Released in 2016, the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy J7 represent competing visions for the affordable smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offered the better value proposition for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) emerges as the slightly stronger choice. While both phones share a similar endurance rating of 101 hours, the Galaxy J7’s potential for an Exynos 7870 chipset (depending on region) offers a performance edge over the Oppo A59’s Mediatek MT6750, making it better suited for multitasking and moderately demanding applications.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A59t | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, June. Released 2016, June | 2016, March 29. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.5 x 76 x 7.4 mm (6.08 x 2.99 x 0.29 in) | 151.7 x 76 x 7.8 mm (5.97 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm)Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 405Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 3 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 5 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent for dual-SIM model) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 96 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 23 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3075 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | SM-J710FN, SM-J710F, SM-J710H, SM-J710M, SM-J710GN, SM-J710MN, SM-J710K, SM-J7108, SM-J710FQ |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.902 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1007Basemark X: 11199 |
Oppo A59 (2016)
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on ColorOS version)
- Competitive price point in 2016
- Decent battery life (101h endurance)
- Mediatek MT6750 chipset is less efficient than Exynos 7870
- Limited information on display quality
- Camera performance likely basic
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
- Potential for more powerful and efficient Exynos 7870 chipset
- Samsung brand recognition and ecosystem
- Comparable battery life (101h endurance)
- Snapdragon 617 variant offers less performance advantage
- Software updates likely limited
- Camera performance likely basic
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) feature displays with an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio and a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.902, suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specific details regarding resolution, panel type (IPS vs. TFT), and color gamut coverage. Given the price point, both likely utilized TFT panels, and the viewing experience would have been adequate but not exceptional. The absence of information on display size makes a direct comparison impossible, but both were targeted at users prioritizing functionality over premium display quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without specific sensor details (megapixel count, aperture, sensor size), a meaningful comparison is difficult. It’s safe to assume both devices featured basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device would likely offer limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing would have been a key differentiator, with Samsung typically employing more vibrant and saturated color profiles.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A59 utilizes the Mediatek MT6750, a 28nm octa-core processor with a heterogeneous core configuration (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Samsung Galaxy J7, however, came in two variants: one with the Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (also 28nm) and another with the Exynos 7870 (14nm). The Exynos 7870, built on a smaller 14nm process, offers superior power efficiency and potentially higher sustained performance compared to both the MT6750 and Snapdragon 617. While both chipsets feature octa-core Cortex-A53 configurations, the Exynos 7870’s more advanced manufacturing process translates to less heat generation and reduced throttling during prolonged use. The CPU clock speeds are similar (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 for the Snapdragon 617, and 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 for the Exynos 7870), but the architectural improvements in the Exynos give it an edge.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A59 and Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) achieve an endurance rating of 101 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. This suggests similar battery capacities and power management optimizations. However, the potential for the Exynos 7870-equipped Galaxy J7 to be more power-efficient could translate to slightly longer real-world usage, especially during demanding tasks. The context data doesn’t provide charging wattage information, making it impossible to compare charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A59 (2016) if you prioritize a slightly more streamlined software experience and are comfortable with the Mediatek chipset’s performance profile. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem, potentially benefit from the more efficient Exynos 7870 variant, and value a brand with a longer track record of software updates (even if limited for these models).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7870 chip in the Galaxy J7 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7870, built on a 14nm process, is significantly more thermally efficient than the 28nm Mediatek MT6750 and Snapdragon 617. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it's less prone to overheating and throttling during prolonged gaming, offering a more consistent experience.
❓ Is the camera on either of these phones capable of taking good low-light photos?
Neither the Oppo A59 nor the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) were known for exceptional low-light camera performance. Without OIS or large sensors, image quality in low-light conditions would likely be noisy and lack detail. Expect acceptable results for social media sharing, but not professional-quality photos.
❓ Which phone is better for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016), particularly the variant with the Exynos 7870 chipset, is better suited for multitasking. The more efficient processor and potentially larger RAM allocation (depending on the specific model) allow for smoother app switching and reduced lag when running multiple applications concurrently.
