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Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7

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Galaxy J3 (2016)

Starting at

£48.00
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iPhone 7

Starting at

£66.24£179.00 new
See options
(66 reviews)
(699 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy J3 (2016) and iPhone 7?

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 comes down to the battery, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2016) starts at £48, £18.24 less than the iPhone 7.

Refurbished from

£48£66.24

Battery

2600 mAh1960 mAh

Screen size

5 inch4.7 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDRetina IPS LCD

Main camera

8 megapixels12 megapixels

Front camera

2 megapixels7 megapixels
  • The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bigger battery: 2600 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
  • The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bigger screen: 5 inch vs 4.7 inch.
  • The Galaxy J3 (2016) has an OLED screen.

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 specs

The Galaxy J3 (2016) and iPhone 7 both come from 2016 and offer unlocked 4G connectivity with physical SIM cards. The Galaxy J3 (2016) suits you if you want a larger 5 inch Super AMOLED screen and the option to expand storage with a microSD card. It also keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack and uses micro USB for charging. The iPhone 7 is a good choice if you prefer a slightly smaller 4.7 inch Retina IPS LCD screen, higher resolution, and more storage options starting at 32GB. It also offers higher resolution front and main cameras.

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 price

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 battery life and software updates

Durability focuses on software updates and operating systems. Each device runs a different operating system, which shapes the user experience.

Operating System

The Galaxy J3 (2016) runs Android, which offers a wide range of apps and customisation options. The iPhone 7 runs iOS, known for its smooth integration and regular updates during its supported period. Your choice depends on which operating system you prefer for daily use.

Software Updates

This means neither phone can receive the newest features or security patches from their respective manufacturers.

Battery

2600 mAh1960 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

N/AIP67

Software updates

Ended Apr 2019Ended Mar 2025, last iOS 15

Year of release

20162016

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 performance

Chipset

N/AApple A10 Fusion (16 nm)

RAM

2 GB2 GB

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 screen

Screen quality affects how you view videos, photos, and read text. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a larger 5 inch screen with a Super AMOLED panel, while the iPhone 7 offers a slightly smaller 4.7 inch Retina IPS LCD with a higher resolution.

Screen Size and Type

The Galaxy J3 (2016) features a 5 inch Super AMOLED screen, which tends to produce deep blacks and vibrant colours. This larger display suits watching videos or browsing with more space. The iPhone 7's 4.7 inch Retina IPS LCD offers accurate colour reproduction and good viewing angles, ideal if you prefer a more compact phone.

Resolution

With a resolution of 750 x 1334, the iPhone 7's screen has more pixels than the Galaxy J3 (2016)'s 720 x 1280. This higher resolution means sharper images and text, which can benefit anyone who values clarity in their display.

Refresh rate

N/A60 Hz

Resolution

720 x 1280750 x 1334

Screen size

5 inch4.7 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDRetina IPS LCD

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 camera

Camera quality and front-facing camera resolution are important if you take photos or video calls. The iPhone 7 offers higher resolution cameras than the Galaxy J3 (2016), which can result in clearer pictures.

Main Camera

The iPhone 7 has a 12 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail in photos compared to the Galaxy J3 (2016)'s 8 megapixels. This difference is helpful if photography matters to you or if you want sharper images.

Front Camera

For selfies or video calls, the iPhone 7 has a 7 megapixel front camera, significantly higher than the Galaxy J3 (2016)'s 2 megapixels. The iPhone 7's front camera suits users who often use video chat or take self-portraits.

Front camera

2 megapixels7 megapixels

Main camera

8 megapixels12 megapixels

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 size and design

Miscellaneous features include physical size, storage options, connectors, and expandable memory. These details influence daily convenience and how the phones fit your lifestyle.

Storage Capacity

The Galaxy J3 (2016) is stocked with 8GB and 16GB storage options, which handle everyday apps and files. The iPhone 7 offers larger storage at 32GB and 128GB, giving more room for apps, media, and documents if you need it.

Expandable Storage

The Galaxy J3 (2016) supports microSDXC cards, letting you add more storage as needed. This is useful if you prefer to keep many photos, videos, or files without managing internal space. The iPhone 7 does not have an SD card slot.

Connectors and Audio

The Galaxy J3 (2016) includes a micro USB port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, convenient if you have older accessories. The iPhone 7 uses a Lightning connector and does not have a headphone jack, which suits users who prefer Apple's accessory ecosystem or wireless audio.

Size and Weight

Both phones weigh 138 grams, but the Galaxy J3 (2016) is taller and wider (142.3 mm by 71 mm) with a depth of 7.9 mm. The iPhone 7 is more compact at 138.3 mm by 67.1 mm and slimmer at 7.1 mm. Choose based on whether you want a larger screen or a more pocket-friendly phone.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

Micro-USB + Jack 3.5mmLightning

Depth

7.9 mm7.1 mm

Height

142.3 mm138.3 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

138 g138 g

Width

71 mm67.1 mm

Galaxy J3 (2016) or iPhone 7: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy J3 (2016) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £48, £18.24 less than the iPhone 7
  • you want a bigger battery (2600 mAh vs 1960 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (5 inch vs 4.7 inch)

Buy the iPhone 7 if

  • you want a higher-resolution main camera (12 megapixels vs 8 megapixels)
  • you want a higher-resolution front camera (7 megapixels vs 2 megapixels)

What our customers say

Customers say the Galaxy J3 (2016) generally matches its description and works well. Many find it in good condition with a solid battery life and a screen that looks better than expected. Some users experienced issues with SIM registration and network connection, but others report it runs smoothly without problems. The phone's condition ranges from perfect to fair, with some customers noting scratches or dents.

Reviews of the iPhone 7 highlight its excellent condition and strong battery life. Many customers appreciate the physical SIM and ease of setup. The phone is praised for looking like new and performing well, with a smooth experience reported by several users. Some customers mentioned scratches or minor defects, and a few experienced microphone or data transfer issues. Overall, the iPhone 7 is recommended for simple use and good daily performance.

Both phones suit buyers looking for dependable refurbished devices. The Galaxy J3 (2016) fits those who want a larger screen and expandable storage, while the iPhone 7 appeals to users who prefer higher camera quality and more internal storage.

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 FAQs

Galaxy J3 (2016) vs iPhone 7 comes down to the battery, screen size and screen type. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bigger battery: 2600 mAh vs 1960 mAh. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bigger screen: 5 inch vs 4.7 inch.

The Galaxy J3 (2016) is cheaper refurbished, from £48 compared with £66.24 for the iPhone 7.

The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a bigger battery: 2600 mAh vs 1960 mAh.

The iPhone 7 has a higher-resolution main camera: 12 megapixels vs 8 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy J3 (2016) ended in Apr 2019. Updates for the iPhone 7 ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.

Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2016) comes in 8GB and 16GB, and the iPhone 7 in 32GB and 128GB.

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