Several notches higher
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S3 with its contemporary flagship smartphone like the Sony Xperia S, Samsung’s handset is obviously several notches higher especially when it comes to craftsmanship.
Despite using a glossy plastic backplate which is actually polycarbonate, the material is quite tough due to its pliability and makes the handset also scratch-resistant better than the mere scratch-resistant coating that was used on the HTC One X, the Sony Xperia S, and the glass of the iPhone 4S.
Another good thing going for the users of the smartphone is that it is quite inexpensive for them to get replacement backs for the Samsung Galaxy S3 that they simply cannot do so with its competitors.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is actually the most successful Android phone of all time and despite the coming of subsequent flagship smartphones from various smartphone makers in the following years, it continues to hold its own in terms of features and specifications, not to mention durability.
I have owned a refurbished S3 for over 6 months and it is as powerful as my HP computer which has Win 7 and 8gb memory.
The S3 now has Android 4.4.2 and is as fast as most cell phones my friends have.
I purchased a 4800mAh thin battery [same size as the original 2100mAh] and it lasts about 20 hours [I am not a heavy user].
I have dropped it a few times, but not on concrete, so it is still looking great. I do use a screen protector even though the glass is tough.
I won’t be getting a new phone for a long time.
I just upgraded from a used Sprint Galaxy 2 on FreedomPop Wireless to a Galaxy 3 on StraightTalk using Verizon 4G LTE. The Galaxy 2 was fast enough ( in 2015), but FreedomPop’s free VOIP service wasn’t quite good enough to use the phone professionally.
I upgraded to 4G and the galaxy S3 for $120, got a 7200mAH (Zerolemon battery), which makes the phone about 0.65″ thick. This thickness is substantial and makes the phone easier to hold.
This phone does everything, is impressively fast, and now lasts 4-6 days per charge. The one downside is my refurbished phone came boot locked to 4.4.2, which means (at this time) there are only 2 de-bloated 4.4.2 roms available and its unlikely I can upgrade to a newer Android due to VZW’s lock down.
Everyone should roll their own phone and use an MVNO on ATT or VZW at half the price. GS3 is a perfect device to do this.
This phone has a good look, that’s the main attraction, and 4.7 lcd is enough, big screen is not that good while using with single hand.
I miss my s3.
My s3 is at least 2 1/2 years old (typing this post on it in fact.) I am loathe to “upgrade” as I Qi charge, have microSD and my s3 still takes nice landscape photos and is still functioning pretty well! If it locks up, I pop the battery out and then it’s fine.
I am not convinced I need a new phone!