Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Overview: The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is a budget smartphone that aims to cater to the needs of those seeking affordability. While it may not offer groundbreaking features or top-of-the-line performance, it does provide a decent user experience at an affordable price point. The phone boasts a sleek design, a reliable Samsung Exynos 7 processor, and a decent camera for capturing everyday moments. With options for expandable storage and an updated Android operating system, the Galaxy J3 (2018) ensures that users have enough room for their apps and files. Although it may not compete with higher-end models, this phone is a solid choice for those on a budget.

Design and Build Quality

The design and build of the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offer a sleek and modern aesthetic. The phone has a slim and lightweight form factor, making it easy to hold and carry. The physical appearance is simple yet elegant, with clean lines and minimal bezels. The back panel has a smooth texture that enhances grip and prevents slippage. The construction of the device feels sturdy and robust, giving it a sense of durability. The materials used in its build are of decent quality, although not as premium as some other smartphones in its price range. The fit and finish are satisfactory, with well-placed buttons and controls that are easy to reach and operate. The frame of the phone is solid, providing extra protection against accidental drops. The dimensions of the device are compact, allowing for comfortable one-handed usability. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offers a pleasant design and build that strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality. While it may not have the same premium look and feel as higher-end smartphones, it still manages to provide a satisfactory user experience in terms of design and build quality.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) features a 5.0-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. It utilizes LCD technology, which provides decent color accuracy and vibrancy. The brightness levels are sufficient for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be a bit challenging under bright sunlight.

The touch responsiveness of the display is satisfactory, providing smooth scrolling and accurate touch inputs. However, it lacks any display protection such as Gorilla Glass, making it more susceptible to scratches and cracks.

The pixel density of the Galaxy J3's display is around 294 pixels per inch, which is acceptable for a budget phone. However, it falls behind some competitors that offer higher pixel densities for sharper visuals.

The phone does not support HDR or wide color gamut, limiting its ability to display high dynamic range content or vibrant colors.

Viewing angles are decent, allowing for comfortable viewing from different orientations. The lack of an anti-reflective coating may lead to some reflections in brightly lit environments.

The Galaxy J3 does not feature a notch design, and its bezels are noticeable but not overly thick. The screen-to-body ratio is average for a budget device.

Unfortunately, the phone does not offer an always-on display feature or a blue light filter for eye protection. However, it does include adaptive brightness, which adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

Overall, the display of the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is satisfactory for basic tasks and media consumption, but it lacks some features and enhancements found in higher-end devices.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) falls behind its competitors in the budget phone segment. Equipped with a quad-core Samsung Exynos 7 chipset, the J3 struggles to deliver a smooth and lag-free user experience. Tasks such as launching the camera or loading web pages on Wi-Fi take longer than expected, indicating a lack of processing power.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Galaxy J3 disappoints. The GPU benchmarks and gaming performance of the device are not up to par with other phones in its price range. Graphics scores are average at best, and the device struggles to handle graphically demanding games.

CPU benchmarks also reveal the limitations of the Galaxy J3. The processor performance is underwhelming, resulting in slower multitasking and app loading speeds. Users may experience delays when switching between apps or opening resource-intensive applications.

Despite these performance drawbacks, the Galaxy J3 does offer some system optimization features. However, they are not enough to compensate for the device's overall sluggishness.

Unfortunately, specific benchmark tests and scores for the Galaxy J3 (2018) are not readily available, making it difficult to provide in-depth performance analysis and metrics. However, based on user reviews and comparisons with similar devices, it is evident that the J3 lags behind its competitors in terms of processor efficiency and GPU efficiency.

In conclusion, if you prioritize a smooth and lag-free performance, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) may not be the ideal choice. Other budget phones, such as the Moto G6 Play, outperform the J3 in terms of overall experience and gaming capabilities.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) comes with the Android operating system, specifically Android 8.0 Oreo. This is a decent version of the Android OS, although it is not the latest available. However, it does offer a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

One of the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is its customization options. Samsung has its own custom user interface called Samsung Experience, which allows users to personalize their device with themes, wallpapers, and icons. This adds a touch of individuality to the phone and allows users to make it their own.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Galaxy J3 (2018) does come with a few Samsung apps, such as Samsung Health and Samsung Pay. While these apps can be useful for some users, others may consider them bloatware, as they take up storage space and cannot be uninstalled.

Overall, the software experience on the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is decent. The Android operating system, coupled with Samsung's user interface, provides a smooth and user-friendly experience. However, the lack of the latest Android version and the presence of pre-installed apps may be a downside for some users.

Camera

The camera of Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offers some improvements compared to its predecessor, with a bump in megapixels for both the front and rear cameras. In daylight photography, the camera captures images with decent sharpness and natural colors. However, in terms of image quality, the J3's camera falls short in capturing finer details and often produces washed out colors. Indoor photography also suffers from hazy and blurred details in selfies and lower sharpness in general.

The camera features of the Galaxy J3 include HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode for manual adjustments. It also has AI scene recognition, which automatically detects and optimizes settings for different scenes. However, these features do not significantly enhance the overall image quality.

In low-light conditions, the J3's camera struggles to perform well. The low-light sensitivity is limited, resulting in noisy and grainy images. The phone does not have a dedicated night mode or advanced image stabilization to improve low-light performance.

In terms of video recording, the Galaxy J3 supports 4K video capture, but lacks video stabilization. This can result in shaky footage, especially during motion or while walking. Slow-motion video and time-lapse are not available on the J3.

Overall, while the camera of the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offers some improvements in terms of megapixels and camera features, it falls short in terms of image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Users looking for better camera performance may want to consider other budget options or invest in a higher-end device.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) comes with a 2600mAh battery, which is quite average for a budget phone. The battery life is decent and should last a full day with moderate usage. However, heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the day is over. The phone does not support fast charging, so it takes a while to fully charge the battery. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not available on this model. The battery performance is satisfactory, but it could have been better considering that some competitors in the same price range offer longer battery life. It would have been helpful if Samsung had included battery optimization features to improve power efficiency and extend battery endurance. Overall, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is sufficient for basic usage, but heavy users might need to carry a charger or power bank for extended periods of use.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offers a decent range of connectivity options to keep you connected on the go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, allowing for fast data speeds when browsing the internet or streaming content. Wi-Fi is also available, supporting the latest Wi-Fi standards for a stable and reliable connection at home or in public hotspots. Bluetooth is included for easy pairing with compatible devices such as headphones or speakers, and NFC is available for convenient contactless payments or quick file transfers. The phone also features a micro USB port for charging and data transfer, although it does not support the newer USB-C standard. The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) does not support wireless charging, which may be a downside for some users. It does offer dual SIM capability, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for easy management of personal and work numbers. GPS and navigation are also included, ensuring you can find your way easily when on the move. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) offers a decent range of connectivity options to keep you connected and entertained throughout the day.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) to other related gadgets in the market, it becomes clear that this budget phone falls short in terms of features and performance. While it does offer some minor upgrades from its predecessor, such as a higher megapixel camera, an updated Android OS, and slightly more RAM and expandable memory, it still lacks significant improvements.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy J3 is one of the slowest phones tested. Its quad-core Samsung Exynos 7 processor struggles to execute tasks quickly, resulting in longer load times for apps and web pages. When compared to the Motorola Moto G6 Play, which is available at a similar price point, the Galaxy J3 simply can't keep up. The Moto G6 Play offers a faster experience, superior camera quality, longer battery life, and even a splashproof design.

Speaking of camera quality, the Galaxy J3's mediocre camera performance is another area where it falls behind its competitors. While it can capture decent pictures in good lighting conditions, the finer details often appear muddled and the colors appear washed out. Selfies also suffer from hazy and blurred details.

For those willing to spend a little more, the Moto G6 offers even more features and a better overall experience. With a faster processor, more storage, and dual rear cameras for portrait photos, the Moto G6 provides a significant upgrade over the Galaxy J3.

In terms of pricing, the Galaxy J3's value for money is questionable, especially when compared to its competitors. While it may have a lower price point, the compromises in performance and camera quality make it difficult to justify choosing the Galaxy J3 over other devices in the market.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) struggles to stand out in a highly competitive market. Its lack of significant improvements, slower performance, and mediocre camera quality make it difficult to recommend over other budget phones that offer better features and performance at similar price points.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) is a lackluster budget phone that fails to impress in terms of features and performance. While it does offer a slight improvement in camera quality and a small boost in RAM and expandable memory, it falls short in comparison to other phones in its price range. The sluggish performance, mediocre camera quality, and lack of standout features make it difficult to recommend this phone over alternatives like the Motorola Moto G6 Play. If you have a higher budget, the Moto G6 offers even more features and a better overall experience. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) fails to deliver a compelling package for its price.