The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship titan of its time, while the Galaxy J2 Core (2020) represents a budget-friendly option. Can a phone from 2013 still compete with a modern entry-level device? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 decisively wins in almost every category. Its superior processor, display, and camera offer a vastly better user experience. However, the J2 Core's affordability and potentially longer software support make it a viable choice for extremely budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 27. Released 2020, April 27 | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 143.4 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.65 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 154 g (5.43 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual video call |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | - | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 62 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Blue | White Frost, Black Mist (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) |
| Models | SM-J260GU, SM-J260GU/DS, SM-J260FU, SM-J260MU | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 |
Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020)
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (potentially)
- Lightweight
- Low performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Powerful processor
- High-resolution display
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Nostalgic flagship experience
- Outdated software support
- Older design
- Smaller storage compared to modern phones
- Battery life may be degraded due to age
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S4 boasts a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The J2 Core (2020) has a smaller 5.0-inch LCD display with a lower resolution (likely 854 x 480). The S4's display is significantly superior in terms of clarity, color accuracy, and overall viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S4 features a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. While dated, it still captures decent photos in good lighting. The J2 Core (2020) typically has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality on the S4 is generally better, with more detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance will be noticeably worse on both, but likely slightly better on the S4.
Performance
Here's where the generational gap is most apparent. The Galaxy S4's Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU provides significantly more processing power than the J2 Core's Snapdragon 425. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S4. The J2 Core will struggle with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4 has a 2600 mAh battery, while the J2 Core (2020) has a 3000 mAh battery. Despite the larger capacity, the S4's more efficient processor and display technology often result in comparable or even slightly better battery life due to the age of the J2 Core's components.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020)? Users needing a very basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage on a tight budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S4? Those seeking a nostalgic flagship experience or a secondary device for simple tasks, understanding its age and limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still usable in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy S4 is still usable for basic tasks like calls, texts, and browsing. However, its software is outdated, and it may not be compatible with newer apps. Security updates are no longer provided.
❓ What are the limitations of the J2 Core (2020)?
The J2 Core (2020) suffers from limited performance, a low-resolution display, and outdated software. It's best suited for users with very basic smartphone needs.
