Samsung’s latest budget smartphone, the Galaxy J2 Prime, was initially offered exclusively online through Lazada back in 2016 and it was brought to retail stores last February. It has the ‘Prime’ moniker we initially heard from the Galaxy J7 Prime but priced lower for budget consumers. A lower price tag also means less so here’s our review to find out if the handset is worthy of your hard-earned money.
Table of Contents
The Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime boasts a 5-inch TFTÂ display. Along with the display is the inclusion of a front LED flash along with its selfie camera. The face of the J2 Prime resembles the Galaxy J5 (2016) and Galaxy J7 (2016).
The frame of the handset is polycarbonate and also the buttons. The power/lock button is on the right while the volume rocker is on the left.
The top side is where the 3.5mm headphone jack sits leaving the bottom end to house the micro-USB port and microphone.
The rear sports the main shooter with an LED flash and the loudspeaker. The rear is a removable textured back cover giving access to the 2600mAh user-replaceable battery, dual SIM card slot, and dedicated microSD card slot.
The J2 Prime is like a dreg of an old Samsung design folio. It’s familiar looking but also quite outdated. The plastic construction is solid though plus the textured back is a plus. We do miss the cold metal touch of similarly priced handsets from other manufacturers.
Like the Galaxy J7 Prime, Samsung opted to use a cheaper display panel. Instead of a beautiful Super AMOLED, the Galaxy J2 Prime has a TFT LCD on board with a qHD resolution or 540 x 960 pixels. While the display is not that sharp at just 220ppi, it surprisingly has wide-viewing angles. It’s not as vibrant as an AMOLED but it gets really bright especially when you turn on the ‘outdoor’ mode.
Samsung placed the loudspeaker in its favorite spot — beside the rear camera. It fires sound at the back and we know that it’s not the best setup. Good thing that driver is loud enough for media playback, alarms, and ringtones. The slight hump of the camera helps amplify the sound when placed on a hard surface.
Running on the handset is Android 6.0 Marshmallow skinned with TouchWiz. Despite not having (and most likely never will) Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy J2 Prime benefits from Samsung’s customization. The skin is the latest update Samsung can push to its budget devices and from what we can tell, it’s very similar to flagship devices sans some features that needed more space and processing power.
The customization of icons and overall experience of TouchWiz is a great welcome to have. Gone are the days when it clogs the memory causing the phone to slow down. With my almost two weeks of use, I never saw a sign of lag or hang.
The internal storage space is lacking though at 8GB with just 3.4GB available upon first boot. You can’t uninstall the pre-loaded applications including key Google apps, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote), Skype, and OneDrive. It’s nice to have a built-in Secure Folder app and free VPN by Opera Max.
The handset is equipped with an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera with an LED flash and a 5-megapixel fixed focus camera with its own LED flash as well. There’s a number of shooting modes available thanks to TouchWiz’s camera launcher. If you’re familiar with Samsung’s camera launcher, you’ll feel at home and it’s easy and intuitive to use.
The rear camera, as expected, is pretty basic and works well under bright light. The details get a bit mushy when shooting in the dark. Overall, it’s an okay camera but we’ve seen better in this price range. Here are some samples:
With the inclusion of a front LED flash, one would think that the J2 Prime is a selfie-centric device.
Well, not really but it gets the job done. Details are soft for a 5MP shooter and just not up to par with others. Here are a couple of samples:
With video, you get max recording resolution of just 720p. Quality is below average with no support for stabilization. Surprisingly, it’s saved with a .mp4 format and not .3gp like other budget phones. Check it out:
The phone is powered by a MediaTek MT6737T chipset with the Mali-T720 MP2 to handle graphics. And since this is a budget offering from Samsung, it only has 1.5GB RAM but that’s still better than having just 1GB.
General performance of the phone is commendable and to be honest, we’re expecting the phone to slow down after a week of use but it didn’t. Multi-tasking is okay thanks to the enough RAM. As for gaming, it’s hard to put in big titles due to the limited storage available out of the box and not all apps are allowed to be stored on the SD card. Casual titles are perfectly fine but expect lower graphic settings for intensive titles.
We were able to run benchmark tests and here are the results.
We didn’t encounter any problem with voice calls and the earpiece is loud and clear. There’s no dedicated secondary microphone to filter out noise but no big complaints so far.
The exact J2 Prime variant we have locally is the SM-G532G which has a different set of LTE bands more suited for Philippine telcos. It has support for both Smart and Globe frequencies including the prized Band 28 (700MHz) spectrum.
What’s great about lower tier Samsung phones is that they still feature removable batteries but they have lower capacities. This one has a 2600mAh user-replaceable cell and surprisingly, it lasted longer than expected. It was able to last for almost 12 hours with 3 hours and 20 mins screen on time. That’s with casual use including mobile apps with data, texts, and calling.
With PCMark (Work 1.0) battery test, it scored a modest 8 hours and 27 minutes. Not shabby for its size and whenever a problem arises, replacing the battery is very easy.
The Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime will not win any design awards as it basically inherits the old language of its forefathers but it’s what inside that matters, right? If there’s one thing this phone has other devices in its range doesn’t, it’s the user experience of TouchWiz. It’s nice to have a similar UI and small set of extra features done by the manufacturer rather than a lifeless interface.
The phone retails for Php5,990USD 102INR 8,653EUR 97CNY 743 which is quite pricey compared to other offerings from Cherry Mobile and even ASUS but you get the Samsung name and its promises with the Galaxy J2 Prime.
Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime (SM-G532G) specs:
5-inch qHD (540 x 960) TFT display, 220ppi
1.5GHz MediaTek MT6737T quad-core CPU
Mali-T720MP2 GPU
1.5GB RAM
8GB internal storage
Expandable up to 256GB via microSD
8MP autofocus rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP front camera w/ LED Flash
Dual-SIM
4G LTE Cat.4 w/ Band 28 (700MHz)
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
2,600mAh removable battery
144.8 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm
160 g
Pros:
Cons:
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
How to transfer, withdraw money from PayPal to GCash
Prices of Starlink satellite in the Philippines
Install Google GBox to Huawei smartphones
Pag-IBIG MP2 online application
How to check PhilHealth contributions online
How to find your SIM card serial number
Globe, PLDT, Converge, Sky: Unli fiber internet plans compared
10 biggest games in the Google Play Store
LTO periodic medical exam for 10-year licenses
Netflix codes to unlock hidden TV shows, movies
Apple, Asus, Cherry Mobile, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Infinix Mobile, Pocophone, Honor, iPhone, OnePlus, Tecno, Realme, HTC, Gionee, Kata, IQ00, Redmi, Razer, CloudFone, Motorola, Panasonic, TCL, Wiko
Best Android smartphones between PHP 20,000 - 25,000
Smartphones under PHP 10,000 in the Philippines
Smartphones under PHP 12K Philippines
Best smartphones for kids under PHP 7,000
Smartphones under PHP 15,000 in the Philippines
Best Android smartphones between PHP 15,000 - 20,000
Smartphones under PHP 20,000 in the Philippines
Most affordable 5G phones in the Philippines under PHP 20K
5G smartphones in the Philippines under PHP 16K
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2024
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2023
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2022
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2021
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2020
jim staff says:
Why dont you like the placement of the speaker next to the camera when it helps in amplifying the sound when placed on a flat surface?
kramark says:
Hi. Based on Samsung’s brochure, the J2 Prime only retails for P5,990
Daniel Morial says:
Hi! Thanks for spotting that.
Lou says:
Is this Grand Prime 2017? ????
don says:
Problem is its 8G storage is too small. I installed 3 apps like fb, waze and messenger and I took just 4 photos and it has no more space. I owned one. :(
Anonym says:
For marshmallow that isn’t a problem with it you can make SD card ur internal.
christian says:
hi sir, what phones do have better cameras in this price range
DAISY PORTES says:
Hello, i have this phone Samsung j2 prime. I’m just wondering coz the settings in camera was lost..i mean da camera is there but the settings was lost in da monitor. I coud not edit the settings the brightness as well as face beauty. I do not know where to go. Can anyone help me please. Thanks????
thej says:
Perhaps your current configuration is on “easy mode” something. Try to use the normal mode or try to reset phone to factory default settings.
naro says:
is this phone good to buy?
Wennah jean mercado says:
The battery drained ao fast.. every 4 to 5 minutes.. even i was only viewing photos.. i installes 4 apps only with low MB.. i used fb lite only to save life battery..
russel says:
hahahaha try to look at the my files, you will see that almost 7 GB for internal is free
Cindy says:
Hi may i ask i have a samsung galaxy j2 prime. Is the back and home button doesnt have a led light and at the top of the phone i mean beside the front cam..if you have a msg. Or youll charge the phone theres no LED light blinking. i cant find the led settings..can you help me.thanks!
cat baloso says:
hi im planning to buy my daughter a phone im choosing between j2 pri.e and vivo y53 can u help me choosewhich is better thanks hope u reply….. highly appreciated.
Bogierock says:
hi, can anyone help/explain me. when i connect my SAMSUNG J2 prime phone in the computer by USB connection i notice that the phone only had less 4GB.
pls Email me. TY
Vic says:
Where we can activate led indicator of Samsung J2 prime, is it included, tnx
DEB says:
Hi, anyone can explain why is it the result when you use the camera thru messenger the the object will not be on the center. (I just bought fews days ago.)
Otherwise, the sales lady said where i bought; it is normal for samsung j2 prime that the result will zoom.
bujing says:
hello! i would like to ask though…is this better than lg k10? i am looking for a budget decent phone.
Vince says:
This phone is better,becoz Lg is a bullshit
Christian says:
HI GUYS PLEASE HELP ME,HOW CAN I EXPAND MY INTERNAL STORAGE VIA SD CARD? OR SET MY SD CARD AS MY INTERNAL STORAGE,THIS PHONE HAS A VERY LOW FREE INTERNAL MEMORY UPON BOOTING,NEVERTHELESS THE PERFORMANCE IS GOOD,BUT MY ONLY PROBLEM IS THE STORAGE AND HOW CAN I EXPAND IT USING SD CARD
.
PLEASE HELP
jehmanji says:
..dear yugatech can you help us to tell samsung why J2 Prime’s internal memory is so low and how can we make it expand coz this unit really is an “A” on its performance but lacking of its memory makes it so disappointing. :(
Christian says:
I feel you bro :( performance are nice but How can we enjoy the performance if theres a lacking of memory that stops us to install some apps to feel the performance of the phone ????
Vic says:
No option for setting sd card .. format as internal storage..? pls help
Ronald Perez says:
How do we format SD CARD using j2 prime
GLENN says:
THIS PHONE SUCKS!!! IT HAS A DEFECTIVE TOUCH SENSOR, 2 POINT TOUCH NOT SUITED FOR ML, AND FULL OF BLOAT WARES.
pretty says:
hi im planning to buy a phone im choosing between j2 prime and vivo y53 can u help me choose which is better thanks hope u reply….. highly appreciated.
Angeles Prudenciano says:
Why’s my cellphone stoped installing Apps?
Cupid Palump says:
I’m using my Samsung J2 Prime as a mobile hotspot and it’s working on android smartphones but inaccessible using my notebook device. Please help me how to resolve this issue.
fafawilmar says:
nice sammsung galaxy j2 prime i want to buy
Ernest says:
HELLO CAN YOU GUYS HELP ME ASAP? HOW CAN I SET THIS J2 PRIME’S STORAGE TO EXTERNAL STORAGE? I MEAN, HEY I ALREADY FIXED THE CONTENT TO SD CARD FROM MY DEVICE BUT EVERYTIME I DOWNLOAD SOMETHING THEY ALWAYS ENDING UP ON MY DEVICE. AND I AS THE OWNER OF THIS PHONE I KEEP ON CHANGING THEM MANUALLY. MY PROBLEM WAS HOW CAN I SET IT WITHOUT REBOOTING THE DEVICE? THANK YOU I NEED YOUR REPLY ASAP. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU
ym says:
You should try the settings on your browser.
salsona says:
hi po tanung ko lang pobakit po yellowish yong camera ng j2 prime ..paano po cya ilalagay sa normal na kulay.
Cybel says:
Slide mo right to left then pindutin mo yung Pro+WB+Auto, baka kasi naka cloudy sya kaya ganon. Kung hindi parin nagbago punta ka sa Camera Setting tapos sa dulo non may makikita kang Reset Setting, pindutin mo yun tapos Reset.
JP says:
I cant seem to find a way to install my apps o the sd card which OS 6 is supposed to allow. Did I miss anything?
Ronnie Veloso says:
Wala bang black available sa philippines?
Mark Tamula says:
My wife has this phone and internal storage sucks big time. Once you have your chosen apps, it can no longer have a software update because of the limited space. might as well swap it for something else.. I regret choosing this phone or choosing an 8gb ROM phone at that. Guess the samsung name is no longer reliable as well.
MJ Gaspi says:
Same scenario, storage issue I have no choice but to download external gallery.. because even if I have no photos gallery is always full. Please help me with this binili ko po ito for business purpose e