Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) vs. Galaxy J7 (2018): A Detailed Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy J series has long been a staple for budget-conscious smartphone users. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Galaxy J5 (2017) and the Galaxy J7 (2018). Both offer a decent experience, but which one comes out on top?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy J5 (2017) edges out the J7 (2018) primarily due to its significantly longer battery life. While both share the same chipset, the J5's endurance rating is exceptional. The J7 (2018) might offer slightly improved software, but the J5's battery advantage is hard to ignore for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)	Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - SM-J737U
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 66 - SM-J737U
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14 - SM-J737A

Launch
Announced	2017, June. Released 2017, June	2018, June. Released 2018, July
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)	153.2 x 76.2 x 8.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	160 g (5.64 oz)	181 g (6.38 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Size	5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio)	5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED	TFT

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
Chipset	Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm)	Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm)
GPU	Mali-T830 MP1	Mali-T830 MP1
OS	Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI	Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF	8 MP, AF or 13 MP, f/1.7, AF (operator dependent)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm	5 MP / 13 MP, f/1.7 (operator dependent)
Video	1080p@30fps	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP	4.1/4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (operator dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio (SM-J737T1 only)
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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	ANT+	ANT+

Battery
Music play	Up to 83 h	-
Talk time	Up to 21 h (3G)	-
Type	Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Blue, Pink, Gold, Black	Black, Blue, Gold
Models	SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM	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 EU	0.35 W/kg (head) 1.36 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)

Exceptional battery life (97h endurance)

Potentially older software version
Camera specs unknown, potentially inferior to J7 (2018)

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018)

Potentially newer software version
Likely slightly larger display
Potentially better camera

Significantly shorter battery life
Similar performance to J5 (2017)

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, though the J7 (2018) may have a slightly larger screen size (potentially 5.5 inches vs. 5.2 inches for the J5). The J5 (2017) boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), which is a marketing term, but suggests good contrast. Sunlight visibility is rated at 3.599 for the J5, indicating decent outdoor readability.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are not fully provided. However, based on typical J series models, the J7 (2018) likely has a slightly better camera setup, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Both will likely offer decent photo and video capabilities in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Exynos 7870 Octa chipset and a Cortex-A53 Octa-core CPU clocked at 1.6 GHz. Performance will be very similar, adequate for everyday tasks but not ideal for demanding games or heavy multitasking. Expect some lag with resource-intensive apps.

Battery Life

This is where the J5 (2017) shines. It boasts an incredible endurance rating of 97 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The J7 (2018) likely has a smaller battery capacity, resulting in significantly shorter battery life compared to the J5.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is ideal for users prioritizing battery life above all else. It's a great choice for those who need a phone that can last for days on a single charge. The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018) is better suited for users who value a slightly newer software experience and potentially a larger display (though specs are limited).