After much expectation, Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. These flagship smartphone contenders are the sequels to last year’s well-received Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. But how does these new handsets compare to their predecessors? Here is a breakdown of the differing specs between the two Galaxy S generations.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will be marginally weightier than the previous devices in the series. The dimensions of the Galaxy S7 differ very slightly from the Galaxy S6, whereas the Galaxy S7 Edge is somewhat larger than last year’s handset.
At 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm (5.61 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) the Galaxy S7 is extremely similar in size to the Galaxy S6, which measured 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm (5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 in). It is also 14g heavier, roughly 10 percent of the weight of the S6.
The Galaxy S7 Edge’s dimensions are significantly larger than the S6 Edge. Measuring 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (5.94 x 2.86 x 0.30 in), it is clear that the Galaxy S7 Edge will be a slightly bulkier mobile than the S6 Edge, which featured dimensions of 142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 in). It is also quite a bit heavier; approximately 20 percent.
Display
The extra size of the Galaxy S7 is necessary in order to house the new larger display included in the device. With both versions of the Galaxy S6 having featured similar sized displays, it is clear that Samsung is attempting to create a demarcation between the two.
Thus, the Galaxy S7 Edge features a 5.5-inch curved display, while the Galaxy S7 remains stable from last year’s device at 5.1-inches. Both Galaxy S6 models featured 5.1-inch screens last year.
As largely predicted, both the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge retain the quad HD resolution of last year’s release. However, an always-on display is resident in both Galaxy S7 devices this year; a significant innovation over the 2015 model.
Colors
There is a minor alteration between the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S6 here, in that Samsung will make the devices available in a slightly different range of colors. Both the Galaxy S7 and and Galaxy S7 Edge are listed as being available in Black, White, Gold and Silver, whereas the Galaxy S6 offered offered a blue variant last year, with the Galaxy S6 Edge being listed in a green emerald model.
Processor
The Galaxy S7 units benefit from a processor upgrade, and considering the frozen resolution of the devices, this should result in extremely slick smartphone experiences.The Galaxy S7 is powered by a dual-core 2.15 GHz & dual-core 1.6 GHz, quad-core 2.3 GHz and quad-core 1.6 GHz, compared to the quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 2.1.0 GHz Cortex-A57 from last year.
The Galaxy S7 Edge is driven by a dual-core 2.15 GHz, dual-core 1.6 Ghz, quad-core 2.3 GHz and quad-core 1.6 GHz, whereas the S6 Edge featured a quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and quad-core 2.1.0 GHz Cortex-A57.
Camera
As reported by ValueWalk ahead of the release of these devices, both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge feature BRITECELL technology. This innovative system is intended to improve the ability of the camera to take photographs in darker conditions. However, Samsung is referring to this as dual-pixel.
What this means is that the megapixel rating of both smartphones have been reduced from the 16-megapixels that was resident last year. Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge feature 12-megapixel snappers, but the new technology should ensure that they outperform their predecessors. It will be interesting to get a hands-on with the devices and assess their photographic capabilities.
Battery
Samsung has increased the cell included in both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge as predicted, But has opted against ensuring that batteries are removable. Thus, the Galaxy S7 features a non-removable Li-Ion 3,000 mAh battery, while the S7 Edge contains a 3,600 mAh unit.
Batteries can be viewed as significant increases over the handsets from last year, with the S7 getting a 15 percent boost over the 2,600 mAh unit and the S7 Edge being increased by nigh-on 40 percent; a pretty impressive improvement.
Memory
Both the Galaxy S7 and and Galaxy S7 Edge benefit from the 1GB increase in memory that was largely anticipated, boosting the devices to 4GB From the 3GB that was included last year.
Storage
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are only available in 32GB and 64GB quotients. But the Korean manufacturer has compensated for this by reinstating micro SD, meaning that both handsets can be increased up to 200GB as required.
Operating system
Android Marshmallow replaces Android Lollipop in both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.
Price
As is usual for major smartphone releases, there is something of a shroud over the price of the Galaxy S7 at the time of writing. But it is expected that the on-contract expenditure required to pick up this device will not differ from last year’s Galaxy S6 release. This would mean that it could be acquired in the United States for $199 on a two-year contract. The price of the off-contract model is likely to be in the region of $600.
Consumers wanting what is effectively the premium Galaxy S7 Edge handset should expect to add $100 to both prices.
Spec Sheet of newly announced Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge
