Samsung Galaxy J2 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy J2 was first released in September 2015. Today, in 2023, the phone is no longer in production but is still being used by many people around the world. It was designed to be an entry-level smartphone with a budget-friendly price tag. Its Super AMOLED display, quad-core processor, and 5MP camera were considered decent for its time. However, as technology advances, it is important to reevaluate the J2's capabilities and features to see if it still holds up against newer models.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core was released in 2015, making it a relatively older model compared to the latest smartphones on the market. Despite its age, the phone's design and build quality still hold up well today.

The J2 Core boasts a lightweight and compact design, with dimensions of 136.5 x 69 x 8.4 mm and weighing only 129g. The phone's glass front and plastic back and frame give it a sleek and modern look. The phone's ergonomic design allows for comfortable handling and easy one-handed use.

While the J2 Core may not have the premium feel of more expensive phones, its construction is solid and durable. The phone's plastic back and frame contribute to its lightweight design while also providing added durability. However, its materials may not be as scratch-resistant as more premium phones.

Overall, the J2 Core's design and build quality are impressive for its price point. While it may not have the premium feel of more expensive phones, its lightweight and compact design, combined with its durability, make it an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core boasts a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display technology provides an excellent color reproduction with deep blacks and vivid colors. The screen-to-body ratio is around 65%, which is quite decent for a budget device.

The display is bright enough to make the content easily visible even in direct sunlight. The viewing angles are also impressive, which means that the content on the screen can be viewed comfortably from different angles. The touch sensitivity is accurate and responsive, which makes it easy to navigate through the phone's menus and apps.

However, the resolution of the screen could have been better, as it produces a pixel density of only 234 pixels per inch. This results in a slightly grainy appearance of text and images. But overall, the display quality is quite impressive for a budget smartphone.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core's Super AMOLED display provides good color reproduction and brightness. The viewing angles and touch sensitivity are also impressive. However, the low resolution results in a slightly grainy appearance of text and images. Nonetheless, considering its budget price, the display quality is quite impressive.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core has a lot to offer. Powered by a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and Mali-T720 GPU, this phone is capable of running most apps and games without any lag or stutter. The Exynos 3475 Quad chipset is well-optimized and provides a smooth and responsive user experience.

The J2 Core comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot. This may not sound like much compared to some high-end devices, but it's more than enough for everyday use and light multitasking. The eMMC 4.5 storage technology used in this phone ensures faster read and write speeds, which further improves the overall performance.

In terms of gaming, the J2 Core performs decently well. While it may not be able to handle the most demanding games at high settings, it can run most popular titles without any issues. The Mali-T720 GPU helps in rendering smooth graphics, and the 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display provides a good visual experience.

In benchmark tests, the J2 Core scores around 1683 in Basemark X, which is respectable for a budget device. In real-world usage, the phone feels snappy and responsive, and there is no noticeable lag or slowdown.

Overall, the J2 Core offers a solid performance that is more than adequate for most users. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it strikes a good balance between performance and affordability, making it a great choice for budget-conscious buyers.

Software and User Interface

Software and User Interface:

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core runs on the Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) operating system, which is a bit outdated compared to the latest versions of Android. However, it still provides a user-friendly interface with customization options that allow users to personalize their phone to their liking. The phone features Samsung's TouchWiz UI, which is easy to navigate and provides a smooth user experience.

One downside of the J2 Core is that it comes pre-installed with quite a bit of bloatware that may not be necessary for all users. However, some of these apps can be uninstalled, and users can disable others to free up space and improve performance.

The phone also comes with Samsung's Smart Manager app, which allows users to manage their device's resources, including memory, battery, and storage. This app is useful for optimizing the phone's performance and improving battery life.

While the J2 Core does not have any advanced features like facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, it still provides the essential features users need, including a basic lock screen, notification panel, and app drawer.

Overall, the J2 Core's software and user interface provide a satisfactory experience for users who are looking for a simple, no-frills smartphone. It may not have the latest software or advanced features, but it gets the job done and is easy to use.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core comes with a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera features an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus, while the front camera has an f/2.2 aperture.

In well-lit conditions, the rear camera takes decent photos with good color reproduction and sharpness. However, in low light conditions, the camera struggles to capture details and images come out grainy. The LED flash helps in low light, but the resulting images are still not of the best quality.

The camera app provides several shooting modes, including panorama, continuous shot, and beauty mode. The beauty mode softens skin tones and enhances facial features, making it a popular option for selfies. The camera can also record 720p videos at 30 frames per second, but the quality is average at best.

Zoom capabilities on this device are limited, and there is no image stabilization feature, which makes it difficult to capture steady shots.

Overall, the camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core is average and suitable for basic photography needs. However, if you are looking for a device with a great camera, this may not be the phone for you.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core is a well-connected device, with a variety of connectivity options available to the user. The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it compatible with a wide range of carriers around the world. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct are also supported, allowing for easy and fast wireless connections to networks and other devices.

In terms of Bluetooth, the J2 Core comes with version 4.1 and supports A2DP, allowing for high-quality audio streaming to compatible devices. The phone also has GPS and GLONASS for location-based services and navigation.

NFC is available on some market-dependent models, which enables users to make wireless payments, share files, and connect with other NFC-enabled devices. The J2 Core also comes with an FM Radio, which supports RDS and recording functionality, allowing users to listen to their favorite stations and even record their favorite shows.

The phone has a microUSB 2.0 port, which supports OTG, allowing for quick and easy data transfer to and from other devices. The J2 Core also has an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which are useful for gaming and detecting when the phone is near the user's ear during a call.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core offers a solid range of connectivity and networking options, making it a versatile device that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core comes with a range of additional features that add to the user experience. One of the standout features of this device is its expandable storage options. With a dedicated microSDXC slot, users can easily increase the internal storage capacity of the phone up to 256 GB, allowing for even more music, photos, and videos to be stored.

The audio quality on the Galaxy J2 Core is also impressive. The device comes with a loudspeaker that delivers clear and crisp sound, making it perfect for watching videos or listening to music. Additionally, the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which allows users to plug in their own headphones for a more personalized audio experience.

Another great feature is the phone's FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities. This allows users to tune in to their favorite local radio stations and even record their favorite shows or songs.

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core also comes equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer and proximity sensor. These sensors enable various features, such as automatic screen rotation and the ability to detect when the phone is close to the user's face during a call, which turns off the display to prevent accidental touches.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core offers a range of additional features that enhance the user experience, making it a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly device that still packs a punch.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core to other budget-friendly smartphones in the market, a few options come to mind. The first is the Nokia 2.4, which offers a larger 6.5-inch display and a more recent Android 10 operating system. However, the J2 Core has a better Super AMOLED display technology and a slightly faster processor.

Another option is the Moto E6s, which has similar specifications to the J2 Core in terms of processor and storage. However, the J2 Core has a better screen-to-body ratio and a slightly higher resolution display.

For those who prefer a stock Android experience, the Nokia 1.4 is a good alternative. It has a similar processor and storage capacity as the J2 Core, but offers a more streamlined user interface and a larger battery.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core offers a solid entry-level smartphone experience, with a good display and reliable performance. However, there are other options in the market that offer similar or better features at a similar price point. It comes down to personal preference and priorities when it comes to choosing the right budget smartphone.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core was a budget-friendly device that was launched in 2015. While this device may have been discontinued, it still has some features that are worth noting. The device had a decent display, good battery life, and a user-friendly interface. However, it did have some flaws, such as its low internal storage and RAM, which made it difficult to multitask and run demanding applications. Additionally, the camera quality was not up to par with modern phone standards.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core was a suitable device for basic tasks such as browsing the web, making calls, and sending messages. It was not intended for heavy users or those who require advanced features. If you are on a tight budget and need a phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core could be a good option. However, if you are looking for a more advanced and feature-rich phone, there are better alternatives in the market.