Choosing between two older Samsung phones can be tricky. The Galaxy A8 (2016) offered a premium feel, while the J7 Pro aimed for extended battery life and a bright display. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A8 (2016) boasts a more powerful processor and a slightly more refined design. However, the J7 Pro shines with its exceptional battery life and potentially brighter display. For performance, A8 wins; for longevity, J7 Pro takes the crown.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38 - Taiwan | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - UAE | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, October | 2017, June. Released 2017, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 76.8 x 7.2 mm (6.17 x 3.02 x 0.28 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, AF | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.9 | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 44 h | Up to 91 h |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Pink, Silver, Gold | Black, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | SM-A8100, SM-A810F, SM-A810F, SM-A810YZ, SM-A810S | SM-J730G, SM-J730GM |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.13 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016)
- More powerful processor
- Premium design and build quality
- Potentially better front-facing camera
- Slightly better color accuracy
- Shorter battery life
- Older model, potentially less software support
Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Bright and easily viewable display
- Good value for money (if found at a low price)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor
- More basic design
- Potentially lower camera quality in low light
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The J7 Pro's contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' (nominal), suggesting excellent contrast, though the 3.998 sunlight rating indicates good visibility outdoors. The A8 (2016) likely has slightly better color accuracy due to its higher-end positioning, but both offer a pleasant viewing experience. Screen sizes are similar, around 5.5 inches.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed, but both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities. The A8 (2016) likely has a slightly better front-facing camera, a common trait for its higher-end status. Image quality in good lighting should be comparable, but the A8 (2016) might offer slightly better low-light performance due to its more powerful processor assisting image processing.
Performance
The A8 (2016) has a clear advantage here. Its Exynos 7420 chipset with dual Cortex-A57 cores provides significantly more processing power than the J7 Pro's Exynos 7870 with all Cortex-A53 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the A8 (2016).
Battery Life
The J7 Pro's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 107 hours. This is significantly better than the A8 (2016), which typically offers a day's worth of usage. If battery life is your top priority, the J7 Pro is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a more premium build quality, even if it means sacrificing some battery life. The Galaxy J7 Pro is a great choice for those who need a phone that can last all day and beyond, and value a bright, easily viewable screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy A8 (2016) still worth buying?
If you prioritize performance and a premium feel, and don't mind shorter battery life, it can be a decent option, especially if found at a low price. However, consider its age and potential lack of software updates.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Galaxy J7 Pro has significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 107 hours compared to the A8 (2016)'s typical one-day usage.
