The Samsung Galaxy J3 series aimed to deliver affordable smartphones with a recognizable brand. But with two iterations – the J3 (2016) and the J3 Pro – which one offers the better value? This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy J3 Pro generally edges out the J3 (2016) thanks to its more modern Snapdragon chipset and Cortex-A53 cores, offering a smoother experience. While the J3 (2016) boasts impressive battery endurance, the J3 Pro's overall performance makes it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, March 31. Released 2016, May 06 | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) | 142.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.60 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Micro-SIM· Nano-SIM (USA models only) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 138 g (4.87 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| 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 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - USA | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9830Exynos 3475 Quad (28 nm) - USA | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400Mali-T720 - USA | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) or Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, AF - USA | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (USA)
5 MP, f/2.2 (all other regions) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0/4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording (market dependent) | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 77 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 349 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold | White, Black, Gold |
| Models | SM-J320H, SM-J3109, SM-J320FN, SM-J320P, SM-J320F, SM-J320M, SM-J320Y, SM-J320A, SM-J320G, SM-J327T1, SM-J320V, SM-J320YZ, SM-J320W8, SM-J320ZN, SM-J320N0, SM-J320R4 | SM-J3119, SM-J3110, SM-J327, SM-J3119S |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 66h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.523 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 68dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 326Basemark X: 1424 | - |
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
- Exceptional battery life (66h endurance)
- Recognizable Samsung brand
- Affordable price
- Outdated chipset and performance
- Limited camera capabilities
- Potentially slow software updates
Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro
- More modern Snapdragon chipset
- Better overall performance
- Likely more responsive user experience
- Shorter battery life compared to J3 (2016)
- Basic camera quality
- Limited storage (likely 8/16GB)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology, likely LCD panels. The J3 (2016) is reported to have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term) and a decent sunlight readability score of 3.523. The J3 Pro's display details are less readily available, but it's likely a standard LCD with adequate brightness and color reproduction for its price point. Expect similar resolution and size (likely around 5 inches) on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are scarce for both devices. Both likely feature basic 8MP main cameras and potentially front-facing cameras around 5MP. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but don't expect exceptional results. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both.
Performance
This is where the J3 Pro takes a clear lead. The J3 (2016) uses a Spreadtrum SC9830/Exynos 3475 chipset with Cortex-A7 cores, which are older and less efficient. The J3 Pro utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 with Cortex-A53 cores, a more modern and capable processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the J3 Pro.
Battery Life
The J3 (2016) is the clear winner here. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 66 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The J3 Pro's battery capacity is likely smaller, resulting in shorter usage times, though still respectable for a budget phone.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) is a good option for users prioritizing extremely long battery life and are on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro is better suited for those who want a slightly more responsive and modern smartphone experience, even if it means sacrificing some battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) still worth buying?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you're on a very tight budget, it could be. However, the J3 Pro offers a better overall experience for a similar price.
❓ What is the difference between the Galaxy J3 and J3 Pro?
The primary difference is the chipset. The J3 (2016) uses a Spreadtrum/Exynos processor, while the J3 Pro uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, resulting in improved performance on the Pro model.
