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Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo - The flagship is a dream

21.06.2016

Good day to everyone, dear readers of the Helpix portal. Now we will talk about a smartphone that everyone knows, that everyone hears about, and which is very, very controversial. This is a Samsung Galaxy S3 model. I missed it at one time, due to the fact that there was simply no money for it. Then I bought it right away, which I still use to this day. But when the flagship of the previous generation unexpectedly fell into my hands, without thinking twice I decided to write a review on it, after a month of use. And of course, I will definitely draw an analogy with. After all, I have used and continue to use it for a long time, and I have never had one for so long. Therefore, I managed to form a complete and complete opinion about him. And I must say that if I had then chosen for constant use instead of the “troika”, I would probably have used the “four” for just as long as I do now. So, let's go!

Design: there is no need to say much about it, it is familiar to everyone, unloved by many, boring, although, as for me, design is just design. In this regard, I am not picky. The glossiness of the screen is excellent; your finger glides over it as it should. The oleophobic coating is fully present. Fingerprints are rare and can be easily erased with a special cloth. Rear end The smartphone, as expected, is also glossy and slippery - in this regard, nothing has changed in the updated S3 model, which was once the flagship. Only if back then it was a flagship - fast, powerful and beautiful, now it’s just middle class, if not even basic. Because mine, also a flagship, according to its characteristics can already be classified as middle class this moment. What can we say about?..

The lock buttons and volume controls are in their usual places - nothing has changed in this regard. They press and grope without problems, in this Samsung remains true to itself. And what can change if this is, in fact, an updated version of S3. How, did I not say that this is not the same original from 2012, but an updated version in the same body, but with slightly different internals? Didn't say? Then I tell it like it is. This is Samsung I9301I Galaxy S3 Neo. Even the word "Neo" means new, updated. This is what it means.

Okay, that's sorted out. What about the build quality? Having twisted and squeezed this unit in my hands, not just twisting it into a ram’s horn, I came to the conclusion that the build quality is quite acceptable. There are no creaks, the lid sits tightly in its socket. By the way, if you check the lid for flexibility, it is the same as on. Thin and flexible, however, I didn’t bother too much with its plasticity (the device is not mine).

The smartphone fits like a glove in your hands. Although, previously such “shovels” seemed like a novelty, and even smartphones with 4.3 inches were considered large. Nowadays, manufacturers sometimes refer to their smaller 5-inch smartphones as mini versions. So, now the Galaxy S3 doesn’t feel like a shovel in any way, because its screen is only some 4.8 inches. Little one, what can I say!

Now we can say about the display itself. It is made using Super AMOLED technology, which is famous for its acid colors. Although I like acidic ones, most people prefer calmer IPS, but to each their own, so to speak. And if you can change the color profile, just like in subsequent devices of the Galaxy family, then there is no such privilege. Everything is the same as in the original S3.

The resolution is 1280x720, that is, HD. If before it was cool to have a smartphone with such a resolution, now many budget devices have this resolution, as well as amoled matrices. This won't surprise anyone anymore. If we talk about the quality of the screen in this, then we can say the following: for 4.8 inches this resolution is quite enough. Another thing is that they said about him, they say, Pentile, all things, grains, large grains instead of a solid image. And what? If you don't look closely at this display, you won't see any grain.

What do we have inside? What are the features from the original S3? Here's what: first, the hard numbers - 1.4 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 8228, 4 Cortex-A7 cores, Adreno 305. As you can see, the processor is quite old. But in terms of power it is quite comparable to the original processor in .

In general, the impressions from this change in the internals are positive. Nothing lags, doesn't freeze, doesn't glitch. At least after a month of constant use, no shortcomings were identified. According to the test in AnTuTu, the newly-minted S3 Neo gives out almost 21,000 points, or more precisely, 20,789. Not bad ☺ . By the way, about heating. Same eternal problem many modern smartphones, especially when peak loads. After all, the next flagship, that is, heats up quite a bit, even under minimal loads. But what about the previous flagship on a different processor? Having tested it in popular games like Asphalt and GTA, I came to the conclusion that it heats up poorly compared to . Maybe because of the resolution and economical processor? Perhaps, but this did not affect the performance, because it can handle resource-intensive games, albeit at medium settings, but it does. And that's a fact. Plus, on top of everything else, it has not one gigabyte of RAM, like the S3 original, but one and a half gigabytes. And that's great, because the more the merrier.

True, this did not have a positive effect on Tachviz. Because he's just as slow as before. After all, the version of Android here is the “sacred three fours”, so to speak, greetings from the past. And accordingly, Tachviz here is also outdated and long-thinking. No, as I said above, the smartphone does not slow down, does not lag, but it thinks for a very long time, compared to (and I thought that mine was a long thinker).

And even one and a half gigabytes of RAM does not save the situation.

Now about memory. The built-in memory is sixteen gigabytes. Free, as always, a little less, but this is all easily solved with memory cards, which the device correctly recognizes. Eight gigs - I ate, thirty-two gigs - also for a sweet soul. But he refused to eat sixty-four gigabytes. Although it was recognized correctly on my device. But Neo doesn't want to. Look, how capricious you are!

So, I also think there is no point in talking about the system, because everyone knows it well and everyone has studied it thoroughly inside and out. I’ll just say that if you want to plunge into 2012, when flagships were so thoughtful, then here it is, a vivid example of this - S3 Neo. No, I'm not picking on him. He is charmingly glossy, well-built, but his thoughtfulness irritates me in places.

And the design immediately reveals the time of its origin, because if you compare that Tachviz with the current one, everything immediately becomes clear and understandable. After all, even budget phones from Samsung are equipped with modern Tachwiz, which is many times faster, and the Android version is fresher.

As for communications, everything here is as expected, everything is in order. best traditions Samsung. And this is not irony or sarcasm, this is a fact, and a verified fact. The conversational speaker is flawless, and the auditory speaker too. The speech of the interlocutors is clearly audible, they can also hear me perfectly, no one has ever complained in a month. The volume is also manageable, you even have to turn it down slightly, since everything is too loud at maximum. And even at maximum volume the sound is clear. Respect to Samsung for this ☺.

By the way, this smartphone is also dual-SIM. The reception of both SIM cards is quite good, there are no glitches with them. Switching between them occurs in the usual way, like other similar devices.

Now about connection to the Internet: only via Wi-Fi and 3G. There is no LTE, which is a shame. They could have installed it, because even in Chinese public sector employees you can already find 4G. Or they decided that it would be nice for the S3 Neo to also have high-speed Internet. Okay, no, no. And what we have works smoothly.

Battery. It is not particularly capacious here, only 2100 mAh, but it is quite enough for such a smartphone. If you use a medium device, it will last a couple of days. The discharge occurs evenly. However, when connected via USB to a computer, the battery begins to behave strangely. How exactly? I'll explain now. When connected to a computer, smartphones usually charge, slowly, but they charge. And for some reason the S3 Neo... rejects the charge. Although, the battery indicator shows that charging is in progress, but the percentage, on the contrary, is going away. Whether the screen is on or off, it’s all the same - the charge melts right before our eyes, and that’s it. And when charging with the same charger, which is the original one, by the way, everything is fine. The battery is also original, original. This doesn't happen with my other devices. In general, the point is in the smartphone itself. But what this is connected with is unclear. A glitch, maybe. But it’s not particularly annoying (and the device is not mine, and the owner doesn’t pay attention to it at all).

The bottom line is simple. For the money they ask for it, this device is good. Very good. And this, again, is purely my opinion, not imposed on anyone.

Pros of this smartphone:

Vladimir Nesterov

Today we want to bring to your attention a review Samsung smartphone Galaxy S3 neo, announced as a version of the GT-i9301i. This phone is an update to the Samsung Galaxy S3 line. It is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, which is more energy efficient, hence the name Neo. But is it so different from its predecessors?

Equipment

The smartphone is packed in a rectangular box made of thick black cardboard c Samsung inscription Galaxy SIII in the center. On back side the main one is located Technical information, which we will consider in more detail below.

In addition to the device itself, the kit includes:

• Brief guide in Russian.
• Warranty card.
• Inserts with information about hotline Samsung and accessories.
• Battery capacity of 2100 mAh.
• Cable micro USB.
• Charger with USB output and charging current 1A.
• Vacuum headphones with stereo headset and 3.5 mm jack. It has a remote control for increasing the volume and a microphone on/off button.
• Additional ear pads in white.

Design

Samsung s3 neo is available in two colors: metallic blue and white. The dimensions have also not changed compared to standard version: height - 136.6 mm, width - 70.6 mm, thickness: 8.6 mm and weight - 132 g.

The body is still made of glossy plastic with a varnish coating.

Externally, this is a familiar C3 with standard controls:

• On top there is a 3.5 mm jack.
• On the right is the on/off button.
• On the left is the volume rocker.
• At the bottom there is a micro USB connector and a microphone.​

At the bottom of the front part, in the center, there is one single mechanical button. On the sides there are two touchscreens that help control the smartphone.

Above the screen are:

• speaker;
• front-camera 1.9 MP, as well as a light sensor, proximity sensor;
• LED that blinks red to indicate missed calls or other notifications.

Thanks to the relatively small size of the display, the phone is easy to use with one hand, which is very critical for many.

The glossy back cover looks very beautiful especially in blue version. There is an 8 megapixel main camera with a flash and a speaker grille. The notch at the top makes it easy to remove the back cover to take a closer look at what's underneath. The lid is secured with latches around the perimeter.

Under the cover of the device there is:

• micro SIM card slot;
• connector for micro memory cards SD;
• battery.

Display

The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S 3 neo has a size of 4.8 inches Super AMOLED with an HD resolution of 1280*720 pixels. Pixel density per inch up to 306. As a result, we get high-quality picture, where there is no hint of grain. Clear, bright color reproduction.

The display has good viewing angles.

Even at maximum angles, the boundaries of objects are clearly visible, the color does not fade or change. Everything looks very nice and high quality, as you would expect from an A-class company.

The number of touches that can be made simultaneously reaches 10.

Technical characteristics and autonomy

The phone is running Qualcomm processor Snapdragon 400 4-core 32-bit with a frequency of 300-1401.6 MHz. Also installed here is the Adreno (TM) 305 graphics accelerator. In the test AnTuTu applications Benchmark version 5.3 the device showed 19,428 points.

There is 1.5 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory. But in fact, around 10 GB will be available. If this volume is not enough for you, you can expand it using microSD cards up to 64 GB.

Android version is 4.4.2 (KitKat) without further update.

Everything in games looks very bright and colorful on Super AMOLED display. The image, both drawn into the distance and to the sides, is smoothed out as much as possible by the graphics accelerator. The picture quality is very good. The character clearly slides across the display. There are no problems. There is no graininess. You will be able to play most games comfortably on medium-low settings.

For autonomy, we have a 2100 mAh battery, which is removable.

Very convenient in many ways, ranging from emergency reboot device before replacing the damaged battery.

The manufacturer assures that the owner can count on:

• Talk time: 8 hours.
• Waiting time: 330 hours.
• Operating time while listening to music: 57 hours.

Camera

The C3 neo has 2 cameras: the main one is 8 MP and the front one is 2 MP. During the day you can get decent photos, but at dusk and at night you can't avoid terrible graininess. There are a lot of questions about the front camera even without this. For example, even with sunlight you have to add additional backlighting to make the photo look less normal. So obviously for a selfie this smartphone not worth taking.

There are photo modes:

• auto;
• retouch;
• best photo;
• continuous shooting;
• best face;
• photo with sound;
• rich tones;
• sport;
• night.

By settings:

• maximum 8 MP: 3264×2448 (4:3).
• The picture can be taken by touching the screen preview, if you use the appropriate setting.
• face detection;
• exposure metering;
• image stabilization and others.

The maximum video size for the main camera is 1920*1080 (16:9) in Full HD format.

Results

This is how the update of our good old friend Galaxy S3 turned out, which has a successful design and specifications even now:

• an excellent screen that has a large margin in both brightness and contrast, with good viewing angles;
• presence of radio;
• power that allows you to play modern games, albeit at low-medium settings;
• plastic bag necessary programs already at the start.

What's frustrating is the poor camera.

Is it worth taking the Samsung S3 neo or not? The choice is yours.

Video

Manufacturer

operating system

A shell pre-installed on portable devices, including a set of tools for managing resources, functions and applications. Currently the most common operating systems for modern smartphones and tablets are Apple iOS(just on Apple devices) And Google Android(on devices from most manufacturers). Designed for them greatest number applications. The third most popular is Microsoft platform Windows, which, like Android, is not tied to the manufacturer. BlackBerry devices traditionally use their own OS, while others mobile platforms are extremely rare.

SIM card type

In modern mobile devices Three types of SIM cards are used to support cellular communications: module standard size mini-SIM, compact micro-SIM module and the smallest - nano-SIM. All three modules have the same pin arrangement and can be installed in any mobile device that has a SIM card slot. If the dimensions of the slot and SIM card do not match, an adapter is used or cut off plastic case. Currently, SIM cards are produced both in the form of a specific type of module and a universal one (Mini or Micro), from which, if necessary, a smaller module is “broken out” using special slots.

Number of SIM cards

OS version as of the start of sales

Android 4.4 KitKat

GSM is a global standard for digital mobile cellular communications, belongs to second generation networks (1G - analog cellular, 3G - broadband digital cellular communication). Telecom operators around the world use one of 4 frequency bands for GSM: in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia - 900, 1800 or 1900 MHz, and in America and Canada - 850, 1800 or 1900 MHz. A phone that supports only one of the GSM frequency standards will not function in networks of other standards. Currently, the vast majority of manufactured devices are three- and four-band, thanks to which they operate without problems all over the world.

850, 900, 1800, 1900

Memory

Built-in memory capacity

Modern portable devices are equipped with drives for storing files and installing applications, implemented in the form of Flash chips. The size of the built-in memory is key value when choosing a portable device, especially if it is not equipped with a slot for installing memory cards.

Volume random access memory

Used for temporary storage of data. Large amount of RAM allows you to increase overall performance system, makes it possible to comfortably work in multitasking mode and with resource-intensive applications.

Memory card support

Maximum memory card capacity

Wireless connection

Also referred to as LTE. This is wireless high speed mobile standard data transmission, based on previous technologies and a natural upgrade for operators with GSM networks/UMTS and CDMA2000. 4G exchanges data at speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s - the figure depends on the operator and the quality of network coverage. IN different countries 4G uses different frequencies, making it possible to connect only multi-band devices to 4G networks around the world.

3G - third generation of technology mobile communications. Combines high-speed (up to 3.6 Mbit/s) Internet access and radio communication technology that creates a data transmission channel. 3G networks are being built over existing networks GSM, while they work in parallel: both GSM and 3G are available to users. Switching between them occurs automatically and without interrupting the connection. 3G allows you to organize video telephony and view multimedia content, including movies.

Built-in wireless communication module that provides digital data transmission via radio channels. Allows you to create a wireless high speed connection With local network or the Internet at home, in the office or in in public places, for example, cafes, airports, hotels.

Short-range radio communications providing wireless transmission digital signal between compatible devices. Several standards are currently in use that are compatible with each other wireless interface Bluetooth. Each next version differs from the previous one in reduced power consumption, higher noise immunity and data transfer speed. For example, Bluetooth standard 4.0 supports communication at a distance of up to 100 meters, includes three types of protocols: classic Bluetooth, high-speed mode (based on Wi-Fi protocols) and low power mode.

GPS - global satellite system location determination. The GPS receiver uses signals from satellites to determine its coordinates. The accuracy of determining coordinates depends on the number of satellites that the GPS receiver “sees” and usually ranges from 1 to 10 meters.

GLONASS

The Global Navigation Satellite System is a Russian development, just like GPS, used to determine coordinates using signals received from satellites. As a rule, it is used in conjunction with GPS, which provides more accurate determination of coordinates.

Short-range wireless communication technology (no more than 10 cm), allowing two devices to exchange data. NFC module, built into the phone, makes it possible to make instant payments, for example, pay for subway travel or purchases in a store.

Connectors

Micro-USB is a compact version of the most common data transfer interface, designed for portable devices. Used in most modern smartphones, tablets, e-books, cameras and other portable devices. In 2011, it was approved as a unified standard for charging smartphones, tablets, players, etc. portable equipment, which allows you to charge your entire fleet of electronics using one cable.

Headphone jack

Nutrition

Battery capacity

Nominal battery capacity- this is the quantity electrical energy, which the battery must have in a charged state. It is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). The larger the capacity, the longer device will be able to work without being connected to the mains.

Talk time

Standby time

Screen

Horizontal screen resolution

Vertical screen resolution

Screen type

Today, screens for mobile devices are created using LCD technologies, where liquid crystals are used to backlight the matrix, and AMOLED - an active matrix on organic LEDs. The design of both matrices uses TFT thin-film transistors.

LCD screens can be divided into two groups: TN and IPS.

TN - the most old technology production of TFT matrices. Advantages: low price, a short time pixel response. Disadvantages: small viewing angles, inability to get perfect black color, as a result, low contrast, problems with correct color rendering. IN modern devices does not apply.

IPS is characterized by wide viewing angles (178 degrees), the ability to correctly display black color, which has a positive effect on brightness, contrast and color reproduction. LCD displays tend to overcompensate for red tones with muted greens, so the images they produce have natural color renditions that are close to standard profile color scheme used in photos and videos.

Separately worth noting Retina screen, developed by Apple based IPS matrices. It's so different high density pixels that the human eye is unable to notice that the image consists of them.

"Younger" AMOLED technology has both advantages and disadvantages compared to LCD. Among the undoubted advantages are shorter response times, thinner screens and full viewing angles (180 degrees). Each subpixel of such a matrix has its own backlight, which makes it possible to achieve a wide color gamut, high definition and picture contrast. However, AMOLED's ability to display a wider color scheme often results in oversaturated images and unnatural colors, since the most powerful colors in subpixels are blue and green. The energy consumption of AMOLED screens directly depends on the brightness of the image: to display black colors, the LEDs do not emit light, and when actively working in bright colors, they gradually “burn out” and power consumption increases significantly. The screen structure consists of several layers (matrix, LEDs, transistors), which makes it possible to produce rounded screens.

Touch screen type

Resistive screens are inexpensive to produce and respond to pressing (not touching) with any object: finger, stylus, credit card. When pressed, the conductive layers are mechanically closed (bending of the top layer) and the coordinates of the pressing point are calculated. Disadvantages: light transmission is no more than 85%, they do not support multiple simultaneous touch points, and they are not able to recognize pressure. Used in budget models portable devices, often in e-readers.

Capacitive touch screens most expensive to produce due to complex signal processing electronics. Advantages: recognition of multiple touch points (multi-touch), transparency up to 90%. Such screens are more durable, since the top layer is made of glass. Not susceptible to touch with regular gloves (special gloves are now being produced for capacitive screens) or hard objects. Used in most portable devices - smartphones, tablet computers, laptop touchpads.

Inductive screens respond only to a special stylus and are usually used in graphics tablets(artistic, children's).

Infrared screens work by to the following principle: The grid formed by IR rays is interrupted when any object touches the screen. The controller determines the location where the beam was interrupted. They are used more often in e-books.

capacitive

Multi-touch

A technology that allows touch screens to recognize multiple touch points simultaneously. It is especially relevant for providing navigation functions, scaling (moving or spreading fingers), and rotating objects on the screen.

What I didn't like

When flipping through the screens, the picture shifts and it becomes glitchy. It slows down in the menu

What I liked

Didn't slow down at first, strong, didn't crash

What I didn't like

Bad on/off button. It is very hard to feel and uncomfortable to press. And the most important problem is that the phone loses authorized Bluetooth devices after a reboot or after turning off/on bluetooth on the phone. For example, I synchronized the phone with another phone or speakerphone in the car - everything works fine, the phone automatically connects, but you just need to turn off and then turn on Bluetooth and that’s it, the phone starts asking for authorization again. Or, for example, the phone died and turned off - all you have to do is authorize all your devices again. This is a bug on absolutely all Galaxy s3 Neo GT-i9301i, I tested it on several.

What I liked

Good screen, operating speed

What I didn't like

Everything seems to be fine except for one thing - it constantly gets hot in the lower part. The old S3 only heats up when hard games. I don’t know how it will be in the case, better or worse.

What I liked

After the S3 mini, of course, it’s good at everything. One of the main points is the battery. Keeps in call mode for 3-4 days.

What I didn't like

What I liked

lightweight, fits well in the hand, good battery, powerful, lots of sensors, convenient control movements, as well as voice, Samoled screen.

What I didn't like

I haven’t found it yet, everyone writes about the heating of the rear part, it is present when you work hard. However, I would not say that the temperature is too high, my Galaxy S1 got hotter there

What I liked

I couldn’t find a better smartphone for this price, although I was looking for it. The screen is pleasing, slightly convex, in some moments the picture looks like 3D. The size of the device itself is convenient.

What I didn't like

I use it intensively, so I charge it every evening at night. That’s it.

What I liked

Fast, bold, sharp as a bullet! No glitches. Fits comfortably in the hand. The signal level is decent (it can catch in places where my old phone didn't catch it).

What I didn't like

What I liked

Screen, characteristics, etc.

What I didn't like

They just don't exist

What I liked

Everything is fine for the money, almost all phones heat up, it’s not critical

What I didn't like

The battery barely lasts for a working day. for almost six months of use several times and the night was completely discharged, the intelligent standby mode was a C, back cover- glossy and easily soiled

What I liked

two SIM cards, performance, screen, dimensions, memory (relative to other offers, 12 GB is available here), pulls powerful games, Samsung shell (subjectively attracts me), camera 4+, spirit-window mode, wide selection of accessories

What I didn't like

The back cover gets very hot

What I liked

All the advantages of the regular S3+ increased the amount of RAM

What I didn't like

I didn’t notice Symbian after the Nokia one, otherwise the battery would have been bigger

What I liked

price-quality ratio, 2 SIM cards work without glitches.

What I didn't like

There is no stabilization when shooting video, the quality of the video itself is good, but when you shoot video in motion it becomes blurry, perhaps the only thing that upset me about this smartphone.

What I liked

Excellent screen, simply excellent, good 4-core processor, responsive sensor, good amount of memory, 11 GB available out of 16GB, good main camera, can easily replace a budget camera, good front camera, flash can be used quite bright flashlight, the size of the smartphone is the most optimal, not small of course but not too big, it fits into a jeans pocket without any problems, I would also note the high-quality build of the smartphone. Another advantage I can answer is the excellent sound when listening to music through headphones.