The Samsung Galaxy S III was a flagship that set the bar high. Years later, the Galaxy S3 Neo emerged as a budget-friendly refresh. But which phone holds up better today? We'll break down the key differences to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S III (I9300) generally offers superior performance and a potentially better camera thanks to its Exynos chipset. However, the S3 Neo (I9301I) might provide slightly better efficiency and a more modern software experience, depending on updates. It's a close call, leaning towards the S III for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, May. Released 2012, May | 2014, June. Released 2014, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 in) | 136.6 x 70.7 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 133 g (4.69 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 | 1.9 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | TBC |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 57 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) | Up to 330 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pebble blue, Marble white, Amber brown, Garnet red, Sapphire black, Titanium grey, La Fleur | White, Blue |
| Models | GT-I9300, GT-I9300I, SHV-E210S, SHW-M440S | GT-I9301I, GT-I9301Q |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
- More powerful processor
- Potentially better camera
- Higher peak performance
- Classic flagship design
- Older software
- May lack latest updates
- Potentially shorter battery life than Neo
Samsung I9301I Galaxy S3 Neo
- More efficient chipset
- Potentially longer battery life
- Modernized software (depending on updates)
- Budget-friendly
- Lower performance
- Less powerful camera
- Can struggle with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display. While the S III boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominally), the 3.419:1 sunlight contrast ratio is a more practical measure. The S3 Neo's display is likely calibrated slightly differently, but overall, the viewing experience is similar. Color accuracy and brightness are comparable, though the S III might have a slightly more vibrant feel.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S III's camera is generally considered superior. While both phones have Photo/Video capabilities, the Exynos chipset in the S III provides better image processing. Expect slightly better detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the S III. The S3 Neo's camera is perfectly usable, but not as impressive.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Galaxy S III's Exynos 4412 Quad chipset with Cortex-A9 cores offers significantly more processing power than the S3 Neo's Snapdragon 400 with Cortex-A7 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the S III. The S3 Neo will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S III boasts an impressive endurance rating of 50 hours. The S3 Neo, with its more efficient Snapdragon 400 chipset, *might* offer slightly better battery life in real-world usage, but the difference is likely to be marginal. Both phones will comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy S III is ideal for users who prioritize performance and don't mind an older device. The S3 Neo is a good option for those seeking a budget-friendly phone with a familiar Samsung interface and slightly improved efficiency, but are willing to compromise on raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S3 Neo worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your needs. If you're on a very tight budget and just need a basic smartphone, it's a decent option. However, for better performance and a more modern experience, consider a newer budget phone.
❓ Can I still get software updates for either of these phones?
Official software updates are unlikely for either device. However, custom ROMs might be available for the Galaxy S III, offering newer Android versions and features.
