The Samsung Galaxy J series has long been a staple for those seeking affordable smartphones. Today, we're pitting two entries from this lineup against each other: the J3 (2016) and the J5 (2017). Both offer a budget-friendly price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is the clear winner. Its superior battery life, more powerful processor, and slightly improved display make it a more compelling choice despite the similar price range at the time. The J3 (2016) remains a basic option, but the J5 offers a noticeable upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 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 | 2016, March 31. Released 2016, May 06 | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 142.3 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.60 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) | 146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Micro-SIM· Nano-SIM (USA models only) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 138 g (4.87 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - USA | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9830Exynos 3475 Quad (28 nm) - USA | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400Mali-T720 - USA | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) or Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, AF - USA | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP (USA)
5 MP, f/2.2 (all other regions) | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0/4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording (market dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 77 h | Up to 83 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 349 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold | Blue, Pink, Gold, Black |
| Models | SM-J320H, SM-J3109, SM-J320FN, SM-J320P, SM-J320F, SM-J320M, SM-J320Y, SM-J320A, SM-J320G, SM-J327T1, SM-J320V, SM-J320YZ, SM-J320W8, SM-J320ZN, SM-J320N0, SM-J320R4 | SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB |
Noise -85.0dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 66h
|
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.523 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.599 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 326Basemark X: 1424 |
GeekBench: 3667 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
- Very Affordable
- Compact Size
- Decent Call Quality
- Slow Performance
- Limited Storage
- Basic Camera
- Short Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
- Better Performance
- Longer Battery Life
- Slightly Improved Camera
- More Modern Chipset
- Still a Budget Phone
- LCD Display
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar display experience with a nominal infinite contrast ratio and a sunlight readability score around 3.5. The J5 (2017) has a slightly higher sunlight contrast (3.599 vs 3.523), suggesting marginally better visibility in bright conditions, but the difference is minimal. Both use LCD panels, so don't expect vibrant colors or deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is comparable, but the J5 (2017) generally produces slightly better images due to its more modern chipset. Both phones offer standard photo and video capabilities, but don't expect flagship-level quality. Low-light performance is likely to be a weakness on both devices.
Performance
The J5 (2017) boasts a significant performance advantage thanks to its Exynos 7870 Octa chipset and Octa-core CPU. The J3 (2016) uses a Spreadtrum SC9830/Exynos 3475 combination, which is noticeably slower. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the J5.
Battery Life
The J5 (2017) shines in battery life, offering a substantial 97h endurance rating compared to the J3 (2016)'s 66h. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, making the J5 a much better choice for users who prioritize battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)? Users needing a very basic phone for calls, texts, and minimal app usage, and who prioritize extreme affordability. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)? Anyone looking for a more capable budget phone with better performance, longer battery life, and a slightly improved camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, the J5 (2017) offers a much better value.
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The J5 (2017) uses the Exynos 7870 Octa, a more powerful and efficient processor compared to the Spreadtrum SC9830/Exynos 3475 combination in the J3 (2016).
