The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Honor 3C Play and the Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro edges out the Honor 3C Play thanks to its more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A53 vs. A7) and generally better software support. While both are budget options, the J3 Pro provides a slightly smoother and more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, September | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 142.2 x 72.3 x 9.4 mm (5.60 x 2.85 x 0.37 in) | 142.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.60 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | White, Black, Gold |
| Models | Hol-U10 | SM-J3119, SM-J3110, SM-J327, SM-J3119S |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Honor 3C Play
- Extremely Affordable
- Decent Battery Life (likely)
- Lightweight Design
- Outdated Processor
- Limited Storage
- Basic Camera
- Potentially Slow Performance
Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro
- More Modern Processor (Cortex-A53)
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Slightly Better Performance
- Potentially Better Camera
- Slightly More Expensive
- Still a Budget Device
- Limited Storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, LCD displays, likely around 5.0-5.5 inches. Expect standard resolution (likely 720p) on both. The Samsung might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy J3 Pro likely has a slightly better camera sensor and image processing capabilities. Expect slightly better low-light performance and more natural-looking photos. Both phones will likely have basic camera features and limited video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro has a clear advantage. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Snapdragon 410 are more efficient and offer better performance than the older Cortex-A7 cores in the Mediatek MT6582. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the J3 Pro. Both will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely similar, around 2500-3000 mAh for both devices. However, the more efficient Snapdragon 410 in the J3 Pro could translate to slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Honor 3C Play is ideal for users prioritizing affordability above all else and needing a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media. The Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro is a better choice for those wanting a slightly more responsive experience, a bit more future-proofing, and the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for gaming. The Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro's slightly more powerful processor will handle basic games better, but don't expect high performance.
❓ How much storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with limited internal storage (likely 8GB-16GB). A microSD card slot is likely available for expansion.
❓ What operating system do these phones run?
The Honor 3C Play likely runs a customized version of Android, while the Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro runs Samsung's One UI on top of Android. Samsung generally provides longer software support.
