Samsung Galaxy J7 Core Unboxing And First Impressions

Samsung believes that everyone deserves a speedy Galaxy phone. Yes, even if you are on a tight budget. To make that possible, the South Korean giant has recently introduced the Galaxy J7 Core, a sub PHP 10K smartphone w/ a pretty capable octa core processor.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Core unboxing and first impressions

Like what we mentioned previously, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Core comes w/ the same 1.6 GHz 64 Bit Exynos 7870 octa core processor found on the higher-end Samsung phones like the impressive Galaxy J7 Pro.

As a result, Samsung is currently marketing this as an "affordable gaming" handset. The company has also added a special type of game launcher to avoid alerts during game time and screenshot or record your gameplay.

In addition, it has Samsung's new TouchWiz UI based on Android 7.0 Nougat OS w/ Samsung Experience.

Quite promising right? Let's begin!

Samsung Galaxy J7 Core Specs

Display: 5.5 Inch HD Super AMOLED 1280 x 720 resolution w/ Gorilla Glass protection at 267 ppi

CPU: 1.6 GHz 64 Bit Exynos 7870 octa core processor

GPU: Mali T830

RAM: 2 GB

ROM: 16 GB expandable via micro SD card slot up to 256 GB (dedicated)

Back Camera: 13 MP f/1.9 w/ AF and LED flash

Selfie Camera: 5 MP f/2.2 w/ LED flash

Battery: 3,000 mAh

OS: Android 7.0 Nougat w/ TouchWiz UI

Connectivity: WiFi, 3G, LTE, Bluetooth, GPS, A GPS, GLONASS, dual SIM (micro)

Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, sound

Others: Colors: gold, black

Dimensions: 152.4 x 78.6 x 7.6 mm

Weight: 170 g

Price: PHP 9,990

Unboxing / Accessories

The box

After opening the box, the you'll immediately find the Galaxy J7 Core together w/ its inclusions inside the package.

What's inside?

It includes: 1.54A USB adaptive charger, USB to micro USB data / charging cable, and an earbuds w/ microphone for calls.

Build Quality / Design

Dual SIM + dedicated micro SD card slot

Unlike the rest of the higher-end Galaxy J7 phones, the Galaxy J7 Core is made out of plastic. It's the compromise that Samsung has to do in order to put the speedy processor inside and keep this handset inexpensive.

Build is acceptable, but could be better.

Fortunately, the the body is made out of pretty hard type of plastic that won't break that easily. But, plastic back cover w/ matte texture is quite soft and far from tough looking. In front, it has an unspecified Gorilla Glass version.

Mic, micro USB port, and 3.5 mm headphone jack slot below

Volume rocker on the left side

Power button at right

Design is minimalist yet old. But, it is still stylish and far from thick. It has glossy and curvy sides and matte texture behind. Bezels on the screen is quite thick and it has a protruded main camera and weird yet usual Samsung speaker placement beside the main camera.

Design could be hit or miss, but everything else is functional. It has great grip and far from heavy. We also like the rest of the buttons and ports are on familiar places.

Initial Findings

1. The backplate doesn't feel that though. The rest of the construction is just fine. We like that it has Gorilla Glass protection for the screen. Ergonomics is great as well. The AMOLED screen is rich in colors.
2. Specs are good! It is rare to see this  64 Bit Exynos 7870 octa core processor on an affordable Samsung phone. However, its Mali T830 graphics isn't really the best GPU around and it only has 2 GB RAM. Storage isn't also that big at 16 GB. It is expandable through a dedicated micro SD card slot up to 256 GB.
3. This handset boots w/ the usual Android 7.0 Nougat w/ TouchWiz UI skin on top. But, this time it has the modern Samsung Experience Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 / S8+ like overall look.
4.The cameras are great so far. Yes, for both the main camera and front camera. The 13 MP f/1.9 main camera shoots very well and has fast focus so far. It is also quite good even at lowlight. In front, the selfie camera even has a softlight flash for taking photos in the dark.
5. OTG works, but the capacitive keys aren't lit. It has no LED light indicator and light sensor as well.

As of the moment

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Core is both interesting and promising. Even if doesn't have the most impressive build at this price point, the processor that Samsung used is quite impressive. The cameras are great so far as well.

That's it for now, watch out for our full review soon!