While the J2 isn’t a gaming powerhouse, PIP works surprisingly well for Google Maps or YouTube Vanced. You can watch a video in a small window while replying to an SMS. On Lollipop, this would have crashed the System UI. On Oreo, it’s fluid.
If you manage to install a stable Oreo-based custom ROM, you gain features that were specifically optimized for devices with 1GB of RAM, like the J2: Storage Efficiency: Oreo (Go Edition) provides up to 2x more available storage out of the box compared to older versions. Apps are optimized to open up to 15% faster Battery Management:
Samsung Galaxy J2 (SM-J200G) never officially received an update to Android 8.0 Oreo android oreo for galaxy j2 smj200g better
Upgrading to Oreo is specifically "better" for the J2 because of how the OS handles limited hardware.
your goal is to use the phone as a backup device for basic tasks (calls, SMS, very light web browsing) and you install a highly optimized Android Oreo (Go Edition) custom ROM. While the J2 isn’t a gaming powerhouse, PIP
If you are tech-savvy and using a lightweight Custom ROM (like LineageOS 15.1), it is a usable daily driver that feels fresh. However, if you are looking for the smooth, lag-free experience the phone had out of the box, Oreo might be too heavy for this specific hardware.
Oreo was designed to run better on devices with limited RAM. On Oreo, it’s fluid
This is the primary bottleneck. Modern Android apps are resource-intensive. 8GB Storage: Extremely limited for modern apps. Why Android Oreo Can Be "Better" (The Pros)