samsung galaxy J7- the "largest" representative of the new line of smartphones with support for two SIM-cards, a large display and excellent parameters. Of course, in the arsenal of the Korean company there are models similar in size, however this smartphone received the best technical filling in the middle class, and also has some additional features that will surely make it stand out from the crowd.
Appearance
Externally, the Galaxy J7 model is practically no different from more budget option- and the main difference is the physical dimensions and location of the front camera module.
The body material is smooth plastic, with chamfers on the top and bottom, which make the design not so ordinary. The physical dimensions of the smartphone are 152.2 x 79.1 x 7.9 mm, but it is not the lightest - 169 grams.
Video: unpacking the smartphone
The phone is sold in three colors: black, white and now fashionable golden. Excellent ergonomics and easy access to all controls will give you only the best experience when using your smartphone.
Video - size comparison with Galaxy J5
Technical specifications
Concerning technical parameters, then we see that the Galaxy J7 is superior to its fellow Galaxy J 5. But, despite this, to improve the price point, the smartphone also uses a 5.5-inch TFT-matrix with HD resolution (1280 by 720 pixels). The screen behaves perfectly in work, has good viewing angles, color reproduction quality and brightness.
The device is controlled by a new 64-bit Snapdragon 615 chip with 8 cores (4 Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 1.0 GHz) and an Adreno 405 video accelerator.
This, in conjunction with 1.5 GB of RAM, is enough to run games with "decent" graphics, it is convenient to work with various applications. internal memory also not cheated - the user has access to about 11 GB of a total drive of 16 GB, but you can always expand it using a microSD memory card up to 128 GB.
It is also worth noting a capacious 3000 mAh battery - a full day with heavy loads, or two days in medium mode are guaranteed. The phone comes pre-installed with Android 5.1, works on 4G networks and, once again, we emphasize that this Dual SIM model.
Camera
So we got to the most interesting thing in this model - its front camera, or rather additional function. In addition to the fact that the Samsung Galaxy J7 has a 5-megapixel front module, it is also complemented by an LED flash!
Now your selfies will be great not only in good light, but also in conditions where there is not enough light. As for the main camera, this 13-megapixel module, tested by time and millions of shots, does its job perfectly. The updated camera app is simple and intelligent, has many advanced settings and functions.
Video: Galaxy J7 benchmarks on Exynos
conclusions
After a close acquaintance with the model, only positive emotions remained. The Koreans managed to make a smartphone that is balanced both in terms of price and hardware, which will be chosen first of all by those users who want a device with a large display, optimal performance and photo capabilities.
Video: review in Russian
*The article will be updated as new materials are released.
New models:
The first smartphone of the J7 series from Samsung appeared back in 2015, and it can still be found in stores selling mobile phones. One way or another, Samsung made it a rule to release an updated model of the device every year, as you can see by looking at the model of 2016 and the current 2017. But it seemed to the company that this year one new J7 would not be enough, and she decided to release another one model, a little simpler and a little cheaper regular version- "Samsung Galaxy J7 Neo".
Why is this novelty so remarkable and why is it better than the regular version? This is exactly what we want to understand in the framework of today's review. Let's start!
Description
Before we begin, I would like to tell you a little about the device itself. It came out about six months after the presentation of the main version of J7 2017. The device turned out to be completely different in design from the real "seven", but here are the common features with more budget models are clearly visible. So, J7 Neo very much resembles models: J1, J1 mini prime, J2, J3 and even J5.
Nevertheless, these devices cannot be directly compared, since they are in different price categories, and the hardware stuffing is significantly different. But the price of the "Samsung J7 Neo" is noticeably lower compared to the regular version and, accordingly, higher compared to the above models. We will tell you about the cost in detail separately. Let the price remain a secret for now.
Equipment
Supplied phone "Samsung J7 Neo" in a small blue box. There are no pictures on the packaging. There is only the model name on the top of the package in large print. On the reverse side, you can read about the main technical specifications apparatus.
Inside, in addition to the smartphone itself, there are: instructions, a warranty card, an empty bag from battery(it is already installed in the phone), simple in-ear headphones with a microphone, a microUSB cable and a charger adapter with a capacity of 1.5 A. That's the whole package. It is a pity that the manufacturer did not put a film on the screen or a simple protective glass inside the package.
In extreme cases, it would be possible to attach a silicone case as a bonus. By the way, it obviously won’t hurt here, since the case is completely made of plastic, which means that over time, paint will slide off it and scuffs will appear.
By the way, if you suddenly need a case for Neo", then it will not be difficult to find it. They are sold in almost any mobile device store.
Appearance
The next stage of our review of "Samsung J7 Neo" is the external vit of the smartphone. As already mentioned, the body is completely made of plastic. The back cover is removable here, and on its surface you can see a small pattern (texture). In the hand, the phone will lie well, primarily due to the rounded corners and edges. The build quality is not bad, but there are suspicions that over time the back cover will begin to play and creak.
So, on the right side of the phone, there is a single button for turning on/locking the device. The left side is also not empty - there is a volume rocker on it. The location is quite convenient.
There is nothing on the top end of the phone, but on the bottom there is a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones, a microUSB connector and a microphone. On the back side of the Samsung J7 Neo there is only an external speaker, a main camera lens and an LED flash. The camera eye itself protrudes slightly above the surface and has a small edging.
And last but not least, the front. Everything here is standard for Samsung. Below the screen are already classic touch keys "Back" and "Menu", and they are separated by a slightly elongated mechanical button "Home". Above the screen, you can find the earpiece, front camera, flash for the front camera, and proximity and light sensors.
Characteristics
The characteristics of "Samsung J7 Neo" are as follows:
- Model - J7 Neo.
- Number of SIM cards - 2.
- SIM card type - mirco-SIM.
- Screen - Super Amoled, 1280 x 720, 267 ppi.
- - 5.5 inches.
- Processor - Exynos 7870 Octa 53, 8 cores.
- Processor frequency - 1.6 GHz.
- Video accelerator - Mali-T830.
- The amount of RAM is 2 GB.
- Built-in memory - 16 GB.
- Support for microSD - yes, a separate slot.
- The maximum capacity of the memory card is 256 GB.
- Communication - GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, 3G, 4G LTE.
- Bluetooth - 4.1.
- Wi-fi - 802.11 b / g / n 2.4 GHz.
- Camera - 13 MP, aperture F 1.9, autofocus, LED flash.
- Front camera - 5 MP, aperture F 2.2, LED flash.
- Operating system - Android 7.0.
- Battery - 3000 mAh.
- Dimensions (W / H / D) - 78.6 mm / 152.4 mm / 7.6 mm.
- Weight - 170 grams.
- Additionally - GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, proximity sensor, light sensor, gyroscope.
In principle, Neo "are pretty good, but still lose a little bit to the standard version of J7 2017.
Display
The screen of the Samsung J7 Neo has a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a resolution of 1280 x 720 and a pixel density of 267 ppi, which is not very good. The matrix is made using Super Amoled technology, and there is only one complaint about color reproduction - colors are too bright, but this is rather a feature of all AMOLED matrices.
Calibration is generally good, although not perfect. The margin of brightness is also not up to the optimum, but there will be no problems with the readability of information either in cloudy weather or in bright sunshine. Viewing angles are about the same as on the regular version of the J7. Contrast and saturation are good.
Performance
Based on the technical characteristics of the Samsung J7 Neo, we can assume that the smartphone will perform quite well in games and some synthetic tests. You should probably start with the traditional Antutu. In this test, the phone scored almost 46,000 points, which is not so bad, but noticeably worse than the regular version, and even some competitors. In the video accelerator test in the GeekBench 4 program, the phone gave a result of 2366 points. Also not perfect, but still good.
Well, the Asphalt 8 game will complete the testing. The final result was a pleasant surprise. At the maximum graphics settings, the phone gives a good FPS, which allows you to comfortably play any modern games. The only thing is the smoothness of the gameplay a little lame, i.e. FPS "jumps" a little, but not critical.
Camera
The phone has a 13 MP camera module with autofocus support and LED flash. Shoots a smartphone medium. In the room, noise is noticeable in the photo, the color rendition drops. On the street, the pictures come out bright, saturated, with a minimum of noise. Focusing works well, but sometimes misses.
For those who care about the front camera, there is good news - it is good. There is focus and flash. The quality of photos from the front camera will satisfy most requests. Reviews about the "Samsung J7 Neo" regarding the camera show that most users are satisfied with its capabilities, the only thing that does not suit is the video, which is not always of good quality.
Operating system and shell
Samsung J7 Neo comes with Android 7.0 version on board. Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz is responsible for the shell. Actually, there are no special changes here, and something new, in comparison with the J7 of 2015, has not appeared. The system works quickly, the animation is smooth and pleasant, there are no interface jerks or slowdowns.
As for the system settings, they are standard. There are also separate settings from Samsung, but they are nothing new compared to the 2016 and 2017 models. What's more, the Settings app itself hasn't changed a bit.
autonomy
The phone has a 3000 mAh battery, which is not very much considering the 8-core processor, 4G support and Super Amoled screen. A full charge of the battery with an average intensity of use is enough for just a day. With more active use of the device, it will need to be recharged once a day.
If you look at the reviews of "Samsung J7 Neo" about the time battery life, then users are extremely unhappy with a weak battery. According to them, a good indicator of autonomy can be achieved only if you use the phone as a dialer + SMS and a little Internet.
If you have no time to read, then in short - Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 model year is the best smartphone in the price range from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles. If you were planning to spend just that amount, then I can recommend it with confidence. Also if you ask me what to choose Galaxy J7 or A5 or A7? Then personally I will choose J7, since it has almost the same characteristics, the screen size is something between the Galaxy A7 and A5, and is made in a metal rather than a glass case. In 2015, Samsung first introduced Galaxy smartphone J7 in his model range. Being a member of the middle class, it has gained great popularity all over the world and, along with its younger brothers and J5, received an update in 2016 (model SM-J710F). So, this year Samsung's tradition of updating successful models continues, which is why I'm holding the Galaxy J7 (2017) in my hands. A smartphone that definitely caught our attention when it was announced. Then I felt that it would be a very interesting device. What I liked about it and what I didn't, you can understand in the next few minutes.
Specifications Samsung Galaxy J7
| Operating system | Android v7.1 (Nougat) |
|---|---|
| CPU | Exynos 7870 (8-core, 1.60 GHz, Cortex-A53) |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Inner memory | 16GB |
| GPU | Mali-T830MP2 |
| Screen | 5.5" 1920 x 1080 pixel Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen |
| Connection | Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS |
| cameras | 13 megapixel rear, 13 megapixel front |
| Additionally |
|
| Battery | 3600 mAh |
| Dimensions | 74.8 x 152.5 x 8mm |
| The weight | 181 g |
Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 - price
Now this smartphone costs a very pleasant 17,500 - 18,000 rubles. For this relatively low cost, you get something that looks more expensive than its price. stylish smartphone, With great screen and normal cameras.Design
If in the previous two generations, the J7 looked in direct proportion to its price - downright budget, then the 2017 model looks much more expensive and may mislead many people who are not particularly knowledgeable in smartphones about its cost. In any case, it's hard not to agree that the Samsung Galaxy J7 looks more expensive than its money (now you can buy a J7 for less than 18,000 rubles).
The new J7 is a smartphone with an aluminum bodyThe shape and materials used by Samsung generally contribute to this effect. The smartphone has rounded edges and a sleek brushed aluminum body. Despite the fact that J7 is the largest device in the series, it is comfortable to hold it with one hand when talking during calls, although for active use (for example, web surfing), the smartphone is still better to hold with two hands. In fact, the use of aluminum, rather than the now fashionable glass, is an advantage for me personally, since metal is an extremely practical material, unlike fragile and easily soiled glass. Compared to its predecessors, the 2017 J7 has the thickest profile, but due to the aforementioned rounded edges, it is more comfortable to fit even in tight jeans pockets. There are only 4 color options in which the case is made - light blue, pink, black and gold, which we are testing.
Galaxy J7 (2017) colors available - blue, pink, black and goldThe body of the smartphone is not of a collapsible type, the back is non-removable, that is, the battery cannot be changed, which is typical for modern smartphones. The main body of the J7 is made of metal. Plus two separate elements, under which the antennas are hidden. Despite the fact that they are plastic, they look like a single unit with a smartphone. There are no cracks or gaps, it is impossible to put something between these plastic elements and the metal case. The same can be said about the plugs on the bottom left end. Under one flap are hidden slots for microSD and SIM-cards, and under the other a separate slot for the main SIM-card. This arrangement is very convenient, because if you want to take out the memory card, you will not stop the operation of your base SIM card. Looking at the body of the smartphone, I also note that the speaker is no longer at the back, but at the top on the right side.
Speaker is now on the rightI had mixed, but rather positive, feelings about this change. Yes, when J7 rests on the back cover, its speaker is not covered, but when you play games, the index finger of your left hand usually covers it. Therefore, feelings are mixed. Another question I would ask the manufacturer is why Samsung did not use in J7 (2017) USB Type-C for charging and data transfer, but left with microUSB?
Display Samsung Galaxy J7 2017
Unlike the thickness of the phone, which, as we said in this year's model, has increased compared to its predecessors, the J7 (2017) has become significantly narrower, but not at the expense of a reduction in display size. The screen to front ratio of the J7 2017 is 73.2% and in terms of resolution it is the first J7 with Full HD (1920x1080).
5.5" Super AMOLED display with 1920x1080 resolutionThe pixel density per inch is 401ppi, the pixel size is 0.0634mm. As a result, the image is as detailed and clear as possible. Even if you look from a very close distance, you will not see individual pixels. It should also be remembered that the display technology, which is quite expected for Samsung, is Super AMOLED. It provides excellent color reproduction with good sharpness and contrast. And black color is the standard among mobile displays. Brightness is also above average for this price range - according to our measurements of 450 cd/m² with an 86% distribution across the entire viewing area. Compared to last year's J7, the 2017 display is a quarter brighter.
2.5D curved display is clearly visible even in bright sunlightEven when used outdoors in direct sunlight, the display remains legible. I am also pleasantly surprised by the viewing angles. You can be sure - they are equal to almost 180 degrees. The last layer of the 2.5D curved display has an oleophobic coating, which on the one hand protects against fingerprints, and on the other hand, it allows you to work with touch screen even with gloves in winter.
Fingerprint sensor
Multifunctional fingerprint sensorThe first two generations of the J7 did not have a fingerprint sensor, but now the 2017 model can be unlocked with it. At the same time, the button below it is mechanical and is still used to return to the main menu. But I still lack the illumination of the left and right buttons.
Camera Galaxy J7 2017
The camera design of the new J7 has undergone major changes compared to previous models. The most notable change is that the camera does not protrude beyond the plane of the body.
Camera new Galaxy J7 is already in the same plane with the back of the phoneThere are also changes in its technical characteristics. At first glance, the resolution remained at 13MP, but the aperture increased to f/1.7. This way, photos in low light will be much better than those taken by J7 (2016). You can shoot videos in Full HD. Slide right to open the Camera Modes menu. There you will find "Panorama", "HDR", " Night mode”, “Continuous Shooting”, “Shooting Mode”, “Enhanced Image with Audio” and “Professional Mode”, which will offer you several manual settings such as ISO or white balance adjustment. Sliding to the left will take you to an extremely varied menu of filters that will try to make your photos even more attractive. The front camera also has a resolution of 13 megapixels, but the aperture is f/1.9. Another good news for selfie fans is that there is also an LED flash on the front. The front camera has a wide-angle mode, which will allow you to add more people in one photo.
Sample photos from the Samsung Galaxy J7 camera
Here are some test shots I took with the auto settings and auto focus using the main camera.     |
An example of a captured video
Front-camera
There are even more positive changes in the front camera, and it's safe to say that Samsung has turned the Galaxy J7 (2017) into perfect smartphone for a selfie. Compared to 5 MP in the previous model, here the matrix has grown to 13 MP with an aperture of f / 1.9. In addition, there is a front flash and many other filters and settings to take the perfect selfie.Iron
Unlike the design, which, as was already clear in J7 (2017), has undergone major changes, the hardware has hardly changed. It is powered by an Exynos 7870 Octa CPU, the same 1.6GHz octa-core CPU as the J7 (2016). The same GPU Mali-T830MP2, but the RAM has increased from 2 to 3 GB.CPU-X hardware test on phoneThanks to the latter, the Galaxy J7 (2017) performs much better in games. During our tests in Asphalt 8: Airborne, the frame rate reached 30 frames per second on low graphics, and 17 frames per second on high settings. At this point, we also measured the case temperature, which averaged around 31°C. This is a fairly low temperature at maximum load. In addition to well-balanced hardware, the J7 (2017) aluminum chassis makes a tangible contribution to heat dissipation. As you know, metal conducts and radiates heat much better than plastic or glass.
Dual SIM and micro SD card slotsOn J7, starting from the 2015 model, the amount of internal memory has not changed - 16 GB. If you need more, you can add up to 256GB with a microSD card. But it will be necessary, since out of 16 GB only a little more than half is available to the user.
Android 7.1 Nougat
The operating system of the smartphone is Android 7.1 Nougat, optimized by Samsung programmers, and has a number of improvements and features. For example, the ability to manage two accounts at the same time in the same messenger (there are two SIM cards). Speaking of instant messengers, the new J7 has Always-on display technology, which, as the name suggests, leaves part of the display on at all times. There you can see the battery level, time, date, messages and notifications.Battery
The Galaxy J7 (2017) battery has increased its capacity from 3300 mAh to 3600 mAh compared to last year's model. Hardware remained unchanged, but the display resolution has increased... but this is Super AMOLED, which does not consume much more power when the resolution is increased. So, now you are probably wondering which of the two smartphones has best time offline work? The result is in favor of the novelty. The J7 (2017) can last about 2 days in normal mode, or 9 hours of video at maximum brightness, or 15 hours of web browsing. This is on average 15-20% better than the results achieved by J7 (2016) a year earlier.Battery settings and modes
In the battery menu, you will find two modes that limit power consumption. The first one makes a few minor restrictions that increase the run time, while the second one, called the maximum power saving mode, is more interesting. It limits the maximum screen brightness, mobile chip performance and mobile data. Only basic apps and settings are available. You also get information about the approximate time of work in this mode. The menu also contains consumption information various applications in different periods of time.Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) is a worthy successor to last year's Galaxy J7 with improvements in several different ways, and one can definitely call it one of the best deals in its price range (personally, I think it's the best). The smartphone has an updated design that includes a metal construction and nice rounded edges. In addition, there is now a fingerprint sensor. The display is also 5.5 inches, but now with Full HD resolution and support for Always on display technology. Also, the smartphone has a fairly capacious battery and several useful power-saving modes. In the 2017 model, I expected to see a USB Type-C port, but its absence is not yet critical. There are no changes in the mobile chip, but the existing Exynos 7 Octa 7870 provides good enough performance to comfortably work with the device. Last but not least, the smartphone received an improved camera, the front one is especially good.Pros of Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
- Updated design with all-metal construction
- Fingerprint sensor
- 5.5" Full HD Super AMOLED 2.5D display
- High battery life + battery saver mode
- Android 7.1 Nougat and user interface with many useful functionality
- Low body temperature after extended operation
- 13MP (f/1.7) main camera that delivers high quality photos (under Rs 20,000) and 13MP front camera with LED flash
Flaws
- Only 10.1 GB of available space
- MicroUSB port instead of USB Type-C
- No fast charging
- mobile processor 2016
Comparison of Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 with A7 2017 is it worth overpaying?
2017 Samsung Galaxy J7 owner review
Live photos
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Contents of delivery
- Smartphone
- Wired stereo headset
- Charger with USB cable
- Instruction
- SIM eject tool
Specifications
- Android 7
- Display 5.5 inch, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, automatic brightness control, AlwaysOn Display
- Chipset Exynos 7870, 8 cores up to 1.6 GHz
- 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (10 GB available to the user), microSD memory cards up to 256 GB
- Battery 3600 mAh Li-Ion, operating time in LTE / Wi-Fi up to 13 hours, video playback - up to 19 hours, talk time - up to 21 hours (3G)
- two nanoSIM-cards and the installation of a memory card, the slots are not combined
- Front camera 13 megapixels, f/1.9
- Main camera 13 megapixels, f/1.7
- 4G - band 1/3/5/7/8/20
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, ANT+, Bluetooth 4.2, USB 2.0, microUSB, NFC
- GPS/Glonass/Beidou
- Sensors – Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Hall, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor
- Fingerprint scanner
- Samsung Pay
- Case colors - black, gold, blue, pink
- Dimensions - 152.4x74.7x7.9 mm, weight - 181 grams
Positioning
The J line in the Samsung classification belongs to the entry level, while it can be found both the most inexpensive models and devices worth 20,000 rubles, which close the line at the top. Such a spread in prices could not but affect the difference between the models, the conditional backbone of the line, which is ideologically united, can be considered J3 / J5 / J7, these three models coincide with similar lines above, for example, with the A-series.
Usually, the J-series looked like simpler models compared to the A-series, for those who do not need advanced features, but want to buy a smartphone from a big manufacturer, and not a Chinese company with an obscure history and incomprehensible service. Head-on comparison with Chinese devices The J-series lost because it was not optimal in terms of price / quality ratio, you could find a fairly large number of interesting models for comparable money. In the 2017 lineup, Samsung closed this gap, making the same J7 much more interesting for the mass buyer. As usual, the emphasis is on picture quality, battery life, as well as body materials - here it is made of metal. Conceptually, the J7 is very different from the A7, which has water protection, the appearance is similar to the company's flagships. In J7 2017, everything is much simpler, it can be considered a workhorse that is bought for a long time and expects to get everything you need and a little more. Given the picky and choosy buyers in this segment, they are difficult to please, but the J7 can claim attention, as the model turned out to be very successful, and together we will consider why this is so.
Design, dimensions, controls
All models of the J-series are available in four colors: black, blue, gold and pink.
In my opinion, both black, the usual color, and blue, which is the most interesting, look good. Gold and pink are definitely suitable for girls who are greedy for such color schemes.
The case of the device was made monolithic, it is metal, and the quality of the surface color is good, the paint does not wear off even with time or in a pocket with keys. The plastic inserts of the antennas are visible on the back surface.
I like that there is a physical button on the front panel, a fingerprint sensor is inscribed in it, it works great - quickly and clearly. Such a classic arrangement can be considered a plus, since the sensor on the back surface is not so convenient. On the other hand, here the dimensions of the phone are 152.4x74.7x7.9 mm and the weight is 181 grams – even if the sensor was on the back, there would be no problems. The smartphone fits easily in both male and female hands, it is comfortable to hold and carry as you like.
On the front panel you can see the camera, the flash for it, as well as the light sensor. Near the fingerprint sensor, there are two touch keys, this is a traditional layout, these keys do not have backlighting.
On the left side there are two volume keys, but on the right side there is an on / off button, a little higher there is a speaker hole for playing a call signal and music. Such an unusual location of the speaker does not cause problems, although the device is not the loudest, it is average in terms of ringing volume.
At the bottom you can see a 3.5 mm jack, right there is a microUSB connector for charging. The build quality of the device is excellent, there can be no complaints.
Display
Unlike the previous generation models, the J7 2017 has a heavily redesigned screen - this is a SuperAMOLED matrix, in which literally every parameter has been improved. Firstly, we changed the brightness of the screen, in manual mode it is adjusted to 350 nits, in automatic mode or turning on Outdoor mode will get you up to 550 nits. In the sun, the screen is perfectly readable.
They also improved color reproduction, the colors are bright, saturated, but you can choose one of four modes yourself or adjust the white balance as you like.
The display has FullHD-resolution with a diagonal of 5.5 inches, which is quite enough for such a device. The picture quality is higher than similar models in this segment. Comparing with analogues from Huawei, I came across the fact that there are dimmer screens in almost all modes, but bright, good colors are always here. Automatic brightness control works well, I advise you to use it.
Unlike all other models of the J-series, there is an AlwaysOn Display function, when you can always see the clock, application icons and notifications on the screen. That is, the screen always works. And at the same time practically does not spend energy on it.
Battery
Capacity - 3600 mAh Li-Ion, operating time in LTE / Wi-Fi - up to 13 hours, video playback - up to 19 hours, talk time - up to 21 hours (3G). The lack of wireless charging is not critical, but I would like to get fast charging, since the device takes a long time to charge - a little more than three hours, but it is not.
In terms of operating time, I liked this device, as it is very close to the J7 of 2016. On average, I got about two days of work under load - 5-5.5 hours of screen operation, automatic brightness control, up to an hour of talk, data transfer to 4G.
The fact that this device can show video up to 19 hours at maximum brightness is the merit of the SuperAMOLED screen. But it is also worth noting that there are separate power saving modes, in which the operating time can be increased by tens of hours, this is true if you do not want to be left without communication at the most inopportune moment. Gradually, the technologies first introduced in flagships are reaching mass models.
Chipset, memory, performance
The chipset in this device is Exynos 7870, it has 8 cores with a frequency of up to 1.6 GHz, it was inherited from J7 2016. The performance for ordinary tasks is enough for the eyes, the interface is responsive and quite fast (not like the flagships, but everything works fine in its segment, no complaints). The device has 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (10 GB available initially). In my opinion, for this segment and use cases, 3 GB of RAM is more than enough.
Memory cards up to 256 GB, and there are no restrictions on a memory card and two SIM cards, this is important.
Look at the results of synthetic tests, they are typical for such a device.
Camera
The front camera is 13 megapixels, but it does not have autofocus, but there is a flash and a bunch of modes in order to take a selfie or decorate your face with some kind of picture. Some people will like it, some won't, but the obvious emphasis on these features shows that there will be many young people among the users of the device.
The main camera also has a resolution of 13 megapixels, but it has autofocus. The quality of pictures in sufficient light is not bad, but in the dark the camera does not work so well, blurring appears and the picture is often noisy. However, you can see for yourself. There is nothing outstanding, but you can’t say “horror-horror” about the camera, it’s better than many analogues in this segment.
Photo examples
- Unlike top models, there is a built-in FM radio, which looks like a nice bonus.
When using KNOX, you can install any program in duplicate, for example, install two whatsapp messenger and use them for each SIM card (two numbers, two messengers). You can even chat with yourself. Exactly the same trick can be done with any software, no phone allows you to simultaneously work with two instant messengers on one device with different numbers. Today, many Chinese manufacturers offer something similar in their smartphones, but everywhere the implementation is different.
Of course, this model supports Samsung service pay.
I will not dwell on the standard software from Samsung, for example, S Health, you can find the relevant articles on our website.
Impression
The vibrating alert is average, the volume of the ringer is also average - perhaps I would like to have more headroom, but the phone is still audible and felt in pockets when vibrating. Rather, there is no reserve in terms of volume, but then whoever perceives this moment, the device cannot be called quiet.
In the J-series, the J7 model is the top one, there is nothing higher, and the cost of this solution is 19,990 rubles. For this money, you get an interesting phablet, for example, the A7 2017 costs 29,990 rubles, while the screen has the same resolution but with a slightly larger diagonal, there is water protection and a higher resolution of both cameras, but the quality is plus or minus comparable. The A7 2017 has different body materials, it looks like a flagship, and hence the high cost.
If you look at the 2017 J5, it only has a 5.2-inch HD screen, comparable battery and run time, almost the same performance, but only 2 GB of RAM. This is a good workhorse, but with a price difference of 2,000 rubles, I would seriously consider buying a 2017 J7.
Among the Chinese models in this segment, there is expanse, there are a lot of different devices, there is Honor from Huawei, and other models. It makes no sense to compare this device with everyone, and ideologically, Samsung plays in a different league, buyers of these devices, as a rule, are not oriented towards B-brands, they turn a blind eye to their existence.
In 2015, Samsung decided not to multiply the number of smartphone series, introducing confusion, but to regularly update existing lines. At the end of the year, the company announced an update to the A and J lines, releasing mid-range devices before the new year. In April 2016, the turn came to J7. Several variations of the device were released, but the Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016) is presented on the market of Russia, Ukraine and some other European countries.
Model J710F is a simplified modification of J7 2016. Its price is about $280. According to the characteristics, the smartphone is slightly behind the J7108 and J7109 sold in Asia. The differences lie in a different screen, processor and memory sizes. The camera remained unchanged (which pleases). Samsung Review Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016) is designed to find out whether there is a big difference between the versions in practice, whether the younger one is worthy of attention.
Specifications Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016)
The smartphone received characteristics that are typical for a mid-range device from Samsung. But they may not seem convincing enough against the background of Chinese competitors 1.5 times cheaper.
Design, body materials, dimensions and weight
In terms of design, the Galaxy J7 SM-J710F is a typical Samsung, the differences from its predecessor are minimal. Of the innovations, it is worth noting the metal base of the case. Regardless of the color of the device (it can be white, black or gold), the frame surrounds the display with a silver frame. Removable plastic cover. The dimensions of the smartphone are 15.17 x 7.6 cm, thickness - 7.8 mm, weight - 170 grams (even 1 year less than its predecessor).
The front panel is glass.
On top of it there is a speaker slot, two windows for light and proximity sensors, a camera and a flash. 
Below - the traditional mechanical button "home" and two touch, on the sides of it.
The camera is located at the back (its lens is framed by a silver metal border), symmetrically, on the sides of it, there is a metal speaker mesh and a flash. 
The metal frame is separated from the top and bottom by plastic strips-inserts. The top end contains nothing (except for these inserts). 
At the bottom there is a microUSB port, a microphone hole and a headset jack. 
The volume control buttons are on the right. 
On the left side is only the power button. 
CPU
The Galaxy J7 SM-J710F is based on the Exynos Octa 7870 chipset. It consists of 8 Cortex A53 cores operating at up to 1.6 GHz. Despite the higher model number, the chipset is weaker than the Exynos 7420 found in the S6. Its closest competitor is MediaTek's Helio X10. The test results of these chips in AnTuTu are similar - about 48 thousand points. True, the Samsung chip was created using a more subtle process technology, so it should be a little more economical.
The Mali T830 accelerator is responsible for the graphics, hence the performance difference with the flagship 7420 chipset. Almost all games will run on it at maximum settings, and only some may not produce enough high FPS. But the fact that the T830 MP2 is 4 times weaker than the T760 MP8 remains a fact.
Memory
The amount of RAM Galaxy J7 SM-J710F is 2 GB, it is recruited with DDR3LP chips. At the start, the system consumes a little over a gigabyte of RAM, the remaining space is enough for multitasking. 3 - 6 programs in the background are kept without problems, a heavy game can also be quickly collapsed and deployed. The difference in speed with the more expensive model J7108 (which has 3 GB), if any, is minimal.
Nearly 11 GB is allocated for user data, out of 16 in total. A slot for a memory card is available, it is separate. Modules up to 128 GB are supported.
Battery
The battery of the smartphone is removable, its capacity is 3300 mAh. As expected, due to the energy-efficient chipset (with a 14 nm process technology), the autonomy of the smartphone is at its best. Yes, and lowering the resolution had a positive effect on the time of work. Unlike TFT, the consumption of AMOLED matrices depends not only on the diagonal, but also on the resolution, since each pixel glows independently.
You can watch videos from 12 (light colors) to 15 hours (with reduced backlight and the predominance of dark shades). With moderate use, the smartphone quietly lasts 2 days. In games, the Galaxy J7 SM-J710F will sit down in about 7 hours. For a 3300 mAh battery, these figures seem huge.
Charging is normal, 1.5 A, with a European plug. From it, the process of replenishing the tank lasts a little more than 2 hours. It makes no sense to change the memory to a more powerful one: currents greater than 1.5 A are not allowed by the charge controller to the battery, the speed will remain the same.
cameras
The main camera Galaxy J7 SM-J710F is built on a 13-megapixel matrix of its own production. It supports contrast (phase) autofocus, but has an improved aperture of f/1.9. The pixel size is standard, 1.1 microns. Surprisingly, for its characteristics, the camera in the smartphone is very good. During the day, the pictures are excellent, they can be safely compared with the photos from the flagships. In the evening, too, everything is fine, although the noise still appears. Focus works correctly in most cases.
Sample pictures:
Pictures in HDR mode:
Front camera Galaxy J7 SM-J710F - 5 MP. The device is positioned as a selfie device, so it is equipped with a front flash. There is little sense from it, but in the dark there is a small gain from the backlight. The front camera has no light focusing.
Selfie:
Video is recorded in 1080p resolution at 30 FPS.
Screen
The Galaxy J7 SM-J710F has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display. Its resolution in this model is 1280x720 pixels (the version for Asia is equipped with a FullHD screen). The pixel density is 267 per inch. In terms of economy, the HD display wins, but there are doubts about the quality. However, the smartphone's screen is very bright, color reproduction is close to natural, and viewing angles are good.
There is only one nuance - pixels. If they are not visible at 35-40 cm from the eyes (from the word at all), then the owners of the “eagle eye” can still notice the “mesh”. Interestingly, this effect is not so pronounced in IPS (it seems that a matrix with PenTile is used here). In principle, it can be neglected (many will not notice anything at all), but this moment alone does not allow us to evaluate the matrix as much as possible.
Communications
There is a version of the smartphone with 1 SIM, but the Galaxy J7 SM-J710F has two. Both slots are designed for Micro cards. They are separate, located under the cover near the battery. All European networks from GSM to LTE are supported. Wi-Fi is designed to work only with networks with a frequency of 2.4 GHz, this is a small but minus. Bluetooth - version 4.2, with support for stereo sound transmission, but in a compressed form.
Navigation works with GPS and GLONASS satellites. In the Asian version, BDS is also announced, but in Eastern Europe they are either not caught on this smartphone, or (more likely) the Exynos chip is not at all “friendly” with Chinese satellites. There is also NFC on board, which works fully (and not just for payment, like Apple).
Sound
The smartphone does not have a dedicated audio processor. There is only one speaker, it is located at the back. The sound from it is distinguished by high volume, purity. Of course, there is a deficit with low frequencies, but this is not a tweeter. The middle range is played quite well. In the headset, the sound is average, it is enough for comfortable listening to music in normal "ears". There is a radio receiver, you can record programs from it.
Operating system
The smartphone is running Android 6. The TouchWiz graphical shell is present, but it is quite balanced and not as overloaded as in the old days. Therefore, there is no “zhora” of RAM, everything “flies”. The OS “shutter” has been worked out better than in stock Android, it is convenient to use it.
Features and differences of Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016) from its predecessor
The device has become half a millimeter shorter and 2 mm narrower, the weight has decreased by 1 gram. The J7 2015 also used a slower (though also eight-core) Exynos 7580 processor. The amount of RAM increased from 1.5 GB to 2. The battery capacity increased by 300 mAh, but the energy-efficient processor increased autonomy by more than 10%.
The camera (but its software has become better) and the display have hardly undergone changes.
Pros and cons of Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016)
- bright screen;
- excellent autonomy;
- quality camera;
- front flash;
- latest version of OS.
Flaws:
- screen resolution - 720p;
- mediocre sound.
Who is a smartphone for?
Galaxy J7 SM-J710F can be recommended to people who are looking for a mid-range phablet with good battery life. If you are willing to pay over $100 for quality battery and the camera, sacrificing the screen resolution - you will definitely like the smartphone. The device can be called universal: with games, and web surfing, and watching movies, and photography, the device will cope with a bang. Selfie lovers will appreciate the presence of a front flash.
The sound may not satisfy demanding music lovers, but for the average person its quality is enough. The 1280x720 screen can also become a limiting factor, but not everything is so bad: the pixels are visible only if you peer with a magnifying glass.
Our review of the Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F (2016)
Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J710F is a successful smartphone from the world leader. Against the background of Chinese competitors, it compares favorably with increased autonomy, the best camera and fresh OS. If these parameters are very important, the smartphone is worth the money. The review did not reveal any contraindications to purchase.
Video review
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