Samsung has recently released is latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S7. This major handset was also accompanied by a curved version entitled at the Galaxy S7 Edge. Consumers are thus faced with a decision regarding which Android variant to pick up, so which of the two handsets constitutes the better buy?
Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge – Price
The first thing to note is that the Galaxy S7 Edge is significantly more expensive than its cousin. One can expect to pay an extra $100 for the Galaxy S7 Edge on-contract, while purchasing the smartphone out right will probably set one back around an extra $150 (although numerous offers are available). This obviously makes the Galaxy S7 more affordable, but does it deliver the feature set and power to make it a better value for money device?
Size
The Galaxy S7 will probably suit those looking for a more compact smartphone. It is marginally smaller and lighter than the Galaxy S7 Edge, and this will particularly suit those with smaller hands. However, it should be emphasized that both of these smartphones are pretty sizeable, and those seeking a convenient device should probably look elsewhere. The Galaxy S7 really doesn’t have a huge advantage over the Galaxy S7 Edge in this department, with the slightly larger screen of the latter meaning that it offers a superior viewing experience.
Specs
The specs of the two devices are pretty even, with both the Galaxy S7 and and Galaxy S7 Edge featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors and 4GB of RAM. In other geographical locations, the counterparts of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge feature Samsung’s Exynos octa-core. The performance of the smartphones has been praised, but there is little difference between the two in this department.
Both smartphones also begin at 32GB of storage, and feature expandable micro SD technology up to 200GB, so there is nothing to choose here either. The camera application and hardware included in the Galaxy S7 has has also been praised, but both the S7 and S7 Edge feature the same 12-megapixel, dual-pixel rear cameras. The low-light shooting of the Galaxy S7 is possibly the best we have ever seen in a smartphone, but there is no discernible difference between the two units.
The front-facing 5-megapixel cameras are both equally matched and will serve the selfie-generation capably.
Battery life and charging
This is one area where the Galaxy S7 Edge does offer a superior package compare to its more affordable cousin. The Galaxy S7 features a 3,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy S7 Edge boasts a 3,600mAh cell. However, if one is expecting the Galaxy S7 Edge to perform 20 percent better than the Galaxy S7 in this department, this would be a false impression. The larger display in the Galaxy S7 Edge ensures that it is greedier on power than its smaller relation, and this means that the difference in battery life between the two is relatively negligible.
Nonetheless, the Galaxy S7 Edge has slightly outperformed the Galaxy S7 in testing, and those wanting an extended battery life would be recommended to opt for the Galaxy S7 Edge unit.
Both the phones also support Quick Charge 2.0 via Micro USB and wireless charging, so there is no difficulty whatsoever in charging the devices.
Display
Both of the Galaxy S7 and and Galaxy S7 Edge feature quad HD Super AMOLED screens with 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution, but the Galaxy S7 Edge must be given the advantage in this department as well. Not only is it armed with a significantly larger 5.5-inch display, but the curved aspect of the screen is also particularly pleasing, and ensures that the device does not feel bulky despite the extra screen size.
Software
The Galaxy S7 Edge also features extra functionality not included in the standard Galaxy S7 unit, with the curved display of the device not existing purely for aesthetics. The panel included in the Galaxy S7 can also provide quick access to applications, contacts and shortcuts for specific actions in Samsung apps. It is also possible to add edge panels with news coverage and much more information besides.
The degree to which this can be considered a gimmick or genuinely useful feature is dependent upon the extent to which an individual would use it, but some users have reported that they missed the Edge feature when returning to the standard Galaxy S7.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S7 Edge is undoubtedly the superior handset of the two, but the question is whether the relatively minimal extra functionality actually represents value for money. Considering that the specs of the two devices are almost identical, and one is essentially paying for a slightly larger screen with the Edge-related functionality, when purchasing the devices on-contract the Galaxy S7 looks to deliver superior value for money.
Of course, some will want to shout out the extra to get the Galaxy S7 Edge anyway, but the standard Galaxy S7 does deliver the better package in value terms. The picture may be slightly different when considering the relatively smaller gap for the off-contract models.
