Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) - Specifications. Review of android smartphone Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016): a breakthrough in the middle segment or an overvalued budget employee

Samsung Galaxy J7 is the top version of the smartphone from the manufacturer's budget series, which attracts attention with the optimal balance between performance and purchase price. When developing the 2017 model, it was decided to listen to the opinion of buyers in order to maximize the device, but not overstate the cost. And so, let's review the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 and find out if the manufacturer has succeeded in surpassing its own success in the budget segment.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy J7:

  • Materials: aluminum alloy
  • Screen: 5.5 inches with FullHD, AMOLED
  • Chipset: Exynos 7870
  • Memory: 3 GB RAM, 16/32 GB ROM
  • Cameras: 13 + 13 MP
  • Battery: 3600mAh

Design

Samsung Galaxy J7 Neo 2017 review we start with its appearance, because this is the first thing that catches your eye. The front panel is practically no different from the previous developments of the manufacturer, he continues to follow the chosen concept. The edges of the body are rounded for comfortable use and a secure hand grip. The screen is covered by 2.5D glass, it is rounded as it approaches the edges. It occupies about 73% of the front panel area; thin frames run along the sides of it. The smartphone looks especially beautiful on a locked display, then they are completely invisible and merge with the body.

Samsung Galaxy J7 review in Russian shows that under the screen there was a mechanical Home key, into which a fingerprint scanner was built. On the sides of it are two navigation keys, they are touch sensitive.

Above it is a front camera, a corporate logo, a proximity and light sensor (this is already a big plus, because it was not in the 2016 model), as well as an earpiece. A pleasant surprise was the flash, with which you can get good selfies even in absolute darkness. There is no notification indicator, but an equally convenient solution is used instead - the Always On Display option, in which the time and important events are displayed on the locked screen.

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy J7 review showed that the ends have a rounded shape, which improves the appearance and ergonomics. The bottom edge is occupied by a 3.5 mm jack, a microphone hole, plastic inserts for antennas that fit neatly into the design, a microUSB port. The latter is upsetting, but it's time to come to terms with the fact that Samsung is not eager to install USB-C in their budget solutions.

Each of the mechanical keys is thin and made of metal, making it comfortable to use. They are pressed distinctly, but they do not sit perfectly in their places - they stagger slightly, although this can be noticed only intentionally. Perhaps we came across a defective device, but still unpleasant. The power control button is located to the right, and a multimedia speaker is installed just above it. In my memory, not a single manufacturer has done this, but this is a very good location - it does not overlap when lying on the table or holding it in your hands in a horizontal position.

Samsung sm J710f Galaxy J7 review informs that there is nothing on the upper edge, except for the plastic strips for the antennas.

On the left are separate volume keys and trays, in one of which nanoSIM is installed, and in the other - another card and microSD in addition to it. This is an ideal solution, because 16 GB of user memory will not be enough, and no one wants to give up the second SIM card.

The back panel was constructed from a single piece of metal. In its lower and upper parts there are plastic strips for placing antennas. They have an unusual shape and perfectly complement the appearance of the device. In the center there is a corporate logo, and at the very top there is a camera and an LED flash to it.

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 review showed that the new product looks much better than its predecessor. It is assembled from more premium materials and excellent work has been done on the ergonomics of the case. Although J is the most affordable line in the brand's assortment, it is perceived as very expensive and prestigious.

Galaxy J7, like most other devices of the manufacturer, received a high-quality AMOLED display. Compared to the 2016 phone, it has been significantly improved. First of all, you pay attention to the resolution - FullHD has replaced HD, due to which we get better quality details. This entails another positive change - the pixel density has increased to 401 ppi. The stock of brightness is average - up to 348 nits, not much, but enough for comfortable use in sunny weather. The display received oversaturated colors and maximum viewing angles characteristic of AMOLED panels.

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 j730fm review showed that there are several color reproduction options, among which you can choose the optimal one in the settings menu. The screen pleasantly surprised me with its quality and detail, it is very pleasant to use it. Using the Always On Display option, in the locked state, notifications and other information you need will be displayed on it. It does not have the same settings and capabilities as in the flagships of the brand, but this will be enough.

Samsung Galaxy J7 performance

Technical characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 have not changed much. Responsible for performance is an 8-core chip developed in-house by the brand - the Exynos 7870. It is built on a 14-NM process technology and overclocks to 1.6 GHz. We also added RAM, now it's 3 GB. The processor immediately gives out the budget positioning of the device - the interface works smartly and stably, but at the maximum graphics it will be possible to enjoy far from every game. The video accelerator Mali-T830 is involved in graphics processing.


Specifications Samsung Galaxy J7 assume only 16 or 32 GB of internal memory - not enough, but the salvation will be a microSD card up to 256 GB. From the flagship devices, the Game Tools application migrated here, which stores all games in one place, allows you to record video from the screen, take screenshots during the game, turn off the notification and touch keys so that nothing distracts you from the process.

Synthetic tests

Wireless interfaces

Phone Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 review revealed support for WI-Fi of all bands, Bluetooth 4.1, there is an NFC chip and ANT +. For navigation on the terrain, you can use GPS, Glonass, Beidou - it finds satellites quickly and does not lose contact throughout the route.

Autonomy of Samsung Galaxy J7

Samsung Galaxy J7 neo review in Russian showed that the smartphone has a 3600 mAh battery. The capacities did not regret that, in combination with an AMOLED screen and an energy efficient processor, they can count on excellent autonomy results. It can withstand about a day of intensive use, and in normal mode you can count on a couple of days without recharging. When playing video, it lasted 16 hours - the result is really impressive. But there is also one important drawback - the fast charging standard is not supported, the manufacturer is in no hurry to implement it in their budget devices.

Cameras

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 sm j730 black review turns to its cameras, which are two and both of 13 megapixels. Both the front and the main module received an LED flash. The maximum resolution for video recording of each of the modules is FullHD. The aperture of the main module is f / 1.7, and the front camera is f / 1.9. Only the main camera got autofocus.

The interface practically does not differ from the standard one - on the main screen the space is occupied by the shutter button, video recording, the choice of the flash operation mode, as well as the transition to the settings menu. Samsung Galaxy J7 camera review in Russian showed that swiping from right to left can open a list of all available filters. It is worth doing it in the opposite direction, as the choice of the shooting mode will be displayed. There you can also find HDR mode, which is inconvenient. It is much more practical when it is displayed with a separate key on the main screen, as is done by most manufacturers.



A review of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy J7 showed that the main module can take great pictures under good lighting conditions. With the onset of darkness, getting a good shot will be more difficult, but real. The camera outperforms most of the price competitors. The same applies to the front camera.

Output

Compared to last year, the J series has evolved a lot. We are being offered a really good gadget that is perceived as expensive and justifies the asking price. It will be of interest primarily to those who dislike Chinese manufacturers and prefer products from A-brands. Although for this price, the Chinese can offer more advanced features, with the exception of the camera and battery life. The smartphone is well built and looks great. The AMOLED screen is also pleasing, which also received the Always On Display option, which this year first reached the budget segment. The only thing missing is the power in modern games.

The inexpensive Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) smartphone, announced in early July, is an extremely well-made product that far surpasses both its predecessors and numerous Chinese competitors.

At the moment, Galaxy J7 (2017) has already begun to go to retail chains. At first, the price of the device will be quite high (about $ 300), but in the future it should decrease. It is important to note that the new product has received a number of features that were previously characteristic only of more expensive Samsung lines.

It is interesting that online publications are still rather sparingly covering the release of the new "state employee" of the Korean giant, although, in our opinion, the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) deserves an unambiguous large detailed review. And indeed it is one of the best devices in its class.

Key features of the novelty

  • Great large 5.5-inch Super AMOLED bezel-less screen with (finally!) FullHD 1080 × 1920 pixels *. Goodbye HD Ready! It looks, by the way, very stylish and noble. Even the pop 2.5D effect does not spoil the impression.
  • For the first time in the history of the line - a metal case. The design of the plastic inserts for the antennas of the Galaxy J7 (2017) is interesting, which does not try to copy the latest Apple iPhone models.
  • Possibility of separate installation of two SIM-cards of the nano-SIM format and a microSD memory card with a capacity of up to 256 Gb. Very comfortably!
  • Full support for a branded contactless payment service, to connect to which you no longer need to buy more expensive and sophisticated models.
  • New main camera with 13 Mp resolution, f / 1.7 aperture, high sensor sensitivity and fast autofocus. Now you can get excellent quality pictures even with a relatively budget smartphone.
  • A very decent front camera - also with a resolution of 13 Mp, an aperture of f / 1.9 and a front flash. It can also be controlled with gestures. Your “selfies” will be cooler than even those of Apple iPhone 7 owners!
  • A very impressive 3600 mAh battery.
  • Basic protection against dust and moisture according to IP54 standard. Not IP68 yet, but it should be fine for a start.
  • Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box with Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz shell.
  • Supports features such as FM radio, dual-band WiFi and Dual-SIM *.

* Not all modifications (read about this below).

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) modifications

The novelty has several regional and operator versions, which differ in some technical characteristics:

  • SM-J730F / DS - basic international modification Dual-SIM, has 3 Gb of RAM and 16 Gb of flash memory. A number of regional variations may have a built-in 32 Gb storage:
    • SWA (South West Asia) - Southwest Asia
    • SEA (South East Asia) - Southeast Asia
    • LATAM (Latin America) - Latin America
  • SM-J727A - the version for the American operator AT&T, greatly reduced compared to the international one (plastic case, HD Ready 720 × 1280 screen, 8 Mp main camera and 5 Mp front camera, 3300 mAh battery, no Samsung Pay).

It is worth noting that a number of devices with the SM-J727 * code are branded in a completely different way, for example SM-J727V (USA, Verizon) - Samsung Galaxy J7 Pop. In what follows, speaking about the Galaxy J7 (2017), we will mean the international version of the SM-J730F, and not the "strange device" for AT&T.

Design

The new Galaxy J7 (2017) looks very cool for a relatively inexpensive smartphone: a durable metal body, a frameless screen covered with shock-resistant 2.5D glass, smooth shapes.

Somewhat reminiscent of the flagship Galaxy S6 + launched a couple of years ago, but even better (even though there are no real curved side edges).

Smooth shapes and 2.5D effect

Last year, we would not have thought that a representative of the budget Galaxy J line would look like this. However, times are changing - and suddenly they are changing for the better. Special thanks to Samsung for the dedicated microSD slot on the left side edge.

The plastic inserts for the antennas of the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017), as mentioned above, are made in a very non-standard way, which certainly pleases the eye. The camera module does not stand out, for which the Koreans also have a special "thanks"

Overall, the design of the new Galaxy J7 (2017) was highly rated by most critics.

"Iron"

Here the novelty has not gone much ahead compared to last year's Galaxy J7 (2016):

  • The same processor - the eight-core Exynos 7870
  • There is a little more RAM - 3 Gb
  • The built-in storage is the same - 16 Gb (32 Gb version is available in some countries)

The screen of the current J7, however, is already FullHD, but taking into account the old processor, this may even add "brakes". I am glad, however, the battery - 3600 mAh versus the previous 3300.

But full support for Samsung Pay (NFC + MST), Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks, Always On Display technology was added. But, alas, no fast charging (still a budget model). Although they could - over there the Chinese are already doing.

Camera

The photographic abilities of the Galaxy J7 (2017) have yet to be tested in detail, but early reviews suggest that the main camera takes very good pictures in normal daylight conditions.

If we compare the new J7 with the majority of "Chinese" under $ 300, then it definitely comes out the winner in terms of the quality of mobile photography.

New item price

The recommended price of Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) in Russia is 19,990 rubles. (about US $ 333 or € 292). In Ukraine, the situation is similar - UAH 8,999. (approximately $ 345 or € 302). This is quite a lot when compared with competitors. Even the more advanced Galaxy A7 (2017) can now be purchased for slightly more.

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) in the Ukrainian online store ALLO

However, in European countries, for example, the situation is much worse: all 340 euros are required for a new product. In addition, by the autumn, the smartphone should become cheaper by 20-25%, which will make it an excellent purchase.

Disadvantages of the Galaxy J7 (2017)

  1. Quite weak processor (Exynos 7870), somewhere in between in terms of power between MediaTek MT6753T and Helio P10 (MT6755).
  2. The smartphone turned out to be very weighty even taking into account the 5.5-inch screen - a whole 181 g.
  3. Not enough flash memory - only 16 Gb. The 32 Gb version is found only in some regions. However, the manufacturer is donating 15 Gb of Samsung Cloud.
  4. The aging microUSB 2.0 connector. Taking into account the time, we could have delivered USB Type-C.
  5. Slightly inflated price tag compared to competitors, in Europe - 340 euros (in Russia and Ukraine the situation is better).

Overall score

In our opinion, despite the five shortcomings listed above, Samsung's Galaxy J7 (2017) has definitely turned out and is generally beyond praise. Until now, the budget models of the Korean giant were scolded for weak "iron" and "plastic remnants", but all these critical reviews have nothing to do with the new product.

If we compare the new J7 and last year's, then there is a huge step forward in everything except the processor. Particularly pleasing are the full support of Samsung Pay contactless payments, a FullHD frameless screen, IP54 protection and a stylish metal case.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)

The specification below corresponds to the international version of the SM-J730F / DS smartphone, the modification for AT & T is written above.

Chipset Samsung Exynos 7 Octa (7870) SoC
CPU 8 x ARM Cortex-A53 64-bit @ 1.6 GHz
Graphics ARM Mali-T830MP2 GPU
RAM 3 Gb LPDDR3 @ 933 MHz
Flash 16/32 Gb eMMC 5.1 depending on modification *
MicroSD Yes, up to 256 Gb (dedicated slot)
Screen Diagonal 5.5 inches, resolution FullHD 1080 × 1920 pixels, pixel density ~ 401 ppi, matrix type Super AMOLED, frameless design, protective glass with 2.5D effect, Always-on display
Main camera 13.0 Mp, f / 1.7 aperture, autofocus, dual-tone LED flash, FullHD video recording (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front-camera 13.0 Mp, f / 1.9, front flash, FullHD video recording (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Communication 2G GSM, 3G UMTS, 4G LTE
4G LTE speed LTE Category 6 (300 Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload)
Frequencies 2G GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz **
3G frequencies HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz **
4G frequencies LTE band 1 (2100), 3 (1800), 5 (850), 7 (2600), 8 (900), 20 (800), 28 (700), 40 (2300) **
Dual-SIM Yes (not for all modifications) ***
SIM card type nano-SIM
Navigation GPS + A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou
Bluetooth v4.1
WiFi IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac Wave 2, 2.4 + 5.0 GHz, data rates up to 433 Mbps
NFC Yes
MST Yes
Samsung Pay Full support
FM radio Yes
USB Micro-USB 2.0, OTG
3.5mm audio Yes
Biometrics Fingerprint scanner (built into the Home button)
Sensors Lighting Level, E-Compass, Gravity, Gyroscope, Hall Sensor, Proximity
Battery 3600 mAh, non-removable
Fast charging No
Housing Metallic, impact resistant glass
Protection IP54 (dust and moisture)
Form factor Phablet
Dimensions 152.5 x 74.8 x 8 mm
Weight 181 g
OS Android 7.1 Nougat + proprietary Samsung TouchWiz shell
Localization Full
Colors Black, blue, gold, pink

* On the territory of Russia and the CIS countries, only the version with 16 Gb of internal memory is presented.
** Depending on the region of sale, the set of supported frequencies may differ.
*** Only Dual-SIM is sold in Russia and CIS countries.

The main and almost the only external change in the design of the updated model is the use of metal in the case.

Fortunately, Samsung took into account our comments made during the review of the old Galaxy J7, and removed those wonderful plastic "chrome" bezels along the edge, which began to "crawl" almost in the store. Here I, of course, exaggerate, but on the whole the situation was rather sad. The phone is absolutely contraindicated to be in the same pocket with the keys.


The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) solves the problem by using an aluminum frame with a shiny, sanded strip. I don’t want to use an utterly hackneyed phrase, but there’s no escape when it’s true: the metal pleasantly cools the hand. It's smooth, but not slippery, so the phone doesn't try to slip out of your hand at the most inopportune moment. Due to the relatively wide, flat ends with slightly beveled edges, it is convenient to lift the phone from the table surface from any position.


In general, this update brought only pleasant impressions from both the appearance and practical use. In addition to metal, of the visible innovations, one can only name the plastic inserts for the antennas, which are present in every "metallized" Samsung smartphone this year, starting with.


The back frame is plastic, framed with brushed metal. It is thin and comes off with some effort. However, with some patience, you can not be afraid that it will break.

The diagonal screen size remains the same at 5.5 inches. Therefore, the overall dimensions also did not undergo significant changes: the width decreased by 2.7 millimeters and the thickness increased by 0.3 millimeters. The weight dropped by a whole gram to the 170 mark.


It's hard to say whether the phone has become more attractive, because beauty is a subjective matter. However, the new metal edging definitely helped the new model freshen up and not look as boring as before. In addition, the absence of plastic will no longer lead to the fact that the phone will lose its presentable appearance after a month of use.

Connectors and controls

The set of connectors and elements, as well as their location, completely repeats the sets in previous J-series smartphones in 2016. Neither a fingerprint scanner nor an indicator of missed events appeared here.


Above the screen from left to right are the front camera, earpiece, proximity sensor and flash. There is no light sensor here, so the brightness is changed manually.


Below the screen: mechanical Home and touch Menu and Back. The buttons are not backlit.

The metal power button is located on the right side.


The volume rocker, consisting of two separate and again metal buttons, is on the left.



At the bottom there is a microphone, a microUSB connector and a 3.5 mm mini-jack for connecting a headset or headphones.


The rear panel is no different from that in: a loud external speaker, a camera peephole that protrudes slightly outside the body, and an LED flash.


Under the cover there is a good old set of slots for two SIM-cards of the microSIM format and a microSD memory card up to 128 GB.


Personally, I like this option more than the combined tray, which allows you to place either two SIM cards, or one SIM card and a memory card. However, there are a lot of instructions on how to combine a SIM card and a memory card, which will allow you to cram three elements into a double tray. However, this method does not guarantee their 100% performance, not to mention the risk of damaging one of the elements. And so, if you cannot cope with installing a SIM card or memory card, then our short video will help to solve the issue:

In principle, the ergonomics of the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) are not satisfactory. All buttons and connectors are in their usual places, and the audio port transferred to the bottom end deserves a separate mark - so it is much more convenient to use it.

Case for Galaxy J7 (2016)

Buying a cover or cover for the Galaxy J7 (2016) is quite simple - there are quite a lot of them released.


For such a cover for the Galaxy J7 (2016), they ask 1,500 rubles. It looks good, and the case can serve as a stand.


This cover for Galaxy J7 (2016) is made of leather and costs much more - 2,900 rubles.


A silicone case for Galaxy J7 (2016) also costs a lot - about 1,400 rubles.

There are also many other similar accessories on sale - after all, we are talking about a popular mass smartphone.

Galaxy J7 (2016) screen

The screen, or rather the resolution, inherited by the updated model Galaxy J7 (2016), is one of the most controversial issues. The screen size diagonally, we recall, is 5.5 inches, and the resolution is 1280x720 pixels, which means a low density of dots per unit area.

In this case, the PPI is 267. I'll tell you straight - not the highest value, after all, HD for a 5.5-inch screen has long been considered too modest a parameter. However, thanks to Samsung's tweaks in the form of a slightly larger font there, slightly enlarged icons here and so on, everything looks pretty smooth, without a "ladder" of individual pixels.

In addition, I want to note that mostly people who are carried away pay attention to the little things in the form of pixels. For many users, this parameter represents a much smaller value than, for example, the number of megapixels of the camera, if you know what I mean. Finally, we should give Samsung its due: the company has a Galaxy J7 (2016) model with a Full HD screen and three gigabytes of RAM in its range, but it is intended only for the East Asian markets.

The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016), like the rest of the J-series smartphones, including the old "seven" of 2015, uses a matrix made using Super AMOLED technology. What does this mean? About rich color reproduction with the ability to adjust, about a high level of brightness, good readability in the sun and "correct" display of blacks. The maximum white brightness is 398.89 cd / m2, which deserves a good mark.


Four color profiles can be selected in the screen settings. I settled on a rich Responsive, which offers more "flashy" colors, and Basic with more "calm" colors. The image clearly shows how the color gamut in Adaptive mode exceeds the sRGB space, while when using the Main profile, the colors are only slightly outside it.


When using the Adaptive Profile, the color temperature differs from the reference 6500K by about 1300-1500K. As a result, the colors are at least "colder" - a little, but noticeable. The colors of the Main Profile look "softer" due to the fact that the color temperature is much closer to 6500K and differs by 200-300K.


Finally, the last screen test is to measure the gamma curve for the two profiles. In this case, the curves for both Adaptive and Basic coincide and generally show a slight deviation, so that the picture will be displayed with the desired brightness.


The screen sensor recognizes 10 simultaneous touches.


The light sensor is not here or is not used in this version of the OS. In any case, leafing through the specification of the smartphone on various resources, including the official one, I did not find any mention of it.

Overall, resolution aside, I liked the screen. Sensitive, with good and customizable color reproduction, bright - the screen is definitely good. What it lacks in my opinion is the additional settings that Samsung usually leaves for the flagship S-series of devices. Although it was worth keeping the auto brightness adjustment, it is much more convenient with it.

Galaxy J7 (2016) camera

If we go straight to the conclusion, then the same conclusion can be made about both cameras of the phone: good, but no frills. I do not have the ability, like iFixit, to disassemble smartphones and compare components, so my conclusion is based on my own observations.

According to them, the old and updated Galaxy J7 models are equipped with the same photo modules. However, there is nothing wrong with that, since the 2015 J7 got some very good cameras. This is probably why Samsung decided: if it works, don't touch it.


The main camera takes pictures with a maximum resolution of 13 MP (4128x3096), but only for an aspect ratio of 4: 3. For the 16: 9 aspect ratio, which most displays in TVs, monitors and mobile devices match, the resolution is reduced to 9.6 MP.




The settings also "migrated" from the old Galaxy J7. In normal mode, you can select a filter, turn on / off the flash, and set a timer.


In Pro mode, white balance, ISO and exposure compensation settings are added.


Among the rest of the settings, you can choose shooting in HDR, panoramic and continuous shooting, and others.

The shots come out pretty decent, especially outdoors with good lighting conditions. I also suggest taking a look at last year's camera review to increase the number of photos to evaluate.


The video is shot in Full HD resolution. Obviously, 2K is reserved for flagship smartphones to keep intrigue.

The quality of the video, as well as the photo, is excellent, so you can safely take out your tripod and shoot time-lapse videos of your city.



The resolution of the images of the front camera again depends on the selected aspect ratio. The maximum is only available for 4: 3. The settings correspond to those of the Galaxy J5 (2016) and the old model Galaxy J7 - the choice of self-portrait, group photo and so on.

Taking into account the fact that this is a front-facing camera, the quality of the pictures is excellent. Color rendition, white balance, sharpness - nothing to complain about. In addition, the front camera is equipped with a flash. Personally, I have never used it like that, but perhaps someone will find a use for it.


Full HD maximum resolution is available for video.

I suggest you evaluate the quality of the picture yourself. My opinion is still the same - great. What else can I say if this is really so?

In general, as mentioned in the beginning, both cameras shoot perfectly. The only drawback is the simplified menu and modest settings. Samsung leaves more advanced features to the flagships, although I believe that these cameras are also quite capable of coping with them.

Galaxy J7 (2016) specifications

I chose last year's Galaxy J7 as my opponent. The novelty is equipped with a different processor and more RAM, so I'm curious how significant the difference in performance between the two models is with a difference of one year. I got a Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) labeled SM-J710FN.


In addition to the metal in the case, the changes also affected the filling of the smartphone. The display is probably the same, but the Galaxy J7 (2016) has a new processor, more RAM, an NFC chip and a larger battery. And also a more recent version of the operating system.

The Exynos 7870 processor is an upgrade from the 7580 found in the old Galaxy J7. It is made on a 14nm process technology, includes eight Cortex-A53 cores with a clock speed of up to 1.6 GHz and, as Samsung promises, is more energy efficient. Unfortunately, the first and so far the only device equipped with the Exynos 7870 is the Galaxy J7 (2016), so the processor has not yet had time to appear on popular resources and there is little information about it.

As for the graphics accelerator, the Mali-T830 MP2 is a mid-range solution in the T800 line of accelerators and is intended for mid-price solutions. In general, even the old model Galaxy J7 did not suffer from a lack of performance with a weaker Mali-T720 MP2 video card, including in games, so the more perfect Galaxy J7 (2016) should not let you down.


The J7 (2016) has 2GB of RAM - more than the 2015 Galaxy J7, which only got 1.5GB. Today it is already a standard. Also, the battery capacity was increased from 3000 to 3300 mAh, an NFC chip was added and Android 6.0.1 was installed. What is missing here is a gyroscope, so a smartphone will not work for VR glasses. The built-in memory is 16 GB, of which 11 GB are available.

In general, the changes are quite significant - a new chip, more "RAM", a fresh operating system. However, it is not yet clear how this will affect practice, so let's move on to testing performance and battery life.

Performance testing

As a competitor, as I said, was last year's J7 model. Let's see what changes Samsung managed to achieve in the middle price range.


The results of the system-wide Quadrant test again showed who is the weak link today and who will not pull World of Tanks Blitz today. However, the gap is not that big, although the test is already a bit old. What will more modern tests show?


The SunSpider browser test (the lower the better) showed the same: Galaxy J7 (2016) pulls ahead, but not as much as you would expect after Antutu launch.


Finally, graphics performance tests. A modern smartphone copes with this task better, but on the whole the numbers obtained show that both devices can be safely attributed to strong "middlings" and try to play any games on them.

Galaxy J7 (2016) in Antutu

And let's see how the smartphone performed in the popular Antutu test.


As you can see, the overall test showed a significant superiority of the new model. The difference was almost 12,000 points - quite impressive.

Galaxy J7 (2016) battery life

In terms of autonomy from Galaxy J7 (2016), I expect at least good results. The fact is that Samsung not only increased the battery capacity, but also used the battery itself, which, together with the new 14nm processor, will discharge extremely slowly.


According to the results of testing the autonomy of the device, the Galaxy J7 (2016) was able to outperform the Galaxy J7 by 5%. Considering that the old model once showed a very good result, significantly outstripping with a 4000 mAh battery, then Samsung's words about the improved energy efficiency of the new processor can be considered true. The Galaxy J7 (2016) was very reluctant to part with the battery charge percentage and in general the smartphone turned out to be very tenacious, showing an excellent result. Even a brick smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery is unlikely to reach such an indicator.


Traditionally, the maximum expense was spent on games. What to do, for the correct operation of "heavy" applications a smartphone needs all its resources. But when listening to music, reading and at rest, the battery was practically not discharged.

If, somewhere on the road, you find that the battery will soon run out, Samsung suggests using the power saving mode, which changes the color scheme to black and white and turns off most of the modules. With its help, even a couple of percent of the charge can be stretched for a considerable time. To this you can add a customized list of applications that will be disabled if they are not used for a long time.

In general, testing has proven that the J7 (2016) really got a more productive filling than the old model. Although for the most part the superiority was insignificant, I still consider the result excellent, since last year's Galaxy J7 is also "not bastard". Although I was especially personally pleased with the improved battery life of the Galaxy J7 (2016).

Games on Galaxy J7 (2016)

The time has come for real tests - games. In short, the Galaxy J7 (2016) coped with everything with a bang.


  • Riptide GP2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Asphalt 7: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Asphalt 8: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Modern combat 5: excellent, the game does not slow down;
  • N.O.V.A. 3: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Dead trigger: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Dead trigger 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Real Racing 3: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Need For Speed: No Limits: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Shadowgun: Dead Zone: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Frontline Commando: Normandy: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Frontline commando 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Eternity warriors 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Eternity warriors 4: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Trial Xtreme 3: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Trial Xtreme 4: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Dead effect: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Dead effect 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Plants vs Zombies 2: excellent, the game does not slow down;


  • Dead target: excellent, the game does not slow down.

Some games, such as Iron Man 3, were not on Google Play at the time of testing, so they were removed from the list. But even without that, you can see: on the Galaxy J7 (2016) you can play everything, and without any problems.

BY

The main difference in the pre-installed software is the operating system itself, version Android 6.0.1. It differs from Android 5 a lot of innovations: permissions for applications, simplified volume control, an updated list of applications with the most frequently used programs, and so on. More details about the innovations in. However, the TouchWiz shell somewhat neutralizes these differences, so at first glance the number of changes may seem rather modest.

Otherwise, all the software migrated here from last year's Galaxy J7 and is no different from the Galaxy J5 (2016). For example, Google and Microsoft branded applications.


And this is already a set of applications from Samsung.

In addition, as you flip through the desktops, you can stumble upon Briefing, a customizable global news aggregator. For those who do not need it, then you should perform a pinch gesture with two fingers, go to the table with this application and move the switch to the appropriate position.

For me personally, usability is always important, so the first thing I do is set up quick access to the switches. Let me remind you that if the "shutter" is "pulled" not with one, but with two fingers, the full list of switches opens.


Then I get to know the advanced settings. Unfortunately, most of the tastiest Samsung reserves for more expensive devices, so the list of such settings in the Galaxy J7 (2016) is rather modest. But there is, of course, something. For example, since we're aiming for a 5.5-inch screen, it makes sense to experiment with the settings for one-handed operation.

For me personally, the reduced window and small keyboard were not very convenient. Perhaps this is a matter of habit. The window shrinking mode is activated after pressing the Home button three times.

These additional features are worth using for a while to see if they are useful to you. Since there is no indicator of missed events in the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016), smart notifications can be very useful.

In the display settings, you can specify whether to use a background for the icons.

Smart Manager is a convenient and effective application that has become part of the settings. It displays general statistics on the state of the smartphone with the ability to view more detailed information.

And this is a view of running applications with a convenient "Close all" button.

Finally, a set of standard applications - dialer, contact editing, settings with a choice of shortcuts for quick access, voice recorder and others.

While testing the settings and pre-installed software, one word constantly spun in my language - modest. On the one hand, everything you need and a little more is here. But compared to flagship devices, the mid-range models seem like simple "balalaikas".

Output

If we compare the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) with its predecessor, then the new product surpasses the old model in several ways: body, performance, software and battery life. Taken separately, each innovation does not represent any fundamental change. But in the aggregate, Samsung has turned out to be a very interesting model, which was able to become better than an already decent smartphone.

Separately, I would like to note the excellent autonomy of the smartphone, which surpassed the indicators of the 2015 Galaxy J7, excellent without undue modesty. In second place is the metal case, which avoided unnecessary boredom in the outlines of the smartphone. The third place on my impromptu achievement list is shared by two good cameras and a high level of performance that allows you to run any games on a mid-range smartphone.

The main and perhaps the only drawback is the screen resolution. However, as I said before, thanks to Samsung's tricks, the undemanding user will not pay any attention to this shortcoming.

Galaxy J7 (2016) price

You can buy Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) for 19 thousand rubles. For comparison, the 2015 model can be purchased for 15.5-16 thousand rubles. How will competitors respond?


Meizu M3 Note can be purchased from an official distributor at an average price of 16.5-17 thousand rubles. The smartphone is equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS-screen with Full HD resolution, eight-core MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755) with an accelerator Mali-T860 MP2, 2 gigabytes of RAM, 16 gigabytes of internal memory, a battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh and a combined SIM tray maps and memory cards, GPS / GLONASS navigation and LTE support. Among the disadvantages compared to the Galaxy J7 (2016) is the older Android OS version 5.1 and worse battery life.

This model is not so common, but for 18-18.5 thousand rubles a set of characteristics deserves attention. In the first place is a 5000 mAh battery, alas - non-removable, as well as a fingerprint scanner. The smartphone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (MSM8939) processor with eight cores and a clock speed of 1.5 GHz, an Adreno 405 accelerator, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory and support for memory cards up to 128 GB. Supports 4G standard and Wi-Fi 802.11ac interface.

Pros:

  • improved design compared to its predecessor;
  • metal sidewalls;
  • high-quality assembly;
  • more efficient processor and video card;
  • increased amount of RAM;
  • a battery with a larger capacity and a record autonomy;
  • flash for the front camera;
  • decent quality cameras;
  • high-quality Super AMOLED screen;
  • convenient location of the audio jack;
  • collapsible body;
  • preinstalled Android 6.

Minuses:

  • no automatic screen brightness adjustment;
  • low screen resolution for 5.5 "diagnostics;
  • no event LED.

In the budget J line from Samsung, the device with number 7 after the 2017 revision turned out to be much closer to the flagship models than the previous version. At the same time, the model cannot be called unambiguously successful due to some features of the filling and software. So, for Samsung Galaxy J7 2017, the review did not reveal any progress in terms of the processor. But the screen has grown noticeably. But first things first.

Externally, the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 continues the corporate tradition. It is made in a classic form factor, a large screen on three quarters of the front panel is covered by graceful narrow frames. All corners are smoothly rounded, even the glass for the display is made using 2.5D technology. There are 4 colors available: black, blue, gold and pink.

Above the display are the earpiece, the camera (and its flash), and a couple of sensors. Below is the central mechanical Home key, next to it are touch buttons for going back and displaying the menu.

On the left side there are independent volume buttons. Below there are two slide-out trays: one holds only the SIM, the second holds the SIM and a memory card. The main speaker is located on the right above the power / lock key.

The top end has no connectors, the bottom has an input for traditional 3.5 mm headphones and microUSB.

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 itself came out large enough, but slender - with dimensions of 152.5 by 74.8 mm, the thickness fits into 8 mm. But the mass pulled by 181 g, so you have to get used to the weighty smartphone.


Design and ergonomics

Perhaps the most successful decision of the designers is to abandon the plastic back, which was in the 2016 version, and use a solid metal case. Yes, the battery is now out of reach, but how great it is to feel the cool aluminum alloy in your hand! Thanks to this, the smartphone is immediately perceived as an expensive model, and not a budget option.

The assembly leaves a similar impression. The details are fitted tightly, there is no creak - it is not for nothing that IP54 protection against splashes and dust is declared. Due to its high wear resistance, the smooth metal surface successfully retains its noble appearance. And it slips a little, so the cover will not be superfluous.

The plastic in the body remained in the form of curved inserts at the top and bottom, under which the antenna parts are located. In the black version, the inserts are almost invisible, in the others they fit organically into the design of the backdrop.


Bravo, developers - we managed to keep the style and provide a stable reception. Complements the look of the Samsung logo above which the main camera is located. It does not protrude from the body, so the smartphone fits naturally into the hand.

The side keys are made of narrow metal strips and are pleasant to press. If you try very hard, you can find fault with a barely noticeable stagger. However, with typical smartphone use, this is almost invisible. But the fast and fairly accurate response of the fingerprint scanner, which is hidden in the bowels of the Home key, leaves a pleasant impression. You can save up to 3 fingerprints to use them to log into accounts or confirm payments - both mobile and online.

The side main speaker leaves a controversial impression. In the normal position, it does not come to hand, but in landscape orientation, you can accidentally drown out the sound.


Display

The Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 screen has undergone a serious redesign. Now it is a full-fledged FHD display with a size of 1920 by 1080. Taking into account the 5.5 ”diagonal, the pixel density reaches a decent level of 401ppi. The model uses a Super AMOLED matrix with excellent display of both black and other colors, regardless of the angle of view.

The picture may even appear overly saturated. In this case, you need to customize the display in the menu - in addition to the basic mode, photos, videos and adaptive are available. And you can also activate the filtering of the blue color to relieve the eyes, adjust the scale and font sizes.

The contrast is sufficient for use even with an excess of sunlight, and the brightness of the screen is excellent. It can be manually adjusted up to 350 nits, and the automatic adjustment pulls up to 550.


And the display was taught the Always on Display function. When activated, you can show the time, date and notifications on the lock screen. This is convenient if you need to wait for a message in the messenger, since you do not need to constantly “wake up” the device.

2.5D glass on top of the display does not interfere with fast and accurate reading of clicks, and it also protects well from small scratches. Some owners complain that exposure to river sand will guarantee damage to the surface - but in this case it is better to take care of additional protective cover. Much more serious is that the display is fragile: if dropped, the glass may remain intact, and the matrix itself easily breaks down.

Equipment

The following kit comes with the phone:

  • charger, and the USB cable is not very long;
  • wired headphones combined with a microphone;
  • a paper clip that opens the SIM trays;
  • instruction.


The branded case will have to be purchased separately; the wireless headset is also not included.

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 specifications

The most interesting point is how much the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 have changed. Let's start with the memory: 3 GB is immediately available for the OS and applications. A compromise option that suits a budget smartphone. This is enough for both programs and games.

The same cannot be said about the internal storage, the total volume of which is 16 GB. With the OS installed, only 10 GB is left for the user. The situation is saved by the possibility of connecting a microSD card up to 256 GB. The card is not included in the package, it is better to purchase it immediately.

It should be noted that some users regularly have problems with a memory card. Even if the application was installed on microSD, after updating to the current version, it is transferred back to the main memory. Also, all files received through instant messengers are written to the built-in drive. Perhaps Samsung will fix this in updates.

The processor is formally good: 8 cores, each 1.6 GHz. But in practical use, questions about performance immediately arise.

Performance

Yes, the interface works smoothly. Yes, regular apps open quickly. However, in games it becomes noticeable that the performance is not enough for a full-fledged graphics rendering. And all because the processor and graphics subsystem in full force moved from the previous version of the smartphone.

From the point of view of energy consumption, the Exynos 7870 with a 14 nm process technology is excellent: it treats the battery with care, does not heat up. But the comparison of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 with the Cortex-A53 cores will definitely be in favor of more modern chips. For example, Helio X20 with A72 cores (Redmi Note 4 from Xiaomi) in a single-core test results twice as good, in a multi-core mode the superiority is one and a half times.

Mali-T830MP2 graphics are still sadder. It handles 720p, but here's a 1080p screen. It is better to run games at minimum or close to them settings in order to ensure an acceptable frame rate. And according to tests, the results of the smartphone are slightly below the average price segment.


Cameras

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 is equipped with a 13 MP camera with f / 1.7 aperture. It is based on the popular IMX258 sensor from Sony. For illumination, a single LED flash, traditional for budget smartphones, is used. Unfortunately, optical stabilization never appeared in the model, which noticeably affects the image quality.


The controls have been improved for one-handed use, in particular the shutter button is made floating. The other hand remains free to take the desired pose or frame. However, there are some peculiarities: the modes are selected quite conveniently, but HDR can be activated or deactivated exclusively manually. But in Pro mode, you can customize the camera in every possible way - set the exposure, play with ISO and white balance.

A photo

In sufficient light, the pictures are quite decent, autofocus works quickly. However, the budget sensor often produces under-exposed photos.

Shadow detail due to the modest dynamic range can only be pulled out when HDR is on.

But in the evening, with a natural lack of light or when using artificial light sources (light bulbs in an apartment, for example), the quality of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 photo drops. Autofocus tries very hard, but it still works for a long time. Noises noticeably worsen the photo, the lack of stabilization affects.







Video

Video recording uses the FHD format appropriate for the screen (saved in MP4). 30 frames of 1920 x 1080 are recorded per second. 4K mode or at least 60 fps is not available - the chipset remains from the 2016 model, which cannot cope with them.

In terms of quality, the same comments are true as for photos: without stabilization, vibrations should be avoided in every possible way and try to record with sufficient lighting. Then the details will be visible and there will be little noise.

Front-camera

But the front camera of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 proved to be excellent. It also has a 13 MP sensor (only f / 1.9 instead of f / 1.7), and also has a flash. Even the lack of autofocus does not prevent taking selfies better than the segment average. In addition, you can take pictures by gesture - for the camera to work, you need to show your palm to the smartphone.


Sound and quality of music playback

The main speaker, despite being located on the right side, produces a fairly loud sound. At the same time, the middle sounds soft and pleasant for the ear, you can only find fault with the bass (could be juicier) and high frequencies (they are simply not enough).

The situation with the complete headphones is similar. For an undemanding listener, they will be quite enough, and for music lovers it is better to purchase a higher quality model. Moreover, you can play a variety of audio file formats, including FLAC.

Communication capabilities

In support of communication, the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 smartphone is good: here and 2 SIM (both in nano-version), and the ability not to give up the second SIM card with the installed microSD. As a bonus, there is the ability to bind both numbers to two messenger accounts and use them simultaneously in Dual Messenger mode.

It supports work in networks up to 4G LTE cat.6 - you can not only make calls, but also download data at 300 Mbit / s. The Wi-Fi module is also good: it works at 2.4 / 5 GHz and complies with the 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac standard.

And yes, you can broadcast to an external screen via Wi-Fi Direct. The bluetooth module supports version 4.1. Also included is GPS / Beidou / GLONASS support. Plastic inserts in the housing ensure stable signal reception of all listed modules.

Other devices can be connected via USB 2.0 with OTG support (for example, an external keyboard) or bind via Ant + (fitness trackers). You can connect Gear Circle, Gear Fit2, Gear S2, Gear S3, Gear IconX to your smartphone. The cherry on the cake is an NFC module for contactless payments.


operating system

The Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 has Android 7.0 OS, supplemented by the Samsung Experience shell. As a result, the interface became similar to the design of the S8 flagship. Users can change display options - with applications in a separate menu or with uploading everything to desktops.

Icons in the notification curtain are grouped on 2 pages for convenience. You can activate one-handed operation or set up a pair of applications to be shown simultaneously in a multi-screen mode. In other words, customizing the device for yourself is no worse than in the top line.

For example, with the Game Tools utility, you can collect all game applications in one place, as well as record video while playing the game or take screenshots.


Autonomy

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 received a non-removable Li-Ion 3600 mAh battery. Despite the rather modest capacity, the charge will last for a couple of days of moderate use or for a day of active use. This autonomy largely depends on an economical processor and optimized software (thanks to the OS and Samsung branded improvements).

In addition, Always on Display works to conserve charge. With it, there is no need to highlight the screen every time, and very little energy is spent on the function itself. According to tests, for a day of constant use, it takes no more than 16% of the charge.

The data on the duration of use in various modes are as follows:

  • if you play audio - up to 59 hours (with the screen off and up to 91 hours at all);
  • video - up to 18 hours;
  • internet via 3G / LTE / Wi-Fi - up to 12/15/16 hours, respectively;
  • talk over 3G network - up to 24 hours.
  • From 0 to full battery, the device will be charged in 2.5-3 hours. There is no fast mode - the budget origin affects.


Pros and cons of a smartphone

With a benevolent focus, reviews of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 show a wide range of opinions on specific points.

What can be attributed to the advantages of the model

  1. one-piece elaborate design;
  2. high-quality metal case and no assembly problems;
  3. bright and contrasting Super AMOLED matrix;
  4. comfortable autonomy;
  5. 7th version of Android and proprietary improvements;
  6. 3.5 mm audio jack;
  7. loud enough sound;
  8. 13 MP front camera with flash;
  9. stable connection work;
  10. support for Samsung Apps in addition to the Play Market;
  11. 15 GB of Samsung Cloud when purchasing a smartphone.


Cons of smartphone Samsung Galaxy J7 2017

  1. low performance in graphic calculations due to the old processor;
  2. fragile display;
  3. cameras have no optical stabilization;
  4. NFC does not support the Troika card;
  5. no fast charging;
  6. not always correct operation of the memory card.

There are also controversial points:

  • the light sensor sometimes does not work correctly. For example, when you use Always on Display, the screen glows noticeably in the dark, albeit not draining the battery too much. But you can configure the disabling of the mode at night;
  • the volume keys on the left side can take some getting used to;
  • the speaker on the right is easy to close if you turn the smartphone horizontally;
  • not everyone will like the visually noticeable plastic inserts on the case.

Comparison with competitors

In terms of performance, many of the competitors of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 look better. For example, Redmi 5 / Note 5 from Xiaomi or M6 Note from Meizu, due to a more efficient processor, win in tests. And in terms of the amount of memory (both permanent and operational), they are equal or superior. The same can be said about the Sony Xperia XA1 - but it only supports 1 SIM card, and even inferior in terms of battery.

The screen is another matter. Yes, the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 may be inferior, however, thanks to the use of Super AMOLED, it plays out in image quality. So, Huawei P10 Lite looks dimmer with similar characteristics.

In terms of photo quality, the main camera is about the level of competitors - because many of them also use a sensor from Sony. But the front one with 13 MP and flash stands out against the general background. The sound can be assessed as average for the market.


Final review

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 review shows that this is a great alternative to flagships if you do not need high performance in games. The list of the device's advantages includes a very neat assembly and materials to match the top models, a display that is always visible, a decent camera, careful attitude to the battery charge and modern Android with additives from Samsung. And even if there is no optical stabilization in it, even if the processor is inferior in tests, it fulfills its price completely. An excellent choice among budget models.

The Samsung Galaxy J7 is an entry-level smartphone for users who don't need cool hardware. The device occupies a starting position in the company's lineup, but judging by the cost, it can be regarded as a "strong middling". This is a device with a good, high-quality display, which has everything you need on board for high-quality and hassle-free daily use.

Model
Dimensions, weight 152.5 * 74.8 * 8 mm, 181 grams
Screen 5.5-inch Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 Pixel Resolution
OS Android version 7.1
Chipset Exynos 7870, 1.6 GHz, eight cores
GPU Mali Т830МЗ2
RAM / ROM 3 / 16GB + support for microSD memory cards up to 256 GB (dedicated card slot)
Interfaces Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, GPS
Cameras Main: 13 MP, f / 1.7, front: 13 MP, f / 1.9
Battery Li-ion, 3600 mAh

Design and management

Samsung Galaxy J7 has four body colors: black, blue, gold and pink. The smartphone in the black case looks a little more advantageous, more solid. Blue and gold look interesting, but a little catchy, like pink. The body is made of durable metal, without gaps and backlashes of individual parts. During use, the coating applied to the body is not wiped off. At the back there are inserts for antennas, they are made of plastic.

There is a button in front that is responsible for owner fingerprint recognition... The fingerprint sensor works quickly, no false positives were noticed. The front location of the sensor turned out to be a very convenient solution, you have to reach for it from behind, but here it is always available. Thanks to its compact size, the phone fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. Relatively small size and weight allow you to carry the device in a jeans or trouser pocket.

The front also houses a camera, flash and a light metering sensor. Unfortunately, there is no backlight for virtual keys. The volume and power buttons are placed on separate edges so that the owner does not confuse them when pressing "blindly". The speaker is located above the power button. The solution is unusual, but it allows maintaining the internal ergonomics. The charger and headphone jack are on the bottom. The overall impression of the Samsung Galaxy J7's design and controls is pretty good.

Screen features

Samsung Galaxy J7 display is made by proprietary SuperAMOLED technology... Compared to last year's revision, the screen has improved markedly. Colors have become more vivid and saturated. Plus, they can now be manually adjusted up to 350 nits. If you choose automatic mode, say, "on the street", then the figures will be increased to 550 nits.

Important! A big plus of this model is excellent readability in natural light. The screen practically does not fade in the sun.

The color reproduction has become more natural, the gamut is bright, volumetric. Separately to be praised the ability to manually adjust the white balance... If you don't want to mess around with the settings, then you can set the automatic mode, there are several of them in the settings.

Phone Samsung Galaxy Jay 7 has a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches. The resolution is FHD matrix, and a larger gadget is not required. If we compare the device with its main competitors in 2016-2017, its significant superiority will become obvious.

This budget model has alwaysOn Display option... A pleasant surprise, considering that it is more characteristic of flagships and some smartphones of the company's mid-price segment. The implementation of the "non-switchable display" is not without its drawbacks; rather, this is the point when one should be glad about its presence. Immediately striking is the greatly reduced choice of information that will be displayed on the screen. In this case, it all boils down to showing the time, message notifications and a few application icons. The clear advantage is low power consumption in this display mode.

In general, the display of the Galaxy J7 smartphone is its clear advantage that distinguishes it from other gadgets in this price category.

Memory and performance

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 specifications show good performance figures. Three gigabytes of RAM allow you to keep several applications running at once. The built-in memory is quite small by today's standards, but the available 16 gigabytes are easy expand with a memory card. The device supports flash drives up to 256 gigabytes.

The processor of the device remains the same as in the last year's version. This decision was made because the architecture has proven itself very well. The available capacity is enough for everything you need. Also, the chipset does not overheat, which is a very important metric for an entry-level processor.

On a note! In "Antutu" the smartphone is gaining 47 thousand points. Not a bad result for an inexpensive device.

The power of the Samsung Galaxy G 7 is enough for undemanding games and most applications... It is possible to play in the novelties of the gaming industry, but they will not work at maximum graphics settings. However, the device was not positioned as a gaming device.

operating system

Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 phone runs on Android 7.1 operating system. At the time of the release of the Nuga model, it was an actual OS for most new products. Of course, the interface has undergone some refinement by Samsung. This is not entirely pure Android, but also not a full-fledged graphical shell. Unlike an "empty" OS here there are several software improvements, which are inherent in many smartphones of the middle and senior price category. An example is the aforementioned AoD.

Important! There is a full hardware and software support for two SIM cards, which is very convenient. Users who are accustomed to switching between accounts to use different numbers will be pleasantly surprised by the improved synchronization.

Most of the functions of the Android OS have not undergone major changes. The user has a phone with a simple, understandable and very convenient system. And, importantly, with a minimum of pre-installed applications.

Communication and sound quality

Since Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphones are a budget solution, you should definitely not expect exclusive sound from them. The available equalizer is capable of handling different bit rates, depending on the format being played and the quality. The settings provide a minimum level of comfort, but lovers of high-quality sound will definitely pass by this device.

As for the signal reception level, everything here is at a decent level. When talking, the user perfectly hears his interlocutor... The signal level rarely drops to the lowest level. When switched to speakerphone, the speaker may slightly distort the voice.

Communication with navigation satellites is quite fast. The margin of error is low, so the phone is can be used instead of the navigator... Internet traffic transmission is not satisfactory. Measurements show that the gadget provides excellent bandwidth in third generation networks.

Battery and autonomy

The Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 smartphone is equipped with a 3600 mAh battery. This is slightly more than last year's version. On the other hand, the screen diagonal has grown. However, the increase in the diagonal is compensated by the change in the manufacturing technology of the matrix itself. SuperAMOLED has slightly reduced power consumption.

At maximum brightness, the smartphone is capable of play video for nine hours. Of course, if all communication modules are active, the runtime will be significantly reduced. However, user reviews speak of improved battery life compared to last year's revision. On average, this figure increased by 20%.

There is no fast charge function, but there are power saving modes... They can significantly increase the indicators of autonomy. On average, under moderate load, the phone lives for about a day or a little more.

Camera characteristics

The review of Samsung Galaxy J7 should be completed with the parameters of the photo module. The main camera has a resolution of 13 megapixels. This is enough for taking good shots in natural light. In a dark room, using a flash, you will most likely fail to achieve high-quality shooting. However, in comparison with last year's model, progress, again, is evident. Manual settings now allow set the white balance. There are a few more options for debugging on your own.

The front camera has also increased the resolution, now it has 13 megapixels against 5 for the previous model. This is enough to create a high-quality self-portrait. Built-in filter set and quality flash will help all selfie lovers to take a lot of interesting and vivid pictures.

Conclusion

The device feels quite confident in its class. It costs a little more than Chinese devices, but outperforms them in quality. At the time of its release, the model gained great popularity and remained in high demand for a long time. Smartphone price at the time of sales ranged from 15 to 20 tr. depending on the store. There are no differences in technical characteristics within the model, the user can only choose the colors.

  • wonderful screen;
  • metal case;
  • excellent build;
  • good camera;
  • optimized OS;
  • high autonomy;
  • there is a fingerprint sensor;
  • the case does not heat up.
  • there is no possibility of a quick charge;
  • little internal memory;
  • outdated processor model.
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