Galaxy J4 Core is Samsung's unexpected second Android Go phone

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Samsung isn't always a fan of not being in control. There was a point in time when it considered getting out of the Android market in favor of Tizen because it gave Google too much control over its mobile devices. So it's almost surprising that Samsung would actually have two Android Go phones waiting for emerging markets and users with simpler needs and means. Although not yet officially announced, the Galaxy J4 Core is now all but known and might soon be ready to hit the market in time for the holidays.

To be fair, Samsung doesn't have to stick too much to Google's rules with Android Go phones. It simply has to make sure that it's using the configuration that is optimized for phones with meager hardware and not to bloat them too much. It's not like Android One where Samsung would have been required to keep its hands off the UI. No surprise, then, that Samsung has not yet made an Android One phone.

Its first Android Go smartphone was the Galaxy J2 Core and, save for the suite of Android Go apps, was pretty indistinguishable from other Samsung phones, both in terms of phone design and UI theme. Based on the premature leak of a Brazilian retailer, the Galaxy J4 Core looks to be no different in that regard.

Samsung can perhaps also blame itself for putting up the Galaxy J4 Core user manual early. These two together pretty much provide a complete picture of the smartphone's specs and features. Those include a 6-inch 1480x720 screen, a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, a measly 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of expandable storage. There are no hidden treasures here, not even a second camera to assist the 8 megapixel main camera.

If it sounds pretty plain, then the Galaxy J4 Core is pretty much doing its job. Given the availability of the information, it shouldn't be long before Samsung makes it really official. Whether it will come to the US is a different matter, considering the Galaxy J2 Core hasn't even arrived yet.