Looking back at Samsung's budget offerings, the Galaxy Ace 3 and Ace S5830I represent different eras of mobile technology. Both aimed to provide affordable smartphones, but their capabilities differ significantly. This comparison will help you understand which phone might be more appealing, especially if you're considering a retro purchase or parts.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 400 chipset, dual-core Krait CPU (in LTE models), and significantly better battery life offer a vastly superior user experience compared to the older, slower Ace S5830I. The Ace S5830I is a relic of a simpler time.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - S7270, S7272 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - S7275 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2(14.4 - 3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - S7275 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, June. Released 2013, July | 2011 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 121.2 x 62.7 x 9.8 mm (3G) / 121.2 x 62.7 x 10 mm (LTE) | 112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5 mm (4.43 x 2.36 x 0.45 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (3G) / 119.5 g (LTE) (4.06 oz) | 113 g (3.99 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 (3G) / Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait (LTE) | 832 MHz |
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM21664 (3G) / Qualcomm MSM8930 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (LTE) | Broadcom BCM21553 |
| GPU | Broadcom VideoCore IV (3G) / Adreno 305 (LTE) | VideoCore IV |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 2.2 (Froyo), TouchWiz UI 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM (3G), 8GB 1GB RAM (LTE) | 158MB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (LTE model only) | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (3G) | Up to 640 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1800/1500 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Dark Red | Black |
| Models | GT-S7272, GT-S7275, GT-S7275R, GT-S720, GT-S7270, GT-S7278, GT-S7270L | GT-S5830i |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 0.67 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.35 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 34h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 879:1 (nominal) / 1.622:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
| - |
Samsung Galaxy Ace 3
- Faster Processor
- Better Battery Life
- Superior Display
- Potentially Better Camera
- Older Technology
- Limited App Support (compared to modern phones)
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830I
- Very Affordable (if found)
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Slow Performance
- Poor Battery Life
- Low-Resolution Display
- Outdated Technology
- Limited Functionality
Display Comparison
The Ace 3 boasts a superior display with a contrast ratio of 879:1 (nominal) and an impressive 1.622:1 in sunlight, indicating better visibility outdoors. The Ace S5830I's display, while functional, lacks these specifications and likely offers a less vibrant and less readable experience. Screen resolution is also likely higher on the Ace 3.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera details are missing for both, the Ace 3 likely has a more capable camera due to its newer hardware. Expect better image quality, potentially higher resolution photos, and possibly video recording capabilities not available on the Ace S5830I. Both are likely to produce mediocre results by today's standards.
Performance
Performance is where the Ace 3 truly shines. The Snapdragon 400 chipset and dual-core Krait CPU (LTE models) provide a noticeable speed advantage over the Ace S5830I's 832 MHz processor. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Ace 3. The Ace S5830I will feel sluggish by modern standards.
Battery Life
The Ace 3's endurance rating of 34 hours significantly surpasses what the Ace S5830I likely offered. Battery technology has improved, and the Ace 3's more efficient chipset contributes to its longer battery life. This is a crucial advantage for daily use.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is suitable for users seeking a basic smartphone with decent battery life and a slightly faster processor, perhaps for light tasks or as a secondary device. The Ace S5830I is only recommended for collectors or those needing a very basic phone for calls and texts, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these phones?
Replacement parts for both phones are increasingly difficult to find, especially for the Ace S5830I. The Ace 3 might have slightly better availability, but sourcing parts will likely require searching online marketplaces or specialized repair shops.
❓ Can I use a modern SIM card in either of these phones?
It depends on the SIM card type. Both phones likely support older 2G/3G SIM cards. 4G LTE support is present in some Ace 3 models, but compatibility with newer 5G SIMs is not guaranteed. Check your carrier's specifications.
