The Samsung Galaxy Core I8260 and Core Plus represent Samsung’s attempts to deliver affordable Android experiences. While both target the budget-conscious consumer, key differences in their internal hardware, particularly the chipset in the I8260, create distinct performance and usability profiles. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a better viewing experience and potentially smoother multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy Core I8260 is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play chipset and significantly higher display contrast ratio offer tangible benefits over the Core Plus, despite both sharing a similar CPU clock speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - GT-I8260 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - G3500 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2013, October. Released 2013, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 129.3 x 67.6 x 9 mm (5.09 x 2.66 x 0.35 in) | 129.7 x 66 x 9.5 mm (5.11 x 2.60 x 0.37 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 124 g (4.37 oz) | 132.5 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~60.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~61.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play | - |
| GPU | Adreno 203 | - |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB (4.5GB user available), 1GB RAM | 4GB |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Video | - | |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) | Up to 320 h |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) | Up to 9 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Blue, Chic White | White, Black, Pink |
| Models | GT-I8260, GT-I8262 | SM-G3502, SM-G350, SM-G352, SM-G3520, SM-G3502C, SM-G3502U |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.8dB / Crosstalk -73.5dB |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB |
Samsung Galaxy Core I8260
- Superior display contrast ratio for better viewing.
- More powerful Snapdragon S4 Play chipset for smoother performance.
- Better battery endurance (49h rating).
- Older device, potentially limited software support.
- Camera specifications are not detailed.
Samsung Galaxy Core Plus
- Potentially lower price point.
- Simpler user experience.
- Samsung brand recognition.
- Less powerful processor.
- Likely inferior display quality.
- Missing endurance rating suggests shorter battery life.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Core I8260 boasts a significantly superior display, evidenced by its contrast ratio of 842:1 (nominal) and 1.563:1 in sunlight. This indicates deeper blacks and better visibility in bright conditions compared to the Core Plus, which lacks specific contrast ratio data, suggesting a standard IPS panel. While both likely feature similar resolutions given their target market, the I8260’s higher contrast directly translates to a more enjoyable media consumption experience. The improved sunlight readability is crucial for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are equipped with a camera capable of taking photos, but detailed specifications are limited. The lack of information regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing capabilities makes a direct comparison difficult. However, given the I8260’s overall more robust hardware, it’s reasonable to assume its camera module benefits from the Snapdragon S4 Play’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially resulting in better image quality and faster processing. The Core Plus likely features a more basic camera setup.
Performance
While both devices share a dual-core 1.2 GHz CPU, the Samsung Galaxy Core I8260’s Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play chipset provides a substantial advantage. The Snapdragon S4 Play includes an Adreno 203 GPU, offering significantly better graphics performance than the GPU found in the Core Plus. This translates to smoother gaming and faster app loading times. The Snapdragon’s architecture is also more efficient, potentially leading to better battery life under load. The Core Plus, lacking specific chipset details, likely relies on a less powerful and less efficient processor.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Core I8260 achieves an endurance rating of 49 hours, indicating a respectable battery life. The Core Plus lacks this endurance rating, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Snapdragon S4 Play’s power efficiency could contribute to the I8260’s longer battery life, even with similar battery capacities (which are not specified for either device). Without charging wattage information, it’s impossible to compare charging speeds, but the I8260’s overall efficiency suggests it may require less frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Core I8260 if you need a phone with a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors, and anticipate needing to run multiple apps simultaneously. The Snapdragon S4 Play provides a performance edge. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Core Plus if you prioritize simplicity and are looking for the absolute lowest cost of entry into the Samsung ecosystem, accepting a more basic user experience and potentially slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play in the Galaxy Core I8260 powerful enough for modern apps?
While not a flagship processor, the Snapdragon S4 Play is capable of running most common Android apps smoothly. However, demanding games or heavily multi-tasking may experience some slowdown. It represents a significant step up in performance compared to the processor likely found in the Core Plus.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Core Plus receive software updates?
Given the age of both devices, official software updates are unlikely. However, the Core Plus may have received a later initial Android version than the I8260, potentially extending its usable lifespan slightly. Custom ROMs may be an option for advanced users.
❓ How does the display contrast ratio of the I8260 affect everyday use?
The 842:1 contrast ratio on the I8260 means blacks appear deeper and colors are more vibrant. This makes photos, videos, and even text more visually appealing. The 1.563:1 sunlight contrast ratio is particularly important, ensuring the screen remains readable even in bright outdoor conditions.
