The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were two of the most anticipated smartphones of 2016. Both offered a premium experience, packed with powerful hardware and innovative features. While sharing many similarities, key differences set them apart, primarily in design, display, and battery life. This article will delve deep into the specifications, performance, camera capabilities, and other aspects of each phone to help you understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Design And Build Quality: A Matter Of Curves
The most immediately noticeable difference between the S7 and S7 Edge is their design. The standard S7 features a more traditional smartphone form factor with a flat display. It has rounded edges and a curved back for a comfortable grip. The S7 is smaller and more compact, making it easier to handle for those with smaller hands or who prefer a more pocket-friendly device.
The S7 Edge, on the other hand, boasts a dual-curved display that wraps around the left and right edges of the phone. This design gives it a more premium and modern look. The curved edges not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also provide additional functionality, which we will explore later. However, the S7 Edge is slightly larger and wider than the S7, which might make it less comfortable for some users to hold and operate with one hand.
Both phones are constructed with a combination of glass and metal. They feature a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 front and back for scratch resistance and a sturdy aluminum frame for structural integrity. The materials used in both models contribute to a premium feel. Both devices also feature IP68 certification, meaning they are dust and water-resistant, offering added durability and peace of mind.
Display: Flat Vs. Curved Visual Experience
The display is another area where the S7 and S7 Edge diverge significantly. The S7 features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels (QHD). This results in a pixel density of approximately 577 ppi, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals.
The S7 Edge, in contrast, sports a larger 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with the same QHD resolution. Due to the larger screen size, the pixel density is slightly lower at around 534 ppi. However, the difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use. The curved edges of the S7 Edge’s display create a more immersive viewing experience, making it feel like the screen wraps around the device.
Both displays offer excellent color accuracy, contrast, and brightness, thanks to Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology. They also support features like Always-On Display, which shows the time, date, and notifications even when the screen is off, conserving battery life. The curved edges of the S7 Edge provide additional functionality through Edge Panels, allowing users to access apps, contacts, and news feeds with a simple swipe.
Edge Features: Functionality Beyond Aesthetics
The curved edges of the S7 Edge aren’t just for show; they offer several practical benefits. Edge Panels provide quick access to frequently used apps, contacts, and tools. Users can customize these panels to suit their needs, adding shortcuts to their favorite features.
The Edge screen can also display notifications, news tickers, and other information, allowing users to stay informed without fully waking up the phone. The People Edge feature allows users to assign different colors to their favorite contacts, so they can quickly identify who’s calling or messaging them.
Performance And Hardware: Identical Powerhouses
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are virtually identical in terms of performance. Both phones are powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or an Exynos 8890 processor, depending on the region. Both processors are paired with 4GB of RAM, providing plenty of power for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
The choice between the Snapdragon and Exynos variants usually comes down to regional availability. Both processors offer similar levels of performance, although some benchmarks may show slight differences. In real-world usage, both phones are incredibly responsive and smooth.
Both the S7 and S7 Edge come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, and both also support microSD card expansion, allowing users to add up to 256GB of additional storage. This is a significant advantage over many other smartphones that do not offer expandable storage. Both phones offer seamless performance, making them suitable for power users and casual users alike.
Camera: Capturing Memories In Detail
The camera is another area where the S7 and S7 Edge excel. Both phones feature a 12-megapixel rear camera with a wide f/1.7 aperture and large 1.4µm pixels. This combination allows the camera to capture more light, resulting in excellent low-light performance.
The camera also features dual-pixel autofocus, which provides incredibly fast and accurate focusing, even in challenging lighting conditions. The S7 and S7 Edge can record video in up to 4K resolution at 30fps, and they also support slow-motion video recording at 240fps.
The front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, which also delivers excellent image quality, even in low light. The camera app is easy to use and offers a variety of shooting modes, including Pro mode, which allows users to manually adjust settings like ISO, white balance, and shutter speed. The camera performance of both phones is exceptional, making them capable of capturing stunning photos and videos in a variety of conditions.
Battery Life: A Matter Of Milliampere-Hours
Battery life is one of the key differences between the S7 and S7 Edge. The S7 features a 3,000mAh battery, while the S7 Edge boasts a larger 3,600mAh battery. This difference in battery capacity translates to a noticeable difference in battery life.
The S7 can typically last a full day on a single charge with moderate usage. The S7 Edge, on the other hand, can easily last a day and a half with similar usage. The larger battery capacity of the S7 Edge is particularly beneficial for users who frequently watch videos, play games, or use their phones for extended periods.
Both phones support fast charging and wireless charging, allowing users to quickly and easily top up their batteries. Fast charging can quickly replenish the battery, while wireless charging provides a convenient way to charge the phone without plugging it in. The larger battery capacity of the S7 Edge makes it a better choice for users who prioritize battery life.
Software: A Unified Experience
Both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge originally shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface on top. Later, both received updates to Android 7.0 Nougat and eventually Android 8.0 Oreo. The software experience is virtually identical on both phones, with the exception of the Edge-specific features on the S7 Edge.
Samsung’s TouchWiz (now Samsung Experience) provides a variety of features and customization options. It includes features like Multi Window, which allows users to run two apps side-by-side, and Smart Stay, which keeps the screen on as long as the user is looking at it.
The software is well-optimized and runs smoothly on both phones, thanks to the powerful processors and ample RAM. While some users may prefer a cleaner, more stock Android experience, Samsung’s software offers a wealth of features and customization options that many users appreciate.
Key Differences Summarized
Here’s a quick summary of the key differences between the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge:
- Design: The S7 has a flat display, while the S7 Edge has a dual-curved display.
- Display Size: The S7 has a 5.1-inch display, while the S7 Edge has a 5.5-inch display.
- Battery Capacity: The S7 has a 3,000mAh battery, while the S7 Edge has a 3,600mAh battery.
- Edge Features: The S7 Edge has Edge Panels and other Edge-specific features.
- Size and Ergonomics: The S7 is smaller and easier to handle for some users.
Which Phone Is Right For You?
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge ultimately comes down to personal preference and priorities. If you prefer a smaller, more compact phone with a flat display and are not too concerned about having the absolute best battery life, the S7 is a great choice.
On the other hand, if you prefer a larger display with a more modern design, enjoy the added functionality of the Edge Panels, and prioritize battery life, the S7 Edge is the better option. Both phones offer excellent performance, camera capabilities, and build quality, so you can’t go wrong with either choice. Consider the factors that are most important to you and choose the phone that best meets your needs.
Ultimately, both devices offered an exceptional mobile experience at the time of their release and still hold up reasonably well for basic smartphone usage even today, depending on your expectations. While newer devices have surpassed them in terms of raw power and features, their enduring appeal lies in their balanced performance and premium build quality.
The decision really depends on your budget, intended use, and preference for form factor. If you appreciate a slightly larger screen, longer battery life, and the unique curved display features, the S7 Edge might be worth the slightly higher price (if you’re buying used). If you prefer a more compact device and don’t mind a slightly smaller battery, the S7 remains a solid choice. Remember to consider the availability of software updates and the overall condition of the devices if purchasing them second-hand.
What Are The Key Differences In Design Between The Samsung Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge?
The most apparent design difference between the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge is the display. The S7 features a traditional flat display, while the S7 Edge boasts a curved display that wraps around the sides of the phone. This curved display not only provides a more visually striking aesthetic but also offers additional functionalities and shortcuts through edge panels.
Beyond the display, the S7 Edge is slightly larger than the S7, which impacts the overall feel in hand. The S7’s smaller size makes it arguably easier to handle with one hand. While both devices share a similar build quality with a glass and metal construction, the S7 Edge’s curved display gives it a more premium and futuristic look, whereas the S7 is considered more traditional and compact.
Which Phone Offers Better Battery Life, The Samsung Galaxy S7 Or S7 Edge, And Why?
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge generally offers better battery life compared to the Galaxy S7. This is primarily due to the S7 Edge having a larger battery capacity (3600mAh) compared to the S7 (3000mAh). The extra capacity allows the S7 Edge to power its larger display and potentially offer longer usage times between charges.
While both phones are efficient in power consumption, the larger battery provides a significant advantage, particularly for users who heavily utilize their phones for tasks such as gaming, video streaming, or web browsing. Factors like app usage and screen brightness will still impact battery performance, but the S7 Edge benefits from its inherent larger battery capacity advantage.
Which Phone Has A Better Camera, The Samsung Galaxy S7 Or S7 Edge?
Both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge boast identical camera hardware and software. Both phones feature a 12-megapixel rear camera with a wide f/1.7 aperture and large 1.4µm pixels. These specs allowed for excellent low-light performance and fast autofocus speeds.
Therefore, in terms of image quality and camera features, there is no discernible difference between the two phones. Both devices can capture high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions, and both offer the same range of shooting modes and manual controls. The choice between the two wouldn’t be determined by camera performance.
Does The Curved Screen Of The S7 Edge Offer Any Functional Advantages Over The S7’s Flat Screen?
Yes, the curved screen of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge does offer some functional advantages over the flat screen of the S7. The Edge screen provides access to edge panels, which can be customized to display frequently used apps, contacts, news feeds, and other information. This allows for quick access to important functions without having to navigate through multiple screens.
Furthermore, the Edge screen can be used for notifications, such as incoming calls or messages, even when the phone is face down. The edge lighting feature illuminates the edges of the screen when a notification arrives, providing a subtle and convenient way to stay informed. However, some users found the curved screen more prone to accidental touches compared to the flat screen.
Which Phone Is Easier To Hold And Use One-handed, The Samsung Galaxy S7 Or S7 Edge?
The Samsung Galaxy S7 is generally considered easier to hold and use one-handed compared to the S7 Edge. This is primarily because the S7 is more compact and has a smaller overall footprint. The curved edges of the S7 Edge, while aesthetically pleasing, can sometimes make it slightly more challenging to grip securely, especially for users with smaller hands.
The S7’s more traditional design allows for a more comfortable and confident grip, reducing the risk of accidental drops. While Samsung implemented features to mitigate accidental touches on the S7 Edge’s curved screen, the smaller and more ergonomic design of the S7 makes it a preferable choice for one-handed use.
Are There Any Differences In Software Features Between The Samsung Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge?
Initially, there were some slight differences in software features related to the Edge screen functionality. The S7 Edge had specific software features designed to take advantage of the curved display, such as edge panels and edge lighting. The S7, lacking the curved screen, did not have these features.
However, over time, Samsung worked to unify the software experience across its flagship devices. Eventually, both phones received software updates that minimized the differences in features, even if some edge-specific functionalities remained exclusive to the S7 Edge. Generally, the core software experience and features were similar between the two devices, allowing for a largely consistent user experience.
Which Phone Is Better For Gaming, The Samsung Galaxy S7 Or S7 Edge?
Both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge provide a very similar gaming experience due to their shared processing power, RAM, and display technology. Both devices utilize the same powerful processor (either Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890, depending on the region) and 4GB of RAM, ensuring smooth gameplay and excellent performance for even the most demanding mobile games.
The only potential difference that might sway a gamer’s preference is the larger screen size and potentially slightly better battery life of the S7 Edge. The larger screen might offer a more immersive gaming experience, while the extended battery life could allow for longer gaming sessions. However, the core gaming performance remains virtually identical between the two models.