Samsung

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Exynos 7 Octa 7870
Mali-T830 MP2
2 GB / 16 GB
5.2 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy J5 2017 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7 Octa 7870 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Galaxy J5 2017 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) pre-installed. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 / 1

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy J5 2017
ModelSM-J530F
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Dimensions5.76 x 2.81 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold, pink
SIM typeNano SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCExynos 7 Octa 7870
CPUOcta-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T830 MP2

The Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The Galaxy J5 2017's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Galaxy J5 2017 (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera12 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Galaxy J5 2017 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Galaxy J5 2017 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Galaxy J5 2017 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Galaxy J5 2017 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities.

The Galaxy J5 2017 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Galaxy J5 2017 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy J5 2017 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Galaxy J5 2017 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
Add Samsung Galaxy J5 2017 to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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