The Honor 5X and Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) were popular budget contenders, offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one truly delivered the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) edges out the Honor 5X thanks to its slightly better chipset, superior display contrast, and marginally longer battery life. However, the Honor 5X remains a solid choice for those prioritizing extreme battery endurance and a lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 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 |
| | 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, November | 2017, January. Released 2017, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.3 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm (5.33 x 2.61 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), EMUI 4 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 55 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2350 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold | Black Sky, Gold Sand, Blue Mist, Peach Cloud |
| Models | KII-L21, KII-L22, KII-L23, KIW-AL10, KIW-CL00, KIW-TL00, KIW-TL00H, KIW-UL00, KIW-L21, KIW-L22, KIW-L24, KII-L05 | SM-A320F, SM-A320Y, SM-A320FL |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
| Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.688 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 70dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 874Basemark X: 5009 |
GFXBench: 3.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 5X
- Exceptional battery life
- Affordable price
- Fingerprint sensor
- Decent camera
- Older chipset
- Less vibrant display
- Slower performance compared to A3
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
- Better display contrast and brightness
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly faster performance
- Reputable brand
- Slightly shorter battery life than Honor 5X
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) boasts a noticeable advantage in display quality. While both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, the A3's contrast ratio (Infinite nominal, 3.688 in sunlight) suggests significantly better visibility in bright conditions and deeper blacks compared to the Honor 5X. The Honor 5X's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and outdoor readability of the A3.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) typically delivers better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing algorithms are generally considered superior. The Honor 5X's camera is decent, but the A3's tends to produce more vibrant and detailed photos. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are not provided, but Samsung's reputation suggests an edge.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)'s Exynos 7870 Octa chipset (14nm) generally outperforms the Honor 5X's Snapdragon 616 (28nm). The 14nm process allows for better power efficiency and slightly faster processing speeds. While both phones handle everyday tasks well, the A3 will feel snappier when multitasking or running more demanding apps. The A3's CPU clock speed is also slightly higher.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with endurance ratings of 76h and 93h respectively. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has a slight advantage in this area, likely due to its more efficient chipset and optimized software. However, the Honor 5X's large battery capacity ensures it can still last a very long time on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Honor 5X is ideal for users who prioritize exceptional battery life and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is a better fit for those who value a brighter, more vibrant display and a more modern processor, even if it means a slightly shorter battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, although neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Is the Honor 5X still worth buying in 2024?
The Honor 5X is a very budget-friendly option if battery life is your top priority. However, newer phones offer significantly better performance and features.
