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.
🏆 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.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - G360F | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 - G360G | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 12 - G360T (T-Mobile) | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, November. Released 2014, November | 2018, March. Released 2018, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 130.8 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) |
| 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) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent) |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~207 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~64.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | PLS LCD |
| 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) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB 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/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| 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, LE |
| NFC | Yes (LTE models, except SM-G360BT) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | Digital TV (SM-G360BT) | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 60 h | Up to 84 h |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| 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-G611F, SM-G611FF, SM-G611M, SM-G611MT, SM-G611K |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) | 0.61 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 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 |
|---|
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Performance | Basemark 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.