The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo and Galaxy J7 (2016) represent different eras of Samsung's smartphone evolution. The Note 3 Neo, a refined version of a flagship, offered a premium experience, while the J7 (2016) aimed for a more accessible mid-range market. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy J7 (2016) edges out the Note 3 Neo thanks to its superior battery life and slightly improved display visibility in sunlight. While the Note 3 Neo boasts a unique hexa-core processor, the J7's more modern chipset and longer support make it the more practical choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N7505 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-N7505 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N750 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2016, March 29. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 151.7 x 76 x 7.8 mm (5.97 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.3 GHz Cortex A7 & 2x1.7 GHz Cortex A15) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 5260 Hexa | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm)Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T624 MP4 | Adreno 405Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 contacts, Photo call | - |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent for dual-SIM model) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h | Up to 96 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 540 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 23 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green, Pink, Red | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | SM-N750, SM-N7505, SM-N750K, SM-N750S, SM-N7507, SM-N750L, SM-N7500Q, SM-N7506V, SM-N7505L | SM-J710FN, SM-J710F, SM-J710H, SM-J710M, SM-J710GN, SM-J710MN, SM-J710K, SM-J7108, SM-J710FQ |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.25 W/kg (head) 0.27 W/kg (body) | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 74h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.487 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.902 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1007Basemark X: 11199 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB | Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 74h | Endurance rating 101h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.487 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.902 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB | Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 68dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1007Basemark X: 11199 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo
- Compact size
- Stylus support
- Higher resolution display
- Unique hexa-core processor (for its time)
- Older chipset
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated software support
- Less bright display
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
- Longer battery life
- Brighter display (better sunlight visibility)
- More modern chipset
- Better software support (at the time)
- Lower resolution display compared to Note 3 Neo
- Less powerful processor than Note 3 Neo (in some benchmarks)
- Design is less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term. However, the J7 (2016) exhibits a slightly better sunlight readability score (3.902 vs 3.487), suggesting a brighter panel. The Note 3 Neo's display, while good for its time, may appear less vibrant by today's standards. Screen sizes are similar, around 5.5 inches, but resolution differs; the Note 3 Neo has a higher resolution (1920 x 1080) offering slightly sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed, but generally, the J7 (2016) had a more capable camera system. The Note 3 Neo's camera was decent for its era, but the J7 (2016) typically offered better image quality, especially in low light, and more features. Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities.
Performance
The Note 3 Neo's Exynos 5260 hexa-core processor was impressive for its time, utilizing a combination of Cortex-A7 and Cortex-A15 cores. However, the J7 (2016)'s Octa-core Snapdragon 617 or Exynos 7870 (depending on region) offers more consistent performance and better efficiency. Modern apps and Android versions will run smoother on the J7 (2016).
Battery Life
This is where the J7 (2016) truly shines. With an endurance rating of 101 hours, it significantly outperforms the Note 3 Neo's 74 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for everyday use.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is best suited for enthusiasts seeking a compact, powerful device with a stylus and a taste of nostalgia. The Galaxy J7 (2016) is a better option for users prioritizing battery life, a brighter display, and a more modern Android experience, especially on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Note 3 Neo still worth buying?
Only if you're a collector or specifically want a compact phone with a stylus and don't mind the limitations of an older device. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Galaxy J7 (2016) received more software updates than the Note 3 Neo, although both are now beyond their official support lifecycles.
