU mean it’s not for power users or big media consumers, but it does the smartphone basics with some poise and style.”
“Overall, the A3's improvements for 2017 are pretty significant and make this nice-size, reasonably priced phone even more appealing for those who like the idea of the Galaxy S7 but can't quite stretch their budget that far. Its waterproofing and fingerprint sensor are both convenient and practical, and the good-looking design makes it easy to forget that this phone has a price tag that's half that of many flagship phones.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Featuring a high-end look with mid-tier specs and pricing, Samsung hopes the Galaxy A3 will attract buyers looking for a premium feel to their mobile without the power or cost of a top tier model.
While the phone looks great, does it have what it takes to make reviewers recommend it? Opinions are rolling in. Let’s see what they’re saying!
With its glass back and metal sides, reviewers all agreed that the A3 looks like a flagship phone. There’s also IP68 water and dust resistance and a front-mounted fingerprint scanner. The curved back impressed reviewers. TechRadar noted, “… it simply feels great in the hand.”
Some reviews mentioned issues with slipping and fingerprints. But no one had any issues with phones breaking or cracking.
Heading around front, reviews of the 4.7-inch 720p AMOLED panel are split. While reviewers loved the brightness and vivid colors on offer, some felt that the display lacked the detail and clarity of similarly priced competitors. TechRadar said, “… [the display] doesn’t show visual media at its best.”
Powering the phone, you’ll find a 1.6Ghz octa-core Exynos processor paired with 2GB of RAM. Reviewers noted slight delays loading apps due to the lack of RAM. Otherwise, performance reviews were solid. Recombu said, “General usage is fast and fluid whilst most 3D games play comfortably in the phone’s native resolution…”
The phone ships with 16GB of internal storage with only 9.5GB or so available after the pre-loaded software. If you plan to keep media for offline viewing or listening or play games, take advantage of the microSD port.
Speaking of software, the phone ships with a slightly dated version of Android—6.0.1. However, reviewers found Samsung’s TouchWiz UI easy to use and relatively bloat-free.
As with most mid-tier phones, reviews for the phone’s 13MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing lens are good—if the lighting is good. However, once lighting dims, so does your potential to take good pictures. Trusted Reviews summed up issues and opinions well, saying, “The camera lacks optical image stabilisation, so with shots taken in poor light especially, you’ll need to keep the phone fairly still. In addition, the camera here simply isn’t as smart as those featured in Samsung’s more expensive devices.”
Battery life received high marks across the board. Despite the smaller 2350mAh battery, most reviewers hit a day and a half on a single charge. Some even pushed it to two days. While the phone lacks quick charging features, the smaller battery capacity means you can get a full recharge in under two hours.
Overall, the A3 impressed reviewers—though some wish the screen and camera were better. Most would recommend the phone at its current price. TechRadar noted, “For casual users looking to make a stylish statement… it’s well worth considering.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) released?
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) was released on January 29, 2017.
How long does the battery last on the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)?
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has a 2,350 mAh battery.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) water resistant?
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) carries an IP68 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) support wireless charging?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) does not support wireless charging.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) have NFC?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)?
Visit Samsung's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) manual?
You can view and download the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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I'm sorry but damages like that are not covered by warranty, you will have to pay if you want it repaired. Is the crack really bad? If not, I suggest just continue using it and use a case. I have friends who used phones with cracked screens, it's all cool. They still can use it normally except for watching videos, which then sucks because of the crack. But yours in the back, so it should be ok.