The Panasonic Eluga A4 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro represent a segment of the market where value and practicality are paramount. Both devices aimed to deliver a functional smartphone experience at an accessible price point, but they took different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which phone offers the better overall package for today's user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing multitasking and a smoother overall experience, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 7870 chipset, built on a 14nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Eluga A4’s Mediatek MT6737, despite both utilizing Cortex-A53 cores.
| 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 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 5, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, November. Released 2017, November | 2017, June. Released 2017, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 149.5 x 74 x 9 mm (5.89 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 152.5 x 74.8 x 8 mm (6.00 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~67.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.25 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP1 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 91 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold, Mocha Gold, and Marine Blue | Black, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | ELUGA A4 | SM-J730G, SM-J730GM |
| Price | About 12500 INR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.7dB / Crosstalk -92.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.998 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 3768 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 1.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Panasonic Eluga A4
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance (107h)
- Significantly weaker processor
- Less responsive user experience
- Likely inferior camera performance
Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
- Faster and more efficient Exynos 7870 chipset
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially better camera quality
- More power efficient processor
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance rating to Eluga A4
Display Comparison
Both the Panasonic Eluga A4 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro share a reported contrast ratio of 'Infinite (nominal), 3.998 (sunlight)'. This suggests similar display technology, likely IPS LCD panels. However, without specific information on screen resolution, pixel density, or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The J7 Pro’s brand reputation suggests a potentially better-calibrated display, but this is speculative. The lack of detailed display specs makes it difficult to assess viewing experience differences.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing features. Given Samsung’s generally stronger camera software and hardware optimization, the J7 Pro likely delivers superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of detailed camera specs prevents a precise assessment, but Samsung’s brand history suggests a more refined camera experience. It's reasonable to assume the J7 Pro offers better dynamic range and noise reduction.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro’s Exynos 7870 Octa, fabricated on a 14nm process, significantly outperforms the Panasonic Eluga A4’s Mediatek MT6737 (28nm). The Exynos 7870’s octa-core configuration at 1.6 GHz versus the Eluga A4’s quad-core 1.25 GHz translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The smaller fabrication node of the Exynos chip also implies better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs use Cortex-A53 cores, the sheer number of cores and the manufacturing process give the J7 Pro a clear advantage for users who engage in more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both the Panasonic Eluga A4 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 107 hours. This suggests comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Exynos 7870’s 14nm process is more power-efficient than the MT6737’s 28nm process. This could translate to slightly longer real-world battery life for the J7 Pro, even with similar capacity. Without knowing the actual battery capacity (mAh) of each device, it’s difficult to determine which phone offers superior longevity. The equal endurance rating suggests optimized software and usage profiles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Panasonic Eluga A4 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro if you prefer a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a slightly more refined camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7870 in the J7 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7870, built on a 14nm process, is relatively efficient. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling like the MT6737 in the Eluga A4, which is built on a larger 28nm node. The J7 Pro should maintain a more consistent frame rate for longer periods.
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro significantly better for low-light photography?
While specific camera specs are unavailable, Samsung generally excels in image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The J7 Pro likely benefits from better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the Eluga A4, resulting in clearer and more detailed photos in challenging lighting scenarios.
❓ Will the Panasonic Eluga A4 struggle with modern Android apps and multitasking?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6737’s quad-core processor and lower clock speed will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns when running multiple apps or demanding applications. The Eluga A4 is best suited for basic tasks and light usage.
