Looking for an affordable Samsung phone? The Galaxy J2 Core 2020 and the Galaxy J7 2018 are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy J7 (2018) is the clear winner. While the J2 Core 2020 is incredibly budget-friendly, the J7's superior processor, larger display, better camera, and more RAM provide a significantly smoother and more enjoyable user experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - SM-J737U |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 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 | 2020, April 27. Released 2020, April 27 | 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 | 143.4 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.65 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 | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 154 g (5.43 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 (~66.7% 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 | 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 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF or 13 MP, f/1.7, AF (operator dependent) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 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 | 4.1/4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (operator dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Blue | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | SM-J260GU, SM-J260GU/DS, SM-J260FU, SM-J260MU | SM-J737F, SM-J737V, SM-J737T, SM-J737A, SM-J737P, SM-J737T1, SM-J737U, SM-J737S, SM-J737R4 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020)
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size
- Android Go Edition (optimized for low-end hardware)
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018)
- Better performance
- Larger and higher-resolution display
- Improved camera
- More RAM options
- Super AMOLED display
- Older model
- May not receive the latest software updates
- Slightly larger size
Display Comparison
The Galaxy J7 (2018) boasts a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The J2 Core (2020) has a smaller 5.0-inch display with a lower resolution (720 x 1280), resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. The J7's display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
The J7 (2018) features a 13MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, and a 5MP front camera. The J2 Core (2020) has a basic 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality on the J7 is noticeably better, with more detail and better low-light performance.
Performance
The Exynos 7870 Octa in the J7 (2018) is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 425 in the J2 Core (2020). The J7's octa-core processor and 2GB/3GB/4GB of RAM (depending on the variant) handle multitasking and demanding apps much better. The J2 Core's quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 3000mAh battery. However, the J7 (2018)'s more efficient processor and optimized software generally result in slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
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 J7 (2018) is a better choice for those who want a more capable device with a better camera, faster performance, and a larger screen for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the J2 Core 2020 good for gaming?
No, the J2 Core 2020's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but performance will be limited.
❓ Will the J7 2018 receive Android updates?
The J7 2018 has likely stopped receiving major Android updates. However, it may still receive security patches for a limited time.
