US carrier Sprint has launched the Galaxy J3 Achieve and Galaxy J7 Refine on Boost Mobile and Sprint networks. If you followed our reporting, you might remember both these device names were trademarked by Samsung a couple of months back. As is the case with carrier-branded phones, these models are aimed at customers on Sprint and its prepaid subsidiary Boost Mobile.
Evident from the Galaxy J series branding, these are budget smartphones with entry-level specifications. The Galaxy J3 Achieve sports a 5-inch HD TFT display, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front shooter, a 2600mAh battery, and 16 GB internal storage. The Galaxy J7 Refine boasts a slightly better specification sheet with a 5.5-inch HD TFT display, 13-megapixel cameras on the front and the back, 32 GB internal storage, and a 3300mAh battery. Both the devices come with 2 GB of RAM, Android 8.0 Oreo, and are powered by an Exynos 7884 octa-core chipset.
Limited Bixby functionality
Beyond the hardware specs, both the smartphones feature limited Bixby functionality without the dedicated button. While the larger and more expensive J7 gets both the Bixby Vision and Bixby Home, the cheaper J3 is limited to the latter. The J7 Refine is also equipped with facial recognition for unlocking which is again missing from the smaller model.
Prices of these smartphones vary slightly depending on the carrier. Boost Mobile is selling the Galaxy J3 Achieve for $129 and Galaxy J7 Refine for $229. On Sprint, the Galaxy J3 Achieve will be available for $192 upfront or $8/month on lease, while the Galaxy J7 Refine retails for $288 or $12/month. Color options are limited with the J3 Achieve available only in Black and the J7 Refine only in Gold.
The Galaxy J series phones might appear unappealing in Asian markets where the Chinese brands are operating on wafer-thin margins, but these models are positioned better in the US due to the absence of brands like Xiaomi.
If you are interested, Boost Mobile and Sprint are running some promotions to sweeten the deal. Both these smartphones are available for purchase online and offline at the carrier stores beginning today. You can find more details and buy these phones from here and here.
