Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy S7 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S7, announced in February 2016 and released in March 2016, is a noteworthy device from Samsung's flagship lineup. It offered a series of enhancements over its predecessor, the Galaxy S6, while refining key features that made the Galaxy series popular. While it has since been discontinued, it provided many users with a top-tier smartphone experience during its time on the market. Despite its age, the Galaxy S7 remains a relevant example of early advancement in smartphone technology.

Design and Build

The design of the Samsung Galaxy S7 combines glass and metal, creating a premium look and feel. The device measures 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm and weighs 152 grams, making it relatively easy to handle. It features a glass front and back, both protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, and an aluminum frame that enhances its durability. The S7 was available in various colors, including Black, White, Gold, Silver, and Pink Gold, providing users with diverse options to suit their personal style.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy S7 sports a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of around 577 ppi. This ensures sharp, vibrant images and excellent contrast, which is a hallmark of Samsung's AMOLED technology. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, adding durability to resist daily wear and tear. The high screen-to-body ratio of approximately 72.1% maximizes the viewing experience without increasing the device's size.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy S7 is powered by the Exynos 8890 Octa-core chipset, manufactured using a 14 nm process. It includes an Octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 2.3 GHz (Mongoose) and four at 1.6 GHz (Cortex-A53), offering a balance of power and efficiency. The Mali-T880 MP12 GPU handles the graphics, ensuring smooth performance for gaming and media consumption. The phone originally shipped with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and could be upgraded to Android 8.0 (Oreo) with Samsung's TouchWiz UI, offering a host of features and customization options.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S7 was available in two internal storage variants: 32GB and 64GB, both coupled with 4GB of RAM. The presence of a microSDXC card slot (utilizing the SIM slot in dual SIM models) allows for storage expansion, a flexibility not offered by all flagships during its time. This capability ensures that users do not have to compromise on storage, keeping plenty of space for apps, photos, and media files.

Camera

The Galaxy S7 comes equipped with a 12 MP primary camera with an aperture of f/1.7 and a wide lens measuring 26mm. It features 1/2.55" sensor size, 1.4µm pixel size, dual pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and optical image stabilization (OIS). These specifications contribute to excellent low-light performance, fast and accurate autofocus, and reduced motion blur. The camera also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, alongside other resolutions and frame rates for varied creative possibilities. The front-facing camera is a 5 MP shooter that supports features like dual video call and Auto-HDR, and records video in 1440p.

Battery and Charging

The device is powered by a non-removable 3000 mAh Li-Ion battery, which supports fast 15W wired charging (Quick Charge 2.0) and wireless charging, depending on the market. The battery offers up to 22 hours of talk time on 3G networks and up to 62 hours of music play. This ensures that users can rely on the Galaxy S7 for a full day of intensive use without needing to recharge frequently.

Connectivity and Sensors

The Samsung Galaxy S7 includes a range of connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, LE, and aptX support. It also includes GPS with support for GLONASS and BDS, as well as NFC capabilities. However, it lacks an FM radio. The device uses a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It also features a variety of sensors, including a fingerprint sensor mounted on the front, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, heart rate sensor, and SpO2 sensor.

Network Technologies

Supporting a wide range of network technologies, the Galaxy S7 is compatible with GSM, HSPA, and LTE. It covers a comprehensive array of 2G, 3G, and 4G frequency bands, making it versatile for various network conditions and geographies. The device supports high-speed data transfer with HSPA at 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat9 with 450/50 Mbps speeds, ensuring fast internet connectivity.

Price and Availability

At launch, the Samsung Galaxy S7 was priced at approximately 190 EUR, positioning it within the premium segment. While it has been discontinued, it played a significant role in establishing Samsung’s presence in the high-end smartphone market. Its legacy continues to be appreciated by enthusiasts and those looking for a reliable device with a solid specification set.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S7 represents a pivotal point in smartphone evolution marked by its exceptional build quality, impressive display, capable camera system, and feature-rich performance. While newer models offer even more advanced technology, the Galaxy S7 remains a testament to Samsung's innovation and commitment to quality at the time of its release. For those who experienced it, the Galaxy S7 offered a balanced combination of style, performance, and utility.