The Samsung Galaxy S III was a groundbreaking phone in its time, but two variants existed: the I9300 and the I9305. While seemingly identical, subtle differences can impact your user experience. This article dives deep into a comparison of these two models to help you understand which one might be right for you (if you're considering a vintage device).
🏆 Quick Verdict
The I9300 generally edges out the I9305 due to its superior battery life and potentially better camera performance (though this is often debated). However, the I9305's LTE capability is a significant advantage if network availability allows. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities: longevity or connectivity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 7, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, May. Released 2012, May | 2012, September. Released 2012, September |
| 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 70.6 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 133 g (4.69 oz) | 131 g (4.62 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | 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 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | Mali-400MP4 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.4 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) | Up to 580 h (2G) / Up to 390 h (LTE)/ 510 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 16 h (2G) / Up to 11 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 | Titanium Gray, Sapphire Black |
| Models | GT-I9300, GT-I9300I, SHV-E210S, SHW-M440S | GT-I9305, SHV-E210K, SHV-E210L, GT-I9305T, GT-I9305N |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.41 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) | 0.24 W/kg (head) |
| 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
- Excellent Battery Life (50h Endurance)
- Potentially Slightly Better Camera
- Widely Available (Vintage Device)
- No 4G LTE
- Older Device - Limited Software Updates
Samsung I9305 Galaxy S III
- 4G LTE Connectivity
- Same Core Performance as I9300
- Shorter Battery Life
- Older Device - Limited Software Updates
- Potentially Slightly Inferior Camera
Display Comparison
Both the I9300 and I9305 feature a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite' nominally, but measured at 3.419:1 in sunlight for the I9300. Display quality is largely identical between the two models, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. There are no reported differences in display technology or calibration.
Camera Comparison
The camera specifications are listed as 'Photo / Video' for both models in the provided data, which is incomplete. However, generally, the I9300 is often cited as having slightly better camera performance in reviews, potentially due to minor firmware differences. Both offer decent image quality for their time, but don't expect flagship-level results by today's standards. Video recording capabilities are similar.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Exynos 4412 Quad chipset and a 1.4 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A9 CPU. Performance is virtually identical in everyday tasks and gaming. The 32nm manufacturing process contributes to similar power consumption. Any perceived differences are likely due to software variations or individual device aging.
Battery Life
The I9300 boasts a significantly better endurance rating of 50 hours, suggesting superior battery life compared to the I9305. The I9305's LTE capabilities likely contribute to increased power consumption, even when not actively using 4G. This is a key differentiator for users prioritizing battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III? Those prioritizing battery life and a slightly more robust overall experience. Who should buy the Samsung I9305 Galaxy S III? Users who absolutely require 4G LTE connectivity and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does the 'I9300' and 'I9305' designation mean?
The 'I9300' is the standard Galaxy S III model, while the 'I9305' is the LTE-enabled variant. The numbers indicate different hardware configurations.
❓ Are software updates available for these devices?
Official software updates have ceased for both models. However, custom ROMs may be available for advanced users.
❓ Is it worth buying a Galaxy S III in 2024?
For basic tasks and nostalgia, they can be fun. However, consider their age and limitations compared to modern smartphones. Battery health will likely be a concern.
