The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei Y360 and the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016). Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) edges out the Huawei Y360 thanks to its more powerful processor, slightly better camera, and Samsung's generally more refined software experience. While the Y360 is a decent budget option, the A3 offers a more polished and performant package.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps or LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2015, December. Released 2015, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 122.6 x 63.8 x 10.9 mm (4.83 x 2.51 x 0.43 in) | 134.5 x 65.2 x 7.3 mm (5.30 x 2.57 x 0.29 in) |
| Keyboard | Half-QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM/ Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 118 g (4.16 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~56.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Exynos 7578Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-T720MP2Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 58 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 280 h (2G) / Up to 220 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 1730 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Gold, Pink |
| Models | Y360-U61, Y360-U23, Y360-U31, Y360-U82, Y360-U72, Y360-U93, Y360-U03 | SM-A310F, SM-A310M, SM-A310Y, SM-A310N0 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.23 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 1.31 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Y360
- Very affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Compact size
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Less refined software
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016)
- Better performance
- Superior display (AMOLED)
- Improved camera
- Samsung's software support
- Slightly more expensive
- Can still feel dated
Display Comparison
The Huawei Y360 typically features a 4.5-inch display, while the Galaxy A3 (2016) boasts a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display. The A3's AMOLED screen offers significantly better color vibrancy, contrast, and viewing angles, making it the clear winner in this category. Resolution is likely similar, but the A3's panel quality is superior.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A3 (2016) generally has a better camera setup, often featuring a 13MP rear camera with improved image processing. The Y360's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots, but the A3 will deliver better image quality, especially in low light. Front-facing cameras are also likely better on the A3.
Performance
Here's where the Galaxy A3 (2016) pulls ahead. Its Exynos 7578 or Snapdragon 410 chipset and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU are noticeably faster than the Y360's Mediatek MT6582 and 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A3.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely similar (around 2300-2500 mAh for both), but the A3's more efficient processor and software optimization could result in slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Y360 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a simple interface. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, a slightly better camera, and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Y360 good for gaming?
The Y360's processor is quite basic, so it's not ideal for demanding games. Simple games might be playable, but don't expect smooth performance.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software updates and security patches compared to Huawei, especially for older devices like these.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Both phones likely support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
