Nostalgia for older Samsung phones? The Galaxy A8 (2016) and Note 3 Neo Duos offer different experiences. The A8 aimed for a premium feel, while the Note 3 Neo focused on affordability and a familiar Note design. Let's see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A8 (2016) decisively wins due to its significantly more powerful processor, better camera, and more modern design. While the Note 3 Neo offers a familiar Note experience, its aging hardware struggles to compete. The A8 provides a smoother, more capable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38 - Taiwan | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - UAE | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, October | 2014, January. Released 2014, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 76.8 x 7.2 mm (6.17 x 3.02 x 0.28 in) | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.9 | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 44 h | Up to 87 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Pink, Silver, Gold | Black, White, Green |
| Models | SM-A8100, SM-A810F, SM-A810F, SM-A810YZ, SM-A810S | SM-N7502 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.13 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016)
- Superior Performance
- Better Camera
- Sleeker Design
- Higher Resolution Display
- Modern Features
- Older Device
- Limited Software Updates
- May lack latest Android features
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Affordable
- Familiar Note Design
- Decent Battery Life (comparable)
- Expandable Storage (likely)
- Outdated Processor
- Lower Resolution Display
- Poor Camera Quality
- Slow Performance
- Limited Software Support
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A8 (2016) boasts a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Note 3 Neo Duos has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. While both are AMOLED, the A8's higher resolution and slightly larger size provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A8 (2016) features a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, delivering better image quality and more features. The Note 3 Neo Duos has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Low-light performance and overall image detail are considerably better on the A8.
Performance
This is where the A8 truly shines. Its Exynos 7420 Octa chipset with a powerful Octa-core CPU (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) provides significantly faster performance than the Note 3 Neo's Snapdragon 400 (Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the A8.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A8 (2016) has a 3000mAh battery, while the Note 3 Neo Duos has a 3200mAh battery. Despite the slightly larger capacity of the Note 3 Neo, the A8's more efficient processor often results in comparable or even slightly better battery life.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016)? Users seeking a more responsive phone with a better camera and a sleeker design, willing to accept an older device. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize the Note's design and are comfortable with slower performance and a less impressive camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy A8 (2016) still worth buying?
Yes, if you need a phone with decent performance and a good camera, and don't require the latest Android features. It's a solid option for basic tasks and light gaming.
❓ Can I find software updates for the Note 3 Neo Duos?
Official software updates are unlikely. You might find custom ROMs, but installing them carries risks and voids warranties.
