Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen vs Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016): A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016) were popular budget contenders. Both offered a compelling entry point into the Android ecosystem, but which one truly delivered the better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G 3rd Gen generally edges out the Galaxy J2 (2016) thanks to its superior chipset and overall performance. While the J2 offers Samsung's brand recognition and potentially slightly better software support, the Moto G provides a smoother, faster experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Moto G Dual SIM (3rd gen)	Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - XT1550	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 40 - XT1550	1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 40 - India
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	4, 7, 28 - XT1543, XT1544	-

Launch
Announced	2015, July. Released 2015, July	2016, July. Released 2016, July
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.46 in)	142.4 x 71.1 x 8 mm (5.61 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)	Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight	155 g (5.47 oz)	138 g (4.87 oz)
	IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	-
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.0% screen-to-body ratio)	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	Super AMOLED

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)	Spreadtrum SC8830
GPU	Adreno 306	Mali-400MP2
OS	Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM	8GB 1.5GB RAM
	eMMC 4.5	-

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, AF	8 MP, f/2.2, AF
Video	1080p@30fps, HDR	720p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	5 MP, f/2.2	5 MP, f/2.2

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX	4.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Ambient light sensor, accelerometer (2), proximity sensor	Accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Music play	-	Up to 54 h
Talk time	-	Up to 14 h (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 2470 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Silver, Black, Gold
Models	XT1550, XT1543, XT1544	SM-J210F, SM-J210G, SM-J210H, SM-J210GU
Price	About 170 EUR	About 120 EUR
SAR EU	0.91 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body)	0.59 W/kg (head) 1.24 W/kg (body)

Tests
Performance	-	Basemark OS II 2.0: 406Basemark X: 1419

OUR TESTS
Performance	-	Basemark OS II 2.0: 406Basemark X: 1419

Motorola Moto G Dual SIM (3rd gen)

Better Performance
Cleaner Android Experience
Potentially better camera
Good Value

Plastic Build
Basic Camera Features
Screen could be brighter

Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016)

Samsung Brand Recognition
Potentially better software support (though often bloated)
Slightly larger battery (capacity)

Weaker Performance
Less Efficient Chipset
Lower Camera Quality
Samsung's UI can be intrusive

Display Comparison

The Moto G 3rd Gen typically features a 5.0-inch 720p display, offering decent clarity. The Galaxy J2 (2016) also has a 5.0-inch 720p display. Both are adequate for the price point, but neither excels in color accuracy or brightness. Viewing angles are acceptable on both.

Camera Comparison

The Moto G 3rd Gen usually has an 8MP or 13MP rear camera (depending on the variant) and a 2MP front camera. The Galaxy J2 (2016) typically features a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally acceptable on both, but the Moto G often captures slightly more detail and better dynamic range, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is weak on both.

Performance

Here's where the Moto G 3rd Gen pulls ahead. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, while not a powerhouse, is generally more efficient and offers better performance than the Spreadtrum SC8830 in the Galaxy J2. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Moto G also tend to perform better than the Cortex-A7 cores in the J2. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Moto G.

Battery Life

The Galaxy J2 (2016) often boasts a slightly larger battery capacity (2600mAh) compared to the Moto G 3rd Gen (2800mAh). However, the Moto G's more efficient chipset often results in comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a cleaner Android experience. It's a good choice for basic tasks, light gaming, and everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016) might appeal to those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem or seeking a slightly more polished (though potentially bloated) software experience, and who value Samsung's brand.