Fashion became practical. Review smartphone Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

A-series — a rare occasion when Samsung smartphones to buy in the first place for the design. Last year’s trio of smartphones has become the best selling models of the brand after its flagship S6/S6 edge. It all started with an experiment in which themselves samsungusa’t hurt to believe — amid criticisms of the design of the Galaxy S5 and shouts “why just the imitation of metal in the case for such and such money?!” Koreans released Galaxy Alpha pilot for “those” 25 thousand roubles… and the sales modest, but beautiful appearance of the smartphone has surprised them. After that Samsung launched a successful concept in a whole series of devices, and by the beginning of 2016, they have prepared successors.

By the way, the Galaxy A3 and A5 of the previous generation will continue to roll off the production line and will be a cheaper alternative to new products. But Galaxy A7 has departed into history, so as not to embarrass family to the second generation characteristics of buyers of new items.

Since the manufacturer is so confident of success, “youngest” A-smartphones (and because the new A5 and A7 are very close structurally) — we will check if beautiful members of the genus Samsung grow in power to the current level.

Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)
Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

Features

Samsung Galaxy A36

Samsung Galaxy A56

Operating system

Android 5.1 Lollipop

Android 5.1 Lollipop

Screen

4.7 inch, 1280×720 Super AMOLED, 312 ppi

5.2 inch, 1920×1080, Super AMOLED, 424 ppi

Processor

7578 Samsung Exynos 1.5 GHz (4 cores, Cortex-A53)

7580 Samsung Exynos 1.6 GHz (8 cores, Cortex-A53)

Graphics

The Mali-T720

The Mali-T720

Operational memory

1.5 GB

2 GB

Constant memory

16 GB, slot Micro SD

16 GB, slot Micro SD

Link

4G (LTE Cat.6) , 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC

4G (LTE Cat.6) , 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC

Camera

13 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, the front — 5 MP

13 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, the front — 5 MP

Battery

non removable 2300 mAh

non-removable 2900 mAh

Sizes

134,5×65,2×7,3 mm

144,8x71x7,3mm

Weight

132 g

155 g

The price at the time of publication

n/a

~ 30 000 rubles

Price according to price.EN

Call for price:Samsung Galaxy A3 SM-A310F28011

Call for price:Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A510F28011

Design and management

Koreans as you can, resist the dominance of metal in their smartphones (tellingly, the HTC reverse problem) — with the change of generations rear metal panel in the body of the smartphone has given way to a tempered glass. On the one hand — regression (many Samsung fans still cherish the dream of an all-metal silver Galaxy), with another — under a layer of matte paint notorious metal still wasn’t a flashy item, as is customary in the fashion models. And so — at least observed “the General line of design” and the similarities with the flagship Galaxy S.

Лицевая панель Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2015)

The front panel Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016) Тыловая панель Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)

Rear panel Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

In fact Samsung got the update for the updates — when you look at two generations of uninformed smartphone buyer will not disassemble, where new and where old members of the series. Even from the point of view of practicality goes a stalemate: the old people could safely survive the drop to “the back” (A new Galaxy in such conditions also do not crumble “the crumb”, but cracks in the glass you are guaranteed), but the new A36 and A56 generously shrouded by metal on all four faces, and give the proverbial cold metal in the palm more. And they are less likely to slip in the hand with a natural grip. But the rear panel is slippery, as befits the glass should keep the smartphone at least on the downhill chair, and he voluntarily “leave” down. Fingerprints all depends on the color of the housing: white modifications they are not visible, but dark smartphone gets polluted pretty quickly.

Ухватистые боковые грани из металла пошли новым Galaxy A на пользу и внешне, и функционально

Easy grip side faces of the metal went new Galaxy A benefit both in appearance and functionally Верхняя грань Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)

The top face of the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016) Левая грань Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2015)

The left side of the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

Two of our heroes A3 draws more attention simply because with the exception of the iPhone and Xperia Z high quality Compact smartphones with a diagonal of less than 5 inches in the afternoon with fire will not find. Modern miniature mobile phone, with a reasonable thickness and compact framework on the sides of the display, just nicer to use — if only because of the fact that it does not need to intercept when using one hand.

Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 model year is one of the most beautiful compact smartphone

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016)  – вымирающий вид красивого компактного смартфона
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) – endangered species beautiful compact smartphone

Galaxy A5 is perceived differently — it’s like a more brutal version of the faceted and flat S6-nd: smartphone less playful in appearance, with a more faceted case and not so vulgar protruding rear camera. And, incidentally, the most popular compact mobile phones with a display of 5.2 inch Sony Xperia Z5, Huawei Honor 7, LG Nexus 5X Microsoft Lumia 950 — each of them larger than our hero. Less power — less case, always be so.

Galaxy A5 looks like a pointed version of the S6, and it’s good for him

Unlike the elder ones, A3 deprived of the fingerprint scanner is annoying, but okay. But why would both phones lack a badge no the front panel is only for the Koreans and known. Perhaps just “that life honey did not seem” in comparison with the owners of the flagship models.

Нижняя грань Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)

The bottom line the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016) Правая грань

The right side Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016) Две Nano-SIM или Nano-SIM и Micro SD — Samsung использует комбинированный лоток вне зависимости от габаритов смартфона

Two Nano-SIM or Nano-SIM and Micro SD Samsung uses a combined tray regardless of the size of a smartphone

The screen and sound

Both smartphones are able to track the gaze of the owner and not to turn off the display, as long as you do not stop looking at the picture on it. Four color mode (adaptive, movie, photo, and basic), too — Samsung will please fans of outrageous and powerful colors AMOLED, and anyone who advocates that the color reproduction was as close as possible to the reference “instrument”, albeit at the expense of her entertainment. We, of course, in the measurements resorted to the second option.

The viewing angles are good, the quality oleophobic coating fine (displays almost not contaminated in daily use), tempered glass allows you to operate the smartphone without a case without fear of scratching the screen, the contrast of the Super AMOLED prohibitive (because to display the excellent black display “turns off” specific pixels) and the brightness looks strong even against the more powerful in this regard IPS-display — 365 CD/m2 in A3 and 410 CD/m2. This amount is enough for readable images even in bright summer day. But then start the nuances…

Цветовой охват Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016)

Color gamut Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) Цветовой охват Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)

Color gamut Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)

Before fraction the Galaxy A3 and all was seams: 960×540 pixels, 4.5 inches diagonal — so shameless features that feel uncomfortable, even just voicing them aloud. In the new model with clarity, things are better, but at four nearby Galaxy A5 with its Full HD resolution look at the Junior model and tormented by the thought that here something not so. And the whole point of Pentile technology (features of the structure of AMOLED pixels in the matrix, in virtue of which displays slightly reduced clarity) that “minimally decent” today 1280×720 pixels enables you to differentiate the individual dots in the display from a distance of 5-8 cm

And, in principle, to hell with them, with these perfectionists, looking at the screen of a mobile in the face — but other buyers may one day comprehend the understanding, they say, “look, Vasya all the same 1280×720 pixels on the IPS-matrix, and the small letters in the text outlines a little better.” The effect of Pentile is about as cheap tape, which is glued to the screen — the picture is spoiled not so fatal, but, as govarival the withdon Juan, “feelings are not the same”.

HD resolution on a PenTile matrix Galaxy A3 turns flabby fonts and, at times, the ability to see individual pixels. It’s a shame

The Galaxy A5 was such a problem non-existent, and other characteristics of the displays are quite decent: in both cases we obtain a commendable low DeltaE deviation (and 2,02 2,78 Galaxy A3 and the A5), a color temperature of about 6400K and 6700K in Junior and senior models respectively and the same gamma 2.4 in both cases. Color gamut Galaxy A5 in the “main” is a little wider than sRGB, and in “a-third” it is a little further from the sample, so the colors available in Galaxy A-series will be in any case a little more saturated than they should be.

On the part of the sound both models have shown their best side: speakers Handsfree announce the space around them no worse than in a more plump the smartphone competitors. The Galaxy A5 speaker a bit more powerful and clearer (which, incidentally, is not always an advantage), A3, the clarity and the volume is slightly lowered (can be put on a call a melody from “TS-TS-TSSS” in the beginning), but, unlike fellow, noticeably slight influence of metal in the body to the sound.

As for smartphones without any claim to great sounds, the new Galaxy A sound very nice — fine roughness can be eliminated in a fancy Manager sound

Аудиоплеер и диспетчер звука в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Аудиоплеер и диспетчер звука в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Аудиоплеер и диспетчер звука в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Аудиоплеер и диспетчер звука в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)

Audio player and Manager sound the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

Headphones all too well — we are certainly not flagships, but the volume for non-audiophile headphones missing completely, and the player saved all the “bells and whistles” of top models, with the exception, perhaps, of the function UHQ Upscaler, which ratoval sound MP3 tracks in S6 edge+. Subjective impressions, our heroes sound better than, for example, 5X LG Nexus and Sony Xperia M5. Conversational dynamics are pleasing clean sound, loud enough for any scenario, the microphones are working perfectly.

Iron

Processors for A new series produced… guess who? Correctly, Samsung! Here’s and example of the correct “import substitution”: the Koreans and their factories were able to use it for personal needs, at the same time to punish the dollar Qualcomm for past negligence, and to get exclusive conditions for the new Snapdragon (preamble, in case you generally interesting undercover game all the smartphone manufacturers).

Мощность процессора (тест Geekbench)
Processor speed test (Geekbench)

Take this opportunity to convey greetings to the Amateurs, who in their reviews Galaxy A3 is credited with “special Quad version of” Exynos 7580 — behold, gentlemen, the correct index for this chip is called Exynos 7578.

Samsung representatives didn’t hurt willingly talk about new CPUs — say, “Yes, we made new chips for smartphones middle class, their potential, looking at the benchmarks, now let’s talk about the design of the A-series”. And probably rightly so, because nothing of a breakthrough in new processors no — 28 nm cores Cortex-A53, DDR3, here are the official specifications. Accelerator in both cases, Mali-T720, but it is the frequency or number of cores between Exynos 7578 and 7580, the company chose not to clarify.

Samsung has built their own, slightly more powerful alternative to the Snapdragon 410/615

In short, Samsung purposefully created a replacement Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 and 615, which was previously used in Galaxy A5 and A7. MediaTek Koreans, for some reason, I can’t stand, and avoid putting his chips in its Galaxy in all possible ways.

Игровая производительность (тест 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited)

Gaming performance (the test 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited) Производительность всей системы (тест Antutu Benchmark)

Performance (Antutu Benchmark test)

Quad-core Galaxy A3 is located exactly between osmeterium Kirin 620 of the available models of Huawei and arch-competitor, the Snapdragon 410, and a graphical (game) part is killing both. Still RAM Samsung is not greedy for the younger smartphone — without a single running application system with proprietary shell “eats” 850 MB of 1500 available. To free up resources for something powerful can Android, but does it equally sluggish, as sleepy porter carries products in the supermarket in the morning.

The Galaxy A5 system is even more voracious and uses 1.1 GB of space from the two available, but the CPU quite well “takes out” all kinds of everyday activity. On the game with maximum detail to be hoped is not necessary, but be able to play at all, and switching between games and the browser will not for CPU tragedy.

Software

Galaxy image at all as an adult, and even better: on top of the Android is located 5.1.1 current version of the shell TouchWiz force close, in the list of standard apps incredible have FM radio, and most of the “chips” of the more expensive smartphones (voice assistant S Voice, gestures, NFC, and “a fifth” and the monitoring of physical activity’s Health) are also present here.

Интерфейс системы в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Интерфейс системы в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Интерфейс системы в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016) Интерфейс системы в Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)

The system interface in the Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2016)

Microsoft “brought the money” the Koreans, so in A-series non-removable pre-installed the Office Suite and Skype, but the virus got greedy, so they imposed Internet Security you can remove before it will start to eat the already limited system resources.

Typical Android Lollipop “sauce” Samsung. Some of the ones from the flagship S-series, and moved in available models

To complain especially there is nothing — all the necessary software available, to get used to the system will be easy even for a beginner.

Camera

Home “luxury merchandise” in the chambers of the new A-class — instant start by double-pressing the “Home”. The rest of the PV modules of the stars from heaven, not grab and take pictures at the level of the good competitors of the middle class. In cloudy weather the camera start slightly make a noise in the HDR mode for saving a snapshot takes less than 1.5-2 seconds (due to the modest power of the processor).

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — тыловая камера

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — rear camera

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — тыловая камера Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — тыловая камера

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — rear camera

Pleasant — “intelligence” AF when shooting a photo at any time of day, voice control (you can take one for the team “shoot”, “take a picture”, etc., and the video camera will record after the phrase “video recording”) and “professional” mode to adjust the exposure, ISO and white balance — it is not necessary, but let it be.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — фронтальная камера Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — фронтальная камера Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — фронтальная камера

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) — front camera

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — фронтальная камера Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — фронтальная камера Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — фронтальная камера

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) — front camera

The nice thing is how the camera behave at night — even the younger A3 doesn’t “drop” the frame rate when shooting video in the dark, and a special “night mode” app really works and allows the cameras to see a little better. And yet, the devaluation of the indexes with the change of generations has not occurred: if on the processing power exceeds the current A5 discontinued A7, the advantage of this camera remains still for “and seventh” of the previous generation.

Cameras do not cause enthusiasm, but not disappointing. And optical stabilization in the Galaxy A5 looks like a gesture of good will on the part of Samsung

In A5 and Galaxy A7 Samsung is not greedy and is equipped with camera with optical image stabilization — even with ordinary mobile phones for the middle class the video quality this function smooths out the motion and allows you to shoot on the move quite watchable videos. And when shooting photos, the same stabilization additionally insure the owner from blurred photo due to shaky hands. Selfie cameras in smartphones not disappoint — the picture quality they are comparable with rear cameras other budget smartphones that cost 7-10 thousand rubles.

Autonomy

Endurance of smartphones A-series stems from their inadequacies — processors of our heroes are fairly weak so as not to cause “Jora” of battery power, economical, in themselves, AMOLED-matrix in our case is not burdened with outrageous permissions, but still “a-third” at hand plays a modest area of the display.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016)

Use (brightness 200 CD/m2)

The duration of the work

Video from a memory card

14 hours

Game

4 hours 45 minutes

Reading

12 hours 30 minutes

And even with these reservations, the durability of Galaxy A3 with its funny 2300mah pleasantly surprised. At the same time the owner of the stored power-saving modes from the basic (reduced CPU speed, display brightness and the time before it locks, the keys “Back” and “Recent apps” is not lit) to extreme (the display is black and white, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS turned off, background apps are disabled, available to run several basic programs).

Medium-power processors and most economical display with a moderate resolution — the key to good endurance

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)

Use (brightness 200 CD/m2)

The duration of the work

Video from a memory card

14 hours and 10 minutes

Game

4 hours 30 minutes

Reading

14 hours 30 minutes

Senior representatives of A-series (A5 and A7) support fast charging Samsung (same as Galaxy S6/edge/edge+), but to us on the test smartphones were without original equipment and moreover accessories, so its efficiency we comment it will not.

Продолжительность работы в смешанной нагрузке (тест PCMark, 200 кд/м2, минут)
The duration of the mixed workload tests (PCMark, 200 CD/m2, min)

Competitors

Samsung Galaxy A3

Huawei P8 Lite

Samsung Galaxy A5

Sony Xperia M5

 

 

 

Operating system

Android 5.1 Lollipop

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Android 5.1 Lollipop

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Screen

4.7 inch, 1280×720 Super AMOLED, 312 ppi

5 inches, 1280×720, IPS, 294 ppi

5.2 inch, 1920×1080, Super AMOLED, 424 ppi

5.0 inch, 1920×1080, IPS, 441 ppi

Processor

7578 Samsung Exynos 1.5 GHz (4 cores, Cortex-A53)

HiSilicon Kirin 620 1.2 GHz (8 cores, Cortex-A53)

7580 Samsung Exynos 1.6 GHz (8 cores, Cortex-A53)

Helio X10 MediaTek MT6795 2.0 GHz (8 cores, Cortex-A53)

Graphics

The Mali-T720

Mali-450MP4

The Mali-T720

PowerVR G6200

Operational memory

1.5 GB

2 GB

2 GB

3 GB

Permanent memory

16 GB, slot Micro SD

16 GB, slot MicroSD

16 GB, slot Micro SD

16 GB, slot Micro SD

Link

4G (LTE Cat.6) , 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC

4G (LTE Cat.4), 3G, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, NFC

4G (LTE Cat.6) , 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC

4G (LTE Cat.4), 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS

Camera

13 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, the front — 5 MP

primary: 13 MP, autofocus, video 1920×1080, front: 5 MP

13 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, the front — 5 MP

21,2 MP main with autofocus, video 1920×1080, the front — 13 MP

Battery

non removable 2300 mAh

non-removable 2200 mAh

non-removable 2900 mAh

non-removable, of 2600 mAh

Sizes

134,5×65,2×7,3 mm

141x71x7,7 mm

144,8x71x7,3mm

145x72x7,6 mm

Weight

132 g

130 g

155 g

142.5 g

The price at the time of publication

n/a

18 000 rubles

~ 26 000 rubles

30 000 rubles

Price according to price.EN

Call for price:Samsung Galaxy A3 SM-A310F28011

RFQ:Huawei P8 Lite ALE-L2128011

 Call for price:Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A510F28011

 Quote:Sony Xperia M528011

Conclusions

Sales of smartphones Galaxy A 2016 model year will begin (who would have thought) in 2016. To the question about the price of Samsung representatives apologetic smile and say “everything will depend on exchange rates”. As of mid-December, the price of the plug on the Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 are expected in the range of 20 to 32 thousand rubles. Competition with the still-popular Galaxy S5 for 22,5 thousand Koreans do not assume a “flat” S6, if not to take into account local Christmas campaign starts today with 35 thousand minimum.

Samsung Galaxy A3 и A5 (2016)
Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 (2015)

In front of us, of course, not flagships; the Galaxy A3, a new many buyers seem to be wrapped in metal and glass “state employee”. But let us come down to earth and see what comparable prices offered by competitors. Even the Chinese are not particularly shy in asking for price tags and stylish, but not metal Huawei P8 Lite 18 thousand rubles — and this smartphone, let me remind you, carries the filling state employee Honor 4C.

Comparable to the image (and buyers for your Samsung LeTV and watch will not be) smartphones, competing with the Galaxy A5, also can not boast dramatically better performance. “The most probable adversary” mid-sized A-class is the Sony Xperia Z3 if you are worried about obsolescence of the former and current flagship of the family Z5. Otherwise, the choice will have to stop on the plastic, but effective externally on M5 Xperia flagship OCTA-core MediaTek processor. Fashionable and stylish Lenovo VIBE S1 is inferior to “a fifth” as a display of autonomy, the potential of the rear camera and the prestige, which is already there. On current cost of HTC One M9 modestly keep silent.

Revolution new A-series will not produce: enthusiasts will continue to hunt for falling Galaxy S6, meticulous fans of the “heaped and cheap” order from China powerful metal thing with the unpronounceable name. Another thing is important: thanks to its own components, and controlled prices Samsung has turned the Galaxy from A “beautiful” “smart” without sacrificing design. Without specialist marketing dirty tricks do not cost, but the benefits of new products more than disadvantages, which means you can take.

Samsung Galaxy A3 SM-A310F

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

+ Expensive materials, moderate size

The clarity of the display is on the verge of budget and middle class, you can see the effects of Pentile

+ Excellent autonomy

The minimum acceptable for working RAM

+ Decent sound quality

 

+ Fast (by the standards of the class) processor

 

 

Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A510F

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

+ Solid design, an outstanding (by the standards of a 5.2-inch smartphone), the compact

No notification light

+ Excellent autonomy

Gaming performance of the middle class at a price comparable to the flagships of 2014

+ Bright and clear display

The lack of a shooting mode in 4K for the rear camera

+ Fast (by the standards of the class) processor

 

+ The flagship part of the functionality (optical image stabilization, fast charging, fingerprint scanner)

 


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