The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship powerhouse in its time, boasting cutting-edge technology. The Galaxy J2 Core (2020) represents a more budget-friendly, entry-level option. Can a modern budget phone truly compete with a classic flagship? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 still holds a significant performance advantage thanks to its superior processor and chipset. However, the J2 Core (2020) offers a more modern Android experience and potentially better software support. For raw power, the S4 wins; for budget and basic use, the J2 Core is a viable choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 | 2020, April 27. Released 2020, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 143.4 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.65 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 154 g (5.43 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | - |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | - |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) | Black, Gold, Blue |
| Models | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S | SM-J260GU, SM-J260GU/DS, SM-J260FU, SM-J260MU |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Significantly faster processor
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- More premium build quality
- Older software support
- Potential battery degradation
- Larger bezels
- Finding replacement parts can be difficult
Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020)
- More modern Android experience (Go Edition)
- Larger battery capacity
- More affordable
- Easier to find replacement parts
- Significantly slower performance
- Lower resolution display
- Less premium build quality
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S4 features a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The J2 Core (2020) has a smaller 6.1-inch HD+ display. While the J2 Core's screen is larger, the S4's AMOLED technology and higher resolution provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S4 boasts a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. The J2 Core (2020) has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the S4's older but more capable sensor generally produces better image quality, especially in low light. The J2 Core's front camera offers a slight improvement in resolution.
Performance
This is where the S4 truly shines. Its 2.3 GHz Krait 400 processor and Snapdragon 800 chipset are significantly faster than the J2 Core's 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 and Snapdragon 425. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4 has a 2600 mAh battery. The J2 Core (2020) has a 3000 mAh battery. While the J2 Core has a larger capacity, the S4's more efficient processor and smaller screen can result in comparable battery life in typical usage. Heavy users will likely appreciate the J2 Core's larger battery.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic flagship experience or those needing more processing power for older games and apps. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core (2020) is ideal for first-time smartphone users, those on a tight budget, or individuals needing a simple device for calls, texts, and basic apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still worth buying?
It depends. If you prioritize performance and a great display, and don't mind older software, it can be a fun retro device. However, software support is limited.
❓ What is Android Go Edition?
Android Go Edition is a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited resources. It optimizes apps and storage to provide a smoother experience on budget phones.
