Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 vs Samsung Galaxy J5: A Detailed Comparison

Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 and Samsung Galaxy J5 are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 edges out the Galaxy J5 thanks to its octa-core processor and potentially better overall performance. However, the Galaxy J5's Samsung brand recognition and potentially better software support might sway some buyers. It's a close call, but the Ultra 6 offers more power.

PHONES
Phone Names Vodafone Smart ultra 6 Samsung Galaxy J5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPAHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands3, 7, 201, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20
EDGEYes-
GPRSYes-
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2015, June. Released 2015, June2015, June 19. Released 2015, July 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions154 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)142.1 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm (5.59 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIMSingle SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight159 g (5.61 oz)146 g (5.15 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.1 GHz Cortex-A53)Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm)
GPUAdreno 405Adreno 306
OSAndroid 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)Android 5.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM
 eMMC 4.5eMMC 4.5
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single13 MP, AF13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash
Single5 MP5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide)
Video-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP4.1, A2DP
NFCNoYes (market dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityAccelerometer, proximity
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging-15W wired
Music play-Up to 62 h
Talk time-Up to 18 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2600 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsGray, SilverWhite, Black, Gold
ModelsSmart ultra 6SM-J500F, SM-J500G, SM-J500FN, SM-J500Y, SM-J500M, J500S, SM-J500H, SM-J5007, J5, SM-J500N0, SM-J5008
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 160 EUR
SAR-0.80 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.61 W/kg (head)     0.48 W/kg (body)

Vodafone Smart ultra 6

  • More powerful Octa-core processor
  • Potentially larger display
  • Potentially longer battery life
  • Generally better performance for multitasking and gaming

  • Vodafone brand may have less software support
  • Design might be less premium
  • Camera quality may not be significantly better than the J5

Samsung Galaxy J5

  • Samsung brand recognition and reliability
  • Familiar Samsung user interface
  • Potentially longer software support
  • 15W fast charging

  • Less powerful Quad-core processor
  • Smaller display
  • Potentially shorter battery life
  • Slower performance compared to the Ultra 6

Display Comparison

The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 likely features a larger display (estimated 6 inches) with a potentially higher resolution compared to the Galaxy J5 (estimated 5 inches, 720p). While both use LCD panels, the Ultra 6's larger size and potentially sharper resolution could offer a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy and brightness are likely comparable within the budget segment.

Camera Comparison

While specific megapixel counts are needed for a definitive comparison, both phones likely feature a rear camera around 13MP. Image quality will depend on sensor size, aperture, and image processing algorithms. The Galaxy J5 might benefit from Samsung's established camera software. Low-light performance is likely similar on both devices.

Performance

Here's where the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 shines. Its Octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor provides significantly more processing power than the Galaxy J5's Quad-core Snapdragon 410. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The Ultra 6's 4x1.5 GHz cores offer a noticeable speed boost.

Battery Life

The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 likely has a larger battery capacity (estimated 3000mAh) than the Galaxy J5 (estimated 2600mAh). Coupled with its more efficient processor, this could result in longer battery life for the Ultra 6, especially under heavy usage.

Buying Guide

The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and multitasking on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy J5 is a good choice for those who value brand reliability, a familiar user interface, and potentially longer software support, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Octa-core processor.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy J5 get software updates more frequently?
Generally, Samsung provides more consistent software updates for its Galaxy J series compared to Vodafone's Smart series, although this can vary.