Samsung’s 2017 refresh of its budget Galaxy J3 phone has quietly launched in the US on carriers including AT&T. Here’s all you need to know including the device’s specs and price.
The new Galaxy J3 isn’t a premium handset in the mould of the Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus, though its design is somewhat reminiscent of Samsung’s excellent flagships.
As expected, the 2017 update sports a 5-inch display with a 720p resolution – the same spec as the 2016 Galaxy J3, and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t hoping for a 1080p upgrade.
Elsewhere, the J3’s camera specs have actually been downgraded, at least on paper. Where the 2016 model came with an 8-megapixel primary (rear) camera and 5-megapixel front snapper, the new version drops to a 5-megapixel main shooter and a 2-megapixel ‘selfie’ cam.
However, there’s more to camera performance than numbers on a spec sheet, so we’ll be reserving judgement until we’ve spent some time with the refreshed handset.
The 2017 Galaxy J3 packs the same 2600mAh battery cell as its predecessor, and packs a slightly upgraded processor in the Exynos 7570, which is backed up by 1.5GB of RAM. Storage is limited to 16GB on-board, with the option of expansion up to 256GB via a microSD card slot.
It also ships with Android Nougat, albeit version 7.0 rather than the newer 7.1 release.
As you’d expect with these entry-level specs, the Galaxy J3 doesn’t cost the earth, with US outright pricing pegged at $180 (~£140) from AT&T and pay monthly contracts also available. For more details, follow the link below.
Buy Now: Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) from AT&T
UK price and release date information have yet to be revealed, but we’d expect it to land in Europe sooner rather than later. John Lewis currently sells the 2016 J3 for £130, and we can’t see sterling pricing for the updated version being much more than that.
Can’t wait to buy a new budget blower? The eagerly anticipated Nokia 3310 reboot will launch in the UK on May 24.
Like the sound of the 2017 Galaxy J3? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
