Moto G5 Vs Galaxy J5 2017 Is It Even A Contest Anymore

When the Motorola Moto G5 and Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) were released, they both targeted the mid-range smartphone market with promises of solid performance, decent cameras, and long battery life. But nearly a decade later, how do they stack up? More importantly, does one clearly outshine the other to the point where comparing them feels outdated—almost like a contest that’s already been decided?

This isn’t just about raw numbers or launch-day hype. It's about real-world usability, longevity, software support, and whether either device still holds value in today’s mobile landscape dominated by budget powerhouses and AI-driven features.

Design and Build Quality

The first impression matters. The Moto G5 came with an aluminum unibody design, giving it a premium feel uncommon in its price range. At 144g, it was light but sturdy, with chamfered edges and a fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button—a rarity at the time for budget phones.

In contrast, the Galaxy J5 (2017) used a plastic body with a metal frame. While not as sleek, it offered IP68 water resistance—a feature absent on the G5. However, the plastic gave it a less premium hand feel, despite being slightly larger at 160g.

Tip: Look beyond materials—build quality includes durability over time. Devices with metal bodies may dent, while plastic can yellow. Always check user reports after 1–2 years.

Samsung did include a microSD slot and dual SIM capability, matching Motorola’s flexibility. But the Moto G5’s refined design and compact size made it more pocket-friendly and aesthetically appealing to users who valued minimalism.

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, the differences become stark. The Moto G5 ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 430—an octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 processor paired with 2GB or 3GB of RAM. It handled everyday tasks smoothly, though multitasking could cause minor stutters.

The Galaxy J5 (2017), however, used Samsung’s Exynos 7870—a hexa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 chip with Mali-T830 GPU and 3GB of RAM across all variants. On paper, this gives it a slight edge in CPU performance and better graphics handling.

“While neither chipset would qualify as powerful by today’s standards, the Exynos 7870 offered more consistent frame rates in casual gaming than the Snapdragon 430.” — Raj Mehta, Mobile Hardware Analyst, TechPulse Asia

But benchmarks don’t tell the full story. Real-world usage revealed that Motorola’s near-stock Android experience made the G5 feel snappier despite weaker hardware. Samsung’s TouchWiz skin added bloat and slowed navigation, especially when multiple background apps were open.

Key Performance Differences

Feature	Moto G5	Galaxy J5 (2017)
Processor	Snapdragon 430	Exynos 7870
RAM Options	2GB / 3GB	3GB
Storage	16GB / 32GB (expandable)	16GB / 32GB (expandable)
Benchmark Score (Antutu v6)	~48,000	~55,000
Software Experience	Near-stock Android	TouchWiz UI

The J5 had a marginal advantage in processing power, but Motorola won on user experience due to cleaner software.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery capacity favored the Moto G5 with a 2800 mAh cell compared to the J5’s 3000 mAh. Yet, real-world endurance told a different tale. The G5 supported Turbo Charging—Motorola’s fast-charging tech—which meant 6 hours of use from just 15 minutes plugged in.

The Galaxy J5 lacked fast charging entirely. Despite its larger battery, inefficient software and screen usage often drained it faster under heavy load. Users reported needing daily charges even with moderate use.

• Moto G5: ~1 day with mixed use, fast top-ups
• J5 2017: ~1 day, longer charge times, no quick charge

If you're someone who forgets to charge overnight, the G5’s ability to regain significant power quickly becomes a decisive factor.

Mini Case Study: Daily Commuter Use

Consider Ana, a university student in Manila who relies on her phone for navigation, messaging, and music during two-hour commutes. She bought the J5 in 2017 and found herself carrying a power bank by noon. After switching to a refurbished Moto G5 in 2019, she noted: “I plug it in while eating breakfast, and it lasts all morning. The fast charging changed everything.”

This reflects a broader trend: efficient charging infrastructure can outweigh raw battery size when lifestyles demand mobility.

Camera Capabilities in Practice

Both devices featured 13MP rear cameras with LED flash and 5MP front shooters. On spec sheets, they appear equal. In reality, results diverged.

The Moto G5’s camera software was optimized for speed and simplicity. Shutter lag was minimal, and photos in daylight showed accurate colors and good detail. Low-light performance was average—grainy but usable.

The Galaxy J5 (2017) introduced a wider f/1.7 aperture on the front camera, making selfies brighter in dim conditions. Its rear camera struggled with dynamic range and white balance indoors, often producing yellowish tints unless manually corrected.

Samsung pushed updates improving camera algorithms over time, but early adopters faced inconsistent output. Motorola didn’t push major camera enhancements, relying instead on reliable baseline performance.

Tip: For better low-light shots on either device, stabilize your hand or use a small tripod. Long exposure helps, but motion blur is common without support.

Software Updates and Longevity

This is where the \"is it even a contest anymore?\" question hits hardest.

The Moto G5 launched with Android 7.0 Nougat and received one major update to Android 8.1 Oreo. Security patches trickled until late 2019. By 2021, app compatibility began breaking down—especially banking and streaming apps requiring newer OS versions.

The Galaxy J5 (2017) shipped with Android 7.0 and got upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo, then finally to Android 9 Pie via Samsung’s Project Treble initiative. This extended its functional lifespan significantly. Many units continued running core apps reliably into 2022.

Samsung’s commitment to longer software support—even for mid-tier models—gave the J5 a clear edge in staying relevant.

Checklist: Evaluating Outdated Phones Today

1. ✅ Can it run modern versions of WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Gmail?
2. ✅ Does it support two-factor authentication apps?
3. ✅ Are critical security patches still available?
4. ✅ Can it handle video calls without freezing?
5. ✅ Is app store access fully functional?

By these criteria, neither phone fully qualifies today. But the J5 holds up slightly better due to its later OS ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use either phone as a daily driver in 2024?

Possibly, but only for very light use—calls, texts, basic browsing. Most modern apps will run slowly or not at all. Neither supports 5G, advanced biometrics, or current encryption standards.

Which has better resale value now?

Neither holds meaningful resale value. Refurbished units sell for $20–$40 in niche markets, mostly for parts or backup roles.

Was the Galaxy J5 really better overall?

In terms of software longevity and build resilience, yes. But the Moto G5 delivered a crisper user experience initially. If you prioritized smoothness over future-proofing, the G5 felt superior at launch.

Conclusion: So, Is It Even a Contest Anymore?

In 2017, the debate was legitimate. The Moto G5 offered elegance and efficiency; the Galaxy J5 countered with durability and incremental improvements. But viewed through today’s lens, the contest has quietly ended—not because one device exploded ahead, but because both have faded into obsolescence.

What remains instructive is *why* they declined. Motorola bet on clean design and immediate performance but limited long-term software investment. Samsung embraced iterative updates and broader compatibility, extending usability by a couple of crucial years.

The lesson? For budget phones, sustained software support matters more than initial flair. A device doesn’t need flagship specs to last—it needs consistent updates, security maintenance, and ecosystem integration.

If you’re choosing between older models today, look beyond benchmarks. Ask: Which company stood by its users longer? Which OS version did it reach? How well does it handle essential apps now?

🚀 Still using a legacy phone? Share your experience below. How long did your Moto G5 or Galaxy J5 last? What finally made you upgrade?