The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) and the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017). Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) edges out the Alcatel Idol 3 thanks to its superior chipset, potentially better camera performance, and exceptional battery life. While the Idol 3 offers a sleek design, the J5's overall package provides a more modern and reliable experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - EMEA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 4, 7, 28 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 134.6 x 65.9 x 7.6 mm (5.30 x 2.59 x 0.30 in) | 146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~68.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM model | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM (DS) | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 83 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Sliver, Gold | Blue, Pink, Gold, Black |
| Models | 6039Y, 6039H, 6039K, 6039A | SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -85.0dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.599 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 3667 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
alcatel Idol 3 (4.7)
- Compact and pocketable
- Clean Android experience
- Sleek design (generally)
- Affordable
- Less powerful processor
- Shorter battery life
- Potentially lower camera quality
- Older chipset
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
- Excellent battery life
- More powerful processor
- Samsung brand reliability
- Likely larger display
- Better performance for multitasking
- Larger size may not suit everyone
- Design may be less premium
- Potential for Samsung bloatware
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (Infinite nominal, 3.599 in sunlight), suggesting decent outdoor visibility. The Idol 3 has a smaller 4.7-inch display, making it more pocketable, while the J5 likely has a larger screen (estimated 5.2 inches) offering more immersive viewing. Screen resolution is likely 720p on both, so don't expect stunning visuals, but adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed, but the J5 (2017) generally had a reputation for slightly better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. Both likely offer standard photo and video capabilities. Expect decent results for social media sharing, but not professional-grade photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) boasts a significant advantage here. Its Exynos 7870 Octa chipset (14nm) is considerably more powerful than the Alcatel Idol 3's Snapdragon 410 (28nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The J5's Octa-core 1.6 GHz CPU also outperforms the Idol 3's Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 97h is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The Alcatel Idol 3's battery capacity is likely smaller, resulting in significantly shorter usage times between charges.
Buying Guide
The Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) is a good choice for users prioritizing a compact design and a clean Android experience on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is ideal for those needing long battery life, a slightly more powerful processor, and the reliability of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities.
❓ Is the Alcatel Idol 3 still worth buying?
The Alcatel Idol 3 can be a decent option if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize a compact size, but the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) offers a more well-rounded experience.
