New 1st prize smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy J1 (2016) replaces the first very disappointing version of 2015. And he does it very well. Improvements have been made everywhere with the result, a still modest smartphone yet able to offer a full Android experience rather pleasant to just over € 150.
Who can do more can do less? Not necessarily for Samsung. It’s certain. The Korean was under foot and it shows every year with its Galaxy S and Note, but when it comes to compromise to bring prices down, choices are often criticized. Consumers do not be embarrassed are also just outside the Galaxy J1 2015 but the time for revenge has come. The smartphone is back in a 2016 version for about 160 €. Samsung has he finally learned from his mistakes?
After reading the data sheet, it would seem so. First major change, the Galaxy J1 (2016) is compatible 4G. Good news that hides another since it is obviously related to the chipset, replaced by a quad-core model swifter. The memory has also been increased in passing, as the screen size and battery capacity elsewhere. Here in detail what the smartphone contains:
- Android 5.1 Lollipop + Touchwiz
- AMOLED WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) 4.5-inch
- chipset Exynos 3475 CPU with quad-core Cortex-A7 1.3 GHz
- GPU Mali-T720
- 1 GB RAM
- 8 GB of internal memory (microSD +)
- 4G connectivity (cat. 4) / Wi-Fi / NFC / Bluetooth / GPS
- main 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
- 2 megapixel webcam
- 2050 mAh battery
- dimensions: 132.6 x 69.3 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 131 grams
So the Galaxy J1 seems to bring many improvements this year but it is not all to be well equipped. Let’s see what it is to use.
Simple and ergonomic
No surprise unpacking. We find the lines of the latest Samsung smartphone with the usual elements: mechanical button under the screen, the square camera back and the metallic frame (but plastic, of course). Note that the color of the latter varies with the colors: silver for black and gold … for gold. Samsung has still avoided the total-look gold surrounding a black panel screen that rises to the level of the speaker, light sensor / proximity and webcam. It’s pretty nice. We also find on our black model but it is obviously less obvious. Everything is pretty well assembled. A nice little smartphone sum, which also takes pleasure in manipulating
the pocket dimensions and beveled slices to monitor the flare of the removable cover allow taking firm and comfortable grip while the buttons are judiciously distributed over the slices. Power is right in the thumb, while the middle or index used to adjust the volume as opposed to right-handers. Add to that a microUSB port on the bottom edge and a jack on the top to prevent the cables from becoming entangled if you use both at the same time.
No door or drawer, however, since, as stated earlier, the cover is removable here. It will also remove it, using a small slot for inserting a memory card. And the micro-SIM card? It will also remove the battery. But not very practical, at least, the battery is removable too. If you are the type to predict an emergency, it is possible with the Galaxy J1 (2016). It can also help if the system freeze. With Android, you better be prepared for everything!
Finally, note that the camera slightly beyond the back without hindering the grip. It makes stops at the same level as the small reinforcement provided to avoid the obstruction of the speaker to the left when the smartphone is laid flat. Everything seems to have been well thought out and it’s good to see. Unpretentious, Samsung finally book a refined entry and almost faultless ergonomics
saves AMOLED screen
the screen is another good surprise though, frankly, the definition of 800 x 480 pixels is ridiculous on a diagonal of 4.5 inches. The zoom will be your best friend for surfing the internet. But where is the surprise then? This is the display technology. Samsung has opted for the AMOLED and this is evident immediately. The colors are vibrant despite a slight tendency to pull on the yellow, brightness is good, the viewing angles are wide open … Compared to tiles that are usually found in this price category (TFT or IPS), one could say that one takes full eyes and this largely compensates the low definition. Especially since it does not really bother to view photos and videos or play. Let alone to navigate the menus of Android
TouchWiz underweight, and it suits her!
The Google OS is here delivered in Version 5.1 Lollipop. It is not the latest but this is not surprising. Samsung still lags a step behind the entry level and much to say right away, it rarely offers day in this segment updates. It will therefore certainly be satisfied. The good news is that with Lollipop presents a very light version of Touchwiz. Finally light on gadgets and additional functions but certainly not on the colors of menu and system applications. It’s always so showy and you will not escape by changing themes here since there is simply no. This is just part of the items reserved for more upmarket models.
What is left then? Really not much: the band rapid adjustments to scroll in the center of notifications, the “close all” button in the multitasking manager, the organization thought better of parameters, the Ultra power saving mode, the keyboard integrated with emoji and a handful of applications. We especially enjoyed the rather full video player and Smart Manager for maintenance and security with Knox. You will also find S Planner instead of the native calendar and Galaxy Apps to support the Play Store which becomes a mandatory step before you can enjoy the Galaxy J1 (2016). Note that 4 GB of memory is available for new applications (announced 8), in addition to the microSD slot accepts cards up to 128GB.
Samsung has certainly made a wise choice by deciding to lighten his overcoat. good for an affordable smartphone and we found it quite easily and it’s obviously so, could interest “beginners”. This allows also to ensure a certain responsiveness to the system since the Exynos 3475 is not a lightning war either. You will not escape some slowdowns here and there but we must recognize that navigation remains fluid in general and that applications launch more quickly even if the load following is sometimes a bit long. Juggling those open is also quite fast despite the RAM a bit stingy (1 GB).
honorable performance for casual entertainment
this is obviously in multimedia the rub, though the Galaxy J1 (2016) has not fared not so bad given his equipment. He managed to play videos including Full HD up (even if it is not very useful because of the screen), and this from many codecs thanks to the rather full Samsung player. Even the subtitles are supported. This is not too bad either in audio playback even if he will be content with native Play Music and favor the headphones, the speaker delivering an incomplete breath with her besides being poorly positioned back
the balance sheet is not as good in. casual players will find their account as 2D or 3D titles fairly basic look good but the Mali-T720 begins already showing its weaknesses with Angry Birds Go! and Dead Trigger 2. The measure may jerk. Even with the level of detail and effects minimized. Add to that a touch screen a bit temperamental. Sometimes we lose touch keeping the thumb pressed on. Not very convenient for FPS and other games a bit nervous. Already the size is not optimal, between inches overlapping and eyestrain …
To end the performance, as always we launched some benchmarks . The results place the Galaxy J1 (2016) at the platforms under Snapdragon 210, even if it seems a bit better in practice. It oar in any case much less than the Desire 530 from HTC, but the low resolution of the screen helps perhaps … Samsung has at least the merit of proposing a balanced configuration.
No photo enhancements
it is finally photographed the new entry level disappoints the most. This was also to be expected. This is practically the only area in which the equipment of the 2015 model was retained. Already it was not glorious in its time, the contrast with the current competition is even stronger. The shots delivered by the main sensor of 5 megapixels sorely lack sharpness and detail in addition to presenting dull colors. Rest brightness, generally well balanced. Must still there to be as clichés quickly become dark otherwise, with an emphasis of all the problems mentioned above bonus.
It will also not rely too much on settings to compensate. The application offers a few with his Pro mode (exposure, ISO, white balance) but use practically not alter the results … So we end up not use more than the trigger and the two buttons surround and help pass on the 2-megapixel webcam or video recording (720p)
A good entry level Samsung
The first Galaxy J1 was particularly disappointing but Samsung takes his revenge. If the new model still does not shine photo, it makes up for in every other area and proves to be a rather comprehensive and effective smartphone that does not want to spend a fortune. Besides the basic functions it can perform very well (phone, mail …) and autonomy in the high average, the Galaxy J1 (2016) will also entertain between two appointments. However, it will avoid the media too long sessions because of the screen a bit skimpy and potential slowdowns that irritate in the long run. Nothing unusual at this price.
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