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Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017)

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Galaxy J3 (2017)

Starting at

£62.00
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Galaxy J5 (2017)

Starting at

£60.00
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(97 reviews)
(56 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy J5 (2017)?

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy J5 (2017) starts at £60, £2 less than the Galaxy J3 (2017).

Refurbished from

£62£60

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Battery

2400 mAh3000 mAh

Screen size

5 inch5.2 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Front camera

5 megapixels13 megapixels
  • The Galaxy J5 (2017) has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB.
  • The Galaxy J5 (2017) has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.
  • The Galaxy J5 (2017) has a bigger screen: 5.2 inch vs 5 inch.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) specs

The Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy J5 (2017) both came out in 2017 and offer unlocked 4G connectivity with microSDXC card slots. The J5 suits you if you want more RAM for keeping apps open and a slightly larger screen with Super AMOLED technology for richer colours. It also has a higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies. The J3 is good for everyday use with a simpler screen type and less memory, fitting well if you prefer a smaller, lighter phone. Both have the same main camera resolution and physical SIM cards, so photography needs and network compatibility are similar.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) price

Colour

  • BlackSold out
  • BlueSold out
  • GoldSold out
  • BlackSold out
  • GoldSold out

Storage

  • 16GBSold out
  • 16GBSold out

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) battery life and software updates

Durability considerations include software support and physical characteristics. Both phones are from 2017 and unlocked, but their software update periods differ slightly.

Software Updates Ended

The Galaxy J3 (2017) received software updates until July 2019, while the Galaxy J5 (2017) updates ended in March 2019. This means the J3 had a longer update period, which could affect how current the system software is for each device. Both phones are no longer receiving updates but the J3's support lasted a few months longer.

Battery

2400 mAh3000 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Software updates

Ended Jul 2019Ended Mar 2019

Year of release

20172017

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) performance

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) screen

Screen quality varies between these models in size and display technology. These differences influence viewing experience for videos, browsing and everyday use.

Screen Size

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 inch screen, while the Galaxy J5 (2017) offers a slightly larger 5.2 inch display. A bigger screen like the J5's provides more room for watching videos and reading content, which suits users who prefer a roomier display.

Screen Type

The J3 uses a PLS screen type, which generally offers clear images and good viewing angles. The J5 features a Super AMOLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vivid colours, making it ideal if you value richer visuals and contrast in your display.

Resolution

Both phones share the same resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels. This resolution balances clarity and battery efficiency on their respective screen sizes, making text and images reasonably sharp on both devices.

Resolution

720 x 1280720 x 1280

Screen size

5 inch5.2 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) camera

Camera capabilities differ mainly in the front camera, which affects selfies and video calls, while the main cameras have the same resolution.

Front Camera

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 megapixels front camera, suitable for basic selfies and video calls. The Galaxy J5 (2017) offers a 13 megapixels front camera, capturing more detail and sharper images for selfie enthusiasts or frequent video callers.

Main Camera

Both phones feature a 13 megapixels main camera, so they capture the same level of detail for general photography. This makes either phone capable of taking similar photos with the rear camera.

Front camera

5 megapixels13 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels13 megapixels

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) size and design

Other factors include connectivity, physical size, and SIM card type, all of which affect everyday handling and compatibility.

Weight

The Galaxy J3 (2017) weighs 143 grams, making it lighter and possibly easier to carry or hold for long periods. The Galaxy J5 (2017) weighs 160 grams, offering a bit more substance in hand but still comfortable for everyday use.

Connector and Compatibility

Both phones use Micro-USB connectors and include a 3.5mm headphone jack, supporting standard accessories. They are unlocked and support 4G mobile networks, so you can use them with a wide range of carriers. Both require physical SIM cards and have microSDXC slots for expanding storage.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

Micro-USB + Jack 3.5mmMicro-USB + Jack 3.5mm

Depth

8.2 mm7.8 mm

Height

143.2 mm146.3 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

SD card slot

microSDXCmicroSDXC

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

142 g160 g

Width

70.3 mm71.3 mm

Galaxy J3 (2017) or Galaxy J5 (2017): which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy J3 (2017) if

  • you want a lighter build (142 g vs 160 g)

Buy the Galaxy J5 (2017) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £60, £2 less than the Galaxy J3 (2017)
  • you want more RAM (3 GB vs 2 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh)

What our customers say

Customers who bought the Galaxy J3 (2017) appreciate its condition looking like new and find it easy to use with some learning. Some found it suitable as a first phone for children, while others experienced issues with fragile screens or blurry cameras. Battery life and charging speed received mixed comments, with some needing daily charges and others noting slow charging. Setup could require patience, especially on older Android versions.

For the Galaxy J5 (2017), customers mention it works well for beginners and children, with good quality and condition that looks like new. The larger front camera and screen are appreciated for selfies and viewing. Some users noted SIM slot size issues and occasional unlocked status problems, but overall the device is seen as a well-priced option that meets expectations. The phone is regarded as simple and reliable for basic use.

The Galaxy J3 suits those wanting a lighter, smaller phone for everyday tasks and simple use, while the Galaxy J5 is better for users who want more RAM, a bigger screen with richer colours, and a higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) FAQs

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy J5 (2017) comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy J5 (2017) has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB. The Galaxy J5 (2017) has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

The Galaxy J5 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £60 compared with £62 for the Galaxy J3 (2017).

The Galaxy J5 (2017) has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

Both have the same main camera: 13 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy J3 (2017) ended in Jul 2019. Updates for the Galaxy J5 (2017) ended in Mar 2019.

Both come in 16GB refurbished.

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