Although Samsung has already launched a 2017 refresh of its Galaxy J7 affordable smartphone, the Korean giant is set to launch a whole new model known as the Galaxy J7 Plus. Packing a dual-lens camera despite its modest asking price as well as updated specs, here’s how the J7 Plus compares to the standard handset.
As well as those super-expensive premium Galaxy phones like the S8 and S8 Plus, Samsung has also launched quite a few budget handsets in 2017. We’ve already seen three different sizes of affordable phones in the Galaxy J3 2017, Galaxy J5 2017 and Galaxy J7 2017, all refreshed versions of the J-series handsets launched last year, and all offering quite decent specs for the low asking price.
However, Samsung isn’t done just yet. A new budget-friendly Galaxy phone has just been leaked over in Thailand, named the Galaxy J7 Plus. The most exciting part? Undoubtedly that dual-lens camera stuck on the back end. After all, this is just the second time that a Samsung Galaxy mobile has rocked a double snapper, following this week’s launch of the Galaxy Note 8.
So how does the new Galaxy J7 Plus compare with the current Galaxy J7 2017 model, for camera tech and other specs? Here’s our comparison preview to give you the full skinny.
Read next: Best Samsung phones in 2017
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) vs Galaxy J7 Plus: Specs
| Phone | Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 | Samsung Galaxy J7 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.5-inches | 5.5-inches |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 |
| Water resistant? | Splash resistant (IP54) | TBC (But most likely not) |
| Fingerprint sensor? | Yes | Yes |
| OS | Android Nougat | Android Nougat |
| Processor | Exynos 7870 | Octa-core 2.39GHz |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 16GB | 32GB |
| Battery | 3600mAh | 3000mAh |
| microSD? | Yes | Yes |
| Rear camera | 13MP f/1.9 | 13MP f/1.7 + 5MP f/1.9 |
| Front camera | 13MP w/flash | 16MP f/1.9 w/flash |
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) vs Galaxy J7 Plus: Design
The J7 handsets are the biggest of Samsung’s affordable Galaxy handsets. Each of these phones boasts a 5.5-inch display, which means they’re quite chunky mobiles; you might struggle to use them one-handed, although Samsung has thrown in some software features to shrink your desktops and generally help in that regard.
However, while the standard Galaxy J7 2017 rocks a curved plastic finish that resembles the Galaxy S6 of yesteryear, the new Plus model boasts a metal unibody design that really stands out. This should offer a more premium finish when compared with the normal plastic model.
That said, the standard J7 2017 is IP54 splash resistant. That means you can get it quite moist without the thing dying on you. In comparison, the J7 Plus seems to offer no kind of water resistance – the price of that metal frame.
Still, both of the J7 handsets pack a fingerprint sensor, to quickly and securely unlock the phone.
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) vs Galaxy J7 Plus: Screen and media
With both of these budget Samsung phones, you’re getting a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED panel boasting Full HD visuals, for crisp image reproduction. If you’re after a media machine that won’t cripple your savings, these handsets are both solid options. With vibrant visuals thanks to the AMOLED tech, your photos and videos will really stand out too.
You get from 16GB of storage space with the standard Galaxy J7 model, for storing your apps, media and everything else. Not much room, although luckily the phone’s storage can be expanded using a microSD memory card. The J7 Plus model upgrades the specs to 32GB, again with microSD support.
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) vs Galaxy J7 Plus: Performance and battery life
When it comes to performance, the 2017 update of the Galaxy J7 sports Samsung’s own Exynos 7870 chipset, which can offer respectable everyday smoothness on a budget. Backed up by 3GB of RAM, you can certainly expect apps to load quite quickly and little in the way of pauses or stutters.
We don’t know the exact chipset of the Galaxy J7 Plus just yet, although the promise of a ‘Octa-core 2.39GHz’ platform seems like Samsung might have gone with the same Mediatek P20 chipset packed inside the Galaxy J7 Max (yet to see a UK release). Of course, this could all change if the Plus ever launches over here. What we do know is, the Plus model sports 4GB of RAM, which is an upgrade over the standard phone’s memory.
The Galaxy J7 2017 however boasts the bigger battery in this round-up, with a mighty 3600mAh cell crammed inside the plastic frame. Meanwhile the J7 Plus offers a 3000mAh battery, which will likely mean a slight drop in longevity. All the same, we’d expect well over a day of life, if you don’t hammer the handset with non-stop media streaming and the like.
You get full Type-C USB connectivity to charge the phone up again, in either case.
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) vs Galaxy J7 Plus: Camera tech
This is where things get really interesting.
The normal J7 2017 model rocks a 13-megapixel single-lens camera on the rear, with an f/1.9 aperture for respectable night shots. You can also record up to Full HD video, for your home movie purposes. Up front you get another 13-megapixel snapper, complete with an LED flash of its own. That’s great news for anyone who can’t help capturing their mug, even at night or in the club.
We’re certainly quite impressed with the level of optics on offer there, yet the Galaxy J7 2017 goes one further with its dual-lens camera tech. This is a similar setup to the Galaxy Note 8’s camera, which is all the more impressive when you consider that the Note costs almost £900 SIM-free.
The megapixel count may have dropped compared with the Note 8, but the J7 Plus still offers up a 13-megapixel lens like the standard J7 2017, this time with a wider f/1.7 aperture lens. This will hopefully mean even better low light photography. In backup is a secondary 5-megapixel snapper, with f/1.9 aperture lens. These combine to offer the same Live Focus feature of the Note 8, which gives a pleasing bokeh effect behind your subject.
You also get an improved 16-megapixel front-facing camera housed on the J7 Plus, again with its own flash for night selfies.
So all in all, quite a few improvements on the J7 Plus compared with the normal model. Here’s hoping the Plus sees a UK release soon, as we’re excited to try it out for ourselves.