Nostalgia for older smartphones is real, and these two Samsung devices represent different eras. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo, a powerhouse from 2014, faces off against the more budget-friendly Galaxy J3 (2016). Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Note 3 Neo clearly wins due to its significantly more powerful hexa-core processor and superior display contrast. While the J3 (2016) is more modern in some respects, the Note 3 Neo's performance and screen quality make it the better choice for most users, assuming you can find one in good condition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N7505 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-N7505 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N750 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2016, March 31. Released 2016, May 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | · Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Micro-SIM· Nano-SIM (USA models only) |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.3 GHz Cortex A7 & 2x1.7 GHz Cortex A15) | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - USA |
| Chipset | Exynos 5260 Hexa | Spreadtrum SC9830Exynos 3475 Quad (28 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Mali-T624 MP4 | Mali-400Mali-T720 - USA |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) or Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 contacts, Photo call | - |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, AF - USA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 2 MP (USA)
5 MP, f/2.2 (all other regions) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0/4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording (market dependent) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h | Up to 77 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 540 h (3G) | Up to 349 h |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 22 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green, Pink, Red | White, Black, Gold |
| Models | SM-N750, SM-N7505, SM-N750K, SM-N750S, SM-N7507, SM-N750L, SM-N7500Q, SM-N7506V, SM-N7505L | 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 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.25 W/kg (head) 0.27 W/kg (body) | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 74h
|
Endurance rating 66h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.487 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.523 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 64dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 326Basemark X: 1424 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo
- Significantly more powerful processor
- Better display contrast and likely higher resolution
- Longer battery life
- Larger screen size (likely)
- Older device - potential for hardware issues
- Software updates likely discontinued
- May lack modern features like NFC
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
- More modern design (likely)
- Potentially better camera (slightly)
- More readily available (new or refurbished)
- Weaker processor - slower performance
- Lower resolution display
- Shorter battery life
- Feels dated compared to modern phones
Display Comparison
Both phones boast a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, but the Note 3 Neo's sunlight readability (3.487) is slightly better than the J3 (2016) at 3.523. More importantly, the Note 3 Neo's display is likely larger and of higher resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The J3 (2016) likely has a smaller, lower-resolution display, typical of budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not detailed enough to make a definitive comparison. However, given the age of the Note 3 Neo, the J3 (2016)'s camera likely offers slightly improved image quality, especially in low light. Both are likely to produce acceptable, but not exceptional, photos and videos.
Performance
This is where the Note 3 Neo shines. Its Exynos 5260 hexa-core processor (4x1.3 GHz Cortex A7 & 2x1.7 GHz Cortex A15) is significantly more powerful than the J3 (2016)'s Spreadtrum SC9830/Exynos 3475 quad-core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Note 3 Neo. The J3 (2016) will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Note 3 Neo edges out the J3 (2016) with an endurance rating of 74 hours versus 66 hours. This suggests the Note 3 Neo's larger battery and more efficient processor contribute to better battery life, despite its age.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a larger, higher-quality display, and don't mind an older device. The Galaxy J3 (2016) is best suited for budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Note 3 Neo still worth buying?
If you prioritize performance and a good display and can find one in good condition, the Note 3 Neo is still a capable device. However, be aware of its age and potential hardware limitations.
❓ Which phone has the better camera?
The Galaxy J3 (2016) likely has a slightly better camera, but both are entry-level and won't produce exceptional results.
