Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) vs Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) and the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017), taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Head to head

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Our rating6/108/10
Battery2,350 mAh3,000 mAh
Wired charging—18W
Storage (max)256 GB256 GB
Screen size4.7 in5.2 in
Main camera13 MP16 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)138 g157 g
ReleasedJan 2017Jan 2017
Summary: Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is ahead on weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is ahead on our rating, battery, screen size, main camera.
★ Which should you buy? Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.

Display

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
TypeSuper AMOLEDSuper AMOLED
Size4.7 inches5.2 inches
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Features—Always-on display

Platform

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
OSAndroid 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo)Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
ChipsetExynos 7870 Octa (14 nm)Exynos 7880 Octa (14 nm)
CPUOcta-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T830 MP1Mali-T830MP3

Memory

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Internal16GB—
RAM2GB3GB
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - up to 256GB—
Internal Storage—32GB
Card Slot—microSDXC (dedicated slot, up to 256GB)

Main Camera

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Single13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF16 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Single8 MP, f/1.916 MP, f/1.9
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps

Battery

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
TypeLi-Ion 2350 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable
Charging—18W Adaptive Fast Charging

Body

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Dimensions135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm (5.33 x 2.61 x 0.31 in)146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9 mm
Weight138 g (4.87 oz)157 g
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, aluminum frame
SIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM (single or dual SIM)
ProtectionIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)—
Water & Dust Resistance—IP68 certified (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS—
NFCYesYes (Samsung Pay support)
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C
Positioning—GPS, GLONASS, BDS

Launch

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Announced2017, JanuaryJanuary 2017
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) or Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)?

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) — 2,350 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) versus 3,000 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017).

Which is lighter, Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) or Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)?

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) — 138 g for the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) versus 157 g for the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017).

Is the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) or the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) rated higher?

We rate the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) 6/10 and the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) 8/10.

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