Samsung galaxy j5 is better. Which Samsung budget phone is the best? What camera is installed

However, these devices cost close to $1,000, while many users are looking for more modest deals. For this category, there is a J-line, the middle representative of which, Galaxy J5 (2017), we get to know this time.

Characteristics

  • screen: AMOLED, 5.2 inches, resolution 1280×720 pixels
  • platform: Samsung Exynos 7870
  • RAM: 2 GB, ROM: 16 GB
  • main camera: 13 MP (f/1.7), front-camera: 13 MP (f/1.9) + flash
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS
  • battery: 3000 mAh
  • accelerometer, light sensor, fingerprint scanner, NFC
  • dimensions: 146.2x71.3x8.0 mm, weight: 160 g
  • Android 7.0

Appearance

The aluminum Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) looks simple, due to which it does not attract too much attention. It could have been confused with dozens of other smartphones if it weren’t for the Samsung inscription on the body and the unusual shape of the plastic insert. The appearance is on the verge of boredom, although it does not cross it, but rather is associated with severity, but there is nothing special about it, at least in the black version:






The arrangement of elements is standard for the manufacturer: the volume buttons are on the left, the physical “Home” with a fingerprint scanner and the touch “Back” with a list of recently launched ones are under the display, the charging and headphone connectors are located on the bottom end. The lock key is on the right, with a speaker slot visible above it.


The operating sensations, in contrast to the appearance, were pleasing: the classic placement of the controls allows all Samsung users to skip the period of adaptation to the new device, and the streamlined shape of the ends, coupled with the dimensions, provided the most comfortable grip. The smartphone turned out to be heavier than you expect when you look at it, but the weight cannot be called excessive; it rather says that you have a solid thing in your hands.



Screen

The display of the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels is built using Super AMOLED technology, which gives perfect blacks and oversaturated colors in normal mode. The settings allow you to activate more natural tones that are close to natural.

The picture quality is high, especially due to the richness of the image and excellent viewing angles. The brightness is enough for a sunny day, I was also pleased with the minimal amount of glare, the colors do not fade even in direct sunlight. The minimum brightness level turned out to be too high - it was uncomfortable for the eyes.

A blue filter is present, which facilitates interaction at night, and the white balance is adjusted manually. The device does not have an always-on display, familiar from the manufacturer’s more expensive smartphones, but this is a deliberate limitation that defines the J-series as a more budget-friendly solution.

The resolution is comfortable for all usage scenarios, but in small text you can see a “ladder” if your vision is 100 percent and the screen is 20cm from your face. You rarely have to hold the phone so close, and such small text, where the effect is visible, is found only on sites that are not optimized for smartphones, so this feature can be omitted.

Performance

Galaxy J5 (2017) received an 8-core mid-range Exynos 7870 processor and 2 GB of RAM, which in 2017 can be considered the minimum for comfortable work. Benchmarks:


Almost all of Modern Combat 5 remained at "Optimal" graphics quality game process within 26-30 fps (with rare dips for a moment or two to 21 fps), and even after 15 minutes of playing the smartphone’s body remained barely warm. Asphalt 8 at maximum settings stayed in the range of 25-30 fps and periodically dropped to 20 fps. You can play on a smartphone, but you will have to sacrifice graphics.

Applications run quickly, although in some places it takes longer to launch the program than we would like. The interface works smoothly in most cases, with occasional stuttering observed in the first few seconds of use and when scrolling through long lists. A stable (albeit not large) loss of FPS is noticeable in social network clients where there is dynamically loaded content; materials with a large number of images scroll in the browser with significant twitches.


The behavior generally corresponds to what can be observed on most smartphones with comparable hardware: in some tasks there is a lack of processing power, but most of the time the device works comfortably.

Autonomy

Capacity Samsung battery Galaxy J5 (2017) was 3000 mAh, which can hardly be called a benchmark for the middle class. However, in this case the numbers are deceptive, since the smartphone did not disappoint with its autonomy.

Medium loads using two mailboxes, two messengers and a dozen application programs (text editor, Twitter client, article storage service and more) the smartphone survived with dignity - just over 6 hours of active screen with 28 hours of battery life. The test includes two hours of podcast listening and about 30 minutes of YouTube video playback, as well as 20 minutes of casual gaming.

An ordinary user will get one and a half to two days of work from one charge, and a demanding consumer will definitely last a day and, with a high probability, will not be left without communication for a day.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) received a 13-megapixel main camera (f/1.7), which became the most controversial aspect of the smartphone. Good lighting conditions allow the smartphone to work well in close-ups, in particular, maintain the correct colors, do not push up the sharpness and maintain excellent detail.











Medium and distant objects generally look attractive, but the work of the algorithms is already noticeable here: increased saturation and loss of detail on distant objects. At the same time, small elements (foliage, building relief) do not turn into a mess of pixels, but rather get a light watercolor effect - it doesn’t look as bad as it might seem, and even adds stylization for home photographs.

The main failure of the camera is the narrow dynamic range, which kills most contrast scenes. HDR doesn't always help because it makes every image too bright (and still misses detail in the brightest areas).

No HDR

No HDR

HDR

Sometimes the smartphone still manages to cope with the bright sun, dark areas, and even foliage, but this inconsistency is frustrating. As a result, we have an average camera for its class, which sometimes takes good shots, in some cases makes minor mistakes, and periodically refuses to take any acceptable photo.

Additional features and features

The smartphone works under Android control 7.0 with a proprietary launcher and a number of its own programs. Some of them repeat those from Google, but if the browser seems superfluous to someone, the calendar from Samsung has been one of the best on the market since the time of the first Note, and remains so.

Branded features like “Game Mode”, “Secure Folder” and the ability to use multiple copies of applications (relevant for instant messengers) are also available in the J-series of smartphones. The J5 has a one-handed operation mode, which will be useful for users with small hands. The notification reminder option will be useful for anyone who often misses them.



The fingerprint scanner is not as accurate as the one - oily or wet fingers are read in 7 cases out of 10 - but there are no complaints about the speed. Although you won’t be able to enjoy the quick response when unlocking, since the transition to the home screen takes about a second. But in applications the difference with the best representatives is not felt.

Communications and sound

The speaker installed on the right side works perfectly: it is very loud and suffers almost no overload. The sound quality, if you do not take into account music smartphones, is high, but there is traditionally no bass. The sound in the headphones does not stand out in any way compared to the alternatives, but there is no problem with a lack of volume.

All radio modules work stably, we were especially pleased with the range Wi-Fi reception and GPS accuracy. The smartphone also pleases with the presence of NFC and readiness for Samsung Pay, which, according to rumors, could launch in Ukraine before the end of the year if the company and local banks agree on terms.

two SIM card slots adjacent to a microSD slot

The transmission of mobile traffic and voice is stable, the earpiece transmits the interlocutor’s speech loudly and clearly, and the microphones also do not distort the voice. Noise cancellation perfectly cuts out unnecessary sounds, including almost completely clearing out the echo when talking in a spacious room.

Competitors

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is available in three colors, blue, gold and black, the front panel is painted to match the body. The only modification, with 16 GB of permanent memory, the official retail price is 7999 UAH.

It remains the most profitable offer in the price segment up to 8,000 UAH, if we talk about specifications, in particular this concerns the flagship Snapdragon 821 processor and variations of permanent and RAM. In addition, it contains USB Type-C. Galaxy J5 2017 is more interesting due to the brand, optimization of the firmware for the Ukrainian region and widespread service, as well as novelty. In addition, the “official” Mi 5s costs 8999 UAH, which is not so encouraging.

It became a direct competitor to the new J5 (7995 UAH) with a higher display resolution and better battery life, but larger dimensions. Otherwise, the devices are close, the user should choose based on appearance, but as soon as Samsung Pay starts working in Ukraine, the Galaxy J5 2017 will become a much more interesting acquisition.

conclusions

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is a classic representative of the mid-segment from a famous brand: neat, well-built, with a well-developed radio part, but without the most powerful filling. The computing power, however, is sufficient for most typical tasks, so only flagship users or people well acquainted with the world of technology will pay attention to the latter.

The Galaxy J5 2017 is unlikely to attract geeks, but it will sell well, as hinted by the success of last year's line. The only question is whether the consumer will be able to see enough of a difference between this smartphone and the J3 2017 to pay almost 3,000 UAH more.

The new Samsung product is clearly designed for the masses, who are more interested in getting good pre-installed software, a familiar shell and stable phone from a manufacturer with a big name. The camera takes pictures, the screen is nice, you can pay contactlessly in the store, it lasts a day on a charge - this is enough to buy the J5 2017 and not be disappointed.

3 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

  • convenient case
  • excellent work of radio modules
  • separate slots for two SIM cards and microSD

2 reasons not to buy Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017):

  • periodic slowdowns and sometimes slow program launches
  • no USB Type-C

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

The front panel of the Galaxy J5 2017 may look familiar - the equipment has the typical set of buttons under the screen (one physical and two touch), as well as an oval frame shape, typical for most Samsung phones. However, if we look at back panel The J5 2017 is noticeably different in design from its predecessors, as well as other devices from 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 strips 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, of course, more prestigious. The only drawback, perhaps, is the lack of backlighting 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 convenient and neat. The manufacturer has provided very good way design of the case, making the device very comfortable in the hand. New to the J series is the integration of a fingerprint reader into the button under the screen of the device.

Screen and multimedia Samsung Galaxy J5 2017


The display of the J5 2017 model has a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 1280x720. This is a Super AMOLED matrix, which means the image quality, contrast and saturation are at the highest 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, however, users using more quality screens, you will immediately notice that the sharpness is not ideal.

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 the grille from which the sound is coming from being accidentally obstructed.

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 lens with f/1.7 aperture. This is a value that is mainly boasted by more expensive, higher-end smartphones.

The effect of using a light lens is visible primarily after dark, and in dark settings. In these conditions, unlike most models in this price range, the J5 2017 is able to take beautiful, clear photos. Unfortunately, the lack of optical stabilization makes itself felt quite often (slightly blurred frames), but yes, the smartphone’s camera deserves high praise.

In daylight, the Galaxy J5 2017 takes photos of similar quality to the models in this series. Photos are usually clear and colors are rich. The kit is complemented by a simple and intuitive application that automatic mode adjusts image parameters very well.

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

Performance and System


The performance of the device is ensured by the Exynos 7870 chip, operating at a maximum clock frequency of 1.6 GHz and being an analogue of the Snapdragon 625 from Qualcomm. Graphics rendering is entrusted to the Mali-T830 processor, and the RAM size is 2 GB.

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

The Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 is controlled by the Google Android 7.0 operating system. The system runs on Samsung's well-known interface called Samsung Experience, which is very transparent and easy to use. As for the style, it is very similar to that used in the 2017 flagship Galaxy S8.

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

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The Samsung company is one of the leaders in the smartphone market. One of the main secrets of success is a wide range of models that are designed to suit every taste and budget. The J line is budget smartphones. They are preferred by fans of the Korean brand who are looking for an affordable device. One of the most popular smartphones on this moment is "Samsung J5". The reviews contain positive comments both about this model, as well as about its modification.

Main characteristics

The Samsung J5 smartphone is of great interest. Reviews showed the high popularity of the model, and therefore its modification was released in 2016. She received the following characteristics:

  • operating system - Android 6.0.1;
  • RAM - 2 GB;
  • internal memory - 16 GB (9 GB is actually available to the user);
  • SuperAMOLED screen with a diagonal of 5.2 inches;
  • main camera - 13 MP;
  • front camera - 5 MP (LED flash);
  • 2 SIM cards (Micro);
  • battery capacity - 3100 mAh;
  • weight - 159 grams;
  • In addition to the smartphone itself, the package includes a network adapter, a microUSB cable, and a headset.

Design

Considering the appearance of the Samsung J5 smartphone, reviews draw some analogies with the Galaxy Alpha device, which was popular in 2014. It was then that a metal frame was used for the first time. But nothing outstanding design of this smartphone is not different. We can say that this is a typical representative of this Korean brand, which received a little bit of everything from different devices (rounded corners, protruding camera, Home key, etc.). “Budget” only shows the quality of materials and the lack of backlighting on the touch keys.

Almost all controls are located in a traditional way. The only exception is the headphone jack, which has been moved from the top edge to the bottom next to the USB connector and microphone. As in other smartphones from this manufacturer, the volume and power keys are located on the right and left, respectively. Despite the fact that the buttons are tightly seated in the body, there is a slight play. Nevertheless, the press is clear and short.

The edging is made of metal, but this is not its only advantage. It is equipped with a convenient cut that allows the smartphone to fit comfortably in your hand. There are plastic inserts on the bottom and top edges, which is most likely a tribute to fashion. Thus, we can say that the emphasis is placed precisely on the image component, when a budget smartphone looks like a flagship model.

Ergonomics

Speaking about the ergonomic characteristics of the Samsung J5 smartphone, reviews focus on the fact that back cover is removable. This gives access to the battery (it can be replaced if necessary), as well as two SIM cards and a memory card. It is worth noting that all three slots are allocated separately. Thus, there is no need to choose between an additional SIM card and memory expansion. The elements are located so that you don't have to take out the battery to change any of the cards. In fact, considering the latest trends, the removable cover and battery are a huge advantage as they can be replaced without going to a service center.

Screen

The main element of any smartphone is, of course, the screen. When considering the Samsung J5, customer reviews note the size of the display. The usual 5 inches is no longer enough for many. But not everyone decides to purchase a huge device with a diagonal of 5.5 inches. 5.2 inches is exactly the “golden mean”. At a resolution of 1280 by 720, oddly enough, the picture looks more than decent. However, upon closer inspection of the icons and fonts, you may notice some looseness. Like many other inexpensive smartphones from the Korean manufacturer, this device was not equipped with an automatic brightness adjustment function.

Reviews call the undoubted advantage of the Samsung J5 the Super Amoled screen, which implies a large wide color gamut and brightness reserve. Speaking of the last indicator, with one click the user can switch the backlight to maximum mode. This will help make the screen more readable, for example, on a sunny day. At the same time, thanks to numerous improvements, the Amoled screen does not “hurt the eyes”, as it was before. Adding to this low power consumption, we can say that the budget smartphone has the highest quality screen.

Interface and software

The Samsung J5 smartphone has managed to win the love of customers. Characteristics, reviews, price - all this is important. But the main thing is ease of use, which is largely ensured operating system. This device runs Android 6.01. The proprietary TouchWiz shell has been slightly simplified, which makes operation much easier. It is worth focusing on the following possibilities:

  • flexible desktop grid configuration;
  • Quickly launch the camera application by double pressing the Home key;
  • the ability to control the device with one hand;
  • support for a large catalog of desktop themes;
  • useful branded applications (news aggregator, calendar, etc.);
  • possibility of integration with Microsoft;
  • 100 GB cloud data storage.

Performance

The main disadvantage of this smartphone can be considered its processor. The manufacturer preferred the Snapdragon 410. This is the youngest representative of the 2016 model range. Performance tests do not show the best results. The first thing that stops us from justifying the decision of the manufacturer of such a device as the Samsung Galaxy J5 phone is the price. Reviews agree that with an average cost of 15,000 rubles, you want something more from the device. Although, it is worth noting that the developers managed to achieve the minimum performance threshold below which the device could slow down and freeze under load. But the smartphone can be praised for its extremely low consumption.

Autonomy

Specifications will help you make the final decision on purchasing a Samsung J5 smartphone. Reviews note the importance of such an indicator as autonomy. This device is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh. Considering the compact size of the smartphone itself and the battery, this is quite a decent figure, which was achieved by increasing the density and voltage.

Despite the fact that 3100 mAh is not a record figure for modern smartphone, the autonomy indicators are quite decent. The battery charge lasts for 10 hours of browsing the Internet, 40 hours of listening to music (with the screen off) or 9 hours of watching videos. At maximum load, the charge lasts almost 6 hours. And if you use your device in moderate mode, you don’t have to worry about the need to charge it for 2-2.5 days. It is unknown what the battery's safety margin is, but in its new state it performs quite well.

Camera

The Samsung J5 phone has good hardware. Reviews focus on the camera. The application interface will be familiar and understandable to regular users of devices of this brand. There is nothing new here, except for the interesting work of the front flash. In addition to the LED light source, a screen is also used. At the moment of shooting, its brightness level increases to maximum. It is worth noting the following main points regarding camera performance and image quality:

  • high detail not only in the center, but also along the edges of the image;
  • too long a minimum focusing distance makes the smartphone not the most suitable for macro photography;
  • there is color vignetting;
  • despite high-quality lighting optics, there is a lack of light in the frame;
  • the camera effectively prevents effects and glare;
  • good shooting quality text documents with flash;
  • the front camera takes high-quality photos even in low light, and the flash makes the background more readable (at the same time, detail is extremely low due to the lack of autofocus);
  • high video quality, which manifests itself in the smoothness of the picture.

Main competitors

Reviews demonstrate the popularity of the Samsung J5 smartphone. The price is in the range of 15,000-17,000 rubles, however, some may find it too high for the presented set of characteristics. In this regard, the following devices may compete:

  • ASUS ZenFone Max costs 2000-3000 rubles cheaper than the presented device. At the same time, it boasts a more capacious battery, extended internal memory and a more modern processor.
  • Alcatel Idol 4 costs a little more than a Samsung smartphone. However, this is justified by the large amount of RAM (3 GB), light weight (only 135 grams), and an 8-megapixel front camera. However, the devices of this brand have not yet established themselves, and therefore, by buying them, you will be a pioneer.
  • Xiaomi Redmi 3 wins in almost all respects. A 4100 mAh battery, light weight, and interesting design make this device especially attractive. At the same time, the price fluctuates between 8000 - 1000 rubles.

Positive reviews

If you are planning to buy a Samsung Galaxy J5 mobile phone, reviews will help you understand the advantages of the device. These include the following points:

  • there is a vibration notification function for missed events when you pick up the phone;
  • you can turn off the call by turning the smartphone screen down;
  • good autonomy (with moderate intensity of use, the charge lasts for 2 days);
  • The memory card slot is dedicated separately;
  • practically does not heat up when charging;
  • excellent design that makes the smartphone look like a flagship device;
  • loud and high-quality sound;
  • does not freeze even when working with heavy games;
  • pleasant tactile sensations when working with a smartphone;
  • presence of front flash;
  • good responsive sensor;
  • Availability of a suite of office applications.

Negative reviews

Despite all the positive aspects, this device is not without its drawbacks. If you are an experienced user, you may not like the following points:

  • there is no indicator of missed events (this is a problem with all budget devices from the Korean manufacturer);
  • vibration response of touch keys is not provided;
  • the back cover is made of very cheap plastic, which quickly gets scratched if you carry the phone without a case;
  • there is no normal music player (you need to install it yourself);
  • the front panel is not covered with protective glass (you need to buy and stick it yourself);
  • slightly confusing menu; the camera could have been better;
  • The smartphone is a little heavy, and therefore the hand quickly gets tired when working with it.

Smartphone "Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime": reviews, characteristics

Not long ago, a new representative of the J line appeared on the smartphone market. We are talking about the Samsung J5 Prime phone. Reviews note the elegant design, atypical for this budget line. A metal body and high-quality glass with rounded edges are typical features of a “flagship”. The device is quite compact and fits comfortably in the hand. The assembly is of high quality and does not cause any complaints.

Like many other budget smartphones, this device is not equipped with backlit touch keys. On the other hand, the device received an indicator of missed events, which is so lacking in many phones from Samsung. The mechanical Home key is equipped with a fingerprint scanner. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work.

It is worth noting the very unexpected location of the external speaker (under the power button). Oddly enough, this decision turned out to be very successful. The speaker is not muffled either by the surface of the table or the fabric of the pocket. Also, you won't cover it with your hands while playing games or watching videos.

It is almost impossible to find fault with the quality of the screen. Color reproduction is quite natural, even though the display is not perfectly calibrated. The 2D glass and oleophobic coating deserve all praise. Perhaps the most serious drawback is the lack of automatic brightness adjustment.

Conclusion

Samsung is the undisputed leader in the smartphone market. If you want to get a budget device with a flagship “appearance”, pay attention to the J line. Galaxy J5 is a worthy representative of the popular Korean brand.

Summer is not the most interesting time for those who are waiting for top-end devices. But many devices with a relatively low price tag appear just at this time. June 2017 was marked by the release of a new generation of Samsung J series smartphones. The Korean company announced three devices, the middle of which, the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017), is the subject of a review.

To understand how successful a smartphone turned out to be, you should carefully weigh all its pros and cons. That's why Samsung review Galaxy J5 (2017) is made in exactly this format. Based on the results, we will draw a conclusion and figure out which aspects of the new product have more strengths or weaknesses, and whether it is worth running to the store to buy this device or is it better to wait.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) has improved noticeably compared to its predecessor. The device looks nicer, and it has other strong points.

Appearance

Finally, in the J series, the Koreans began to use metal on a large scale. The predecessor, made of plastic, looked modest compared to even the more affordable Meizu M3 or Xiaomi Redmi 4, which did not evoke the most positive emotions. The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) has a much higher level of performance; the metal cover gives the smartphone solidity.

From the front, it is practically no different from the current 2017 Series A models, which are of a higher rank.

The smartphone also fits well in the hand, the corners do not press into the palm, the weight and size characteristics of the device (146x72x8 mm, 160 g) are normal. Against the background of the plastic generation of 2016, progress is obvious.

Cameras

The J series is traditionally aimed at selfie lovers, so the front camera of the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) has a high resolution of 13 MP and is equipped with a flash.

The front camera optics are characterized by an F/1.9 aperture opening. This allows you to take good quality self-portraits. Below you can see an example of a photo taken with the front camera.

The main camera is also of high quality. Its resolution is identical, 13 MP, but a more advanced matrix with better optics is used. The lens aperture is F/1.7, which makes it possible to take good pictures in low light.

Photos are clear, with good sharpness, and autofocus is fast and accurate. Available manual settings shootings that allow the photographer to improve the photo (see photo above).

Macro photographs are excellent, but this is a feature of shooting with a smartphone. You can't achieve this kind of sharpness with a regular kit lens in a DSLR camera. True, the macro lens of the Galaxy J5 2017 can no longer be compared.

Below is another product shot where you can see the fashionable Lately blur effect (bokeh) background. This is achieved thanks to the wide aperture of the f/1.7 lens. However, this should not be confused with f/1.7 in professional cameras, where a similar scenario is much more interesting. I will write about this in the next article.

NFC and gyroscope

The J series, as the youngest in the Samsung model range, did not receive an NFC module in our markets. But in the Samsung Galaxy J (2017) model it appeared in all versions. This is a very useful element that allows you to pay for travel or purchases in a store without taking out your wallet, or quickly connect an NFC-equipped accessory, such as a smart watch or wireless headphones. Because Android Pay launched in Russia in 2017, the presence of this function definitely won’t hurt.

Also, the J series finally has a gyroscope, which will allow you to view 360-degree content without problems. You can even insert your smartphone into a VR headset. However, this is not such a breakthrough for a smartphone of this price. The Chinese have been equipping more affordable models with a gyroscope for a long time, but Samsung was in no hurry to do so even in the premium A series of 2016.

Speaker location

Among the not so significant, but still advantages, I would like to include the location of the sound speaker, which was moved to the right side. It is loud enough and does not overlap when the smartphone is lying on the back, as well as when it is held in the hands in a horizontal orientation.

Screen

Don't trust the numbers and judge screens only by their resolution. At one time, Steve Jobs was right when he said that about 300 PPI (pixel density per inch) is enough for the eye. Of course, everyone wants to get a perfectly smooth picture, but a 5.2-inch matrix with a resolution of 1280x720 does not suffer from excessive pixelation. It is bright, clear, and the pentile effect, characteristic of AMOLED displays, is not noticeable.

Speaking of brightness, the J5's display has a maximum brightness of 500 cd/m2, which is pretty good.

Good clarity, with a relatively low matrix resolution, is very easy to explain. If you look at a working flash (I don’t recommend doing this, the blinding light is clearly not good for the eyes), then the diameter of the bright spot will be larger than the size of the LED. In the case of an AMOLED screen, everything is similar: very bright subpixel diodes, with their glow, mask the boundary between neighboring cells. Thanks to this effect, the picture looks more uniform and smooth.

Separate MicroSD slot

Just three years ago there was either a slot for a flash drive or there was no slot. Now many manufacturers are actively using hybrid connectors that allow you to install either a SIM card or a flash drive, but not both cards at once. Compared to them, the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) stands out in that you don't have to compromise. Him There are two NanoSIM slots and a separate MicroSD card reader.

People are angry about hybrid slots

Fingerprint scanner

Last year's J-series (except for the J5 Prime) did not have a fingerprint sensor, and in this regard they were inferior to their Chinese competitors. The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) has a fingerprint scanner integrated into the key below the screen. It is not just present “for show”, but is implemented at a decent level. The finger is scanned and recognized almost instantly.

Energy optimization

The battery capacity of the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is relatively small, only 3000 mAh. But, thanks to energy-efficient hardware and good software optimization, everything is not so rosy in games, but we’ll remember about that a little later.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)

The smartphone came out good, but not without flaws. Some shortcomings are also characteristic of him.

Iron

The chipset in the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is the same as in last year's Galaxy J7. It is quite modern from a technical point of view, but in terms of capabilities it is inferior to rivals such as the Snapdragon 625. The graphics of the Mali T830 MP2 are approximately half as weak as the Adreno 506, and the frequency of the processor cores is 400 MHz lower (it reaches a maximum of 1.6 GHz).

Therefore, the chip can only compete with the MediaTek MT6750 and Snapdragon 430 installed in cheaper smartphones.

The Galaxy J5 (2017) also has little RAM, only 2 GB. Considering that such a volume is already being actively installed in tubes cheaper than $100, this is not respectable for a $200 device. And the same can be said about 16 GB. But this minus is not so critical, since a separate slot for a flash drive makes it easy to eliminate the shortage of treasured gigabytes.

Heating and gaming capabilities Due to the fact that the smartphone’s hardware does not shine gaming capabilities

, under heavy loads the chipset has to operate at maximum frequencies.

This leads to an increase in temperatures, the device begins to warm the palm during games. Other resource-intensive tasks, such as navigation, can also lead to heating, and this effect is especially noticeable when charging is connected. For this reason, the device is not very suitable for the role of a navigator in a car. There, among other things, it will also be exposed to sunlight, which will make the heating especially pronounced.

The performance of the smartphone in games is not very high, the chipset works at full capacity and gets hot. This also leads to an increase in discharge rate, since lithium batteries do not like deviations from the optimal operating temperature. Once the battery heats up above 40 degrees, the charge drains even faster,

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to play for more than 5 hours on a smartphone. starting price Official Galaxy J5 (2017) in Russia is 17,990 rubles. Of course, you can find a device a little cheaper, about 16 thousand, but it’s still a lot. The Chinese sometimes offer flagships for $300, while Samsung positions its creation as an affordable device. Last year's J5 cost just under $250 at launch, and even that figure seemed like a lot back then.

However, there is no reason to be upset about the high cost of a smartphone. Everyone wants to make good money, and therefore, at first, manufacturers and sellers like to raise price tags. A couple of months will pass - and the cost of the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) should decrease significantly. If you are not in a hurry, it is better to wait a little. Remember, you are buying a smartphone from a brand in which everything will work at the proper level.

Current prices for Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017):

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Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) is a nice smartphone with a good display, high-quality cameras on the front and back, good battery life and other advantages. The device will be a good purchase for those who do not play, but use a smartphone for communication, listening to music, surfing the web, and taking photos.

The device doesn't look like it's worth the money yet the best option to purchase, but in fact the overpayment is not that high. Yes, the smartphone hardware matches price category about 200 dollars, but the Chinese for this amount are either equipped with a less bright screen, or take worse pictures, show worse battery life, or are generally not so balanced.

So there are two options here: either overpay and take the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017), or carefully look for a cheaper device with which you won’t have to make serious compromises.