The Sony Xperia L1 and Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) were popular budget smartphones offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one truly delivers the better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) edges out the Xperia L1 thanks to its slightly better sunlight display performance and marginally longer battery life. Both offer decent value, but the J3's display gives it a slight advantage for everyday use.
| 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 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| 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 / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, March. Released 2017, June | 2016, March 31. Released 2016, May 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 151 x 74 x 8.7 mm (5.94 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Micro-SIM· Nano-SIM (USA models only) |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass (> 6H) | 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 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - USA |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Spreadtrum SC9830Exynos 3475 Quad (28 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-400Mali-T720 - USA |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) or Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, AF - USA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.0/4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording (market dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 77 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 639 h (2G) / Up to 687 h (3G) | Up to 349 h |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 22 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 2620 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | White, Black, Gold |
| Models | G3312, G3311, G3313 | 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 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 63h
|
Endurance rating 66h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 957:1 (nominal), 2.994 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.523 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 91dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 83dB
|
Voice 64dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance |
GeekBench: 1890 (v4.4) |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 326Basemark X: 1424 |
Sony Xperia L1
- Clean Android experience
- Good contrast ratio (957:1)
- Excellent battery life (63h)
- Potentially more durable build quality (typical of Sony)
- Performance limited by Mediatek chipset
- Camera details lacking
- Sunlight readability could be better
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
- Brighter display with better sunlight readability (3.523)
- Slightly longer battery life (66h)
- Samsung's One UI (preference-dependent)
- Performance may be slightly inconsistent due to dual-core configuration
- Chipset less known than Mediatek
- Nominal contrast ratio 'infinite' is vague
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar screen sizes (around 5 inches) but differ in contrast and sunlight readability. The Xperia L1 boasts a respectable 957:1 contrast ratio, while the Galaxy J3 (2016) claims an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio (likely a marketing term, but still suggests good contrast) and a superior 3.523 sunlight rating, indicating better visibility outdoors. The J3's display is noticeably brighter in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable on both devices. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed image quality comparisons are difficult without more specific camera specs (aperture, sensor size). Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will likely be underwhelming on both.
Performance
The Xperia L1 utilizes a Mediatek MT6737T chipset with a quad-core 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a more complex setup with a Spreadtrum SC9830Exynos 3475 Quad, featuring a 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 and a 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. While both are quad-core processors, the J3's slightly higher clock speed *might* translate to marginally better performance in some tasks, but real-world differences are likely minimal. Both phones will handle basic tasks well, but demanding games are not recommended.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong point for both phones. The Xperia L1 achieves an endurance rating of 63 hours, while the Galaxy J3 (2016) slightly surpasses it with 66 hours. This suggests both offer excellent all-day battery life, even with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia L1 is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and a potentially more durable build (typical of Sony). The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) is ideal for those who value a brighter display for outdoor visibility and a slightly longer battery life, especially if they appreciate Samsung's One UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. Both have entry-level chipsets that will struggle with modern titles. Basic games will run, but don't expect high frame rates or detailed graphics.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) display truly 'infinite' contrast?
The 'infinite' contrast ratio is likely a marketing term. While the display likely has good contrast, it's not literally infinite. The 3.523 sunlight rating is a more concrete indicator of its outdoor visibility.
