Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) has been launched.
This handset was launched alongside Galaxy A5 2017.
Samsung isn’t playing. 2016 may not have been the manufacturer’s best year but the giant manufacturer seems set for new beginnings.
While many of us were expecting a new Note or a Galaxy flagship, Samsung had other things in mind.
Introducing Samsung Galaxy A3, a mid-range handset with awesome specs and retailing at an okay price.
Some features are A-Okay but some did not blow me away.
I loved the 13MP rear camera, fingerprint sensor, the design, display; the handset does look good, the improved selfie features, metal rim, and its IP68 water and dust resistance capability.
The water and dust resistance technology is welcome as this feature has been borrowed from higher-end Galaxy devices.
It is surprising to see such features incorporated into budget smartphones.
The 1.6GHz processor is not that bad as well given that we are dealing with a mid-range smartphone.
I am not crazy about the 4.7-inch screen; 2GB RAM is too small in this age of numerous games and apps, and the 720 x 1280 resolution.
Considering there are phones rocking a higher pixel density and retailing at a little less, Samsung seems to have intentionally cut corners on the 312ppi in A3.
I was also hoping that Samsung could incorporate Android 7 but it appears that we have to be content with Marshmallow until an update is provided.
Galaxy A3 Specs:
Display: 4.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, 720 x 1280 pixels
Processor: 1.6GHz Cortex-A53, Octa-core processor
OS: Android v6.01 Marshmallow
Camera: 13MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, 8MP front camera
Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage expandable by up to 256GB
Network: GSM/HSPA/LTE
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.2, USB, GPS
Battery: 2350mAh, non-removable
Colors: Black Sky, Blue Mist, Gold Sand, Peach Cloud
Body dimensions: 135.40 x 66.20 x 7.90mm, 135g in weight
Expected Price in Kenya: Kshs. 30,000-35,000
Final verdict?
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) falls under the category of higher-mid rangers.
This is thanks to some of its impressive features borrowed from high-end handsets.
A3 may not be a flagship model but it is definitely worth looking out for since it will compete with flagship devices of second-tier companies.
Samsung is a household name and despite the Note 7 debacle that left tongues wagging and eyebrows raised, the giant manufacturer is proving to us that there is no backing down.
And we are definitely ready for a comeback.
As predicted in an earlier post, the 2017 smartphone calendar is likely to be busier than that of the previous year.
There can’t be a better way to kick off 2017 than to have Samsung announce interesting bits of CES 2017.
It is safe to bet that other smartphone manufacturers are busy cooking something for us.
Once the device arrives in Kenya, we will definitely keep you in the know about the bad, the good and the ugly. In the meantime, let’s wait and see what other phone manufacturers have in store.
