Choosing between two budget-friendly Samsung phones can be tough. The Galaxy Grand Prime Plus and the Galaxy J7 (2018) both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy J7 (2018) is the clear winner. Its more powerful Exynos processor, improved display, and generally better camera performance outweigh the Grand Prime Plus's potential cost savings. While the Grand Prime Plus is adequate, the J7 (2018) provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - SM-J737U |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 66 - SM-J737U |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14 - SM-J737A |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, November. Released 2016, November | 2018, June. Released 2018, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 144.8 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.70 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 153.2 x 76.2 x 8.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF or 13 MP, f/1.7, AF (operator dependent) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide) | 5 MP / 13 MP, f/1.7 (operator dependent) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1/4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (operator dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio (SM-J737T1 only) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 59 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Silver | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | SM-G532F | SM-J737F, SM-J737V, SM-J737T, SM-J737A, SM-J737P, SM-J737T1, SM-J737U, SM-J737S, SM-J737R4 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus
- Larger screen (5.0 inches)
- Potentially lower price
- Simple and straightforward interface
- Weaker processor
- Lower resolution display
- Less impressive camera
- Smaller battery
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018)
- Faster performance
- Better display quality (Super AMOLED, FHD)
- Improved camera
- Longer battery life
- More modern design
- Slightly higher price
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Galaxy J7 (2018) boasts a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Grand Prime Plus has a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display with HD resolution (1280 x 720). The J7's higher resolution and AMOLED technology provide a noticeably superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy J7 (2018) generally offers a better camera experience. It typically features a 13MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and a 13MP front camera. The Grand Prime Plus usually has a 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting, the J7 (2018) captures more detail and performs better in low-light conditions.
Performance
Here's where the J7 (2018) truly shines. Its Exynos 7870 Octa chipset and 1.6 GHz Octa-core CPU significantly outperform the Grand Prime Plus's Mediatek MT6737T and Quad-core 1.4 GHz CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the J7 (2018). The Grand Prime Plus can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Galaxy J7 (2018) typically has a 3600mAh battery, while the Grand Prime Plus has a 2500mAh battery. This larger capacity translates to significantly longer battery life on the J7 (2018), easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Grand Prime Plus may require charging more frequently.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus is a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a large screen. The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018) is ideal for those seeking a more responsive phone with a better camera and display, willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Grand Prime Plus still worth buying?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light browsing. Otherwise, the J7 (2018) offers significantly better value.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Galaxy J7 (2018) is the clear winner for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities.
