Introduction
Samsungs J-lineup is being fully renovated and the 2016 badge on the model name implies meaningful updates - albeit subtle, which is understandable. After all, this is the Koreans economy class of smartphones. But the series is obviously important enough for Samsung to even add new digits.
The J3 (2016) here is in a slightly different boat from its siblings. The J5 (2016) has its predecessor from a year ago, the same goes for the J7 (2016), even the basic J1 (2016) and J2 (2016). With no J3 from last season, Samsung is clearly enriching the selection and its worth noting that there is a Galaxy J3 Pro in existence as well, but it seems intended for the Chinese market only. That one is technically a 2016 model too, released a mere month ago.
Anyway, the J family has proven quite popular among value-conscious smartphone users in devel oping and mature markets alike. The new generation has a solid base to build on, and that definitely applies to even a fresh newcomer such as the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016).
Key features
- Dual-SIM, Dual Standby capability (only on Dual model), microSIM
- 5.0-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen of 720p resolution and 294ppi, Asahi Dragontrail Glass protection
- Spreadtrum SC8830 (3G) or Spreadrum SC9830 (4G LTE) or Exynos 3475 (4G LTE) or Snapdragon 410 (4G LTE) chipset depending on the region
- 1.5GB of RAM, 8/16GB of inbuilt storage, dedicated microSD slot (up to 128GB)
- 8MP main camera with f/2.2 lens, LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording (only 720p on some models)
- 5MP front camera, f/2.2 lens, 720p@30fps video recording / 2MP on some models
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with TouchWiz
- LTE Cat.4 (chipset dependent), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/ g/n; Bluetooth v4.1; NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BDS (region dependent), microUSB 2.0 port, USB host
- 2,600mAh removable battery
Main cons
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is not nearly the latest version around
- 8GB version has only 3GB available to the user
- No MHL (but USB OTG is supported)
- No NFC (so no Android Pay)
- No magnetometer (digital compass), gyroscope or ambient light sensor
One thing that Samsung did well to achieve is a full house of display sizes with the J series, a point that is still incredibly important. Whatever your needs and preferences may be, Samsung has you covered with a "J" device. They all come with the companys trademark Super AMOLED panel from as small as 4.5" WVGA in the J1, to 5.5 HD in the Galaxy J7.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) official photos
However, the allocation of features and overall performance, as well as battery life, isnt quite as linear across the lineup. The power-efficient 14nm Exynos 7870 SoC in the J7 (2016) is obviously the most potent engine while the rest of the family is getting the likes of S410 or a budget-class Exynos.
Still, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) does come across as a compelling package. For around €140, you get a versatile and well-mad e device, with a nice and sharp AMOLED display, a decent Chinese-made quad-core SoC, 1.5GB of RAM and a surprisingly well-optimized TouchWiz that makes the most of them. At least, thats what it seems from the surface. Well, join us as we go deeper than that.
Unboxing
The Galaxy J3 (2016) comes in an ordinary white box, which doesnt contain much other than the basics. You get an AC adapter (5.0V/1A) and a USB cable. The charger is even less powerful than the 1.5A one in the J5 (2016) for some reason. You do also get a pair of headphones.
The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) box content
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) 360-degree spin
The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bit wider bezels than the J5 (2016) or the J7 (2016), but Samsung has still tried to keep the overall look and feel consistent.
The device is quite compact with a footprint of 142.3 x 71 x 7.9mm and tipping the scales at 138g. Bear in mind that this includes the 2600mAh battery as well. And even better, it is easily user-accessible by simply popping the plastic back cover - a useful feature that is becoming less and less common with the push towards slim, metal, unibody designs.
< span>Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) next to Galaxy J7 (2016)
Hardware Overview
The Galaxy J3 (2016) shares the same overhauled and modernized design of its bigger and more expensive siblings. However, in terms of materials, it is much more reminiscent of the previous generation in that it relies entirely on plastic.
Plus, thanks to clever coatings and painting techniques, the body does give off a metal look. Other than that, the small details are taken straight from the new Galaxy J design manual. The frame is chamfered at the front and back while the sides are finished in the phones main color. Theyre also flat, for better grip.
At the back, the plain plastic cover of yesteryear is replaced by one that imitates brushed metal. While theres a camera bump, its not irritating.
As for the main speaker and LED flash, they are still where you would expect them, on either side of the camera. These two are rather reminiscent of Samsungs older design language.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) back
Up front, the Galaxy J3 (2016) display is not afraid to flash some oversized bezels but its actually alright. Below it, theres Samsungs traditional Home button, which feels nice and responsive and gives pleasant feedback. Its surrounded by a capacitive Task switcher on the left and a Back button on the right. A quick double press of the Home key would start the camera.
Above the display, theres a front-facing camera on the right. Unlike the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016), there is no front LED flash, just the ear piece and proximity sensor. The phone lacks an ambient light sensor as well so the brightness level can only be adjusted manually.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) front
The power button is on the right while the volume rocker is on the left.
Power/lock on the right, volume rocker on the left. No surprises here
At the bottom, youll find the microUSB port and the main (and only) mic. The top houses the 3.5mm headphone jack only.
Bottom and top of the device
Removing the back cover reveals the 2,600mAh battery as well as the microSIM and microSD card slots.
The battery is removable
Overall, the Galaxy J3 (2016) manages to punch above its budget in terms of look and build quality. Everything is nicely finished, tightly put together and just feels sturdy. The weight distribution is a little uneven, but still, the phone feels nice in the hand.
In the hand
Display
The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) is equipped with a 5-inch display which, like it or not, is set to becoming the new compact. Yes, the J-series even has a 4.5-incher in the J1 (2016), but that one is really an entry-level model.
The screen is of the Super AMOLED variety, obviously being made available to even smartphones as low in the pecking order as our J3 (2016) here. Its pleasingly sharp (294ppi), with rich colors and superb contrast - pretty much the screen alone justifies the handsets higher-than-average price tag, considering some of the direct competition.
We would choose the excellent contrast that the J3 (2016) has to offer over a lower-midrange LCD any day of the week. And, with a brightness of 331 nits, the panel is perfectly adequate even in bright light.
| Display test | 100% brightness | ||
| Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | ||
| 0.00 | 331 | ∞ | |
| 0.00 | 468 | ∞ | |
| 0.00 | 338 | ∞ | |
| 0.00 | 476 | ∞ | |
| 0.00 | 353 | ∞ | |
| 0.00 | 484 | ∞ | |
| 0.42 | 403 | 953 | |
| 0.42 | 520 | 1238 | |
| 0.28 | 452 | 1609 | |
| 0.24 | 432 | 1793 | |
| 0.30 | 515 | 1728 | |
| 0.52 | 425 | 816 | |
| 0.69 | 775 | 1127 | |
| 0.43 | 430 | 1009 | |
| 0.53 | 539 | 1017 | |
| 0.44 | 394 | 895 | |
| 0.00 | 351 | ∞ | |
In Outdoor mode, the display gets even brighter at 468 nits. This means that you shouldnt have any issues using the Galaxy J3 (2016) in any conditions. It is bright enough and has a 3.523 ratio. Yet, one thing that gives away the budget nature of the J3 (2016) is the lack of auto brightness mode.
Sunlight contrast ratio
- Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+
4.615 - Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
4.439 - OnePlus 3
4.424 - Samsung Galaxy S7
4.376 - HTC One A9
4.274 - Samsung Galaxy A3
4.241 - Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
4.124 - Samsung Galaxy Note5
4.09 - Huawei Nexus 6P
4.019 - OnePlus X
3.983 - Vivo Xplay5 Elite
3.983 - Oppo R7s
3.964 - Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)
3.918 - Samsung Galaxy A5
3.895 - Samsung Galaxy J7 outdoor
3.879 - Samsung Galaxy J2 outdoor
3.873 - Samsung Galaxy A8
3.859 - Apple iPhone 6
3.838 - Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016)
3.817 - Motorola Moto X (2014)
3.816 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) outdoor mode
3.802 - Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)
3.789 - Apple iPhone 6s
3.783 - Meizu Pro 5
3.781 - Microsoft Lumia 650
3.772 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
3.756 - Oppo F1 Plus
3.709 - Vivo X5Pro
3.706 - Apple iPhone SE
3.681 - Samsung Galaxy A7
3.679 - Meizu PRO 6
3.659 - BlackBerry Priv
3.645 - Apple iPhone 6s Plus
3.53 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
3.523 - Acer Jade Primo
3.521 - Microsoft Lumia 950
3.512 - Oppo R7 Plus
3.499 - Samsung Galaxy J7
3.422 - Meizu MX5< /span>
3.416 - Oppo R7
3.32 - Samsung Galaxy J2
3.235 - Sony Xperia X Performance
3.234 - Motorola Moto X Play
3.222 - Huawei P9
3.195 - Lenovo Vibe Shot
3.113 - Motorola Moto X Force
3.105 - LG Nexus 5X
3.092 - Huawei Mate S
3.073 - Microsoft Lumia 640 XL
3.065 - Apple iPhone 6 Plus
3.023 - Sony Xperia X
2.989 - Samsung Galaxy Note
2.97 - Huawei Mate 8
2.949 - LG G5
2.905 - HTC One S
2.901 - Sony Xperia Z5
2.876 - Microsoft Lumia 550
2.851 - Sony Xperia Z5 compact
2.784 - Meizu MX4 Pro
2.765 - LG V10
2.744 - Xiaomi Redmi 3
2.735 - Sony Xperia M5
2.69 - Huawei P9 Lite
2.679 - Vivo V3Max
2.659 - Xiaomi Mi 4i
2.641 - Sony Xperia XA
2.609 - Xiaomi Mi 4c
2.574 - LeEco Le Max 2
2.567 - Microsoft Lumia 640
2.563 - Lenovo Moto G4
2.544 - Oppo F1
2.528 - Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
2.525 - Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
2.503 - Motorola Moto G
2.477 - Huawei G8
2.471 - Sony Xperia Z
2.462 - Huawei Honor 7
2.406 - Sony Xperia E5
2.386 - ZUK Z1 by Lenovo
2.382 - HTC 10
2.378 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
2.378 - HTC One E9+
2.305 - Alcatel One Touch Hero
2.272 - Lenovo Vibe K4 Note
2.254 - Sony Xperia C5 Ultra
2.253 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek)
2.249 - Sony Xperia C4 Dual
2.235 - Motorola Moto G (2014)
2.233 - LG Nexus 5
2.228 - Huawei P8
2.196 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 2
2.166 - OnePlus Two
2.165 - HTC One X
2.158 - LG Aka
2.145 - Archos 50 Diamond
2.134 - Xiaomi Redmi Note
2.119 - Acer Liquid X2
2.084 - Huawei P8lite
2.078 - Moto G 3rd gen max manual
2.026 - Xiaomi Mi Max
1.996 - Sony Xperia E4g
1.972 - OnePlus One
1.961 - Meizu m3 note
1.923 - BlackBerry Leap
1.892 - Meizu m2 note
1.892 - HTC Butterfly
1.873 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
1.759 - Sony Xperia U
1.758 - Asus Zenfone Selfie
1.68 - Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen)
1.675 - ZTE Nubia Z9
1.659 - Jolla Jolla
1.605 - Motorola Moto E
1.545 - Sony Xperia M
1.473 - Xiaomi Redmi 2
1.311 - Sony Xperia C
1.283 - Meizu MX
1.221 - Sony Xperia E
1.215
As for color reproduction, it would be both naive and unnecessary to expect sRGB calibration from the budget handset. Still, it maintains a fairly low average deltaE of 7.3. There are also a few Samsung display modes to choose from. In Basic mode, colors are most accurate, whereas AMOLED cinema notably oversaturates things. The middle ground is AMOLED photo.
The standard DeltaE 2000 deviation is used to describe the accuracy of the screens color rendition. We test the screen with a set of over 100 different color and grayscale patterns to deter mine the accuracy of the color reproduction.
Even when a phones screen color reproduction is off, you would still have a hard time noticing a color cast without a reference as the human eye is quite quick to adjust and normalize colors.
Also, the display colors are a matter of personal taste and perception so consider this test data only if you are concerned about presenting color-critical content on the mobile screen.
Any deviation above DeltaE 2000 of 10 is considered a highly visible error in color reproduction on the display. A DeltaE 2000 deviation between 4 and 10 is considered okay or acceptable color performance. A DeltaE 2000 deviation below 4 is considered good, but professional color calibration requires a deviation between 1 and 2.
Connectivity
In a predictable Samsung fashion, the Galaxy J3 (2016) is available in single-SIM and dual-SIM variants, so you can get some flexibility in terms of carriers and plans. It is also worth noting that opt ing for a dual SIM option doesnt limit the use of a microSD card, as it has a dedicated slot of its own - another merit quickly being lost to slim unibody designs.
Now, lets try and get the chipset situation straight, as it has important implications on connectivity. Some units are powered by Spreadtrum SC8830 or SC9830. They have practically no difference in performance, but the former is only 3G, while the latter supports 4G LTE. If you get an Exynos 3475 unit, it will also have 4G support and the same goes for the alleged Snapdragon 410 variant. We werent able to conclusively prove or disprove its existence, despite our best efforts, but it might very well be a reality on certain markets.
Naturally, you get Wi-Fi, but it only operates on the 2.4GHz band, so needless to say theres no Wi-Fi ac support. Theres GPS with A-GPS and BDS on some markets, Bluetooth v.4.1, and an FM radio receiver. Sadly, unlike the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016), there is no NFC in the J3 (2016).
It is also worth noting that the Galaxy J3 (2016) only has an accelerometer and a proximity sensor on board. That means no magnetometer or gyroscope - both essential for some apps. However, we cant imagine too many prospective buyers will be looking to use it with Google Cardboard.
Battery
The Galaxy J3 (2016) is powered by a 2600mAh battery and we cant really complain about the capacity all that much, as the battery on the Galaxy J3 (2016) is removable - you can just pop the back cover and replace it. This, of course, means no need for bulky power banks, just pack an extra battery just for the peace of mind.
The Galaxy J3 (2016) managed an endurance rating of 66 hours. Theres a lot to be desired from the video playback performance.
We do measure standby battery drain, and even though its not included explicitly in the scorecard, it has its influence on the overall rating. The stand-by time was excellent, but still couldnt fully make up for the poor video score.
The battery testing procedure is described in detail in case youre interested in the nitty-gritties. You can also check out our complete battery test table, where you can see how all of the smartphones weve tested will compare under your own typical use.
User Interface
Unlike its J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) siblings, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) still boots Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, just like the previous generation of "J" devices. This is a little dated and hopefully owners can at least look forward to an update to Marshmallow. But, even in this state, the companys traditional TouchWiz UI wrapper manages to keep things consistent and provides an up-to-date experience.
For one, the icon set is the most recent Samsung one, many color accents and menus, however, like the blu e notification shade somewhat give Lollipop away. Although, even that point is arguable, as some Samsung Marshmallow ROMs do still use the aforementioned color pallete. The only things you are really missing out on are Google features like Doze and Now On Tap.
The lockscreen follows Android trends with a list of notifications and a couple of shortcuts - dialer and camera. You can double tap the Home key to quickly launch the camera and the gesture does work surprisingly quick even on the J3s low-end hardware.
The added weather info on the lockscreen is perhaps not standard Android, but its useful enough and is also a typical Samsung touch.
The lockscreen shows notifications, but can hide them from prying eyes too
Fingerprint readers is a luxury the "J" lineup is deprived of, which does mean you only get the traditional locking methods on - swipe, pattern, PIN and password. Theres no Private mode either, even though Private mode can be set to use only a password on other devices.
As some form of consolation, however, the Galaxy J3 (2016) has access to the Samsung theme store. The preloaded themes arent that gre at, but the store has been progressively getting more variety lately. Themes can change the wallpaper and icons, but also some Samsung apps (dialer, contacts, messages) and the notification area. We wish there was a search field, though.
Extensive theme support
The homescreen is quite normal. Theres an option to change the screen grid between 4x4, 4x5 and 5x5, the smallest one is the default.
The notification area has one scrollable row of quick toggles and som e have text underneath like the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connected to. The only way to view all toggles is to hit the edit button.
Notification area
The brightness slider is below the toggles. Instead of an Auto toggle it has an Outdoors mode that temporarily boosts the brightness (it switches off automatically in a while to preserve battery).
Samsung has remained loyal to the vanilla Android way over the years and is still sticking with an app drawer. The Galaxy J3 (2017) comes with a nice assortment of pre-installed apps, luckily, without much bloat. It tucked away Googles mandatory apps in a folder and placed its home-brewed alternatives up front. You can disable apps you dont want (but cant uninstall the TouchWiz ones).
App drawer and pre-installed apps
Samsung has partnered with Microsoft so you get OneDrive (you get 100GB free as a gift), along with OneNote, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Skype pre-installed. The 8GB of on-board storage can be a little cramped since around 5GB are taken up by the system and only 3GB are available to the user.
Unlike the higher-end Galaxys, the Galaxy J3 (2016) does not have split-screen multitasking. We are pretty sure that this is just as much a business decision as it is a technical limitation, since 1.5GB of RAM can only stretch so far.
Ordinary app switcher with no split-screen option
The Setting menu features Quick settings - a selection of the most used options you can use. Below that is the full list, though we prefer using the search function as the extensive features that Samsung has provided can be hard to track down among menus and submenus.
TouchWiz offers a convenient settings structure
Performance
Samsungs price-conscious "J" series was never really intended to hit big in terms of specs, nor is it the first place you would naturally look for a good performer. But, while the Galaxy J7 (2016) does quite alright in this department, especially the Exynos 7870 Octa one and even, to some extent, the J5 (2016) as well, with its Snapdragon 410, Samsung really dropped the ball after that.
The J3 (2016) can be picked up with one of a few chipset options: the rather old Exynos 3475 Quad, with four Cortex-A7 cores, clocked at 1.3 GHz and built on a 28nm process or one of the Spreadtrum SC8830/SC9830 duo, which only differ by modem with slightly faster Cortex-A7 cores, at 1.5 GHz. The Exynos ch ipset comes with a Mali-T720 GPU, while the latter relies on the Mali-400 and as you can imagine, both are quite the underachievers. We did our testing on the 4G model with a Spreadtrum SC9830. We caught rumors of a Snapdragon 410 version as well, but we couldnt confirm its existence just yet.
1.5GB of RAM can only take you so far and while Samsung has really done a terrific job of optimizing TouchWiz to feel at home on the sub-par platform and work smooth, synthetic performance is really disappointing. A shame, really, as there are many other budget chipset offers out there that other manufacturers have really leveraged for a major performance advantage, even within the same price range.
Lets start things off with GeekBench, which is great at giving us a reliable reading of raw CPU performance. We can clearly see the Galaxy J3 (2016) being severely outperformed by practically every competitor out there, with the exception, of its little sibling - the J2 (2016).
G eekBench 3 (multi-core)
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Helio X10)
4537 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
4140 - Lenovo K3 Note
4067 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (S650)
3570 - Meizu MX4
3556 - Meizu MX4 Pro
3386 - Xiaomi Mi 4c
3321 - Oppo F1 Plus
3242 - Xiaomi Mi 4
3175 - Huawei Honor 6
3081 - Meizu m3 note
3028 - Xiaomi Redmi 3
2842 - Lenovo Vibe Shot
2827 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
2298 - Moto G (3rd gen) 2GB of RAM
1589 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
1437 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
1247 - Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)
1207
GeekBench 3 (single-core)
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (S650)
1573 - Oppo F1 Plus
857 - Meizu m3 note
807 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
745 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
471 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
396 - Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)
385
AnTuTu 6 is a compound benchmark but the Galaxy J3 (2016) doesnt really have any particularly strong points to make up for the CPU, so it understandably ranked quite low.
AnTuTu 6
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (S650)
75051 - Oppo F1 Plus
51299 - Sa msung Galaxy J7 (2016)
49094 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Helio X10)
45474 - Meizu m3 note
44898 - Lenovo Vibe Shot
35932 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
27487 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
24884 - Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)
24697
Time for some GPU testing, where we dont really expect the Mali-400 to shine. In fact, it is such an old graphics processor that the only benchmark in managed to run is GFX 2.7 T-Rex - one we have been planning to phase out for some time now, as most current devices simply breeze through it. However, even in this department, the Galaxy J3 (2016) didnt even manage 8fps when rendering at 720p on its display - far from a playable rate. And when tasked with 1080p rendering, it struggled even more, barely putting out 4 frames per second.
That being said, we wouldnt recommend the Galaxy J3 (2016) at all if you intend to do any Android gaming at all. Well, perhaps the most casual games of them all, but nothing really beyond that.
GFX 2.7 T-Rex (1080p offscreen)
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Mi 4c
35 - Xiaomi Mi 4
27.6 - Meizu MX4 Pro
26 - Meizu MX4
22.7 - Huawei Honor 6
16 - Lenovo K3 Note
15 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
15 - Moto G (3rd gen) 2GB of RAM
5.3 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
3.9
GFX 2.7 T-Rex (onscreen)
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Mi 4c
35 - Xiaomi Mi 4
28.2 - Meizu MX4
21.3 - Meizu MX4 Pro
17 - Huawei Honor 6
17 - Lenovo K3 Note
15 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
14 - Moto G (3rd gen) 2GB of RAM
9.7 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
7.5
Moving on to Basemark in both its general compute and graphics forms. Sadly, we cant really say there is any redeeming aspect of the Galaxy J3 (2016) and its performance to be noted here either. It is almost embarrassingly under-powered compared to other similarly priced offers.
Basemark OS II
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Mi 4c
1464 - Xiaomi Mi 4
1324 - Oppo F1 Plus
1114 - Lenovo K3 Note
1053 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
999 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Helio X10)
956 - Meizu m3 note
930 - Meizu MX4 Pro
922 - Huawei Honor 6
863 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
818 - Xiaomi Redmi 3
727 - Meizu MX4
695 - Moto G (3rd gen) 2GB of RAM
619 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
576 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
399
Basemark X
H igher is better
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (S650)
14732 - Xiaomi Mi 4c
12096 - Meizu MX4 Pro
9111 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Helio X10)
8540 - Meizu MX4
8324 - Oppo F1 Plus
6204 - Lenovo K3 Note
5656 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
5383 - Lenovo Vibe Shot
5215 - Xiaomi Redmi 3
5108 - ZTE Nubia Z9 mini
5003 - Huawei Honor 6
4868 - Meizu m3 note
4567 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
2180 - Moto G (3rd gen) 2GB of RAM
1866 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
1424 - Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)
1419
Basemark X (medium)
Higher is better
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (S650)
23376 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Helio X10)
15359 - Oppo F1 Plus
14843 - Meizu m3 note
11604 - Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
11199 - Xiaomi Redmi 3
11088 - Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
4605 - Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
4157
Overall, benchmark scores for the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) are really poor, even by entry-level standards. Despite bringing usability down quite a bit, this doesnt bode well for long-term performance. While the fresh Android installation ran smoothly and we didnt experience any glitches, but Android does slow down a bit over time so things will probably be less rosy once you get all your apps up and running.
Gaming is a no-go right from the start, unless you are into lig ht 2D gaming, and even then you might see an odd stutter here and there.
Phonebook and telephony
The Samsung Galaxy J7 has a strong reception and good in-call audio. It comes with either one or two SIM cards (two micro), the Duos version has dual-standby. Only one card has access to 3G and 4G networks, the other is for 2G calls.
The call log is visible behind the keypad (you can hide that to view the full list) and it shows which SIM was used to place/take the call on the Dual SIM model. You can also filter the log by which SIM was used. The other two tabs show your favorite contacts and all you contacts.
Dialer • Favorites • Call log
The Phonebook is a list of contacts with a search field and an alphabet index. The contact info card has been cleaned up and shows the contact image (you can swipe down to view it fully), below that are the phones and emails with quick buttons to call/send message.
Here youll also find the latest messages and calls with that contact. The View more toggle displays all the additional info. You can swipe left to call a contact straight from the list, right to send them a message.
The phonebook reminds you the last chat you had with a contact
The built-in call rejection feature lets you block calls from certain numbers or all numbers not in your phonebook. Do not disturb mode can be scheduled on select days and during certain periods of the day. You can set it to make an exception for certain notifications, including allowing only calls from your favorite contacts.
Blocking spam calls • Do not disturb mode
The single loudspeaker on the Samsung Galaxy J3 proved rather unimpressive. On a positive note, it does feature a slight bump, which is really a necessity, considering in position on the back panel. By contrast, the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) employ Samsungs new grill design that is absolutely flat and can be muffled a lot easier. Other than that, however, the Galaxy J3 (2016) was quiet in all three tests, scoring a final Below Average mark.
| Speakerphone test | Voice, dB | Ringing | Overall score | |||
| 62.0 | 62.1 | 66.6 | Below Average | |||
| 64.1 | 65.3 | 68.5 | Below Average | |||
| 66.3 | 66.2 | 65.9 | Below Average | |||
| 66.7 | 65.8 | 66.9 | Below Average | |||
| 66.0 | 64.3 | 70.1 | Below Average | |||
| 66.1 | 65.5 | 70.6 | Average | |||
| 66.5 | 64.6 | 71.7 | Average | |||
| 66.1 | 65.8 | < td>71.0Average | ||||
| 64.5 | 71.0 | 68.9 | Average | |||
| 65.9 | 64.6 | 75.6 | Average | |||
| 65.7 | 66.6 | 76.5 | Good | |||
| 66.5 | 66.6 | 75.8 | Good | |||
| 74.7 | 66.6 | 72.3 | Good | |||
| 73.2 | 66.6 | 77.5 | Good | |||
| 75.7 | 69.6 | 75.9 | Very Good | |||
| 76.9 | 73.6 | 82.7 | Excellent |
| Test | Frequency response | Noise level | Dynamic range | THD | IMD + Noise | Stereo crosstalk |
| Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) | +0.04, -0.24 | -92.4 | 92.5 | 0.024 | 0.023 | -91.3 |
| Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) (headphones) | +0.37, -0.04 | -88.5 | 90.6 | 0.045 | 0.226 | -56.9 |
| Sony Xperia E5 | +0.14, -0.81 | -92.3 | 92.4 | 0.0072 | 0.0093 | -91.9 |
| Sony Xperia E5 (headphones) | +0.15, -0.88 | -89.5 | 88.9 | 0.0090 | 0.370 | -50.7 |
| Motorola Moto G4 | +0.02, -0.07 | -92.4 | 92.5 | 0.0028 | 0.00 84 | -92.1 |
| Motorola Moto G4 (headphones) | +0.04, -0.08 | -92.0 | 92.0 | 0.0073 | 0.070 | -63.8 |
| Sony Xperia XA | +0.01, -0.18 | -93.6 | 90.6 | 0.0030 | 0.010 | -91.7 |
| Sony Xperia XA (headphones) | +0.85, -0.18 | -87.1 | 87.8 | 0.018 | 0.327 | -54.9 |
| Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus | +0.02, -0.08 | -93.8 | 92.8 | 0.0037 | 0.034 | -91.3 |
| Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus (headphones) | +0.09, -0.03 | -93.5 | 92.6 | 0.070 | 0.075 | -49.0 |
| Huawei Honor 5X | +0.02, -0.08 | -93.4 | 90.1 | 0.0028 | 0.012 | -93.4 |
| Huawei Honor 5X (headphones) | +0.10, -0.03 | -92.9 | 89.8 | 0.0048 | 0.071 | -78.2 |
| Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) | +0.02, -0.07 | -94.3 | 92.2 | 0.0065 | 0.010 | -95.0 |
| Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) (headphones) | +0.42, -0.01 | -93.4 | 87.1 | 0.029 | 0.254 | -53.0 |
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) frequency response
You can learn more about the tested parameters and the whole testing process here.
8MP snapper
The Sam sung Galaxy J3 (2016) only has 8MP at its disposal as a primary shooter. We know fairly well that megapixels alone are no reason to criticize. As the iPhone family can definitely attest, 8MP can go pretty far, but the sensor in the entry-level J3 (2016) cant really impress in any way.
However, as at least some form of conciliation, the camera UI is pretty unified among Galaxy phones, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) even has Pro mode. It isnt as advanced as what you get on a Galaxy S or Note. All you get is sliders for ISO, exposure compensation and white balance but nothing on focus and shutter speed (the key settings for Pro mode, if you ask us).
Hitting the Mode button gives you access to other goodies like Panorama, Continuous shot, HDR, Sound & shot and a couple of others. On the viewfinder you also get some additional options including color effect s and metering.
The camera UI • mode selector • Pro mode • color effects
In terms of quality, the rear camera looks passable at first glance and it is, as long as you confine yourself to the 720 display. Once you offload photos to a bigger screen, however, the lack of detail becomes apparent - even for in the 8MP league. Colors also come out washed out and the occassional wrong white balance gives the photos a tinted look.
At least the camera app launches really quickly with Samsungs universal shortcut - double press on the Home button. However, we would advise against trying to capture too many photos at once, as on our testing some of these photos ended up corrupted.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) camera samples
Unlike its smaller sibling, the J3 (2016) does have HDR. It is a separate mode that you have to enable and cant just leave on auto, but that is far from its biggest problems. The effe ct it produces is very subtle and almost unnoticeable.
HDR off • HDR on • HDR off • HDR on • HDR off • HDR on
The panorama mode is actually really good. There is a noticeable lack of resolve detail, but, on the other hand, also absolutely no signs of stitching.
Panorama samples
There arent all that many 8MP cameras out there in 2016, but they arent completely gone yet. Heres how the Galaxy J3 (2016) holds up against some of the competition.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016): photo quality comparison
The 5MP front shooter is, like the main camera only adequate, considering its specs. Nothing special, no front-facing flash, just your average selfie camera.
Selfie samples
Dont expect much out of the video recording of the J3 (2016) either. For some reason it is limited to only 720p in terms of resolution, which is odd considering even the Spreadtrum SC9830 should be able to support 1080p, according to specifications. It might be a business decision, but it is a shame. Still, HD is good enough for viewing on the device and sharing on social media. There is no image stabilization, however, so handheld videos look shaky.
You can download an untouched video sample here - 10 seconds, 15.2MB.
And heres the Galaxy J3 (2016) stacked-up against some other 720p shooters.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016): video compare tool (720p)
Samsung Browser and Chrome
While Samsung dropped its music player, it kept its custom browser. It supports multiple tabs (including incognito ones), but the option to sync tabs between devices is gone. Theres no fingerprint sign-in either (obviously, since theres no fingerprint reader).
The Internet app • switching tabs
Chrome comes on most Androids as part of the Play Services package. It can sync tabs (based on your Google account) and has the data-saving option of compressing pages before they are sent to the device. It will even automatically detect foreign language sites and offer to translate them. In recent versions, Chrome abandoned the concept of spamming tabs within the app switcher and now they are back within their own little interface.
Chrome
Other preinstalled apps
As already mentioned, Samsung has partnered with Microsoft and offers a few preinstalled apps that you cant uninstall either. Theres OneDrive to handle cloud-syncing needs (including photo backup). You get 100GB worth of bonus free space with your phone. OneNote for a more advanced note taking and syncing experience than the Memo app offers. Next, there is Word, Excel and PowerPoint. And finally, Skype is also on board to handle instant messaging and Internet calling.
100GB free with OneDrive • Office suite • Skype
Smart Manager is a one-stop shop for maintenance of your device. Its divided into four parts. Battery shows estimated battery life remaining/time until charged and will warn you of abnormal battery usage. The Power saving and Ultra power saving modes can be activated from here.
Smart Manager • Battery use • Ultra power saving mode
The Storage section leans on Clean Master to free up some storage by deleting unnecessary files. RAM closes running apps to free up RAM.
Cleaning up th e storage • freeing up RAM
The fourth section is Device security. It offers My KNOX, which create separate working spaces for personal and work apps (think BlackBerrys Balance). KNOX Active Protection promises to safeguard you against hacks - its disabled by default for casual users and enabled for enterprise users.
It slows down performance a bit and adds a few seconds to the boot time. What you get is verification that the system apps havent been tampered with and has real-time kernel protection to avoid unauthorized access from apps to the core of the operating system. Theres also a McAfee-powered malware scanner on board.
KNOX can balance work and personal apps, protect you from malware and hacks
S Planner is the familiar Samsung replacement for the Google calendar. Tapping on a day shows in Month view a preview of the scheduled events for that date. You can add a 7-day weather forecast and multiple calendars.
S Planner
The My Files app is the built-in file browser. Its beginner-friendly with its Category view (e.g. view all photos), but you can browse the whole interna l storage)
Theres no Google Drive integration like in other versions of this app and no OneDrive integration either (despite the 100 gig bonus).
My Files handles local and cloud (Google Drive) files
The Voice recorder app features a single mode - voice notes. The option to automatically transcribe them has been cut. You can write down notes yourself with the Memo app, which lets you add checklists, images and voice memos.
Voice recorder app • Memo app
Final words
The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) is one of those devices that will likely end up free-on-contract or a similar carrier-subsidized deal. There really isnt all that much about the handset to leave a lasting impression. Now that the J2 (2016) is officially out, this became even more apparent, as the two devices are identical hardware-wise and price-wise, only the J2 has the added novelty of Samsungs new Smart Glow notifications.
However, even though the J3 (201 6) is a basic package, there is still a lot to like about the value-conscious handset, even though it reminds us how little has changed in Samsungs strategy in the low-end in past couple of years. Actually, the latter point will be illustrated even better by some of the J3s competitors and how far theyve come. But even with its basic hardware, the phone still has one undisputed draw - the colorful Super AMOLED display, which not too long ago was actually out of reach for even midrangers.
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) key test findings
- Good build and finish, phone is made to last. It may be all plastic, but it looks the part;
- Vivid display with excellent contrast and punchy colors. 720p resolution on a 5" diagonal shouldnt be an issue in this price bracket;
- The handset can be found with quite a few different SoCs, which are hard to keep track of. The Spread trum SC8830 notably lacks 4G;
- Battery is adequate with a rating of 69 hours, but the budget chipset isnt power-efficient enough considering the screen size and resolution. Video playback takes a heavy toll;
- Basic Android user interface experience, enhanced with just a dash of TouchWiz extras. The UI runs surprisingly smooth;
- There is only 3GB of storage available to the user, which means downloading many apps from the Play store will be a huge hassle even if you purchasea microSD card. Luckily, the latter has its own dedicated slot, instead of sharing one with the second SIM;
- Performance is disappointing by 2016 standards. Gaming is not this phones forte;
- The loudspeaker is on the quiet side and scored Below Average in our loudness test;
- The 8MP camera produces nice photos, albeit with poor dynamic range and easily apparent lack of detail, worsened by aggressive noise reduction;
- Videos come out fine considering the 720p resolut ion cap. Good enough for viewing on the device itself or for sharing on social networks. No image stabilization means shaky footage.
The Galaxy J3 (2016) might be a one trick pony, but if punchy AMOLED colors happen to be at the top of your wanted list, there is no easier way to get one on the cheap.
Now, how cheap exactly? For starters, Xaiomi has you spoiled for choice even below the €150 mark. The excellent value-centric Redmi family is right on the spot. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 has a 5-inch HD display, an octa-core Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP main snapper. And, surprisingly, you dont even have to go for the basic model - for the amount the Galaxy J3 (2016) would set you back, you could get the Redmi 3 Pro with a fingerprint reader, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Surprisingly, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 might actually be an even better deal. For about the same price, it somehow manages to bring the same features on a 5.5 FullHD screen. And i f that wasnt impressive enough, it appears the companys ex-flagship is now within reach as well. The Mi 4 or, even better, the Mi 4c.
Xiaomi Redmi 3 • Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro • Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 • Xiaomi Mi 4c
As usual, Meizu is not more than a step behind with a few budget offers of its own. The excellent Meizu m3 Note is definitely a top option with its Helio P10 chip, up to 3GB of RAM, 13MP snapper and 5.5-inch display. Then, we have the aging, but still high-end MX 4. It ups the stakes with its 1152 x 1920 pixel, 5.36-inch panel and 20.7MP camera and for just a few bucks extra, there is the MX4 Pro and its even finer 1536 x 2560 pixel, 5.5-inch display.
Meizu m3 note • Meizu MX4 • Meizu MX4 Pro
ZTE deserves a mention as well, with excellent offers like the Z9 mini, with its 5-inch FullHD panel, Snapdragon 615 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 16MP camera. The same goes for Oppo and the F1 Plus, which has been selling like crazy. The LeEco Le 2 is also a prime candidate, with a 5.5-inch, 1080p panel and the powerful Mediatek Helio X20 on board.
ZTE nubia Z9 mini • Oppo F1 Plus • LeEco Le 2
Moving on to more readily-available options in the Western corner of the world, Lenovo has the Vibe K4 Note to offer with a 5.5-inch FullHD display, a Mediatek MT6753 SoC and up to 3GB of RAM, as well as the Vine Shot for a camera-centric experience. And we can safely add the Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) on this list as its a really close match to the Galaxy J3 (2016), but with the added bonus of near stock Android, timely updated.
Lenovo Vibe K4 Note • Lenovo Vibe Shot • Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
We guess the list above helps explain where Samsung is coming from. In 2016, €100 or so can stretch surprisingly far, especially if you start considering s ome online deals direct from China. Going down this road, however, inevitably means overcoming availability, warranty and after-sale service issues. That is likely why Samsung still feels relatively safe in pushing more of its under-speccd entry-level phones through its behemoth of a supply chain.
The use of underpowered Spreadtrum chipsets in both the recent J3 (2016) and J2 (2016) is an example of blatant cost cutting and the low performance of these chipsets defies the purpose of getting a smartphone in the first place. The low-performing chipset and the limited on-board storage would actually hinder proper enjoyment of a variety of apps and online services.
You can get more bang for your buck from other manufacturers if you are willing to walk the extra mile, but if you are not, Samsung phones remain a safe and solid choice. If youre taking this road, however, our advice would be to try and spend a little more on your new phone as €200 euro or so would get you an e ntirely different category of a device both in features and performance - all without any compromise in after-sales support.
! ( hope useful)
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