The timing has never been so right if you’re planning on getting a mid-range smartphone. The number of options to choose from is almost countless. The only problem you have now is which of these numerous devices you should pick. And that’s what we’re trying to solve today.
In a previous article, we compared the Zenfone 4 Selfie with the OPPO F3. The two are some of the leading contenders in the midrange space, thanks to their dual selfie cameras. Today, we’re putting up the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro versus the Vivo V5s.
Besides not having a dual-camera setup, these two devices are similarly priced. If you’re fishing at around the Php15,000 boundary and wondering if you should spend more or less, this comparison is for you.
| Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro | Vivo V5s | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 7.0 Nougat expected Android 8.0 Oreo update TouchWiz | Android 6.0 Marshmallow FunTouch OS 3.0 |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM, Hybrid |
| Display | 5.5-inch FHD Super AMOLED 1920 x 1080 resolution ~401ppi Always-On technology | 5.5-inch HD IPS 1280 x 720 resolution ~247ppi |
| Processor | 1.6GHz Exynos 7870 octa-core | 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6750 octa-core |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB |
| GPU | Mali-T830MP2 | Mali-T860MP2 |
| Storage | 32GB expandable via microSD up to 256GB | 64GB expandable via microSD up to 256GB |
| Front Camera | 13-megapixel F/1.9 LED flash | 20-megapixel f/2.0 |
| Rear Camera | 13-megapixel f/1.7 LED flash | 13-megapixel f/2.2 LED flash |
| Security | Fingerprint scanner | Fingerprint scanner |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS microUSB 2.0 | 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS microUSB 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 152.4 x 74.7 x 7.9mm | 153.8 x 75.5 x 7.6mm |
| Weight | 181g | 154g |
| Colors | Black, Gold | Crown Gold, Matte Black |
| Battery | 3600mAh Li-Ion Non-removable | 3000mAh Li-Ion Non-removable |
| Price | Php15,990 | Php14,990 |
Now that we have the figures, let’s do the translation.
Why the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro?
Samsung’s bet clearly beat Vivo’s in major areas. Right off the bat, the Galaxy J7 Pro runs on a more dated Android version, while the V5s’s OS is a generation late. Also, it has a bigger 3600mAh battery — that’s 600mAh more than the contender.
Moreover, the Galaxy J7 Pro has a better Super AMOLED screen panel, with a sharper 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. A more suitable option than the IPS display found on the V5s, which only has a 1280 x 720 resolution.
The Galaxy J7 Pro might cost more, but you’ll be getting what you paid for. And even so, you can still get it at 0% installment plans via Home Credit.
Why the Vivo V5s?
The Vivo V5s might be the underdog here, but it still has a fight. The two might have an identical processor, but the V5s has a bigger 4GB of RAM, that’s 1GB more than the J7 Pro. This thing also has double the internal storage at 64GB with support for further expansion via a microSD card.
While the competition has a secondary flash, the V5s has a more pixel-packed selfie camera with its 20-megapixel shooter.
And lastly, the Vivo V5s costs Php1,000 less. So if budget is kinda tight, then this the one to get.
Bottomline
There’s definitely no clear winner here. Both the Galaxy J7 Pro and V5s dominated their own share key considerations when buying a smartphone. In the end, it will depend on the buyer’s personal preference.
Adding an extra Php1,000 for the Galaxy J7 Pro is not a bad idea. Not only that you’re getting a better display and battery, but Samsung also has a better reputation of providing after-sales support and updates (possible Android 8.0 update?).
However, going with the V5s will not only save you that extra thousand bucks. If you’re a performance and selfie junkie, then having that extra 1GB of RAM and a higher front camera resolution will suit you best.
And if you have no plans on getting a microSD card, the V5s’ 64GB of onboard storage will be more than enough to store all your apps and media. But in case you want more, you can use the Php1,000 you saved to buy a 64GB microSD card to get a total of 128GB of storage.