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Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9

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Galaxy J3 (2017)

Starting at

£62.00
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Galaxy S9

Starting at

£116.50£449.00 new
See options
(97 reviews)
(689 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S9?

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) starts at £62, £54.50 less than the Galaxy S9. The Galaxy S9 is the newer model, released in 2018.

Refurbished from

£62£116.50

RAM

2 GB4 GB

Battery

2400 mAh3000 mAh

Screen size

5 inch5.8 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Main camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels
  • The Galaxy S9 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
  • The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.
  • The Galaxy S9 has a bigger screen: 5.8 inch vs 5 inch.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 specs

The Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S9 differ mostly in screen quality, memory, and storage options. The Galaxy J3 offers a 5 inch PLS screen at 720 x 1280 resolution and 2 GB of RAM with 16GB storage, suited to everyday use and simple tasks. The Galaxy S9 has a larger 5.8 inch Super AMOLED screen with a 1440 x 2960 resolution, 4 GB of RAM, and storage choices of 64GB or 128GB, fitting users who want a more vivid display and more space for apps and media. Both phones run Android, are unlocked, and support 4G and microSDXC cards. The J3 is lighter at 143 g, while the S9 weighs 163 g.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 price

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 battery life and software updates

Durability covers basic compatibility and operating system details. Their release years are close, with the J3 from 2017 and the S9 from 2018.

Operating System

Both the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy S9 run Android, providing a familiar platform. This suits users comfortable with the Android experience available on these models.

Release Year

The Galaxy J3 (2017) was released in 2017 and the Galaxy S9 in 2018. This places them close in release time, offering similar generation durability for everyday use.

Battery

2400 mAh3000 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

N/AIP68

Software updates

Ended Jul 2019Ended Apr 2022

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20172018

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 performance

RAM

2 GB4 GB

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 screen

Screen quality differs notably between the two phones. The size, resolution, and screen technology affect how content looks and how much you see on the display.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 inch screen with 720 x 1280 resolution, providing clear visuals for browsing and apps. The Galaxy S9 offers a larger 5.8 inch screen with a 1440 x 2960 resolution, which means sharper images and more room for multitasking or watching videos.

Screen Type

The Galaxy J3 (2017) uses a PLS screen type, suitable for everyday viewing. The Galaxy S9 features a Super AMOLED screen, which delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, ideal for users who want richer visuals and better contrast.

Resolution

720 x 12801440 x 2960

Screen size

5 inch5.8 inch

Screen type

PLSSuper AMOLED

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 camera

Camera capabilities and front camera quality vary, affecting photo and video experiences depending on your priorities.

Main Camera

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 13 megapixel main camera, offering solid photo detail for casual pictures. The Galaxy S9 has a 12 megapixel main camera, which shares a comparable megapixel count.

Front Camera

For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy J3 (2017) features a 5 megapixel front camera. The Galaxy S9 improves on this with an 8 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail and clearer images during front-facing shots.

Camera type

N/ASingle (1x)

Front camera

5 megapixels8 megapixels

Main camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 size and design

Additional features cover connectivity, storage expandability, and physical characteristics that affect daily use.

Connector and Audio Jack

The Galaxy J3 (2017) uses a micro USB connector alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy S9 has a USB-C connector with the same 3.5mm headphone jack, which may influence charging and accessory compatibility depending on what you use.

Carrier and Network

Both devices are unlocked and support 4G networks, giving flexibility to use any compatible network without being tied to a specific carrier.

Storage Options

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is available with 16GB of storage, suitable for light app and media use. The Galaxy S9 offers larger storage options at 64GB and 128GB, fitting users who store more apps, photos, and files.

Weight

Weighing 143 g, the Galaxy J3 (2017) is lighter and easier to carry for those who prefer a compact feel. The Galaxy S9 weighs 163 g, reflecting its larger size and additional features.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

Micro-USB + Jack 3.5mmUSB-C + Jack 3.5mm

Depth

8.2 mm8.5 mm

Height

143.2 mm147.7 mm

Mobile network

4G4G

Release date

N/A16 March 2018

SD card slot

microSDXCmicroSDXC

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

142 g163 g

Width

70.3 mm68.7 mm

Galaxy J3 (2017) or Galaxy S9: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy J3 (2017) if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £62, £54.50 less than the Galaxy S9
  • you want a higher-resolution main camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
  • you want a lighter build (142 g vs 163 g)

Buy the Galaxy S9 if

  • you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (5.8 inch vs 5 inch)

What our customers say

Customers of the Galaxy J3 (2017) appreciate how easy it is to use for everyday tasks and find it suitable as a first phone for younger users. Some report the screen can be fragile and the battery may require frequent charging. A few customers mention setup challenges and camera quality issues, but many are pleased with the phone's condition and usability for simple needs.

Galaxy S9 customers often note the phone's good condition and smooth performance. The larger, sharper screen and higher storage options suit users who want a richer media experience and more space for apps. While some mention battery life requiring a top-up by evening and occasional overheating, the overall feedback highlights satisfaction with the device's look and capabilities.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is well suited to users seeking a straightforward phone for basic use, lighter weight, and simpler features. The Galaxy S9 fits those who want a larger, more detailed screen, extra storage, and enhanced front camera quality for selfies and video calls.

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 FAQs

Galaxy J3 (2017) vs Galaxy S9 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S9 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB. The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £62 compared with £116.50 for the Galaxy S9.

The Galaxy S9 has a bigger battery: 3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh.

The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a higher-resolution main camera: 13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy J3 (2017) ended in Jul 2019. Updates for the Galaxy S9 ended in Apr 2022.

The Galaxy S9 adds more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (3000 mAh vs 2400 mAh) and a bigger screen (5.8 inch vs 5 inch). Refurbished, it costs £54.50 more (from £116.50 vs £62).

Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) comes in 16GB, and the Galaxy S9 in 64GB and 128GB.

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