Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max
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Galaxy J3 (2017)
Starting at
£62.00
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy J3 (2017) and iPhone XS Max?
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) starts at £62, £106.09 less than the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 2400 mAh.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 5 inch.
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max specs
The Galaxy J3 (2017) and iPhone XS Max differ in key areas that suit different users. The Galaxy J3 offers a smaller 5 inch screen with a PLS display and 2 GB of RAM, making it a practical choice for everyday use and basic tasks. It supports expandable storage via microSDXC and features a headphone jack and micro USB connector. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5 inch Super Retina OLED screen with higher resolution and 4 GB of RAM, providing a more immersive viewing experience and smoother multitasking. Choose the Galaxy J3 (2017) if you want a straightforward Android phone with expandable storage. Pick the iPhone XS Max if you want a larger screen, more memory, and software updates.
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max price
Colour
- BlackSold out
- BlueSold out
- GoldSold out
Storage
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers software updates, operating systems, and physical features. These affect how long the device stays current and how you interact with it daily.
Operating System
The Galaxy J3 (2017) runs Android while the iPhone XS Max uses iOS. If you prefer Android's style and apps or want to stay within Google's ecosystem, the Galaxy J3 fits well. The iPhone XS Max suits those familiar with Apple and its software environment.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects how you watch videos, browse, and use apps. These two devices offer different screen sizes, resolutions, and display technologies.
Screen Size
The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 inch screen, making it compact and easier to handle with one hand. The iPhone XS Max features a 6.5 inch screen, offering a more spacious display for watching videos and multitasking.
Resolution
With 1242 x 2688 pixels, the iPhone XS Max has a higher resolution than the Galaxy J3's 720 x 1280 pixels. This means sharper images and more detail on the iPhone's screen, especially noticeable when viewing photos or reading small text.
Screen Type
The Galaxy J3 (2017) uses a PLS screen, which provides colour and brightness for everyday use. The iPhone XS Max has a Super Retina OLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, enhancing media and gaming experiences.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max camera
Camera and front camera specs influence photo and video quality, as well as video calls and selfies.
Front Camera
The iPhone XS Max has a 7 megapixel front camera, offering higher resolution selfies and clearer video calls. The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5 megapixel front camera, suitable for basic selfies and video chats.
Main Camera
The Galaxy J3 (2017) features a 13 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail in photos compared to the iPhone XS Max's 12 megapixel main camera. This can make a difference if you often take pictures in good light.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Miscellaneous features include connectivity, storage options, and weight, all of which affect daily convenience and usage.
Storage
The Galaxy J3 (2017) comes with 16GB of storage but supports microSDXC cards for expanding storage, which is useful if you want to add music, photos or videos. The iPhone XS Max offers larger built-in storage options of 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB without expandable storage.
SIM and Network
Both phones support 4G and come unlocked. The Galaxy J3 uses a physical SIM card only, while the iPhone XS Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, giving more flexibility for managing mobile plans.
Connectors
The Galaxy J3 (2017) uses a micro USB connector and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which suits those with wired headphones or older chargers. The iPhone XS Max uses a Lightning connector and does not have a headphone jack.
Weight
The Galaxy J3 (2017) weighs 143 g, making it lighter and possibly easier to carry in a pocket. The iPhone XS Max weighs 208 g, reflecting its larger size and materials.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy J3 (2017) or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy J3 (2017) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £62, £106.09 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (142 g vs 208 g)
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 2400 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy J3 (2017) often appreciate it as a straightforward phone suitable for beginners or simple daily use. Many say it feels like new and is easy to use, though some mention issues with setup and fragile screens. Battery life can require daily charging even with light use, and some customers found the camera blurry or the SIM card slot tricky.
For the iPhone XS Max, customers highlight its excellent condition, clear product descriptions, and good battery life at around 87 percent capacity. The larger screen and Apple ecosystem appeal to users who want a premium smartphone experience. Some users mention minor issues like low call volume or the need to replace the screen, but overall the phone performs well for its purpose.
Overall, the Galaxy J3 (2017) suits those looking for a smaller, simpler Android phone with expandable storage. The iPhone XS Max is better for users who want a larger screen, more memory, and ongoing software updates in the iOS environment.
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
Galaxy J3 (2017) vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB. The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 2400 mAh.
The Galaxy J3 (2017) is cheaper refurbished, from £62 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 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 iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Galaxy J3 (2017) comes in 16GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
