Samsung Galaxy J7 vs. LG Stylo 2

LG and Samsung are two top Android phone manufacturers in the marketplace, and their latest models are no exception to their commitment to quality. Two of their more recent devices, LG’s Stylo 2 and Samsung’s Galaxy J7, both have a big screen and powerful processors. The experts at CPR Cell Phone Repair took the time to do a full review on each device and compare the Samsung Galaxy J7 vs. LG Stylo 2 to help you make the best decision on which one will work for you.

Samsung Galaxy J7 vs. LG Stylo 2: Design and Display

Both of the devices boast a large HD screen that brings photos and video to life with their crystal clear display. The Samsung Galaxy J7 has a 5.5-inch screen that keeps details sharp even when you zoom into images. The LG Stylo 2 has a 5.7-inch display with vivid detail and a unique “zero-gap” display that turns to pure black when the screen turns off.

The devices have a similar build and size. The Stylo 2 is 6.10 inches tall and 3.13 inches wide, and the Galaxy J7 is a little smaller, measuring in at 5.96 inches tall and 3 inches wide.

The design of each device, while similar, have a few important differences. The LG Stylo 2 is made of gray polycarbonate that has a slightly metallic look to it. The external speaker is located on the back of the device in the bottom left corner, and there is a stylus tucked into the top right corner for easy access.

The Samsung Galaxy J7’s body is similar to the Stylo 2. Made of white polycarbonate, the Galaxy J7 has a band of faux chrome on the sides of the device. The external speaker is located on the top right on the back of the phone. While there is no stylus with the J7, the phone is slim and fits in your hand easily, making it simple to use and easy to hold.

Camera Performance Comparison

While both of the devices have the same 13 MP camera, the performance of the Stylo 2 slightly surpasses that of the Galaxy J7. Due to the low megapixels of both devices, you will have to spend time focusing on things you are taking pictures of or manually focus the image yourself by moving closer or further away. The color reproduction of both devices for photos is accurate, but if there is low light or a lot of motion, the images will most likely end up blurry or too dark.

Both the LG Stylo 2 and the Samsung Galaxy J7 have 5 MP front-facing cameras that work well and take clear and vibrant photos in every setting except for those with low light. The cameras also shoot 1080p video at 30 fps. The video is clear and steady and gets the job done without any extra frills.

Software and Processors

Something that was previously rare for mid-range priced devices, the LG Stylo 2 and the Samsung Galaxy J7 come equipped with Android’s 6.0 Marshmallow. While this isn’t the latest software from Android, it is significantly better than 5.0 Lollipop, which was the standard software for most mid-range priced Android devices.

Marshmallow addressed a lot of things that irritated Android users about the Lollipop operating system, and added new and improved features. From the Doze feature that puts your devices in a sleep state when not in use to save battery power to improved application permissions that give your device more security, Marshmallow is powerful software that makes the LG Stylo 2 and the Samsung Galaxy J7 stand out in the crowd.

From a processing standpoint, the Galaxy J7 has a more powerful processor with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 617. The processing speed on the Galaxy J7 came in at 1.4GHz compared to 1.2GHz on the Stylo 2. While the Stylo 2’s Snapdragon 410 isn’t bad, it is not as powerful as the Snapdragon 617 in the Galaxy J7.

LG Stylo 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy J7: Key Differences

While both of the devices are mostly the same in regards to building, design, camera, and software, there are a few key differences that are important to consider when you are trying to choose between the two smartphone.

First of all, the LG Stylo 2 comes with a digital pen. This pen makes it easy to navigate the phone, scribble notes, and doodle. The stylus is a great tool for people who prefer more precise navigation options on their device and want a way to write instead of type.

Secondly, the LG Stylo 2 has much better voice quality for calling. Call quality on the Samsung Galaxy J7 has a sharp robotic edge almost all of the time. The poor voice quality can be particular grating to listen to for the person on the other end of the phone call; however, unlike the LG Stylo 2, the Galaxy S7 has excellent noise canceling that blocks out background noise. Background noise was the number one complaint with the Stylo 2 as it making phone calls from anywhere but a quiet location difficult and slightly unpleasant.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy J7 has dual-banded WiFi and NFC meaning that WiFi performance is significantly better than the Stylo 2 and that Android Pay is enabled on the Galaxy J7 but not enabled on the Stylo 2.

Conclusion: Unless You Want a Stylus, Go With the Galaxy J7

While both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG Stylo 2 are great mid-range priced phones, we have to suggest the Samsung Galaxy S7 if you are choosing between the two. Even with its slightly lackluster phone call quality, the better WiFi performance, NFC, and the more powerful processor make it the better option. The bottom line when comparing these devices is, if a stylus is essential to you, then the LG Stylo 2 is a great option; however, if you are just looking for a sturdy and well designed mid-range phone, the Samsung Galaxy J7 is the way to go.

If you are in need of more advice on how to choose a phone and what features are most important to you, find your local CPR Cell Phone Repair today!