The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is doing pretty well as far as mid-range smart phones are concerned. So far, it has got the better of the LG Optimus L4 II, but can it do just as well against the base model in Nokia’s Lumia range? Nokia is really pushing the envelope with its Lumia range (the Nokia Lumia 1020), but what about the mid-range smart phone? Can it do just as well on a budget? Read on to find out...

Phone Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 Nokia Lumia 520
Image The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 vs the Nokia Lumia 520-samsung_galaxy_ace3_2.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 vs the Nokia Lumia 520-nokia_lumia_520.jpg
Operating System Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean) Windows Phone 8
Processor Dual Core, 1200 MHz, Dual Core, 1000 MHz, Krait
System Chip Unknown Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8227
System Memory 1 GB RAM 0.5 GB RAM
Graphics Processor Yes Adreno 305
Display 4.0” TFT 4.0” IPS LCD
Screen Resolution 800 x 480 pixels 800 x 480 pixels
Pixel Density 233 ppi 235 ppi
Storage 5 GB User Memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC up to 64 GB 8 GB User Memory + microSD / microsSDHC / microSDXC up to 64 GB
Primary Camera 5 MP 5 MP
Flash LED ?
Secondary Camera 0.3 MP, VGA None
WiFi WiFi 802.11 b / g / n WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n
Bluetooth 4.0 3.0
Battery 1,800 mAh 1,430 mAh
Weight 120 g 124 g
Dimensions 121.2 x 62.7 x 10 mm 119.9 x 64 x 9.9 mm
Announced 10th June 2013 25th February 2013


Size and weight

In terms of size and weight, there really is very little separating both these smart-phones. The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 measures 121.2 x 62.7 x 10 mm while the Nokia Lumia 520 measures 119.9 x 64 x 9.9 mm. So, while the Galaxy Ace 3 is fractionally narrower, it is a bit longer than the Lumia 520. In terms of thickness too, there is only a marginal difference with the Lumia 520 being slightly thinner than the Galaxy Ace 3. I can’t believe Nokia made a phone which is thinner than Samsung.

But still, I’m pretty sure this one should be a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Zero / Nokia Lumia 520 - Zero)


Display

The story is pretty much the same when it comes to the display. Both cell phones have a 4.0” screen and a resolution of 800 x 480. In terms of pixel density as well, the Galaxy Ace 3 has 233 ppi and the Lumia 520 has 235 ppi. One point of interest though is that the Galaxy Ace 3 has a TFT screen while the Lumia 520 has an IPS LCD. You could say that the Lumia 520 provides a slightly better display experience than the Galaxy Ace 3.

This point should be avoided to the Lumia 520.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Zero / Nokia Lumia 520 - One)


Memory & Storage

In terms of memory, there isn’t much you can expect from a mid-range cell phone. That being said, the Galaxy Ace 3 comes with 1 GB of RAM which is and outstanding accomplishment considering it’s so cheap. The Lumia 520 is much like any other mid-range smart phone with just 512 MB of RAM. Still, both phones perform just as well with the Galaxy Ace 3 providing a slightly better frame rate than the Lumia 520. In terms of storage, both these phones are almost alike. Both offer up to 64 GB of external storage via microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC. The user memory on the Lumia 520 is 8 GB while the Galaxy Ace 3 has 5 GB of user memory.

While the extra 3 GB of inbuilt memory doesn’t make much of a difference the extra 0.5 GB of RAM means that this point will go to Samsung.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - One / Nokia Lumia 520 - One)


Camera

Both these phones have pretty much the same camera on the back, a 5 MP. But while the Galaxy Ace 3 has an LED flash, the Lumia 520 doesn’t support flash photography. Both phones support video recording at 720 p but the Galaxy Ace 3 has a 0.3 MP camera on the front which is lacking in the Lumia 520.

Considering the amount of success Nokia is having with its latest camera smart-phone, it’s surprising the Lumia 520 is going to lose this point.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Two / Nokia Lumia 520 - One)


OS & Performance

The Galaxy Ace 3 runs on the latest Android operating system, 4.2.2 (JellyBean) and the Lumia 520 runs on the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows Phone 8. Which is better? Well, both have their own pros and cons. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you prefer. In terms of performance, both phones have Dual core processors as well as graphics processors.

It would unfair to call one better than the other and therefore, this one is a tie.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Two / Nokia Lumia 520 - One)


Battery

The Galaxy Ace 3 comes with an 1,800 mAh battery while the Lumia 520 comes with just a 1,430 mAh battery. I don’t have any information on the Galaxy Ace 3 as far as battery life is concerned, but Samsung is pretty reliable so there isn’t much to worry about. As far as Nokia is concerned, the Lumia 520 has a stand-by time of 15 days which is average at most.

But since there isn’t much information available about the Galaxy Ace 3, it would be unfair to award this point to anyone. Therefore, it’s a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Two / Nokia Lumia 520 - One)


Price

There isn’t any official information as far as the price of the Galaxy Ace 3 is concerned but if the latest rumors are to be believed, it’s going to cost somewhere around $ 300. That is quite high considering you can pick up a Lumia 520 for around $ 200. I think Samsung is trying to cash in on their popularity in the market. I don’t think it will work though.

Let’s face it, there isn’t anything on the Galaxy Ace 3 that is worth the additional $ 100. The point goes to the Lumia 520.

(Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - Two / Nokia Lumia 520 - Two)


Conclusion

Well, the score is tied at 2 to 2 but does that mean that both these cell phones are exactly the same? In short, no. While the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 wins as far as the RAM and camera are concerned, the Nokia Lumia 520 has a better display and is a lot cheaper. This means that the choice will depend on whether you want a better camera and a faster phone or a cheaper phone with a sharper display. Which one would you prefer?


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See More: The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 vs the Nokia Lumia 520