The Samsung Galaxy J6 Plus is a mid-range smartphone that aims to deliver a balanced experience for users who want decent performance without breaking the bank. Released in 2018, it sits in Samsung’s J series, which has historically catered to budget-conscious consumers. While it may not boast the flashiest specs or the most cutting-edge features, the J6 Plus offers a solid package for everyday use. Let’s dive deeper into what this device has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy J6 Plus follows Samsung’s design language with a plastic body that mimics the look of glass, giving it a more premium appearance than its price tag suggests. The device features a 6.0-inch HD+ display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which was fairly standard for its time. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a somewhat unusual placement, doubles as the power button. While the build is mostly plastic, the phone feels sturdy in hand, though it lacks water or dust resistance. The rear panel is removable, allowing access to the battery and dual SIM slots, a rarity in modern smartphones.

Display

The J6 Plus sports a 6.0-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1480 pixels. While it’s not the sharpest or most vibrant panel out there, it gets the job done for casual browsing, video streaming, and social media use. Colors are decent, and brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, though outdoor visibility can be a struggle under direct sunlight. The lack of an AMOLED panel is a slight letdown, especially for those accustomed to deeper blacks and more vivid colors, but at this price point, it’s an understandable compromise.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy J6 Plus is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM depending on the variant. This setup is sufficient for light multitasking and basic apps, but it struggles with more demanding tasks like gaming or heavy multitasking. Storage options include 32GB or 64GB, expandable via microSD up to 512GB, which is a nice touch for media-heavy users. The phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with Samsung’s Experience UI layered on top. While the software is functional, it’s worth noting that the J6 Plus is unlikely to receive major Android updates, which may be a dealbreaker for some.

Camera Performance

The J6 Plus features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13MP primary sensor and a 5MP depth sensor for portrait mode effects. The camera performs adequately in well-lit conditions, capturing decently detailed shots with accurate colors. Low-light performance, however, is underwhelming, with noticeable noise and lack of detail. The 8MP front-facing camera is serviceable for selfies and video calls but doesn’t excel in challenging lighting. The camera app includes basic modes like Live Focus (for bokeh effects) and Pro mode, though advanced users may find the options limited.

Battery Life

Equipped with a 3300mAh removable battery, the J6 Plus delivers a full day of moderate use on a single charge. Light users might even stretch it to a day and a half, though heavy usage will require a top-up before bedtime. The lack of fast charging is a downside, as the phone takes a considerable amount of time to recharge fully. Still, for its price range, the battery life is respectable and should suffice for most users.

Software and Features

The phone runs Samsung’s Experience UI over Android 8.1 Oreo, offering a familiar interface for Samsung users. Features like split-screen multitasking, Samsung’s proprietary apps, and basic customization options are present. However, the software experience is marred by occasional lag and bloatware, which can be frustrating. As mentioned earlier, the lack of major software updates is a significant drawback, leaving the device stuck on an older Android version.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy J6 Plus is a competent budget phone that covers the basics well but doesn’t excel in any particular area. Its design is appealing, the display is adequate, and the battery life is reliable. However, the underwhelming performance, mediocre cameras, and outdated software hold it back from being a standout choice. If you’re looking for a no-frills device for light usage, the J6 Plus might suffice, but there are better options in its price range today.

Key Specifications:

Display: 6.0-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1480 resolution, 18.5:9 aspect ratio

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425

RAM: 3GB/4GB

Storage: 32GB/64GB, expandable via microSD up to 512GB

Rear Cameras: 13MP (primary) + 5MP (depth sensor)

Front Camera: 8MP

Battery: 3300mAh, removable

OS: Android 8.1 Oreo with Samsung Experience UI

Dimensions: 161.4 x 76.9 x 7.9 mm

Weight: 178g

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB 2.0

Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM support