Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime is a smartphone that was part of Samsung's affordable J series, released in October 2016. It combines a sleek design with core features suitable for everyday use. While it has since been discontinued, it remains a device of interest for those looking for budget-friendly options with essential capabilities.

Design and Build

The Galaxy J5 Prime features a balanced design aesthetic characteristic of Samsung's mid-range devices at the time. Its dimensions are 142.8 x 69.5 x 8.1 mm, and it weighs 143 grams, making it comfortable to hold and lightweight. The device is constructed with a glass front, supported by a Gorilla Glass (availability may vary by market), combined with an aluminum/plastic back and an aluminum frame for added durability.

Display

The phone sports a 5.0-inch PLS LCD screen with a 720 x 1280 pixel resolution. This results in a pixel density of approximately 294 pixels per inch, providing adequate clarity for most users. The screen's size and resolution make it suitable for streaming videos and browsing the internet, delivering vibrant color reproduction and decent viewing angles.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy J5 Prime is powered by an Exynos 7570 Quad chipset built on 14nm technology. It includes a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a Mali-T720 MP2 GPU, providing a satisfactory performance for basic tasks such as social media, emails, and light gaming. Coupled with 2GB of RAM, the device is capable of handling multitasking, albeit with occasional slowdowns when running heavier applications.

Storage

The device comes with internal storage options of 16GB or 32GB. For users requiring additional space, the Galaxy J5 Prime offers a dedicated microSDXC slot, enabling memory expansion to accommodate more apps, photos, and media files.

Camera

The Galaxy J5 Prime is equipped with a single 13 MP main camera featuring an f/1.9 aperture and 28mm wide-angle lens. It supports autofocus and includes features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR, contributing to its ability to capture decent quality photos in good lighting conditions. For selfie enthusiasts, the front camera offers 5 MP with an f/2.2 aperture, delivering satisfactory results for video calls and snapshots.

Battery Life

The device houses a Li-Ion 2400 mAh non-removable battery, offering up to 16 hours of talk time on a 3G network and up to 54 hours of music playback. Although not the most enduring battery life compared to newer models, it is generally sufficient for daily activities, requiring a daily charge with moderate use.

Operating System and Software

Originally shipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, the Galaxy J5 Prime is upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo. This update brings improvements in performance, enhanced features, and better security, extending the device's lifespan and usability.

Connectivity and Network

The Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, making it compatible with a wide range of network bands. It offers LTE Cat4 speeds of up to 150/50 Mbps, ensuring reasonably fast internet connectivity for browsing and streaming.

Additional Features

In terms of additional functionalities, the Galaxy J5 Prime features a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. Other sensors include an accelerometer and proximity sensor. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 with OTG support. Additionally, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio with recording capabilities.

Price and Model Variants

Upon release, the device was available in colors like Black and Gold, catering to users' aesthetic preferences. Models are identified by variations such as SM-G570F, SM-G570F/DD, SM-G570Y, and SM-G570M. The phone was priced around 120 EUR, making it a reasonable choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable, entry-level smartphone.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime served as a capable option in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a balance of essential features, reliable performance, and a competitive price point. While it might not match the capabilities of modern smartphones, it holds its place as a practical device for basic requirements and remains a pertinent choice for those valuing cost-effectiveness over advanced specifications.