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Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, the company’s new flagship devices for 2016 are now out. In terms of design and looks, there’s not much that has changed from the S6 series, but Samsung has introduced what it calls new features in the S7 series. Here’s a look at how the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge are different from the Galaxy S6, S6 edge.
Design, Screen: As far as the screen for the S7 goes, Samsung has kept it exactly the same. The S6 came with a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, and it remains the same with the Galaxy S7.
The S7 edge has a bigger 5.5-inch display QHD Super AMOLED display with a 534 ppi density compared to the 5.1-inch screen of the S6 edge.
Watch our first look video of the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge
Galaxy S7 edge screen also has more pixel space in the new Android 6.0 version, but this feature is being rolled out to the S6 edge series as well.
Most importantly, S7 series is water and dust resistant (IP68) and comes with an ‘Always-on display.’ Samsung says the new phones can spend half an hour in water, submerged up to 1.5 metres in depth, and adds that it has sealed the ports from inside to protect the devices.
Watch Video: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge First Look Video
On the design front, the S7 series is slightly heavier, and thicker than the S6, due to bigger battery size in both the smartphones. Galaxy S6 was around 6.8mm and weighed 138g, while S6 edge was 7 mm thick and weighed 132g. Galaxy S7 is much thicker at 7.9mm and weighs 152g, while S7 edge is 7.7 mm and weighs 157 g.
Samsung has stuck with the glass and metal design of the S6 series. It has not confirmed whether there’s Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on the outer body as we saw in the Galaxy S6. Samsung says it has introduced smoother edges, sleeker lines, and “made the camera nearly level” with the glass body in the S7 series.
Processor, RAM, Storage: First up, Samsung has not yet confirmed what processor is running in the new S7 series. What we know is that there will be two versions with two different processors: One is a 64-bit octa-core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad) processor, the other is a 64-bit quad-core (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual) processor. The Galaxy S7 series also comes with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM.
In contrast, the Galaxy S6 series came with 1.5 Ghz Exynos 7420 Octa-core processor and 3GB, LPDDR4.
While the S6 series came in 32, 64, and 128GB variants with no microSD slot, Samsung has bought back the microSD slot with support up to 200 GB in the S7 series. Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge will come in 32 and 64GB versions only. Samsung has introduced a hybrid SIM card tray to make space for the micro-SD card slot.
Camera: Galaxy S6 series camera with a 16 megapixel rear camera with OIS and a five megapixel front camera. In contrast, Galaxy S7, S7 edge come with a ‘Dual-Pixel’ 12 megapixel camera with F1.7 aperture.
Samsung says that the pixels in its camera are bigger (around 30 per cent bigger than the iPhone 6s Plus) and thus allow for sharper, clearer pictures, even in low-light surroundings. The company adds that the dual-pixel technology works like a human eye, and that 100 per cent of the pixels are used to focus, allowing for a faster focus while taking a picture.
Samsung has also added ‘Motion Panorama’ which adds action to your panorama shot. Sort of like ‘Live Photos’ in Apple iPhone 6s series, but only for panorama mode.
Battery, Gaming: Now Samsung has not gone for the USB Type-C charging port, as was being reported by some. But the company has bumped up the batteries considerably in the S7, S7 edge. While the S7 comes with a 3000 mAh battery, and the S7 edge has a bigger 3600 mAh battery.
Galaxy S6 had a 2,550mAh battery, while Galaxy S6 edge had a 2600 mAh battery. Samsung also says that the new S7 series come with air-cooling technology to prevent the smartphone from over-heating. Samsung’s new Galaxy S7 series also supports wireless charging, something that was present in the S6 series too.
On Gaming, the S7 series comes with Vulkan API which gives users the ability to experience PC quality gaming on the smartphone with lower battery consumption. Samsung has also added a new ‘Game Launcher,’ to allow users to manage battery consumption, and block out notifications during gaming sessions. Users can also record their gaming experience or share the same via the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
Availability, pricing: Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge will be in stores from March 11, and will be up for pre-order. Samsung says that those placing pre-orders will get the Gear VR headset free, which sounds like a great deal. The offer is for those in US, Europe and other select countries. Samsung has not yet confirmed the pricing or launch date for India and whether this option will be available here as well.
For reference, the Gear VR headset costs Rs 8200 in India, and the Galaxy S6 was launched at Rs 49,900 (32GB) and Galaxy S6 edge started at Rs 58,900 (32 GB) in India when it was first introduced.
We’ll have to wait and see if Samsung will hike up the price for these two phones thanks to the better camera, and waterproof features.
Also see: LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: The modular smartphone definitely stands out
Also see: Video + First Look: The new Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge
