Yeah, I don't think J-31 will be as advanced nor have as many capabilities. But it might end up sucking less just by virtue of not suffering from political/greed motivated design compromises and from trying to fill every role for all branches of the military— while not being particularly excellent at any of them. And maybe not having such advanced avionics and all that sensor fusion + VR cockpit stuff might be an asset for the J-31 as it won't have to rely on buggy/untested software that won't be completed for another 20 years*, and instead can be ready on the front-lines in time for the next conflict.

If things continue to progress as they have with the F-35 program, all it would take is for 1 stealthy J-31 to sneak under radar and sink a carrier, while F-35 pilots are sitting at home with their dicks in their hand 'cause their planes aren't ready for combat. Of course, this would never happen as it would imply a war between China and the west. And war between world powers is bad for business.

*Disclaimer: hyperbole