The Samsung Galaxy S7 is a stellar cellphone. It is a handset that packs nice battery smarts, glorious digital camera skills and a great deal of uncooked energy into an more and more inexpensive package deal.

Despite the fact that Samsung has changed the Galaxy S7 with the brand new Galaxy S8, it is nonetheless price having a look on the 2016 flagship Samsung cellphone in your subsequent massive buy. The value has begun to drop fairly impressively, and the Galaxy S8 lacks a killer function that makes it vital over the Galaxy S7. 

The design is much like 2015’s Galaxy S6 – that means some have stated the Galaxy S7 must be referred to as the Galaxy S6S – however this in-depth evaluate reveals there’s much more occurring underneath the hood to complement the improved design.

For those who’re on the lookout for the curved cellphone variant of this design, the Galaxy S7 is not competing as carefully with the Galaxy S7 Edge because the S6 did with the S6 Edge, with the curved show variant getting a bump in display screen dimension this time spherical, taking it extra into phablet territory.

Replace: Excellent news for individuals who have hung onto their trusty Samsung Galaxy S7: Android Oreo is coming…in some unspecified time in the future. Samsung is at present trailing the beta software program for the Samsung Galaxy S8, however it ought to make its manner within the coming months. 

Higher but, you will get one among these still-awesome telephones for decrease than ever with our curated number of the best Samsung Galaxy S7 deals. However since we love you, you may need to find out about this little cellphone coming quickly in 2018 referred to as the Samsung Galaxy S9.

Samsung Galaxy S7 value and launch date

• Launched in March 2016
• Launch value £569 (round $750 / AU$900)
• Now right down to round $440/£420/AU$700

Within the UK, you are taking a look at a vastly spectacular £399 SIM-free value, whereas these within the US must half with $199 upfront as a part of a two-year contract, or fork over as little as $440 for the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7. In Australia the SIM-free value was set at AU$1149 however now you can get it for round AU$700.

The value has dropped considerably after the Samsung Galaxy S8 launch making this an ideal value for a 5 star cellphone – see how a lot you will must spend in your contract at our best Galaxy S7 deals page, and anticipate the worth to fall even decrease following the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S9.

Despite the fact that there is a newer Samsung Galaxy S8, it is onerous to not just like the Galaxy S7. It takes the much-improved, premium design from the Galaxy S6 and reinstates a number of options from the Galaxy S5 that have been shockingly lacking from its successor.

The package deal is an attractive one, however 2016 was a troublesome 12 months for flagship telephones, so Samsung wanted one thing massive to remain forward. The LG G5 launched with a novel modular pull however failed, the HTC 10 seemed to rekindle among the Taiwanese agency’s former glories (with blended success) and, after all, the iPhone 7 landed with no headphone jack and waterproofing to match the Galaxy S7’s comparable skill.

Samsung might have been first out of the flagship blocks, however it wanted to take advantage of its sturdy begin to keep forward of the pack.

 Make sure to watch our video evaluate of the Samsung Galaxy S7 

Design

• Design is much like earlier iteration, however nonetheless sturdy
• Rear curving makes it a lot nicer to carry within the hand
• Now waterproof, which provides a degree of safety to make use of
• Might be gripped securely because of smaller bezels
• Muffled single speaker

At first look you would be forgiven for pondering the Samsung Galaxy S7 seems virtually equivalent to the Galaxy S6. And that is as a result of it’s.

Samsung has reused the premium glass and metallic completed it employed on the S6, which lastly noticed the producer transfer away from its reliance on plastic to supplies which higher mirrored the flagship price ticket it was slapping on its prime telephones.

On nearer inspection although, you will start to note the refined variations that make the Samsung Galaxy S7 the most effective trying, and feeling, Galaxy ever.

Samsung has dropped the metallic rim round its iconic bodily residence key, enabling it to mix slightly extra seamlessly into the general aesthetic of the S7, virtually masking its existence.

I am a fan. It makes for a cleaner look, and that look is additional improved with the color-coded earpiece grille, which was additionally metallic on the S6.

The corners are extra rounded, and the aluminum body that is sandwiched between the entrance and rear glass is much less obtrusive, with much less of an overhang than its predecessor. Meaning there may be much less metallic towards your pores and skin, which initially makes the S7 really feel rather less premium than the S6, however as soon as you’ve got obtained used to it you will discover it is nonetheless a classy presence within the hand.

Whereas the Galaxy S7 sports activities the identical dimension 5.1-inch show because the S6, Samsung has managed to shave off a fraction of the bezel across the display screen, lowering the handset’s peak and width barely.

That offers you dimensions of 142.four x 69.6 x 7.9mm – and it is that final quantity which is probably the most fascinating. At 7.9mm thick the Galaxy S7 is fatter than the S6 by 1.1mm, however holding it in your hand you will not know.

That is due to the gently sloping edges on the rear of the handset. The end, which is mirrored on the rear of the Galaxy S7 Edge, is borrowed from the Galaxy Note 5, and allows the telephones to sit down extra snugly within the palm for a firmer, extra comfy maintain.

The Galaxy S7 is a cellphone you’ll be able to grip confidently – not like the iPhone 6S and LG G5, with their flat backs leading to a barely awkward place within the hand. The metallic and glass would not provide a lot in the best way of grip, however as a result of the cellphone is healthier positioned within the hand I felt like I used to be much less prone to let it slip in contrast with the iPhone or S6.

The dimensions, form and normal design of the Galaxy S7 means it is simpler to carry and function one-handed too. I might attain the opposite facet of the display screen with my thumb with far much less pressure, and it required little to no shuffling within the hand to maneuver round the entire show.

The ability/lock key on the fitting and quantity keys on the left additionally fall properly underneath thumb and finger, though you will nonetheless need to juggle the S7 a bit to achieve the fingerprint scanner, which is embedded underneath the bodily residence key.

Returning to the rear of the Galaxy S7, the sq. digital camera bulge continues to be there, however this time round it is much less protruding. Samsung has managed to flatten its snapper significantly for the reason that Galaxy S6 – it is now down to only zero.46mm, and whereas it is nonetheless not flush with the physique of the S7, it is much less volcanic.

It is not completely flat, which is one thing Huawei CEO Richard Yu was very happy to inform us about on the launch of the P9 – a cellphone which has, as Yu put it, “no bump, no bump!”

Alongside it you will discover the LED flash and coronary heart fee monitor – a function Samsung insists on placing on its top-tier handsets, though a smartwatch or health tracker is a lot better positioned for this tech. It additionally measures stress and O2 saturation ranges, though it is unclear simply how correct these sensors are.

It is there in order for you it – simply head to the S Well being app – however I can not see it getting a lot use.

What I seen virtually instantly, nonetheless, was simply how a lot of a fingerprint magnet the Galaxy S7 is. The glass seems nice, however I discovered myself incessantly reaching for my microfiber material to smarten up the looks of the S7.

It is precisely the identical problem the Galaxy S6 had, and it is shocking that Samsung hasn’t tried to deal with this with the S7.

There was hope Samsung would handle the one speaker setup it positioned on the Galaxy S6, however alas it hasn’t. It is saved the one speaker on the bottom of the Galaxy S7, reasonably than choosing twin front-facing choices like HTC and Sony.

It is not an enormous problem, however the result’s sound out of your films, video games and music can find yourself being muffled by your hand.

Samsung has resurrected two options from the Galaxy S5 although, with a microSD slot and dirt and water resistance each showing on the Galaxy S7. The microSD port shares a tray along with your nanoSIM, which might be slid out of the highest of the handset.

This allows you to construct on the 32GB of inside storage by as much as an additional 200GB, providing you with loads of house.

In the meantime, the IP68 water resistance has improved from the S5, permitting submersion of as much as 5 ft for 30 minutes, plus there is not any annoying flap masking the charging port.

The microUSB port has been waterproofed, however the S7 won’t charge if it detects water in its hole. For those who’ve taken the cellphone for a plunge within the tub, you will must dry the charging port earlier than plugging in.

Samsung hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the design of the Galaxy S7, however it did not must. The Galaxy S6 was an excellently styled machine, and the S7 has managed to enhance on that.

Show

• The most effective shows on any smartphone
• Colours are clear and crisp, distinction ratios glorious
• Good auto brightness and straightforward out of doors visibility
• At all times on show is great addition

At first look, the S7’s display screen seems to be the identical because the 5.1-inch, QHD Tremendous AMOLED providing on the Galaxy S6. The decision continues to be 2,560 x 1,440, providing you with a pin-sharp 577ppi pixel density.

That is no unhealthy factor, because the display screen on the S6 was glorious – however Samsung’s made issues even higher on the Galaxy S7.

The parents over at DisplayMate have run unbiased, goal scientific evaluation on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge shows, and the outcomes present efficiency enhancements throughout all checks versus their S6 predecessors. It truth, DisplayMate has stated the display screen on the Galaxy S7 is the most effective of any smartphone.

What does this all imply? The primary level is the display screen on the Galaxy S7 is 24% brighter than its predecessor, with improved distinction ratios besides.

Held facet by facet with the Galaxy S6 I might see the Galaxy S7 display screen had whiter whites, and colours seemed to be slightly extra pure in comparison with the slight over-saturation on the S6.

Briefly, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has a unbelievable show. You are unlikely to note a lot of a distinction coming from a Galaxy S6, however for these seeking to improve from a handset that is two years outdated your eyes are in for a deal with.

By no means off

That is not all of the display screen on the S7 has to supply – it additionally boasts always-on performance, a function that each Samsung and LG (on the G5) have employed on their flagship handsets in 2016.

Samsung’s implementation sees the display screen on the Galaxy S7 present a number of various things when the handset is mendacity idle. The default possibility reveals the clock, date and battery degree, plus counters for brand spanking new textual content messages and missed calls may also show (if in case you have any).

That is helpful, however I used to be disillusioned that the notifications icons have been restricted to only these two issues. I do most of my messaging by way of WhatsApp and Fb Messenger, and never having notifications for these on the show was slightly irritating.

Nonetheless, within the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 these have been overhauled, with WhatsApp (and different) notifications added under the clock. Now that this handset has been discontinued (owing to all of the catching fireplace it did) it is good to see that the options stay on – customers are beginning to get the brand new software program which brings extra choices to the always-on show.

Samsung has opened up the API to app builders, so sooner or later we must always see extra notifications come to the always-on show, however it’s one thing Samsung might have executed itself, and it is annoying that it hasn’t. 

Other than the default show, the opposite two choices you’ll be able to have are a calendar view or a full-screen sample, neither of that are significantly helpful. I anticipated no less than calendar entries to be proven in some primary type with the previous, however alas you simply get a view of the times within the month, and that is it.

In the meantime the sample, as a substitute of utilizing a portion of the display screen, takes up the entire display screen. Moreover, there are solely three patterns to select from (though extra are actually incoming), and you may’t customise them in any manner. The hope is extra will seem in time, however for now it is ineffective.

There are extra choices to play with by way of having the ability to see if you happen to’ve obtained different notifications, and with Android 7 Nougat touchdown that ought to get even higher.

With the display screen by no means turning off (though you’ll be able to disable the always-on function within the settings), there may be an extra drain on the battery. Samsung claims it consumes lower than 1% each hour, although, and through my time with the Galaxy S7 I did not discover it was killing the ability.

It could appear to be a comparatively tame addition, and at first I dismissed the always-on performance as nothing greater than a gimmick.

Nonetheless, as I spent extra time with the S7 I grew to become accustomed to glancing at my cellphone for the time and date, in addition to to see if I wanted to stay within the charger. Easy, but affective.