The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 were popular budget contenders, offering a compelling mix of features and affordability. But which one truly reigned supreme? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 edges out the J7 (2016) thanks to its superior processor and slightly better performance. While both offer impressive battery life, the Redmi Note 3's Snapdragon 650 provides a smoother overall experience, making it the slightly better 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 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Special edition (Taiwan) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, March 29. Released 2016, April | 2016, January 14. Released 2016, March 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 76 x 7.8 mm (5.97 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm (5.91 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm)Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 |
| GPU | Adreno 405Mali-T830 MP1 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 9.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM (Standard version), 32GB 3GB RAM (High/Special version) |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent for dual-SIM model) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Stereo FM radio, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 96 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold | Silver, Gray, Gold |
| Models | SM-J710FN, SM-J710F, SM-J710H, SM-J710M, SM-J710GN, SM-J710MN, SM-J710K, SM-J7108, SM-J710FQ | 2015116, 2015161 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
Noise -96.0dB / Crosstalk -95.6dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
| Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.902 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 953:1 (nominal), 2.249 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1007Basemark X: 11199 |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1426Basemark X: 14717 |
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Samsung's One UI
- Good battery life
- Widely available
- Slower processor
- Can feel sluggish with heavy use
- Average camera performance
- No fast charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
- Better performance thanks to Snapdragon 650
- Slightly better sunlight readability
- Competitive price
- Good battery life
- IPS LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Xiaomi's MIUI can be divisive
- Camera can sometimes produce slightly washed-out colors
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 5.5-inch Super AMOLED (J7) and IPS LCD (Redmi Note 3) displays with Full HD resolution. The J7 (2016) boasts a theoretically 'infinite' contrast ratio, which translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, a hallmark of Samsung's AMOLED technology. However, sunlight readability tests show the Redmi Note 3 performs slightly better with a 2.249 rating compared to the J7's 3.902. Ultimately, display preference is subjective.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is fairly comparable. Both phones feature a 13MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance is average on both devices. The Redmi Note 3's camera often produces slightly more natural-looking colors, while the J7's can sometimes be oversaturated. Video recording capabilities are similar.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi Note 3 takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 650 chipset with its hexa-core processor (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) offers noticeably better performance than the J7's Snapdragon 617 or Exynos 7870. The Redmi Note 3 handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The J7's performance is adequate for everyday tasks, but can feel sluggish under heavier load.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life. The J7 (2016) boasts an endurance rating of 101 hours, while the Redmi Note 3 scores 93 hours. In real-world usage, both phones can easily last a full day on a single charge. Neither phone supports fast charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) is a good option for users prioritizing a vibrant display and Samsung's One UI. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is ideal for those seeking better performance and a more efficient processor for multitasking and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3's Snapdragon 650 processor provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016).
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) worth buying now?
Given their age, both phones are difficult to recommend for new purchases. However, if you find a very cheap J7 (2016), the vibrant display might be appealing. Otherwise, newer budget options offer better value.
