The Vodafone Smart V10 and Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) were both popular budget Android phones. But which one offers the best value for money? We're diving deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which device is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Vodafone Smart V10 edges out the Galaxy J5 (2016) thanks to its newer, more efficient Snapdragon 429 chipset, resulting in slightly better performance. While battery life is comparable, the V10's modern processor offers a more responsive experience overall.
| 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2016, March. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.3 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.75 x 0.32 in) | 145.8 x 72.3 x 8.1 mm (5.74 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 159 g (5.61 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.9 inches, 85.5 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 504 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/1.9 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependant) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chrome Pewter | White, Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | SM-J510F, SM-J510G, SM-J510FN, SM-J510Y, SM-J510M, SM-J510GN, SM-J510H, SM-J510MN, SM-J5108, SM-J510UN, SM-J510L, SM-J510S, SM-J510FQ, SM-J510K |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -95.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.378 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2180 |
Vodafone Smart V10
- Newer Snapdragon 429 chipset
- Slightly better performance
- More modern design (likely)
- Potentially better software support (depending on updates)
- Camera likely comparable to J5 (2016)
- Battery life potentially slightly less than J5 (2016)
- Availability may be limited
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)
- Excellent battery life (66h endurance rating)
- Familiar Samsung interface
- Potentially more affordable now
- Good sunlight display performance
- Older Snapdragon 410 chipset
- Slower performance
- Likely outdated software
- Design may feel dated
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely LCD) with a resolution around 720p. The Galaxy J5 (2016) boasts a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), but real-world sunlight performance is rated at 3.378 for both. Expect decent, but not exceptional, viewing experiences on either device.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is likely comparable, with both phones offering standard photo and video capabilities for their price range. Expect decent daylight shots, but performance will degrade in low-light conditions. Specific megapixel counts and features are not provided, but both are typical of budget phones from their era.
Performance
The Vodafone Smart V10's Snapdragon 429 (12nm) offers a noticeable advantage over the Galaxy J5 (2016)'s Snapdragon 410 (28nm). The V10's slightly faster 2.0 GHz CPU and more modern manufacturing process translate to smoother multitasking and app loading times. The J5 (2016) will feel a bit sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Galaxy J5 (2016) boasts an impressive endurance rating of 66 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Vodafone Smart V10, while not explicitly stated, should also offer solid battery performance, though potentially slightly less than the J5 (2016) due to the more power-hungry (though efficient) processor.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart V10 is ideal for users seeking a slightly more modern and responsive experience on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) is a good choice for those prioritizing long battery life and a familiar Samsung interface, especially if found at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Vodafone Smart V10 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 429 chipset. It will handle games more smoothly than the Galaxy J5 (2016).
❓ Are software updates still available for these phones?
Software updates for both phones are likely discontinued. However, the Vodafone Smart V10, being slightly newer, *might* have received slightly longer support.
