Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy J5 (2017) and J2 Prime were popular budget options. But which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy J5 (2017) generally wins due to its superior display, more powerful processor, and potentially better camera. However, the J2 Prime might be a better choice for users prioritizing simplicity and extremely long battery life on a tight budget.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G532F, G532G |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G532F |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, June. Released 2017, June | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) | 144.8 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.70 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T830 MP1 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 83 h | Up to 59 h |
| Talk time | Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Pink, Gold, Black | Black, Gold, Silver, Pink |
| Models | SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM | SM-G532G, SM-G532M, SM-G532G, SM-G532F, SM-G532MT |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.0dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 97h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.599 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 82dB
| - |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 3667 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
- Better Performance
- Larger Display
- Potentially Better Camera
- More Modern Design
- Battery life may not be as exceptional as J2 Prime
- Older Model
Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Simple and User-Friendly
- Affordable
- Lower Performance
- Basic Display
- Less Capable Camera
- Outdated Design
Display Comparison
The J5 (2017) boasts a significantly better display. Its contrast ratio, while reported as 'infinite' nominally, shows a respectable 3.599 in sunlight, suggesting good outdoor visibility. The J2 Prime's display is likely more basic, with a standard resolution and potentially lower brightness and contrast. The J5's larger screen size (5.2 inches vs J2 Prime's 5.0 inches) also provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are limited, the J5 (2017) likely has a more capable camera system. The Exynos 7870 chipset often paired with better camera sensors. The J2 Prime's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots, but won't offer the same level of detail or features.
Performance
The J5 (2017) holds a clear advantage in performance. Its Exynos 7870 Octa chipset with eight cores running at 1.6 GHz is considerably more powerful than the J2 Prime's Mediatek MT6737T with a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The J5 is also more capable of handling light gaming.
Battery Life
The J2 Prime is rumored to have exceptional battery life, potentially exceeding the J5 (2017) despite the J5's larger battery capacity. The J5 (2017) has an endurance rating of 97h, which is already impressive, but the J2 Prime might edge it out due to its less demanding processor and display.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is ideal for users who want a slightly larger screen, better performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and a more modern design. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime is best suited for users who prioritize simplicity, a very long battery life, and a basic smartphone experience without needing high-end features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) still worth buying?
If you can find one at a very low price, it's still a decent budget option, especially if you value performance and a better display. However, newer budget phones offer more features.
❓ What is the main difference between the J5 (2017) and J2 Prime?
The main difference is performance. The J5 (2017) has a significantly more powerful processor and a better display, while the J2 Prime prioritizes simplicity and potentially longer battery life.
