The Sony Xperia C4 and Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) were popular budget-friendly Android options. Both aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone ultimately comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) edges out the Xperia C4 thanks to its more efficient Exynos chipset, leading to better overall performance and potentially slightly improved battery life. While both are budget devices, the J5 offers a more refined experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5303, E5353 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5303 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17 - E5306 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, June | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150.3 x 77.4 x 7.9 mm (5.92 x 3.05 x 0.31 in) | 146.2 x 71.3 x 8 mm (5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 53 h 22 min | Up to 83 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 634 h (2G) / Up to 682 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Mint | Blue, Pink, Gold, Black |
| Models | E5303, E53063E5353, E5353, E5306 | SM-J530F, SM-J530Y, SM-J530FM, SM-J530G, SM-J530YM, SM-J530L, SM-J530S, SM-J530K, SM-J530GM |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Sony Xperia C4
- Larger Display (5.5 inches)
- Potentially more durable build (typical Sony)
- Simple Android experience
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Older technology
- Performance limitations
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
- More efficient chipset (Exynos 7870)
- Better performance
- Longer battery life (97h endurance)
- Potentially better camera quality
- Samsung's software features
- Smaller display (5.0 inches)
- Samsung's software can be bloated
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (Infinite nominal, 3.599 in sunlight), suggesting decent outdoor visibility. The Xperia C4 boasts a larger 5.5-inch display, which is advantageous for media consumption and gaming. The Galaxy J5 (2017) likely has a slightly more color-accurate display, a common Samsung trait, but detailed specs are unavailable.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to definitively assess without detailed reviews. Both phones are advertised as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities. However, the Galaxy J5 (2017) generally had a reputation for slightly better image quality in its price range, thanks to Samsung's image processing. The Xperia C4's camera likely suffers from the older chipset.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)'s Exynos 7870 Octa chipset, built on a more efficient 14nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Xperia C4's Mediatek MT6752 (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the J5. Both use Cortex-A53 cores, but the J5's architecture and manufacturing process contribute to better efficiency.
Battery Life
The Galaxy J5 (2017) shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 97 hours. The Xperia C4's battery life is not explicitly stated, but it's likely significantly shorter due to the less efficient chipset and larger display.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia C4 might appeal to users prioritizing a larger display and potentially a more durable build (though specifics are limited). The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, slightly better camera, and longer battery life within a similar price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and efficient performance.
❓ Is the Xperia C4 still worth buying?
Unless you specifically need a larger display and can find it at a significantly discounted price, the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) offers a better overall experience.
