Home
Trade-in

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6

Shop Samsung Galaxy
  • 24-month warranty
  • Free standard delivery on orders over £50
  • 14-day returns
  • Excellent customer support

Galaxy J3 (2017)

Starting at

£62.00
See options

Galaxy S6

Starting at

£81.32£399.00 new
See options
(97 reviews)
(102 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S6?

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) starts at £62, £19.32 less than the Galaxy S6. The Galaxy J3 (2017) is the newer model, released in 2017.

Refurbished from

£62£81.32

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Battery

2400 mAh2550 mAh

Screen size

5 inch5.1 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Main camera

13 megapixels16 megapixels
  • The Galaxy S6 has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB.
  • The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2400 mAh.
  • Screen size: 5 inch on the Galaxy J3 (2017), 5.1 inch on the Galaxy S6.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 specs

The Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 differ notably in screen quality, memory, camera resolution, and storage options. The Galaxy S6 offers a higher resolution Super AMOLED screen and more RAM, making it better suited for users who want sharper visuals and smoother multitasking. It also has a larger internal storage capacity. The Galaxy J3 (2017) supports expandable storage with a microSDXC slot, ideal for those who prefer to add their own storage. The Galaxy J3 (2017) suits everyday users seeking a straightforward phone with optional storage expansion, while the Galaxy S6 fits users who value higher screen clarity and more memory for apps.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 price

Storage

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 battery life and software updates

Durability covers software updates, operating systems, and build aspects.

Operating System

Both the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 run Android, offering a familiar experience for Android users.

Release Year

The Galaxy J3 (2017) was released in 2017 and the Galaxy S6 in 2015.

Battery

2400 mAh2550 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Software updates

Ended Jul 2019Ended Jun 2018

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20172015

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 performance

Chipset

N/AExynos 7420 Octa (14 nm)

RAM

2 GB3 GB

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 screen

Screen quality affects how you view content, with resolution, size, and screen type all playing a role. The two phones differ in these areas, which suits different types of users.

Resolution and Detail

The Galaxy S6 has a 1440 x 2560 resolution, delivering much sharper images and text than the Galaxy J3 (2017) with its 720 x 1280 resolution. This higher pixel count suits users who watch videos or view photos often and want finer detail.

Screen Size

The Galaxy S6's screen measures 5.1 inch, slightly larger than the Galaxy J3 (2017)'s 5 inch display. This offers a bit more room for browsing or media, which may appeal if you prefer a slightly bigger display without a big difference in phone size.

Screen Type

The Galaxy S6 uses a Super AMOLED screen, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks, enhancing visual enjoyment. The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a PLS screen, which provides good viewing angles and brightness suitable for everyday use but with less contrast.

Resolution

720 x 12801440 x 2560

Screen size

5 inch5.1 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 camera

Audiovisual specs focus on cameras. Both phones have the same front camera resolution, but they differ in their main cameras.

Front Camera

Both the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S6 feature a 5 megapixel front camera, suitable for selfies and video calls with similar clarity.

Main Camera

The Galaxy S6 offers a 16 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail than the Galaxy J3 (2017)'s 13 megapixels. This makes the S6 a stronger choice if you often take photos and want finer image detail.

Front camera

5 megapixels5 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels16 megapixels

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 size and design

Other features include network compatibility, SIM card type, storage options, weight, and memory expansion. These affect everyday convenience and storage flexibility.

Storage and Memory

The Galaxy S6 comes with 32GB of internal storage, double the 16GB offered by the Galaxy J3 (2017). This suits users who want more space without adding a memory card. The Galaxy J3 (2017) supports microSDXC cards, allowing you to expand storage as needed, which benefits users who want flexible storage options.

RAM

With 3GB of RAM, the Galaxy S6 can keep more apps open and provide smoother multitasking than the Galaxy J3 (2017), which has 2GB of RAM. This matters if you use several apps simultaneously or want a more responsive experience.

Network and SIM

Both phones are unlocked and support 4G networks with a physical SIM card, giving you flexibility to choose your mobile provider.

Weight

The Galaxy S6 weighs 138 g, slightly lighter than the Galaxy J3 (2017)'s 143 g. This small difference is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

Micro-USB + Jack 3.5mmN/A

Depth

8.2 mm6.8 mm

Height

143.2 mm143.4 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

Release date

N/A10 April 2015

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

142 g138 g

Width

70.3 mm70.5 mm

Galaxy J3 (2017) or Galaxy S6: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy J3 (2017) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £62, £19.32 less than the Galaxy S6
  • you want a memory card slot

Buy the Galaxy S6 if

  • you want more RAM (3 GB vs 2 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (2550 mAh vs 2400 mAh)
  • you want an OLED screen

What our customers say

Customers say the Galaxy J3 (2017) looks like new and is easy to use, with several noting its suitability as a first phone. Some found setup needed workarounds due to older software but found it functional after. The screen can be fragile, and a few mention battery life requiring daily charging even with light use. Camera quality received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing blurry shots.

For the Galaxy S6, customers appreciate the better screen and camera experience, with some reporting it worked well immediately with their SIM card. However, several users encountered issues with the phone being locked to networks despite being sold as unlocked, and with receiving incorrect charging cables. These problems affected satisfaction despite the device itself being well received when working correctly.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) suits users needing a straightforward phone with expandable storage and ease of use. The Galaxy S6 fits those who want higher screen resolution, more RAM, and internal storage, as long as they are comfortable addressing potential carrier lock or accessory issues.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 FAQs

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S6 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S6 has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB. The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £62 compared with £81.32 for the Galaxy S6.

The Galaxy S6 has a bigger battery: 2550 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

The Galaxy S6 has a higher-resolution main camera: 16 megapixels vs 13 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy J3 (2017) ended in Jul 2019. Updates for the Galaxy S6 ended in Jun 2018.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) adds a memory card slot. Refurbished, it costs £19.32 less (from £62 vs £81.32).

Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) comes in 16GB, and the Galaxy S6 in 32GB.

Add device
Add device
Add device
Add device