Samsung Galaxy Core LTE review: Fast at the core

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Core is built around a 4.5" PLS display, which is a step up from the first-generation Core's 4.3" TFT unit. The resolution follows suit - up to qHD here from WVGA on the original Core. This results in a pixel density of 245ppi - good enough for the phone's entry-level spot.

The display of the Galaxy Core LTE

Compared to the original Core, contrast and brightness are slightly better, but not spectacular. Outdoor visibility, however, is great and you'll have no problems reading the screen in bright sunlight.

Display test	50% brightness			100% brightness
	Black, cd/m2	White, cd/m2	Contrast ratio	Black, cd/m2	White, cd/m2	Contrast ratio
Samsung Galaxy Core LTE	0.27	221	828	0.68	561	827
Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo	0.25	209	839	0.61	482	786
Samsung I9082 Galaxy Grand	0.37	382	1040	0.62	586	948
Samsung Galaxy Ace 3	0.22	180	828	0.54	472	879
LG Nexus 5	0.31	298	948	0.54	526	967
LG G2	0.10	149	1522	0.45	667	1495
LG Optimus G	0.14	197	1445	0.33	417	1438
Sony Xperia Z1	-	-	-	0.38	580	1513
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4	0	201	∞	0	404	∞
HTC One	0.13	205	1580	0.42	647	1541
Oppo Find 5	0.17	176	1123	0.51	565	1107

Color reproduction isn't too great though. Colors look a bit washed out which may be down to a halfhearted effort at calibrating the display. Viewing the even at under the slightest angle results in poor contrast.

Sunlight legibility comes in about the same - towards the bottom of the chart.

Sunlight contrast ratio

• Nokia 808 PureView
  4.698
• Apple iPhone 5
  3.997
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
  3.997
• Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
  3.419
• Nokia Lumia 925
  3.402
• Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
  3.352
• Samsung Omnia W
  3.301
• Samsung Galaxy S
  3.155
• Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
  3.127
• Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom
  3.118
• Nokia N9
  3.069
• Samsung Galaxy Note
  2.970
• Sony Xperia Z1
  2.950
• HTC One S
  2.901
• BlackBerry Q10
  2.856
• Samsung Galaxy S II
  2.832
• Samsung Galaxy S II Plus
  2.801
• BlackBerry Z30
  2.790
• Huawei Ascend P1
  2.655
• Sony Xperia ZR
  2.672
• Nokia Lumia 900
  2.562
• HTC One Max
  2.537
• Nokia Lumia 720
  2.512
• HTC One
  2.504
• Sony Xperia Z
  2.462
• Samsung Galaxy S III mini
  2.422
• Motorola RAZR i
  2.366
• Samsung Galaxy Note II
  2.307
• Apple iPhone 4S
  2.269
• HTC Desire 600 dual sim
  2.262
• LG Nexus 5
  2.228
• HTC One X
  2.158
• Nokia N8
  2.144
• Oppo Find 5
  2.088
• BlackBerry Z10
  2.051
• Apple iPhone 4
  2.016
• HTC One mini
  2.003
• LG G2
  1.976
• Sony Ericsson Xperia ray
  1.955
• Samsung Galaxy Camera
  1.938
• HTC Butterfly
  1.873
• Huawei Ascend P6
  1.865
• Sony Xperia V
  1.792
• Sony Xperia U
  1.758
• Meizu MX3
  1.754
• LG Optimus 4X HD
  1.691
• HTC One V
  1.685
• BlackBerry Q5
  1.682
• LG Optimus Vu
  1.680
• LG Optimus GJ
  1.666
• HTC Desire V
  1.646
• Samsung Galaxy Ace 3
  1.622
• Sony Xperia Z Ultra
  1.578
• Samsung Galaxy Core
  1.563
• LG Optimus G Pro
  1.552
• LG Optimus 3D
  1.542
• Samsung Galaxy Core LTE
  1.542
• Nokia Asha 302
  1.537
• Sony Xperia M
  1.473
• Nokia Lumia 610
  1.432
• Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo
  1.393
• Gigabyte GSmart G1355
  1.361
• Samsung Galaxy Grand
  1.321
• HTC Desire C
  1.300
• Nokia Asha 501
  1.270
• LG Optimus L7
  1.269
• LG Optimus L9
  1.227
• Meizu MX
  1.221
• Sony Xperia E dual
  1.203
• Samsung Galaxy Pocket
  1.180
• Sony Xperia tipo
  1.166
• Samsung Galaxy mini 2
  1.114

Handling

The Samsung Galaxy Core LTE feels solid in the hand. The bump in display size hasn't affected the handling and portability, and the resolution upgrade is welcome.

Handling the Galaxy Core LTE is a delight

The new matte back cover improves grip and gets rid of fingerprints. The all-plastic handset is well put together and the quality of the finish is reasonable.