Samsung Galaxy Core Prime vs. Galaxy J5 (2017): A Detailed Comparison

Choosing between older budget smartphones can be tricky. The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime and Galaxy J5 (2017) both offer affordable options, but which one delivers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison breaks down their key features to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, improved display contrast, and exceptional battery life outweigh the Core Prime's simpler design. While the Core Prime might be slightly cheaper, the J5 (2017) provides a significantly better overall user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Core Prime	Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

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 / 2100 - G360F	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 - G360G	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40
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
	2, 4, 12 - G360T (T-Mobile)	-

Launch
Announced	2014, November. Released 2014, November	2017, June. Released 2017, June
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	130.8 x 67.9 x 8.8 mm (5.15 x 2.67 x 0.35 in)	146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	130 g (4.59 oz)	160 g (5.64 oz)

Display
Resolution	480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~207 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size	4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~64.9% screen-to-body ratio)	5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT	Super AMOLED

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)	Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm)
GPU	Adreno 306	Mali-T830 MP1
OS	Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	8GB 1GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
	eMMC 4.5	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	5 MP, f/2.6, AF	13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	LED flash
Single	2 MP	13 MP, f/1.9, 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
NFC	Yes (LTE models, except SM-G360BT)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Digital TV (SM-G360BT)	ANT+

Battery
Music play	Up to 60 h	Up to 83 h
Talk time	Up to 13 h (3G)	Up to 21 h (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable	Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Gray	Blue, Pink, Gold, Black
Models	SM-G360T, SM-G3606, SM-G3608, SM-G3609, SM-G360BT, SM-G360F, SM-G360FY, SM-G360G, SM-G360GY, SM-G360H, SM-G360H/D, SM-G360BT, SM-G361, SM-G361H, SM-G361F, SM-G360HU, SM-G360T1, SM-G360M, SM-G360P, SM-G360V, SM-S820L, SM-G360AZ, SM-G361HU	SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM
Price	About 150 EUR	About 130 EUR
SAR	0.70 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	0.60 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body)	0.35 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -85.0dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 97h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.599 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB
Performance	Basemark X: 1895	GeekBench: 3667 (v4.4) GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	-	Noise -85.0dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB
Battery (old)	-	Endurance rating 97h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.599 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB
Performance	Basemark X: 1895	GeekBench: 3667 (v4.4) GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Core Prime

Compact size
Affordable price
Simple interface

Outdated chipset
Basic camera
Short battery life
Low screen resolution

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

Better performance
Improved display
Excellent battery life
More modern design

Slightly larger size
May lack latest software updates

Display Comparison

Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, but the J5 (2017) boasts a noticeably better contrast ratio (3.599 in sunlight, infinite nominal) compared to the Core Prime. While specific Core Prime display details are scarce, the J5's display is brighter and more vibrant, offering a more enjoyable viewing experience. The J5 also likely has a slightly larger screen size.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the J5 (2017) generally has a better camera setup. The Core Prime's camera is known to be basic, producing acceptable but not impressive photos. The J5 (2017) likely features a higher resolution sensor and potentially better image processing, resulting in clearer and more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is also expected to be better on the J5.

Performance

The Galaxy J5 (2017) holds a significant advantage here. Its Exynos 7870 Octa chipset (14nm) is considerably more powerful than the Core Prime's Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28nm). The J5's Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU outperforms the Core Prime's Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better on the J5.

Battery Life

The Galaxy J5 (2017) shines in battery life. Its endurance rating of 97 hours is exceptional. The Core Prime's battery capacity is smaller, and its battery life is considerably shorter, likely struggling to last a full day with moderate use. The J5's superior battery performance is a major selling point.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a smaller form factor. The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is ideal for those seeking a more modern experience with better performance, a brighter display, and significantly longer battery life, without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy Core Prime still worth buying?

Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a very basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, the J5 (2017) offers significantly more value.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

The Galaxy J5 (2017) likely received more software updates than the Core Prime, although both are now quite outdated. Check Samsung's website for the latest information.