Samsung J3 -v- Samsung J5

*Lucky*

I have been using an early Android smartphone I bought a few years ago, together with a PAYGo SIM.

It's time for me to upgrade, mostly because I can no longer see the 3.5" screen. I want to go 5" and Samsung and stick with Android OS. My budget has led me to narrow my choice to J3 and J5. I've read the spec on Martin's recommended website (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/mobile-phone-cost-cutting) but I'm not techie.

Can anyone explain the difference to me?

My second consideration is whether to buy it and stick with my SIM or go the 24 month contract route. I could get either J3 or J5 for around £12pm and the advantage is it would include a data allowance. There are cashback deals as well, which effectively bring the overall 24 months cost down a bit more. Would anyone recommend contract over PAYGo?

I'm afraid of going over my contract's monthly allowance. I've had a T-Mobile contract years ago and this sometimes happened to me. Are there any contracts where you can put a cap on usage for calls and data?

Finally, I would ideally like a dual sim and I've found these on Amazon.uk for about £135:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_p_72_2?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A560798%2Cn%3A1340509031%2Cn%3A5362060031%2Cn%3A356496011%2Ck%3Asamsung+dual+sim%2Cp_89%3ASamsung%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5883355031%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A3598392031%2Cp_36%3A138896031%2Cp_72%3A419155031&sort=price-asc-rank&keywords=samsung+dual+sim&ie=UTF8&qid=1468667683&rnid=419152031

I could get one of those and buy a SIM only contract. I found such contracts with data allowance from £5pm.

I have spent a lot of time reseaching and as a non-techie I am lost...I'd appreciate some advice.

grumbler

*Lucky* wrote: »

Can anyone explain the difference to me?

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=7760&idPhone2=7184&idPhone3=7869

Main differences I see are in camera and RAM (model-depending).
Also, NFC if you need it.

My second consideration is whether to buy it and stick with my SIM or go the 24 month contract route. I could get either J3 or J5 for around £12pm and the advantage is it would include a data allowance. There are cashback deals as well, which effectively bring the overall 24 months cost down a bit more. Would anyone recommend contract over PAYGo?

I'd take what is cheaper, but beware of cashback deals that may require some determination and persistence.

I'm afraid of going over my contract's monthly allowance. I've had a T-Mobile contract years ago and this sometimes happened to me. Are there any contracts where you can put a cap on usage for calls and data?

Tesco Mobile is the most known provider offering capping.

*Lucky*

Grumbler,

Could you tell me which screen will be easier to see for someone with bad eyesight? And which phone is better for FM radio and listening to stored music?

I'll take a look at Tesco. Thanks for the tip.

martinthebandit

I had the J5 for a few months, it was a dreadfully slow phone with crap call quality, any particular reason you want to stick with Samsung?

grumbler

*Lucky* wrote: »

Could you tell me which screen will be easier to see for someone with bad eyesight?

Screens are identical in terms of specification. J5 2016's is slightly bigger (5.2")

And which phone is better for FM radio and listening to stored music?

I guess all phones with FM are pretty much the same - unless you are an expert to notice the difference. BTW, normally you have to use corded headphones to listen to FM.

*Lucky*

Samsung was recommended to me....that's all.
So I started to research which models have a big screen and are affordable to me.

sillygoose

martinthebandit wrote: »

I had the J5 for a few months, it was a dreadfully slow phone with crap call quality, any particular reason you want to stick with Samsung?

Then it was defective.. we have two J5's in the family and of particular note are its speed and responsiveness and call quality is as good as anything else. Another particular plus is battery life is excellent considering its weight and great screen. This handset has been enormously popular.