Released a year apart, the Oppo A1 (2018) and Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) represent competing strategies in the budget smartphone market. The J7 aimed for a balanced experience with a focus on display quality and battery endurance, while the A1 prioritized processing power within a similar price bracket. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Oppo A1 (2018) emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P23, clocked at 2.5 GHz, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)'s 1.6 GHz Exynos 7870, despite both utilizing an octa-core configuration. However, both phones offer identical battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, April | 2017, June. Released 2017, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 152.5 x 74.8 x 8 mm (6.00 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), ColorOS 3.2 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 91 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep sea blue, Cherry red, Pearl white | Black, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | SM-J730F, SM-J730FM, SM-S727VL, SM-J730K |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 108h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.812 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 3779 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 1.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A1 (2018)
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- More responsive user experience
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
- Well-known and trusted brand
- Potentially better display color accuracy
- Similar battery endurance to the Oppo A1
- Slower processor for less demanding tasks
- Less responsive user experience
- May struggle with multitasking
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A1 (2018) and Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) share the same reported display characteristics: an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) and a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.812. This suggests similar panel technology and outdoor visibility. However, the lack of specific information regarding resolution, panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED), and color gamut makes a definitive judgment impossible. Given Samsung's historical strength in display technology, the J7 likely benefits from slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles, but this is speculative.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. It's reasonable to assume both phones feature similar mid-range camera performance, adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A1 (2018) utilizes the Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23, fabricated on a 16nm process, and features an octa-core CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz. The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) employs the Exynos 7870, built on a more efficient 14nm process, but with a slower clock speed of 1.6 GHz. While the 14nm process *should* offer better power efficiency, the significantly higher clock speed of the Helio P23 translates to demonstrably faster performance in CPU-bound tasks. This difference will be noticeable in app loading times, web browsing, and multitasking. The A1 is better suited for users who demand more from their phone.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Oppo A1 (2018) and Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) achieve an endurance rating of 108 hours. This suggests similar battery capacity and power management efficiency, despite the differing chipsets. The 14nm process of the Exynos 7870 *could* contribute to slightly better standby power consumption, but the faster Helio P23 in the A1 likely offsets this during active use. Charging speeds are not specified, making it impossible to determine which phone offers faster 0-100% charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A1 (2018) if you need a phone that feels snappier for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming. Its faster processor will handle multiple apps and demanding interfaces more smoothly. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) if you prioritize a well-established brand reputation and a potentially more refined software experience, and if you are less concerned with raw processing speed. Both phones offer similar battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7870 in the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 7870 is a relatively efficient chip, its lower clock speed and older architecture mean it's more likely to exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming. Expect frame rate drops and reduced performance after approximately 30-45 minutes of demanding gameplay. The Helio P23 in the Oppo A1 may also throttle, but its higher initial performance provides a larger buffer.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically produce low-resolution, noisy images with limited detail. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus severely limit their usefulness. You'll likely get better results using the main camera in standard photo mode and cropping in.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
Both phones can *run* PUBG Mobile, but the experience will differ. The Oppo A1 (2018) will likely achieve higher and more stable frame rates, potentially allowing for medium graphics settings. The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) will likely require lower graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops, especially during intense firefights.
