Samsung Galaxy Core Prime vs. Galaxy J7 Prime 2: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing a budget-friendly Samsung phone can be tricky. The Galaxy Core Prime and J7 Prime 2 were both popular options, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison breaks down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2 is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, larger RAM, and improved camera offer a significantly smoother and more capable experience compared to the Core Prime, despite both being budget devices. The J7 Prime 2 provides a better overall user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Core Prime Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - G360FHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 - G360G1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 2, 4, 12 - G360T (T-Mobile)-
Launch
Announced2014, November. Released 2014, November2018, March. Released 2018, April
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions130.8 x 67.9 x 8.8 mm (5.15 x 2.67 x 0.35 in)151.7 x 75 x 8 mm (5.97 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMSingle SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight130 g (4.59 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent)
Resolution480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~207 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~64.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTPLS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 306Mali-T830 MP1
OSAndroid 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop)Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal8GB 1GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 4.5eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.6, AF13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single2 MP13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP4.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (LTE models, except SM-G360BT)No
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
 Digital TV (SM-G360BT)ANT+
Battery
Music playUp to 60 hUp to 84 h
Talk timeUp to 13 h (3G)Up to 21 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 2000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, GrayBlack, Gold, Rose Gold
ModelsSM-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-G361HUSM-G611F, SM-G611FF, SM-G611M, SM-G611MT, SM-G611K
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 170 EUR
SAR0.70 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)0.61 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.60 W/kg (head)     0.40 W/kg (body)0.37 W/kg (head)     1.63 W/kg (body)
Tests
Camera Photo / Video-
Performance Basemark X: 1895-
OUR TESTS
CameraPhoto / Video-
PerformanceBasemark X: 1895-

Samsung Galaxy Core Prime

  • Very affordable
  • Compact size
  • Decent call quality

  • Outdated chipset
  • Limited RAM
  • Low-resolution display
  • Basic camera
  • Short battery life

Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2

  • Larger display
  • Better performance
  • Improved camera
  • Longer battery life
  • Super AMOLED display

  • Can still feel dated by modern standards
  • Plastic build quality

Display Comparison

The Galaxy Core Prime typically featured a 4.3-inch display, while the J7 Prime 2 boasted a larger 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display. The J7 Prime 2's larger size and AMOLED technology provide a more immersive viewing experience with vibrant colors and deeper blacks.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer basic camera functionality, the J7 Prime 2 generally had a better camera sensor and image processing capabilities. Expect improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions, from the J7 Prime 2. The Core Prime's camera is adequate for casual snapshots.

Performance

The J7 Prime 2's Exynos 7870 Octa chipset and octa-core processor significantly outperform the Core Prime's Snapdragon 410. The J7 Prime 2 also likely had more RAM (typically 3GB vs. 1GB in the Core Prime), resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading times. The Core Prime will feel sluggish by comparison.

Battery Life

The J7 Prime 2 typically had a larger battery capacity (around 3300mAh) compared to the Core Prime (around 2000mAh). This translates to significantly longer battery life on the J7 Prime 2, easily lasting a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need basic calling and texting functionality. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 2 is ideal for those seeking a more responsive phone with a better camera and smoother performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy Core Prime still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, the J7 Prime 2 offers significantly more value.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives significant software updates anymore. Both are considered legacy devices.
❓ Can I play games on the J7 Prime 2?
Yes, the J7 Prime 2 can handle light to moderate games, but don't expect high-end gaming performance.