The Samsung Galaxy J7 and J5 (2016) were popular budget-friendly options, offering a taste of Samsung's features without breaking the bank. But which one truly delivered the better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly longer battery life and more powerful chipset. While the J5 (2016) is a decent option, the J7's superior endurance and performance make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, March 29. Released 2016, April | 2016, March. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 76 x 7.8 mm (5.97 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 145.8 x 72.3 x 8.1 mm (5.74 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 159 g (5.61 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm)Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405Mali-T830 MP1 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9 | 5 MP, f/1.9 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent for dual-SIM model) | Yes (market dependant) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 96 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | SM-J710FN, SM-J710F, SM-J710H, SM-J710M, SM-J710GN, SM-J710MN, SM-J710K, SM-J7108, SM-J710FQ | SM-J510F, SM-J510G, SM-J510FN, SM-J510Y, SM-J510M, SM-J510GN, SM-J510H, SM-J510MN, SM-J5108, SM-J510UN, SM-J510L, SM-J510S, SM-J510FQ, SM-J510K |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -95.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
| Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.902 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.378 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1007Basemark X: 11199 |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2180 |
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
- Significantly longer battery life
- More powerful chipset for smoother performance
- Larger display for better viewing
- Potentially better camera (based on chipset)
- May be slightly more expensive than the J5 (2016)
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
- More affordable
- Compact size
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Shorter battery life
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower performance
- Smaller display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The J7 (2016) boasts a slightly better sunlight readability score (3.902 vs 3.378), suggesting it's a bit easier to see outdoors. Both have a nominal infinite contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED technology. The J7 also has a larger screen size (5.5 inches vs 5.0 inches on the J5), providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the J7 (2016) likely had a slightly better camera sensor and image processing due to its more powerful chipset, resulting in potentially better image quality, especially in low light. However, without specific megapixel and aperture details, a definitive comparison is difficult.
Performance
The J7 (2016) holds a significant advantage here. It comes with either a Snapdragon 617 or an Exynos 7870 chipset, both considerably more powerful than the J5's Snapdragon 410. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The J7's octa-core CPU also provides a noticeable performance boost.
Battery Life
This is where the J7 (2016) truly shines. Its endurance rating of 101 hours dwarfs the J5's 66 hours. This means the J7 can easily last for multiple days on a single charge, making it ideal for heavy users or those who travel frequently.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)? Users prioritizing battery life and smoother performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)? Those on a very tight budget who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light browsing, and are willing to compromise on performance and battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) worth the extra money compared to the J5 (2016)?
Yes, if battery life and performance are important to you, the J7 (2016) is worth the investment. The significant battery advantage and more powerful chipset make it a much more enjoyable daily driver.
❓ What are the main differences between the two phones?
The key differences are battery life (J7 is significantly better), performance (J7 has a more powerful chipset), and screen size (J7 has a larger display).
