The Lenovo K7 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2 represent a segment of the market where value is paramount. Both devices aimed to deliver a functional smartphone experience at an accessible price point. However, they took different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their choice of system-on-chip (SoC). This comparison dissects those differences and determines which phone offers the better overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a more refined experience, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2 is the better choice. Its Exynos 7870, built on a 14nm process, offers a performance advantage and better thermal headroom compared to the Lenovo K7’s Unisoc SC9863A, despite the K7’s newer Cortex-A55 cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 13 | 2018, March. Released 2018, April |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 151.7 x 75 x 8 mm (5.97 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 0 (5.68 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 92.6 cm2 | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 84 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | SM-G611F, SM-G611FF, SM-G611M, SM-G611MT, SM-G611K |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.63 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo K7
- Potentially longer software support from Lenovo.
- More modern Cortex-A55 cores offer improved IPC.
- Unisoc chipset may offer slightly better standby power consumption.
- Larger 28nm process leads to lower performance and higher heat.
- Likely less refined user experience compared to Samsung.
- Potentially inferior camera image processing.
Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2
- More efficient 14nm Exynos 7870 chipset.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading times.
- Benefit from Samsung’s display and camera expertise.
- Older Cortex-A53 CPU architecture.
- Potentially shorter software support lifecycle.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Lenovo K7.
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for a standout display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are limited in the provided data. However, the J7 Prime 2 likely benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of information on PWM dimming rates makes it impossible to assess potential eye strain differences, but Samsung historically has implemented higher frequencies.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s reasonable to assume the J7 Prime 2 benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) in this price segment suggests neither device will excel in macro or depth sensing. The larger sensor size (if present on the J7 Prime 2) would be the most significant factor in low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2’s Exynos 7870, fabricated on a 14nm process, provides a significant advantage in transistor density and thermal efficiency over the Lenovo K7’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Exynos utilizes Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.6GHz, while the K7 uses a mix of Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6GHz and 1.2GHz. The A53 is an older architecture, but the 14nm process allows it to operate more efficiently. The K7’s A55 cores are more modern, offering improved instructions per clock (IPC), but the larger process node limits their overall performance potential. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the J7 Prime 2.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Exynos 7870’s 14nm process is more power-efficient than the Unisoc SC9863A’s 28nm process. This means the J7 Prime 2 is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar or even smaller battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but faster charging would be a significant advantage for either device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K7 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from Lenovo and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Unisoc chipset’s efficiency might translate to slightly better standby battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, especially when multitasking or running slightly more demanding applications. The Exynos 7870 provides a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7870 in the J7 Prime 2 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7870, built on a 14nm process, is relatively efficient and shouldn't suffer from severe overheating during moderate gaming. However, sustained, high-intensity gaming will likely lead to some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. The larger process node of the K7's Unisoc chip would likely throttle even more aggressively.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (A53 vs A55) noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, while the Cortex-A53 is a capable core, the Cortex-A55 offers improvements in instructions per clock (IPC). Combined with the more efficient 14nm process, the J7 Prime 2 will feel snappier when launching apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The difference won't be dramatic, but it's perceptible.
❓ How does the 28nm process of the Unisoc SC9863A impact battery life compared to the 14nm Exynos 7870?
The 28nm process is significantly less efficient than 14nm. This means the Unisoc chip consumes more power for the same amount of work. While battery capacity plays a role, the J7 Prime 2 is likely to offer comparable or better battery life due to the Exynos 7870's superior power efficiency.
