Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge at the Mobile World Conference 2016 on Sunday, with the company promising that its latest flagship device will “redefine what a phone can do.” But is this the case?
Here’s what you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge:
Expandable Storage
A popular Android feature that was killed in the Samsung Galaxy S6 will now return in the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, with the smartphones both accepting MicroSD cards. This means that their built-in storage, which we’ll get to later, can be expanded by the user by up to 200GB, ensuring that it’ll take you a lengthier amount of time to reach that “your storage is full” warning.
Display
Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge have 2K resolution displays, known as “Quad HD.” These displays have a 577 ppi and 534 ppi pixel destiny respectively, with the S7’s Super AMOLED display measuring in at 5.1 inches and the S7 Edge at 5.5 inches.
The S7 Edge’s display curves on both sides, with one side making use of Samsung’s Edge UX software, which allows widgets and other such features to be accessed through swiping the curves of the device.
Under the Hood
Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will come with the Android 6 Marshmallow operating system pre-installed, running a powerful quad-core 2.15GHz 64 bit Snapdragon 820 processor alongside either 32GB or 64GB of storage depending upon the region and 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Regarding battery life, the S7 has a 3,000mAh battery while the S7 Edge boasts a meaty 3,600mAh battery, which puts them ahead of the likes of the iPhone 6 though behind the Google Nexus 6P, a fellow Android device.
Camera
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge both boast a 12-megapixel camera and mark the first time that a smartphone camera will feature a “professional-grade Dual Pixel Sensor,” which according to Samsung will allow users to take crisp and clear photos in the dark. They will also both boast a 5-megapixel front camera for all your selfie needs.
Design
Concerning appearance, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 both look very similar to their predecessors, with the devices again being created out of metal and glass to give them that premium feel, though Samsung has tweaked them a little to provide them with a more ergonomic design. Samsung has also completely sealed off its internal components to make the smartphones dust and water resistant, making them both more durable than previous models.
Accessories
Samsung announced a bunch of neat official accessories that will release alongside the S7, including a variety of covers including a flip wallet design, an attachable keyboard and a clear case. But the most interesting of the bunch was the LED View cover, which features LED animated lights that display your most essential information including the time, alerts and notifications.
Gear VR
In a wonderfully customer-friendly move from Samsung, the company will reward those who purchase the Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge between February 23rd and March 18th with a Gear VR virtual reality headset, completely free of charge. This is an excellent way for Samsung to open up its new virtual reality venture to a new audience, and will prove to be a very tantalizing prospect for those who are on the fence about investing in the tech giant’s latest flagship smartphone.
Pricing and Release Date
Samsung will begin accepting pre-orders at 8:00 a.m. EST on February 23rd, with the smartphones being available at all major carriers. Early pricing models from carriers place the Galaxy S7 at around $27 for a 24-month contract and the Galaxy S7 Edge at $32 for the same contract.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 will be available to buy on March 11th, the same day that pre-order units will be shipped out.
Final thoughts
Samsung appears to have taken the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, with both devices taking many pages out of the Galaxy S6’s book. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the S6 was a great smartphone and both phones’ specs promise a speedy and powerful user experience, though expandable storage and water resistant design aren’t necessarily improvements that will inveigle the average consumer.
However, Samsung’s pushing of the Gear VR as a pre-order incentive is certainly a bold move that will convince many to lay down cash for the S7 when pre-orders go live, even if it looks set to be a minimal upgrade over its predecessor.
