Samsung Galaxy J1 2016 model quietly goes on sale

Not every new smartphone if lucky enough to have a big launch party thrown for it, those things are expensive after all. Perhaps hoping to save itself a few much needed pennies, Samsung has just quietly launched a 2016 revision to its entry level Galaxy J1 smartphone.

Just like its predecessor, the budget nature of the smartphone presents some internal hardware compromises, although the Galaxy J1 will have you covered for essential messaging and web browsing tasks. The smartphone features a 4.5-inch 800×480 resolution Super AMOLED display and a 1.3GHz quad-core processor that is quite likely the Exynos 3475. The phone comes with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal memory, and a 2,050mAh battery, all of which have been bumped up slightly from the old edition.

For cameras, the Galaxy J1 2016 packs a 5 megapixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front facing companion, which is unchanged from last year’s model. On the plus side, 4G connectivity now comes as standard, so you won’t have to opt for a separate 4G model for faster data speeds this time around. The handset’s physical design appears to be unchanged and comes in black and gold color options.

The J1 2016 has already been spotted on sale in Dubai, although it isn’t listed on Samsung’s official website yet. The phone comes with a price tag set at AED 499, which works out to around $135 and puts it firmly in Moto E territory, which is some tough competition to face.