Samsung J7 or iPhone 8 Plus?

[dmn57]

Time for a new phone. Saw both of these at the local ATT store.
Not much of a fanatic after you get past calling, texting, net surfing and email, and have never been an iPhone bandwagon guy. Both have screens large enough to see. Anyone have any opinions? BTW, the Samsung is $270 and the iPhone is $400.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Maddog 521]

I don't know anything about an Iphone but I looked at the Samsung J7 and determined it is an entry level phone. If interested in a Samsung look at the S6, S7, S8, S9 and the S10.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Don't really know phones but been reading some reviews lately. If your looking to go out-of-pocket 400 dollars, the Google Pixel3a is selling at that price and is getting very good reviews. It is purchased "unlocked", and works with AT&T.

Pixel 3a - The phone that gets it done - Google Store

 

[dmn57]

Thanks for the input so far!

 

[Onomea]

I am a committed iPhone guy — don’t want to mess with learning Android; I tried once and found it a PITA — but if I were not committed to iPhone, I, too, would go with ‘Zip’s suggestion: Google Pixel3a. Very good reviews. Great camera. A lot of smartphone for the price.

Here’s a review: Google Pixel 3A Review: The $400 Smartphone You’ve Been Waiting For - The New York Times

 

[TX-Dennis]

J7 should be cheaper than that IMO. It's an old design with a slow processor. If those are my only two choices I would choose the iphone. Fortunately they are not the only choices.

I've been using a Motorola G7 Power for several months now. It's a terrific phone. Eight core processor that's way faster than the J7's, although it's not as fast as the iphone 8plus. It will do everything I want it to with ease. The best part is the HUGE battery. I only charge mine every three days or so depending on usage. I've gone as little as two days or as long as five without charging as usage can vary. It's under $300 direct from Motorola or from retailers like B&H, etc. Large screen at 6.2 inches (bigger than the iphone 8plus). Fingerprint reader on the back that works very well.

I'm not certain if ATT stocks the Motorola, but it's readily available elsewhere if they don't. All you have to do is swap the SIM card from your old phone and it will work on ATT quite well. I never buy a phone from the carrier since it would be locked to that carrier - meaning that if I decided to switch carriers I would have to buy a new phone. If you buy it unlocked it will work on ATT, TMobile, and maybe on Verizon - some people say it does not although Motorola says it should. Most unlocked phones won't work on Sprint.

 

[dmn57]

Gotta say the Moto looks interesting at $250.

 

[M1A]

I had iphone for years. I could not wait to get rid of it.
Got the Samsung S7 and I am much happier.

 

[WRA]

Get the S5.
Works great.
Can replace or upgrade the battery yourself.
Can upgrade the memory yourself also.
Amazon & eBay have them.

 

[DumpStick]

Go to Motorola's website, check out their phones. The Moto G series is a very good mid-level phone. Definitely not an entry level phone.

The G7 is out, and has several models. One will do what you want, for probably$250 or so.

They come unlocked, will work on ATT (or other networks), and shipping is free. Just take it down to the phone place and have them turn it on.

Plus, they don't come loaded up with bloatware. Just a clean Android.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Go to Motorola's website, check out their phones. The Moto G series is a very good mid-level phone. Definitely not an entry level phone.

This post reminded me to throw a link out there for you to compare a phone's cellular reception capabilities. I use a Moto G5 on the AT&T network and was looking at the G7 when I saw comments about the wireless bands it receives.

Cellular traffic uses multiple channels with different capabilities. The more of your carriers channels that your phone is capable of using, the better your service experience will be. DumpStick's post had me clip the info on the new G7's reception in the AT&T service coverage. This chart shows reception on only the slowest 2 of AT&T's 8 channels in the USA.

This link goes to the Moto G7, but you can change the phone selection to any you are interested in.

AT&T - United States - Device Compatibility - Page 1 of 10

 

[DumpStick]

So, I went to that site, and looked up the Samsung j7 that ATT sells on their website.

It has the exact same number of bands for the ATT network as the Moto G7 .

I wonder how up to date that testing site actually is. It looks to me that the "bands" being checked are out of date.

 

[bigwheelzip]

So, I went to that site, and looked up the Samsung j7 that ATT sells on their website.

It has the exact same number of bands for the ATT network as the Moto G7 .

I wonder how up to date that testing site actually is. It looks to me that the "bands" being checked are out of date.

It's not that the phone doesn't work, just that it may not work as well as it otherwise might in any particular coverage area.

I get good reception at home but once I was traveling cross country and experienced large dead coverage zones that had many cell towers. We stopped at a convenience store where a stranger offered his phone when he saw my difficulties. After using his phone, I asked which service he was on. It was the same AT&T provider as I use, but hadn't had a signal from all day.

I don't know what it all means, but since I travel a lot, I now look to receive the full spectrum. And yes, the chart might be wrong.

From a phone review site called Phone Scoop: "The truly strange thing about the g7 is that Motorola's specs say it doesn't support the newest bands for AT&T and T-Mobile, like LTE bands 14, 29, 30, and 71. Our own investigation of FCC records approved to date seems to confirm this. Usually, higher-end models support more bands, and models intended primarily for the US unlocked market prioritize AT&T and T-Mobile bands. But it seems to be the opposite for the g7, since the lower-end Play and Power models fully support all major US bands, including the ones the high-end g7 doesn't. Weird. At least the g7 should run smoothly on Verizon and Sprint networks."

 

[Kanewpadle]

Suggest you go to the store and try both. I find the user interface to be easier to use on the IPhone. Often see people that struggle with android phones.

Have had IPhones for years. Use an android at work. Hate it.

If you can use both with no problems, then take your pick.

 

[GypsmJim]

Before I retired I was on call 24/7/365. Even on vacation, though under those circumstances I could only help online and was not expected to actually come in. So, you can see my disdain for cellphones.

We have a remote cabin in a valley with large mountains beside us. Verizon is the only carrier that comes thru.

I recently bought a Samsung J3. Why? Its the smallest one I could find. Its easier to operate than the IPhone I had at work.

It makes phone calls...everywhere...and quick. It does text, had an awesome camera, has an app showing weather and radar so I know what time I have to finish the grass cutting. It even has games. I Do like solitare once in awhile, but the other stuff is just for girls.

My biggest advantage is that I downloaded a Mercury Marine app and now I have complete access to the engine parameters on both of my boats. OMG, what more could anybody want.

I paid about $90 for the phone. Unlimited monthly service is $30. I can't imagine needing model 26 or whatever they are pushing these days...

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Back to the OP-
The iphone 8 plus is by far hands down the best of the 2 the OP Asked about.

 

[dmn57]

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[TX-Dennis]

There has been some misinformation posted about LTE bands. AT&T uses primarily bands 12 & 17. They also use 2,4.5,14,29,30, and 66 in some areas.

The G7 power works on all those bands and more. Motorola's website lists all the bands it can use - 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/20/25/26/29/30/66/71. This includes all the bands used by ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon. This information is for the U.S. spec phone which you would receive if you ordered from Motorola. If you ordered from ebay, amazon, or some other vendors you might receive an international version of the phone. If you buy an international version it may have fewer or different bands.

So, the point is, whatever phone you choose make sure it is a US version.

 

[Ranger17]

I have an 8+ and love it. Has what i find to be a very nice camera and as i have had iphones for a few years now prefer ios systems to the droid systems. Actually was glad when my work phone (droids for years) was replaced with an Iphone Xr.

The 8+ hits all my needs and i even prefer it over the Xr due to more camera features.

As noted though we all have our preferences, best to play with some phones in the store to see what feels better.

 

[marvin02]

My 2 cents (actual value may vary)

Pixel 3A - pure android, fast security updates and a great camera

Samsung S10E - least expensive of the new S10, no curved screen, and a great camera. Costs too much, but works great.

Any of the Motorola Mid-Range phones (G7) if you are looking to spend less. The key here is that they are mid-range, but if it meets your needs they just work.