Choosing between older and entry-level smartphones can be tricky. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core 2020 represents the budget end of the spectrum, while the Galaxy A3 2017, though older, offers a more refined experience. Let's break down which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A3 (2017) generally wins due to its superior chipset, likely better camera, and impressive battery life. While the J2 Core 2020 is cheaper, the A3's performance and features justify the price difference for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 27. Released 2020, April 27 | 2017, January. Released 2017, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 143.4 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.65 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9 mm (5.33 x 2.61 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 154 g (5.43 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 55 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2350 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Blue | Black Sky, Gold Sand, Blue Mist, Peach Cloud |
| Models | SM-J260GU, SM-J260GU/DS, SM-J260FU, SM-J260MU | SM-A320F, SM-A320Y, SM-A320FL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.688 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance | - |
GFXBench: 3.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.688 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance | - | GFXBench: 3.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020)
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight
- Android Go Edition (optimized for low-end hardware)
- Weak performance
- Basic camera
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)
- Better performance
- Superior camera
- Longer battery life
- More premium design
- Older model
- Potentially outdated software updates
- Smaller screen size compared to modern phones
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio and a sunlight readability score of 3.688, suggesting good outdoor visibility. However, the A3 (2017) likely has a slightly better panel due to its age and higher-tier positioning. The J2 Core 2020 likely has a lower resolution display.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the A3 (2017) likely boasts a superior camera system. Expect better image quality, more features, and potentially 4K video recording on the A3. The J2 Core 2020's camera is likely more basic.
Performance
The Galaxy A3 (2017)'s Exynos 7870 Octa chipset is significantly more powerful than the J2 Core 2020's Snapdragon 425. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A3. The A3's 14nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A3 (2017) shines with its exceptional endurance rating of 93 hours. This indicates significantly longer battery life compared to the J2 Core 2020, which likely has a smaller battery and less efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020) is ideal for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) is a better choice for those wanting a smoother experience, a better camera, and longer battery life, even if it's a slightly older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy J2 Core 2020 worth buying?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and need a basic phone for essential tasks. Otherwise, consider a slightly more expensive option for better performance.
❓ Will the Galaxy A3 2017 still receive software updates?
Software updates for the Galaxy A3 2017 are likely discontinued or nearing end-of-life. However, it still runs Android and can be used for most common tasks.
