Choosing between older Samsung smartphones can be tricky. The Galaxy Grand I9080 and Galaxy Win I8550 were both mid-range devices, but they have key differences. This review breaks down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Win I8550 edges out the Grand I9080 thanks to its quad-core processor, offering noticeably smoother performance. While both are dated, the Win's chipset provides a better user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both phones are budget options now.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I8550 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - I8552 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, December. Released 2013, April | 2013, April. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 143.5 x 76.9 x 9.6 mm (5.65 x 3.03 x 0.38 in) | 133.3 x 70.7 x 9.7 mm (5.25 x 2.78 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 143.9 g (5.04 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~187 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~199 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 71.2 cm2 (~64.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 62.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8625Q Snapdragon 200 (45 nm) |
| GPU | Broadcom VideoCore IV | Adreno 203 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 46 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h | Up to 210 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h 10 min | Up to 11 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Ceramic White, Titan Gray |
| Models | GT-I9080, GT-I9080L | GT-I8550, GT-I8552, GT-I8552B |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.26 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) | 0.12 W/kg (head) |
Samsung Galaxy Grand I9080
- Larger 5.0-inch display
- Simple and straightforward interface
- Generally more affordable now
- Outdated dual-core processor
- Lower performance compared to the Win
- Limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy Win I8550
- Quad-core processor for better performance
- Slightly more modern chipset
- Potentially better battery efficiency
- Smaller display than the Grand
- Still an older device with limited support
- Performance is still limited by older hardware
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Grand I9080 boasts a larger 5.0-inch display, offering more screen real estate for viewing content. The Galaxy Win I8550 has a 4.8-inch display. Both likely use similar LCD panel technology with standard resolutions, so image quality won't be a major differentiator. The Grand's larger size might be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 8MP main cameras. Image quality will depend heavily on software and lighting conditions. The Galaxy Win might have slightly better image processing due to its newer chipset, but don't expect exceptional results from either. Front-facing cameras are likely 1.9MP on both.
Performance
This is where the Galaxy Win I8550 shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor provides a significant performance advantage over the Grand I9080's dual-core Cortex-A9. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Win. Both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Grand I9080 typically has a 2100mAh battery, while the Galaxy Win I8550 has a 2000mAh battery. Despite the slightly smaller capacity, the Win's more efficient Snapdragon 200 chipset could potentially offer comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9080 is suitable for users prioritizing a larger screen and who primarily need a phone for basic communication and media consumption. The Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 is a better choice for those seeking slightly improved performance and a more responsive experience, even with older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Both phones are very dated. They are only worth considering if you need a basic, ultra-budget phone and are comfortable with their limitations. Newer smartphones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives active software updates. They are running older versions of Android, which poses security risks. Using them requires caution.
