June 27, 2017

Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro S727VL Tracfone Review

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro (S727VL) Specs and Review

Full details about the Galaxy Sky Pro, one of the more popular Tracfone devices (updated 3/2018)

review tracfone samsung galaxy sky pro j7 s727vl
Tracfone Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro
The Samsung Galaxy J7 (called the Sky Pro) is the big brother to the Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky and the Galaxy J3 Luna Pro which have both been available from Tracfone for several months now.

Update: There is a new version available, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown, with updated features including newer Android OS and faster processor. Follow the link above to view more details.

The Galaxy J7 Sky Pro has a large, 5.5" touchscreen, quad-core processor, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory. It also comes with Android 6.0.1 and an 8 MP camera.

One of a handful of popular phones released by Tracfone in 2017, the Galaxy Sky Pro is one of only a few phones that comes with 2 GB RAM.

View the Samsung Galaxy Sky Pro on Amazon ($149 currently $99)

Tracfone has continued to release new phones with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB memory, with the LG Fiesta 2 and LG Rebel 3 some of the more recent options.

Many Tracfone users have been looking for a phone from Tracfone that can offer performance at an affordable price, will the Galaxy J7 meet that need? Let's take a closer look to learn more.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro (S727VL) Features and Specs

Features and specs for the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
  • 4G LTE using CDMA (Verizon) service
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • WiFi
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, MMS/SMS
  • 8 MP Rear Camera/ 5 MP Front Camera
  • Handsfree speaker, Alarm Clock, MP3 Player
Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro Technical Specs
  • Size: 3.09" x 6.0" x 0.30"
  • 5.5" HD Touchscreen 720x1280 resolution (TFT)
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 16 GB Internal Memory (Up to 256 GB memory with external Micro SD Card)
  • 1.4 Ghz Quad-core processor
  • 3300 mAh Battery (31 hours talk time, 22 days standby)
The Galaxy J7 brings improvements in several areas over its predecessors, the Galaxy Sky and Galaxy Luna, most notably increased RAM, screen size and processor. It has a few similarities to the Galaxy Luna Pro, such as Processor, RAM, and internal memory.

We will share more comparison details further down, but first let's look at a breakdown review of each of the main components on the J7.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro Review

Screen
At 5.5", the screen on the Samsung Galaxy J7 is large enough to make watching videos and texting easy, but not so big it won't fit in a pocket. It is a very popular size for many smartphones these days, with a several other phones, such as the LG Fiesta 2, also featuring a 5.5" screen.

It has an HD screen with resolution of 720x1280 (266 dpi), and most users find it vibrant and easy to see. There are options to make it brighter for outdoor use, and to dim it when using it at night. Overall it is one of the better screens for a phone in this price range from Tracfone.

Internal Specs
The Galaxy Sky Pro comes with 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory and a quad-core 1.4 Ghz processor (Snapdragon 425) that pair well together to allow multitasking and good responsiveness. The operating system and pre-installed apps take up about 8 GB, leaving 8 GB free for adding apps, pictures, music and videos. There is also a Micro SD Card slot for additional storage.

Although many would prefer this phone with extra storage space, such as 32 GB , it is quite capable of everyday use and loading a good number of apps on it before running out of space.

Check out our list of the Best Apps for Android for some ideas.

Camera
The camera performs well for both video and photos, and is capable of 1080p HD videos and 8 MP images. The front selfie camera shoots 5 MP pictures and has a 'wide angle' mode to allow more people to fit into one shot.

Battery
Battery life for the J7 Sky Pro is very reasonable, with 3300 mAh that should easily last the day for most users. It does have a battery saving mode to help reduce power usage when running low. Screen brightness and processor speed are usually the largest power consumers on a device, so if you find yourself running out the battery quickly, consider reducing these, or invest in an external battery pack.

tracfone samsung galaxy j7 s727vl
Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro for Tracfone
Android OS
The Galaxy J7 Sky Pro uses Android 6.0.1 which was first released at the end of 2015, and comes with a number of improvements, enhancements and appearance changes over previews versions. One issue with Tracfone smartphones is that you cannot update the OS. So whatever the version the phone comes with, it will not update to any newer versions. For most people, this isn't a problem, but if you like using the latest and greatest Android OS, consider looking into an unlocked phone like the Moto G5 Plus, and bringing it to Tracfone BYOP.

The combination of features and specs on the Galaxy J7 are impressive, especially at the price it can be found for online, and it is no wonder it has been a popular choice for many users.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro Compared to other Tracfone Smartphones

How does the Galaxy J7 compare to some of the other recently released smartphones? Let's take a look.

The Galaxy Luna has a 4.5" screen, while the Galaxy Sky comes with a 5" screen. Both of these devices have been popular choices for their good performance, and reasonable price, and both the Galaxy Luna Pro (5" screen) and Galaxy Sky Pro (5.5" screen) step it up another level with the increased RAM, Storage and screen size.

The main difference between the Galaxy J3 Luna Pro and Galaxy J7 Sky Pro are the screen size, and improved RAM on the J7.

The Galaxy J7 runs Android 6.0.1 which is a fairly recent version of the OS, but the LG Fiesta 2  and LG Rebel 3 already come with Android 7.0. The Fiesta also has a 5.5" screen, and 16 GB storage/2 GB RAM. The LG Rebel 3 has a smaller 5" screen, and the same RAM/Storage.

With the great performance of the Galaxy J7 Sky Pro, we have added it to our List of the Top 5 Tracfone Cell Phones.

Verizon will also be getting their own version of the Samsung Galaxy J7, which may have different specs than the Tracfone version. And it may be possible to bring it to the Tracfone BYOP program at a cheaper cost.

Where to Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Sky Pro is currently available from Amazon and QVC.com for $99 with airtime bundle (1500 talk, text, data and 1 year service) which is a great deal. The airtime is worth about $125, making the phone free! We expect the price to go up slightly in the near future.

Find it on Amazon with an airtime card for $99

Overall the Galaxy J7 Sky Pro is very similar to the Galaxy Sky and Galaxy Luna, but with a larger screen and improved processor and RAM to keep up. If you are looking for a phone with a large screen the Galaxy Sky Pro might be a great option.

View the online tutorial for the J7 Sky Pro to learn more and here is the user manual.

Let us know if you have questions or thoughts by sharing a comment below. We will continue to update this as more information becomes available.

Keep up with the latest news and posts by following us on Facebook.

For more information on which airtime cards are cheapest/best value, read our Tracfone Airtime Comparison article

If you're new to Tracfone, get started with our Beginners Guide to Tracfone which includes a lot of helpful information.

And also take a look at our recent list of Tracfone Deals and Discounts for some great bargains.

Thanks for visiting!

62 comments :

PoodleSisters said...

The reviews are great and are a significant help when selecting a phone upgrade. Presently have an LG Ultimate II and have had nothing but great success with LG phones. The "brightness" of the screen is one of the main issues with all the smart phones that I see in use. Please add any kind of statement regarding screen brightness that you can to future reviews. I could easily be my deciding factor. THANKS!

Anonymous said...

Just switched from Ultimate II to Galaxy Sky. Screen is brighter and has more contrast, and there is a feature to boost an additional amount for 15 minutes called Outdoor Mode. I haven't yet tried to read the screen in bright sunshine outdoors but it looks promising.

Anonymous said...

Will the Galaxy Sky be able use Wi-Fi® Capable calling on Tracfone? Other sites/plans can implement it. But no data with Tracfone yet.

LindaB said...

Because of the reviews here, I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy Sky on QVC. It was just over $100 and came with one year of service with Tracfone. I think that is a great deal. I am very happy with the phone. I upgraded from a Samsung S2.

Anonymous said...

Do we have an expected release date for the Sky Pro?

Unknown said...

Does the phone have a magnetometer

Unknown said...

Why does my samsungj7skypro keep buzzing intermittently?

Anonymous said...

Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro now available at QVC. Ordered mine today.

nancy45 said...

On sale today (6-26-17) on QVC for $139.95. Includes 1500 minutes/texts/data and one year of service. Pretty good deal if you figure it costs $125 for the 1500 minutes. Phone is about $15.00!

Robdan said...

Just ordered mine yesterday from QVC. I'm replacing my LG Premier because there was marginal memory. I predict the Sky Pro will be the hottest new Tracfone for this year.

Anonymous said...

Is there any HotSpot or Tethering feature available on this phone?

Val said...

Can you buy a straight talk monthly plan with this phone ?

Anonymous said...

Lots of Quality Budget phones being released in the near future.
If you prefer to go the Amazon Unlocked route check these out.

Moto E (4th Generation) - 16 GB - Unlocked (AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile/Verizon)
- Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads $99
to be released on June 30th

Alcatel A30 PLUS - 16 GB - Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile)
- Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads $79
to be released July 10th

I purchased Moto G4 last October for $99 from Amazon.
I removed AT&T sim card from my Tracfone and installed with no
problem and no need for Tracfone customer service.

Anonymous said...

Can you carry this phone on an airplane since it has lithium batteries?

Hoody said...

for cryin out loud, why does better specs have to mean "bigger" size??, can't one be made with the better specs but with a screen "under" 5" ??? I don't need a mini laptop to carry around to use as a "phone" but I would like one that has say the same specs as the old S5 mini available by now.

I broke down and did get the LG Phoenix 2 last Oct on sale for 30 bucks, this is 5" and its about as big as I ever want to go, its a good phone, just the battery they use is a bit too small for and doesn't last all that long.

Asma Harshi said...

What makes the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro stand out of the crowd is the design of the antenna bands at the top and bottom of the rear panel coupled with the flushed camera module, which is surely a head turner, though the front of the device resembles strongly with Samsung Galaxy S7

Unknown said...

Does anybody samsung j7 sky pro black out while you are watching videos? Mine does And I just wanna know how can i fix it,but I still can here the video playing but i can't see it please let me know something

Unknown said...

Thanks for this article.

I'm finding some conflicting information on this phone though. I just ordered it from QVC and it lists the processor as "1.4GHz quad-core processor" not an octa-core processor. Also, another site online that lists the Samsung Sky Pro S727VL specs gives me differing information.

I think this will be a great phone for me either way, but am wondering if QVC has the right specs listed?

Anonymous said...

16/2 GB is good.....5.5" is good.......however, the screen is only 720P, and it is not super amoled?

Does record in 1080P.....does have an octa-core processor.....

But only an 8 MB rear camera? Should have had at least a 13 MB....

Anonymous said...

Had this phone just under 1 month and screen cracked after being dropped once from about 3 Ft.... still work fine...

Anonymous said...

Tracfone upcoming phones should have the latest operating system, 1080p or HD screens, at least 16gb memory, 13 mega pixel camera and include silver, gold and white phones. All these would be nice.

Unknown said...

It has a quad core processor. Says right on the dam box....

Jeff said...

Can Samsung J7 sky pro be used as hot spot?

Anonymous said...

That's why 3 years insurance covers most everything.

Brooklynblessed said...

You can also get great cases at Amazon. Durable and cheap. This is a great deal.

JanJardin said...

Unfortunate name as it sounds like a star gazing app.

Cass said...

I would like to know this too

Jeanne said...

I already have a J7. Can I sign up for Tracfone using this phone?

Jeanne said...

I have a J7 that I bought through Sprint. Can I cancel Sprint and use this J7 with Tracfone?

Anonymous said...

What is up with the mixed info on the CPU that is all over the web? I have heard it has a quad core, but they are saying octa core here. I have even heard people say it is quad core and even octa core. I have a few friends that just got this phone, and their phones says it has the Snapdragon 425 from what I seen. While on Youtube, I have heard people say it has the Snapdragon 625. Then I have seen a few pages that says it has the Snapdragon 430.

Even CPU-Z does not know what is in this phone. It show it is an unknown 1.4GHz quad core with an Adreno 308 but the system board says it is MSM8937.

Unknown said...

The Galaxy J7 Sky Pro is my Galaxy Grand Prime reincarnated, with low volume output. The sm-s727vl also has the same headphone jack glitch that reboots the phone as did the Grand Prime. Other J7 owners can be happy to know android 7.0 Nougat updates will be available soon, but not the Sky Pro. Sure it was a great deal, but is it a great phone? It works.

Anonymous said...

This phone is a QUAD core, NOT Octo-core. Watch some of the unboxings on Youtube. It actually says QUAD core right on the box.

Anonymous said...

HSN has this for %79.95 with 6 months 1000 min/texts/MBs.

Anonymous said...

Somebody, PLEASE tell me that the standard Samsung qwerty keyboard on the Sky Pro has talk-to-text capability! Where is the microphone icon??? (And, no... I'm not referring to the Google Assistant talk-to-text. I'm savvy to how that works. I'm more concerned with being able to use talk-to-text inside apps, social media, and to blog, etc...) Please help! If it's a no-go with the stock keyboard, does anyone have a recommendation for a good keyboard app from the Playstore to set as my default on the Sky Pro??? (One with the microphone/talk-to-text capability, of course.) Any help is greatly appreciated... Thanks!

Unknown said...

Violates terms of service. I wouldn't reccomended doing it. It is possible, but you could end up with a useless phone in the end.

Unknown said...

Violates terms of service. I wouldn't reccomended doing it. It is possible, but you could end up with a useless phone in the end.

Unknown said...

I am also having issues with screen blackouts on YouTube videos. I returned my first J7 and this one seems to do it alot less than the first. You can downgrade your YouTube app to the factory version to remedy this. In previous android versions you could activate developer mode and switch default media players, but 6.0 marshmallow doesn't seem to have this option. I'll post solutions as I find them.

Unknown said...

For now I have downgraded my YouTube app to the factory version. When it blacks out you just tap to retry and your video continues. You'll want to turn off auto updates in the play store as well.

Anonymous said...

No, tracfone has not incorporated this yet

Anonymous said...

Specs vary from carrier to carrier

Anonymous said...

Purchased from HSN with tracfone deal for $80. Great deal and I recommend. But does have some shortcomings. Doesn't have Nougat and doesn't look like there are future plans to update. Phone model is not capable of wifi calling. No notification light for missed calls/msgs.

hangman said...

I have had the Galaxy j7 pro for a little over a month. It has been a great phone.

Unknown said...

I've had this phone for about 2 weeks. I replaced it from a Lg ultimate 2. I really liked the LG but the battery was always low and it was time to add minutes to my phone. So I decided to try the Samsung j7 sky pro and I really like it. Glad I decided to change. I would recommend this phone. No problems yet.

April said...

Has anyone had any luck finding a protective phone case for the J7 sky pro? Manufacturer date Aug. 2017. Otterbox Defender isn't made for this phone and I drop everything multiple times a day due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Otterbox Symmetry is the only version made for this phone by Otterbox. It doesn't have a screen protector included, which could be an expensive problem for me. Any suggestions for a good impact protective case for this phone. This has been frustrating trying to find a case to fit AND that actually protects it. Please help. Thank you.

PappaDee said...

Got the J7 for my son & he has one huge problem, youtube app stops showing video after a couple of minutes. Screen goes black but audio still plays and you can still see creator's channel logo. Video is still playing it's just no longer displaying video, only audio. Tap running apps, youtube, and video plays fine... for another minute or two until it starts all over again. So far I'm unable to find a fix. I regret making this my boy's first phone and wish I did more research first, although he's a trooper and just keeps tapping back and reloading the app to get the video to play every minute or so. Being this is a tracfone it's unlikely they will ever provide a fix. So sad, Samsung missed an opportunity to have a customer for life by providing a device that can't even run one of the most used mobile apps properly.

daelv said...

thankz for the reviews, suggesting this to friend but of course seems like TF raised the price since last year. Even though the same spec same problems. One could dload google keyboard and use that. Smiley face on keybd where you opt to find Mic? for speech to text?

I am mad about removal of wifi calling to since I acquired an ATT phone and that feature is blocked as well on Edge 7 on tracfone. I complained to FCC. You think these phones, unlocked, would be able to use all features. RE: it is unlocked. I mean you have the feature why do they not use it. Bad faith.

Unknown said...

Just purchased 2 Samsung Galaxy J7 sky prom.mine works great, my husbands however, by the 2nd day fo having the phone his screen blacked out but could still hear but screen is black. Took battery out etc and screen flashes, phone turns on but not king before screen goes black again. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated...

TOMMY MASCARENA said...

I have a Samsung Galaxy j7 skypro, and it is locked out, with a pin number.I would like to know how to get it passed that point, so I could add a phone card to it. How do I go about it?

Unknown said...

Which is better?
1. Samsung Galaxy j7 sky pro 4g lte
2. Samsung Galaxy J3 Luna Pro 4G LTE
I greatly appreciate all help and info. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know what version of BlueTooth it has?

Anonymous said...

Coverware has a nice sturdy black case, similar to otterbox. I purchased mine from "Wish" for about 10 bucks or so.

Anonymous said...

Anyone have a problem with theirs rebooting on its own, and whenever it feels like it? Mine does andvits very very annoying. HELP

TomO said...

I am debating among the Samsung Sky, Sky Pro and Luna Pro as upgrade gift for my wife.

The review of the Sky has a comment as follows, which concerns her:

"It also appears that external Micro SD cards may not be integrated as internal memory the same way many other Android 6.0 devices are able to do. We're not sure why there is a difference with the Galaxy Sky, but will add additional information as it becomes known."

Is there more information? Do either the Luna Pro (as a J3) or Sky Pro (as J7) overcome this issue? What's the operational impact of this?

I know she doesn't want to go thru upgrade cost and time to transfer existing minutes to find problems running apps move to SD.

Thanks in advance!

Unknown said...

Amazon has a deal.
Also be sure to check WAl-Mart. Refurbished often have the same warranty as new and qualify for electronics extended warranty cheap.
Be sure phone is compatable with the service in your area by checking your zip code at straighttalk. gsm (city) vs. cdma (rural).

Unknown said...

Hey...yeah...me too.
Wish I'd...
LG fiesta $50
Galaxy sky refurbished $20 Amoled! Duh.
J7 resolution doesn't even meet its own camera specs.

Anonymous said...

THe J7 Sky Pro comes in two flavors, which has confused many in this blog post. The cheaper Tracphone version ($100)comes with Marshmellow (and cannot be updated). It also features a 1.4g Quad Core Processor and 2g of Ram, with a Camera combo of 5/8G. The newer version features Nougat, a 2g Octacore Processor with 2g of Ram. However that version features a 5/13g camera combo. It also costs $225. I've owned both versions, and for everyday use they are effectively the same phone. It all depends on if you are simply looking for a nice phone at a great price, or you plan on spending your day streaming audio and videos, and playing games, and you're willing to pay twice as much for a little more speed.

Unknown said...

Pro 7 stopped working would.nt take charge. Got new phone but unable to retrieve photos from Pro 7 how can I do that to new phone

Greg Lovern said...

I see elsewhere in specs lists that this has Gorilla glass. Is that correct?

Peggy said...

Will this particular phn work with safelink

Unknown said...

Turn off notifications.

Paula said...

I want to mirror my Samsung Galaxy j7 Sky Pro to my HDTV can I do this and how do I do it

Boss said...

If your a safelink customer this sky pro is for sell for $19.99.! i bought one and it upgraded to oreo 8.1