Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy J1 Nxt and J1 mini prime are both contenders in the budget category. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The J1 mini prime edges out the J1 Nxt thanks to its slightly faster CPU (in some variants) and potentially improved software experience. Both offer basic functionality, but the mini prime's minor performance boost makes it the slightly better choice for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - J106F/DS |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - J106F/DS |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - J106H/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, February | 2016, December. Released 2016, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 126.6 x 63.1 x 10.8 mm (4.98 x 2.48 x 0.43 in) | 121.6 x 63.1 x 10.8 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 123 g (4.34 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz - J106F/DSQuad-core 1.2 GHz - J106B/DS, J106H/DS |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9830 | Spreadtrum SC9830 |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) - 3G modelAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow) - LTE model |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 768MB RAM (J1 mini), 8GB 1GB RAM (J1 Nxt) | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 29 h | Up to 29 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gold, Black | Gold, Black, White |
| Models | SM-J105F, SM-j105H, SM-J105H, SM-J105B, SM-J105Y, SM-J105M | SM-J106F, SM-J106B, SM-J106H, SM-J106M |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.26 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy J1 Nxt
- Very Affordable
- Compact Size
- Samsung Brand Reliability
- Basic Performance
- Low-Resolution Display
- Limited Camera Capabilities
Samsung Galaxy J1 mini prime
- Slightly Faster Processor (in some variants)
- Compact Size
- Samsung Brand Reliability
- Potentially Improved Software
- Basic Performance
- Low-Resolution Display
- Limited Camera Capabilities
- CPU speed varies by model
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.0-inch display, likely with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels (FWVGA). Expect similar viewing experiences – adequate for basic tasks but not ideal for media consumption. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be average for this price range. The J1 mini prime might have slightly better color reproduction, but it's marginal.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar: a 5MP main camera and a front-facing camera, probably also 5MP. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The J1 mini prime *might* have slightly improved image processing software, leading to marginally better photos, but don't expect a significant difference.
Performance
The J1 Nxt uses a 1.2 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7 processor. The J1 mini prime has a slightly more complex situation: some variants (J106F/DS) boast a 1.5 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7, while others (J106B/DS, J106H/DS) stick with the 1.2 GHz speed. The 1.5 GHz variant will offer a noticeable performance boost, making app loading and multitasking feel a bit snappier. However, both phones will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 2000mAh battery. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but expect a full day of moderate use. The J1 mini prime's slightly more efficient processor (in the 1.5 GHz variant) could translate to slightly better battery life, but the difference will be minimal.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy J1 Nxt is ideal for users who prioritize affordability above all else and need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Samsung Galaxy J1 mini prime is a better fit for those who want a slightly smoother experience and a bit more processing power for occasional gaming or multitasking, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the J1 Nxt and J1 mini prime?
The main difference is the CPU speed. Some J1 mini prime models have a 1.5 GHz processor compared to the J1 Nxt's 1.2 GHz. This results in slightly better performance on the mini prime.
❓ Are these phones good for gaming?
No, neither phone is suitable for demanding games. They can handle very basic games, but performance will be limited.
