Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) review: a balanced choice. Which Samsung budget is the best? What is the difference between samsung galaxy a5 and j5

Samsung's Galaxy J line is one of the best-selling smartphones. The company recently updated it with the 2017 Galaxy J3, Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7. We will tell you in detail what is new and interesting in the midrange from Samsung in our review.

Design and appearance

When you see these smartphones in the picture, it seems that they look a little strange. This impression is also created by the plastic inserts of the antennas on back coverwhich have a very unusual shape. But live, both the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 look good. The weight is especially surprising - even the J5 seems to be a solid piece of metal, let alone the J7. It seems that they are more expensive than they really are. This is especially acute on black smartphones. They collect more prints but look more expensive. In addition to black, the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 will be available in pink, blue and gold.

Both devices look exactly the same, the only difference is in size. At the bottom there is Micro-USB for charging and synchronization. In 2017, a smartphone without Type-C looks very strange, but such are the realities new Galaxy J. Also located at the bottom of the microphone and 3.5mm headphone jack. The speaker is located on the right side, under the power button. Its unusual location does not cause discomfort, except for one case: if, when watching a video or while playing, you take the device with both hands and grasp the upper ends with your index fingers, then the speaker closes. Under the speaker is the power button, not the left side of the volume rocker and two trays that can hold two SIM-cards and a memory card at once, you don't have to sacrifice anything. For Galaxy J7, it is declared to be protected from dust and splashes according to the IP54 standard, in J5 this joy is not.

The main differences between Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7

Galaxy J5 is equipped with a 5.2-inch SuperAMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels (282 ppi), an eight-core Exynos 7870 processor, a Mali-T830 graphics chip, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory and a 3000 mAh battery.

The Galaxy J7 is larger and has a 5.5-inch screen and Full HD (401 ppi) resolution. The processor is the same here, but random access memory 3 GB. The volume of the built-in battery is also much larger - 3600 mAh.

Display

The display in both Super AMOLED smartphones is of very decent quality, bright and with maximum viewing angles. As standard for AMOLED displays, the picture is too saturated, but in the settings you can adjust the color for yourself. There is an automatic brightness control and an oleophobic coating. Screens are one of the main advantages of these smartphones over competitors. I wish the Galaxy J5 also had a Full HD display, but for Samsung it's a budget middle class... Plus, if you want a bigger display with good vacuum, there's always the Galaxy J7. This smartphone, unlike the Galaxy J5, also has the Always On Display function, that is, the time and other information is always displayed on the screen. This is due to the fact that the company either did not want to load the Galaxy J5 battery, or they wanted to give the Galaxy J7, in addition to hardware, software advantages.

Autonomy

Both smartphones are capable of providing a full day of work with social media, YouTube videos, reading, listening to music and other forms of their use. 4-5 hours of screen life for Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 is not the limit. Moreover, the operating time on both devices is approximately comparable. Fast charging there is no. Samsung has lines that are more expensive than Galaxy J, where all this already exists and no one wants to compete internally.

Performance

In terms of performance, it can be noted that in most scenarios smartphones work fine, multitasking, not very heavy games, almost all applications start and work normally. Heavy games are a little more difficult. For example, you can play tanks, but only at low settings, Asphalt 8 or Real Racing at medium settings runs fine, although sometimes there are slight freezes. But, what do you expect from the average. His lot is timekillers and there are no questions here, of course. On the other hand, J7 due to 3 GB of RAM in hard games feels better.

The interface works with some delay. This is especially striking when calling the menu. The rest of the interface is pretty smart. The shell itself is the same as in. A lot of settings, the ability to apply themes. There is no Bixby, but if you swipe right on the home screen, it will appear separate page with Flipboard powered Briefing news aggregator. To be honest, this solution seems even more interesting and practical than the new voice bixby assistant from Samsung. There is always a source of news at hand, no additional programs are required. Another of the software chips is the ability to use two messenger accounts in one device. This function is familiar from many chinese smartphones, and in any dual-SIM smartphone, it should be the default in our opinion. There is FM radio, quite a rare occurrence today, Game Launcherto help you manage game settings or record screen while playing without third-party applications.

Camera

Both smartphones are equipped with the same 13 megapixel modules with f / 1.7 apertoire. Compared to the previous generation, the camera has definitely taken a step forward. There is a panorama mode, HDR and even manual settings. The quality of photo and video shooting is one of the most important criteria that buyers present to smartphones, and the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 may well replace an inexpensive soap dish. The oversharp in the pictures and the brooding autofocus are a little confusing, but we had non-commercial samples on the test. Perhaps the public versions will correct this matter. Smartphones can record video in Full HD at 30 frames per second. The front camera is also worth mentioning. It is also 13 megapixel with f / 1.9 aperture and its own flash. There is a flash in the entire J line. It is constant and simply illuminates you during shooting. The screen also works like a flash. There is a possibility of automatic face retouching. Ladies will appreciate this approach.

He gets mostly good from buyers. In this case, the model has a screen with a diagonal of 5 inches. If you believe the opinions of buyers, then the picture on it looks colorful. Due to the high resolution setting, the clarity is quite high. The device has 1.5 GB of RAM. The main camera of the model is set at 13 megapixels.

For the battery, the phone is often praised by the owners who say that it holds a charge for a long time. According to the declared specifications, the battery capacity is 2600 mAh. The smartphone costs about 14,300 rubles on the market.

"Filling" of the device

In this smartphone, first of all, it should be noted a high-quality quad-core processor. To receive a signal from the towers, the device has a thyristor unit. He gets good reviews from experts. System performance is affected by capacitors. In this model, they are installed under the processor. Failures in capacitors are quite rare, so the reviews from experts are good. The converter in the smartphone is installed as a single-pole type. High conductivity is ensured by the modulator. It is installed in the phone along with the diode bridge.

Communication tools

According to the owners of the model, the specified device catches the signal well. Also, many buyers speak well of the microphone. Sometimes the interlocutor is not heard well, but the sound in this model can be adjusted. The Internet of the device is supported by all known standards, so Samsung J5 deserves positive reviews from the owners. If necessary, messages can be sent through any browser. If we consider "Google Chrome", which is installed by default, then it differs from other programs in its simple.

Opera Classic is also well suited for the model. In terms of the interface, it is very pleasant and is not overloaded with tools for customization. You can send regular SMS quickly. The user is able to control them through the main menu. The smart input system deserves special attention. If desired, you can use different symbols in SMS. The function of inserting objects on the smartphone is present.

What camera is installed?

The phone has a regular camera. In this case, there is no way to adjust the photo resolution. However, there are many effects for changing clips. First of all, it is important to note the band smoothing function. It increases the quality of images well. The contrast can also be increased if desired. The brightness of the model can be adjusted. You can switch to video recording from the panel. In this case, the photosensitivity cannot be adjusted. The phone does not provide a white balance function. There is a separate mode for portraits. The zoom in the device is used fourfold.

What do they say about the camera?

Per installed camera reviews are almost always good. However, there are also dissatisfied consumers. First of all, the disadvantages include a weak flash. The stabilization of this camera is not very good. It is also important to note that low resolution photos are obtained at night. You can see the blur on them. Samsung J5 is often praised for the microphone. Customer reviews suggest that the sound is recorded normally. When playing videos, the voice on them is audible clearly.

Media player functions

With regard to the player, Samsung Galaxy J5 is well appreciated. Customer reviews suggest that albums are easy to create yourself. If desired, you can view the track time. The option of distributing music by genre deserves special attention. According to the owners of the model, the player starts up quickly. Flipping also occurs without braking. Music plays quickly from a memory card. The volume of the player is adjusted smoothly. It is allowed to go to the radio section from the player, so Samsung J5 has good reviews.

What's in the box?

The smartphone comes with a charger and instructions. Customers praise Samsung J5 for headphones. Owner reviews indicate that they sound good. The headphones can last for a long time. Also in standard set the user will find a case for the device.

What applications are there?

There are many interesting games in this phone. In particular, it should be noted a large number of colorful arcades, so "Samsung J5" gets good reviews from buyers. There are also puzzle games on the list. If necessary, you can download various races or shooters on the Internet. The screensavers on this model are easy to change thanks to special application "Apdecor". He has a huge library.

To listen to music, your phone has a "Player Pro". This application is very simple to learn. For reading books there is a program "Olrider". It is also important to mention Skype and Twitter. With their help, it is very easy to communicate with loved ones. There is an anti-virus system to protect your phone. To download the utilities to your device, you can use the "Adapter Checker" application.

If you have any problems with the video files, use of this application they can be easily solved. The "Edit" program allows you to test the device. If you believe the opinion of buyers, it works quickly. Clear unnecessary files the user is able thanks to the "Wedge Master" application. It can be replaced if desired. There is an online store in the list of applications. For the photo editor "Samsung J5" reviews are positive. Many buyers find it simple. The user is able to transfer data using "Superbeam".

Still very useful application is "File Explorer". Specified file manager allows you to solve many problems. First of all, it shows all the system commands that are running in the smartphone. You can cancel them using "File Explorer". However, it is difficult to understand the application right away.

General settings

In setting this phone is simple and easy to understand. In order to put a new melody on a call, you should go to the main menu of the device. A vibrating alert is provided in this case. If desired, the user can enable forwarding.

Additionally, the phone has a call barring option. It is also possible to configure Bluetooth in a smartphone. If necessary, you can set its name. Hardware pairing function is available. To select a mode for headphones, the owner needs to go to the accessories tab. There are different modes for calls in the device.

How do I make the firmware?

It is not easy to flash this smartphone. As a rule, this is done in workshops. However, if you follow the instructions, you can increase the performance of the device yourself. Without personal computer this situation is indispensable. However, the first step is to prepare your smartphone. Some experts recommend removing the system files in the device. However, in this case, a lot depends on the chosen program.

If we consider "Rum Manager" for the firmware, then this stage can be skipped. After installing the program, you need to connect your smartphone. This can only be done using a USB cable. The phone battery must be charged in advance. After connecting to the program, select the checkout tab. Pressing the test button will start the testing process. Sometimes it takes a long time and you need to be patient beforehand.

It is not recommended to interrupt the testing process. After detecting the smartphone, a notification window will appear in the program. Then you need to press the start button. Next, the firmware will start directly. When the process is complete, you just need to safely remove the device and check it.

Summarizing

Considering all of the above, it should be said that this model turned out to be successful for manufacturers. High smartphone sales confirm this fact. In addition to high performance, the model differs from the competition with its excellent display. In terms of the functional part, claims from buyers are very rare.

Therefore, excuse me, you will have to compare the budget Samsung with the budget daughter of Huawei. And so much better! Because smartphones are very close to each other ideologically and constructively. The difference is in the little things - Honor wrapped up a good 16 thousand cost dual camera, but saved on the case (the smartphone is "ugly" and Chinese-looking in a bad sense of the word), and Samsung, as I already mentioned, saved on the skill level of its programmers.

In terms of performance "on paper" smartphones differ little, in fact Honor works a little faster (the difference is hardly noticeable) and takes better pictures, although the screen, sound and autonomy remain with Samsung. Someone will conquer Always-on-display, constant display of date / time / notifications on the J7 (2017) screen. Samsung is expensive, but it is better in a number of parameters than Honor, and in other details it lags slightly behind.

conclusions

The new Samsung J-series cannot be measured by a yardstick, I especially like the "jokes" when a cheaper model suddenly turns out to be better than its older brothers. This happens very rarely - in large offices there are specially trained marketers who make sure that the quality of smartphones increases by a teaspoon along with the price.

And here we find that the display in the J3 is superior in clarity to the J5 (the model is 40% more expensive), while both smartphones lag about the same. And the J5, on the other hand, is better at gaming than the J7, which struggles to render games at 1920x1080 pixels instead of 1280x720.

Assuming that Samsung programmers will have their hands transplanted from hard-to-reach places onto their shoulders, and that with the new firmware J3 / J5 / J7 they will not "hiccup" like budget garbage on the MediaTek MT6582, smartphones will still be a little expensive, but worthy of a purchase. Because they are beautiful, practical, very hardy, with good cameras and headphone sound (the last arguments refer to J5 / J7).

At the same time, the J7, as a smartphone that is not very affected in terms of performance and an excellent display quality, will already please everyone who does not like Chinese phones. If you do not plan to launch games on a mobile phone, you can take it, because radically cooler smartphones cost 23-25 \u200b\u200bthousand rubles in Russia, or they need to be ordered from China, and this is a separate conversation and separate realities.

Samsung's J-series are low-cost devices designed primarily to sell at low rates. However, the 2017 J5 model can be considered an exemplary budget employee of this year.

The front panel of the Galaxy J5 2017 may look familiar - the hardware has a set of buttons under the screen (one physical and two touchscreens typical for most Samsung phones), as well as an oval frame. However, if we look at back panelThe J5 2017 is noticeably different in design from its predecessors, as well as other devices of the brand.

The smartphone was placed in a frame made of aluminum. The design is uniform in color, and in the black version, only the antenna stripes stand out, which are distributed in a certain way in the upper and lower parts of the rear panel.

Without a doubt, the phone looks much better than its predecessor, and certainly more prestigious. The only drawback, perhaps, is the lack of illumination of the touch buttons under the display.

The build quality of the Galaxy J5 2017 is almost exemplary. The aluminum body is perfectly rigid and the side buttons stay securely in place. The phone is surprisingly comfortable and neat. The manufacturer has provided a very good way body design, making the device very comfortable in the hand. New to the J series is the integration of a fingerprint reader into a button under the screen.

Screen and multimedia Samsung Galaxy J5 2017

The J5 2017 has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280x720. This is a Super AMOLED matrix, which means that the image quality, contrast and saturation are at a high level. Yes, indeed, the only problem with this panel is the already mentioned resolution, which has a pixel density of 282 / inch. This value is acceptable, but users using higher quality screens will immediately notice that the sharpness is not perfect.

The external speaker is of average quality and is located in a rather unusual place - in the upper part of the right side of the case. However, this is a very clever location that effectively prevents accidental obstruction of the grille from which the sound is emitted.

Camera and battery

The camera of the tested model looks very promising if we look at its parameters, and specifically at the optics. The 13-megapixel sensor is equipped with a fast f / 1.7 aperture lens. This is the value that mainly higher-end smartphones can boast of.

The effect of using a light lens is visible primarily after dark and in dark scenery. Under these conditions, unlike most models in this price range, the J5 2017 is able to take beautiful, clear photos. Unfortunately, quite often the absence of optical stabilization (slightly blurry shots), but yes, the smartphone camera deserves high praise.

In daylight, the Galaxy J5 2017 captures images of the same quality as the models in this series. Photos are generally sharp, with rich colors. The kit is complemented by a simple and intuitive application that automatic mode adjusts image parameters very well.

Also noteworthy is the front camera, which has a fast lens (f / 1.9) and boasts outstanding image quality in any conditions. Battery? Built-in 3000mAh Li-ion battery. In practice, you can count on at least 2 days of using the phone without recharging. This is a good result if we evaluate the autonomy by today's standards.

Performance and system

Responsible for the performance of the device is the Exynos 7870 chip, operating at a maximum clock frequency of 1.6 GHz and being an analogue of Qualcomm's Snapdragona 625. Graphics rendering is entrusted to the Mali-T830 processor, and the RAM size is 2 GB.

The chipset is powerful enough to efficiently handle any game and application from the Play Store. Among the inconveniences, it should be noted the small amount of memory for storage, which is only 16 GB. In performance tests the phone looks like this: Antutu - 46,013 points, in the Quadrant Standard - 15,367 points, 3DMark SlingShot Extreme - 243 points.

For management Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 replies operating system Google Android 7 .0. The system runs on Samsung's well-known interface called Samsung Experience, which looks very transparent and easy to use. In terms of styling, it is very similar to that used in the 2017 flagship Galaxy S8.

Generally, samsung model Galaxy j5 2017 is a smartphone that is very easy to love. A good, well-made and easy-to-use device is one of the best offers for its price.

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In June, Samsung made a double announcement - two smartphones of the same line appeared at once, and these are the Galaxy J7 and J5. So if you suddenly want to buy a smartphone with an average budget, then you will either have to choose between last year's flagships, or pick up something new. Therefore, it will be very difficult to choose, although it is much more interesting to get Samsung Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7, because they both have a new design and support for micro-SIM and Dual-SIM. By the way, there are black, white and gold models on sale.

Body materials, dimensions, weight and design

Both galaxy smartphone J have the same body materials - anodized controls and a supposedly metal frame. As a result, we get a completely traditional Samsung-style design. In size, the difference is not particularly noticeable, but if you attach too much importance to this, then here are the numbers: Galaxy J7 - 152.2 x 78.7 x 7.5 mm, Galaxy J5 - 142.1 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm. Accordingly, the weight of the first one is 171 g, and the second one is 146 g. As I noticed, the design is the same for smartphones, because the location of all buttons and the camera is completely identical.

Verdict: In terms of design and body materials, none of these smartphones wins. They are completely the same and the difference is only in size. But in fact it will be more convenient to use the Galaxy J5 - it is more compact and will fit better in the hand.

Screen, dimensions and resolution

Samsung doesn't surprise us with anything here again. Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 have Super AMOLED capacitive multi-touch screens. The older model has a 5.5-inch screen, while the J5 has a 5-inch. Since the technologies are identical, then the resolution is the same - 1280 x 720 pixels. But the difference in diagonal leads to a difference in pixel density - 267ppi and 294ppi. Of course, the density is higher for galaxy screen J5.

Verdict: Both smartphones show very good image quality. Of course, Galaxy J5 wins due to the smaller diagonal - the picture on its screen is slightly sharper. And yet, in reality, you are unlikely to notice any difference.

Camera

Both smartphones have the same cameras - for both the front and the main. And now on the back panel of the J5 and J7 they placed a 13-megapixel camera with LED flash, digital zoom, autofocus. It is also worth noting that there is support for HDR shooting, preset white balance, touch focus, ISO control, geo-tagging and face detection. The front 5-megapixel cameras also have LED flashes for cool selfies.

Verdict: Each of these smartphones takes excellent photos and high-quality videos, both in normal lighting and in low light.

Hardware and software

Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 received Snapdragon processors, only J7 is more powerful - it has an eight-core processor (4x 1.4GHz and 4x 1GHz), while the J5 runs on a quad-core processor with a frequency of 1.2GHz. There is also a difference in the graphics processor: Galaxy J7 - Adreno 405, Galaxy J5 - Adreno 306. But installed version firmware and version of TouchWiz are the same.

Each smartphone has 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy J7 has at least 16GB of storage, while the Galaxy J5 has at least 8GB, and you can still use MicroSD cards up to 128GB.

Smartphones have lithium ion batteries different capacities: J7 - 3000 mAh, J5 - 2600 mAh.

Verdict: With an eight-core processor and more powerful graphics galaxy processor The J7 remains the performance leader. However, this does not mean that the Galaxy J5 can disappoint. Even though J7 has 2 times more internal memory, you can use a microSD card at any time. And the fact that the battery in J7 is larger is also far from an advantage, because it has a more powerful processor.