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7 reasons to buy the Galaxy S7 Edge

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 112
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After what seems like endless leaks and rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge has finally been unveiled – and it’s arguably the best device Samsung has ever made. You want specifics? We got specifics! Here are seven reasons why you should buy the Galaxy S7 Edge.

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 8
The Galaxy S7 Edge flaunts its curves. / © ANDROIDPIT

1. The microSD card slot is back!

For those of us who like to shoot full-res photos, make 4K home movies and install as many apps as we like, no amount of built-in storage is ever enough, so Samsung’s decision not to put microSD slots in the Galaxy S6 and its Edge variants was a bit of a blow.

But with the Galaxy S7, the microSD card slot is back! And that makes us very happy because it gives us 200 GB of extra storage.

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 3
All this, and microSD support too. / © ANDROIDPIT

2. The camera is brilliant

The S7 Edge a great example of why there’s more to cameras than megapixels. Although the S7 Edge camera is only 12 MP, it takes much, much better pictures than many cameras with more pixels.

That’s because of its excellent f/ 1.7 aperture and dual pixel technology, which uses two light-sensitive photodiodes for each pixel. That makes a huge difference to the picture quality, and the faster autofocus should help banish blur too. The front facing camera is pretty good too, with the same aperture and 5 MP to play with.

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 6
The camera is so good, it can see ghosts! Er, probably. / © ANDROIDPIT

3. The battery’s massive

Not only is the battery much bigger than the one in the S6 – it’s a 3,600 mAh model – but it supports quick charging too, so you can go from no charge to full charge in 100 minutes. It supports wireless charging too, and that’s only a little bit slower: a full charge takes 150 minutes.

The bigger battery plus the various optimizations that Android Marshmallow brings – the Edge ships with Marshmallow 6.0.1 – means the Edge should have exceptional battery life compared with its predecessors and rival devices.

4. It’s really, really good-looking

Despite having a better camera and a bigger battery, the Galaxy S7 Edge looks more svelte than before. That’s partly because Samsung now makes its own batteries, so it has more control over the shape and size, and it’s partly because its edges are more curved and the camera bump is less obvious than before.

The combination of a polished metal finish and Gorilla Glass 4 makes the S7 Edge an exceptionally good-looking phone, and it comes in four very nice colors too.

androidpit samsung galaxy s7 edge 9
Is this the best-looking phone Samsung has ever made? Could be! / © ANDROIDPIT

5. It’s the perfect size

When it comes to smartphone screens, size matters. Too small and you’re frustrated by how small everything looks and how precise your taps have to be; too big and you’re annoyed by how far you need to stretch your fingers and thumbs and the device’s refusal to fit into your pocket.

We think the size of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is perfect. It’s big enough to be more useful than the S7 or the S6 Edge, but not so big that you feel like you’re in Lilliput and you’ve got your hands on Gulliver’s Galaxy.

androidpit samsung galaxy s7 edge 6
It's big, yes, but not stupidly so. / © ANDROIDPIT

6. It’s always on

Like its sibling, the Galaxy S7, the S7 Edge has Samsung’s Always On screen. That takes advantage of the AMOLED display’s ability to illuminate specific pixels to display key information – time, date, notifications – without waking the entire panel.

It’s a little thing that makes an enormous difference, because it reduces the number of times you need to wake the screen for simple tasks such as checking the time. And because the whole screen isn’t turning on, there shouldn’t be a negative effect on battery life either.

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 15
Samsung's Always On display is really useful, and won't kill your battery. / © ANDROIDPIT

7. It’s tougher than the S6

Like microSD support, dust- and water-resistance was missing from the Galaxy S6, despite being present in the Galaxy S5. And also like microSD support, Samsung has brought it back for the S7 range. The Galaxy S7 Edge is both waterproof and dustproof to IP68 standards, so it can survive for 30 minutes in up to 1.5 m of water.

Overall, we think the Galaxy S7 Edge is a fantastic phone. It’s slightly bigger than the S7 but its curves make it feel smaller than it is, and the combination of a superb camera, powerful processors and – yes! – microSD expansion is a winning one.

What do you think? Have we sold you on the new Samsung, or are you wondering why there’s no USB Type-C connector? Let us know in the comments.

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Gary Marshall

Gary Marshall
Freelance writer

Former lion tamer, Girls Aloud backing dancer and habitual liar Gary Marshall has been writing about technology since Google was two guys in a garage. He's written for many fine magazines, newspapers and websites, written a range of how-to-books and a novel, co-written a BBC documentary series and dishes out weekly tech advice on BBC Radio Scotland.

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  • 1
    Vatche B. Apr 10, 2016 Link to comment

    Galaxy s7 edge is FRAGILE. I dropped it from my COFFEE TABLE and the glass was SHATTERED!!!! Not just a scratch but it was shattered! Replacing the glass is going to cost me between $359 to $500!!!!!!!!!

    I have owned Galaxy all my life. Galaxy 5 was superb and durable. After dropping it numerous times, Galaxy 5's glass is still intact with hardly any scratch on it.

    I downloaded an update from T-Mobile and the S7 edge overheated!!!

    I hardly ever experienced dropped calls with my Galaxy 5. With Galaxy 7S Edge it has been a very frustrating 10 days and a lot of dropped calls!!!


  • 4
    Gale Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

    I have been a Samsung buyer for many years. I have never been an Apple fan at all. I had the Galaxy S5 fantastic phone in its time. I was very disappointed when the S6 came out. No micro SD card, not waterproof. So this was a setback from living on the ocean and my life in water. So I avoided the S6. And with my new S7 edge. I am back in with great standards for Samsung. I have dropped my phone overboard on my watercraft. Over 20 feet deep of water, yes I jumped off my craft and went diving found my phone after 30 minutes. Still works like a charm. Just towel dried it off.


  • 2
    Peter O'Grady Mar 7, 2016 Link to comment

    Samsun Galaxy S7 / Edge

    Update: the first SIM card inserted will lock the device to that carrier. - According to Samsung (Australia) this is incorrect, I have just go off the Phone with samsung support, and they are now going to look into it.


  • 5
    Bob Balser Mar 6, 2016 Link to comment

    Is the battery replacable?


  • 18
    Deactivated Account Mar 2, 2016 Link to comment

    Hi Gary, what's about processor & RAM. No doubt it's a fantabulous device but money also matters, I will say money is the supreme factor before we select anything. Next year they will come with something more amazing technology that's why there is no end of this race.


  • 9
    Salomon Mar 2, 2016 Link to comment

    I am still on s4 and I think now it's time to upgrade, because s7 has the Kombination from s5 and s6 and much more , including 4GB RAM


  • Dave 7
    Dave Mar 2, 2016 Link to comment

    Reasons to not buy one:
    1. Price
    2. Lack of onboard storage (especially in todays climate & most people will be tied into a 2 year contract!)
    3. No USB Type-C
    4. Minor upgrades compared to the S6
    5. If you rarely use the camera, why upgrade to this model?
    6. Visually identical to the S6 (just look at how lazy Sony got!)
    7. A newer model will be released later in the year (yeah, i'm nit-picking now.. couldn't think of a number 7! Muwhahaha)


    • Alessandro L.D. Di carluccio 1
      Alessandro L.D. Di carluccio Mar 7, 2016 Link to comment

      Price is right compared to other expensive devices that are very overprice emhiPhoneemhemh, lack of storage you can use adoptabole storage so you can join sd and internal to an only one storage, no USB type c? like, seriously this is a problem? No one uses camera "rarely" in 2016, visually identical? I don't think so... Minor upgrades? Hardware completely changed and IP68 back! Ugliest kind of hater... the blind one...


  • GT Ohh 14
    GT Ohh Mar 2, 2016 Link to comment

    Too much money.

    Dean L.


    • Dean L. 34
      Dean L. Mar 2, 2016 Link to comment

      Yes IMO the price is too high and the US version has been reported to only have 32 GB storage option. 😞 But maybe it's the water resistant feature that makes the cost high.


      • Anthony Grippi 1
        Anthony Grippi Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

        the memory shouldn't be an issue. you just insert up to a 200 GB sd card, and done.


    • Anthony Grippi 1
      Anthony Grippi Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

      It's still cheaper than models with less. for what you're getting the price doesn't seem high at all. Price of being an early adopter is all.


  • 49
    storm Mar 1, 2016 Link to comment

    You basically described most flagship phones from the Note 3, original Moto X and so on onward. That too had the big battery, SD card, approach screen alerts/notifications and so on. There are small incremental improvements sure. But I'm really not feeling outphoned by it compared to my Moto X Pure or even my dead Note 3. If it were still working, I'd still be using it instead of having bought the X Pure.

    I'm sure it's owners will be happy--it's a good phone--but I don't think this list and description sold most of us on the idea of an upgrade.

    I'm predicting price drops and other sales motivations pretty quickly.

    Dean L.GT Ohh


    • Francesco V. 20
      Francesco V. Mar 1, 2016 Link to comment

      Hi. I was attracted by the Moto X Pure, but the battery is smaller and I'm not sure (may you confirm?) if it has impermeability.
      Other than these, Motorola is slowly rolling out the Marshmallow upgrade, and I love the almost stock-Android experience they offer and the dual front-facing speakers.
      But it's a 5.7" screen, which for me makes a huge difference (the S7 offers a smaller 5.5").
      Of course these are details, but for daily use these are also essential ones.
      Btw, I am using a Moto X Play and I'm really happy with it ^_^

      Dean L.


      • 49
        storm Mar 4, 2016 Link to comment

        It's not officially water or dust resistant, but users seem to report some level of apparent casual resistance.


  • Shaaf Patel 1
    Shaaf Patel Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    tmobile just revived my new s7 edge wohoooo


  • Son Nguyen (Son) 3
    Son Nguyen (Son) Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    thankss


  • 1
    Mathieu Furnari Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    Are you sure about the notification on the always on display? I saw that it's only about the clock and calendar.


  • 9
    Luka Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    Always torn between Samsung and Nexus..
    I wish Samsung makes the Nexus this year, it would be a no-brainer.


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    I would like one but am having a little struggle as far as price. I also need to see more of how it does when the official reviews come out, particularly with how the micro SD card can be used. Maybe the adoptable storage will come in an update. But water resistant is a feature that interests me.

    GT Ohh


  • 10
    Misha Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

    32GB internal storage with no ability to adopt an SD card? Check back in a year when "32GB is the new 16GB" relative to storage limitations, as software apps increase in both in size and volume. Anyone that uses an extensive array of apps knows that 16GB phones have seen their day. The S7/Edge is a great phone, but Samsung shot itself in the foot once again.

    The 32GB internal storage limit and deprecation of the Marshmallow adoptable storage option is likely from the same product marketing empresarios that decided the S6 and Note 5 didn't need features such as removable batteries, SD cards, waterproofing, and internal storage capacities provided by the competition. How did that work out?

    After the initial excitement has died down, I suspect more than a few people will question the wisdom of buying a 32GB model. I am going to cancel my order. I would bet a brand new phone that once Samsung dumps close to 20,000 S7/Edge phones on the US market, and orders start dying off, it will release a 64GB model. The way to accelerate that day, of course, is for the public to hold off ordering the 32GB model.


    • Francesco V. 20
      Francesco V. Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

      You should probably read better the article: "But with the Galaxy S7, the microSD card slot is back!"
      Thus, I assume, most of your arguments just don't apply here ;-)

      Norman VelasquezMark G.Justin Kelly


      • 2
        Andreas Larsson Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

        Hes talking about adoptable storage here, not simple micro SD card support. On the S7 you cant install apps on the SD card


      • 10
        Misha Mar 1, 2016 Link to comment

        Andreas is right - Samsung crippled one of the main benefits of the Marshmallow version of Android. I talked to both Samsung and Verizon to confirm it. I canceled my order today. They will eventually address the issue, but I already made one mistake of getting a 16GB phone 2 years ago. I won't make the mistake of buying a 32GB phone today. In two months or so, Samsung will announce a 64GB model and/or eliminate the limitation on adoptable storage. Then I will likely pick up a S7 Edge. Of course, I may have to forego the S2 watch or the VR headset, neither of which excite me. Believe it or not, I can live just fine with my S5 for a few more months. Not everyone lives for their phones. ;)

        GT Ohh


    • Justin Kelly 2
      Justin Kelly Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

      The article specifically states t he s6 does have an external micro SD slot. They're even marketing a 200gb sd card in stores with the s7.

      Son Nguyen (Son)


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    Sorry no removable battery no sale. I don't like the all glass design.


  • 11
    Steve Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    Yep I think I shall be having one though will wait for three months after release when contract offers come down in price somewhat.

    James Pierce


  • Carmelo Rivera 20
    Carmelo Rivera Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    There's nothing more to say about this phone, it's big, beautiful and powerful!

    GT Ohh


  • Mark Armitage 3
    Mark Armitage Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    I've ordered one. It seems like the perfect phone, though just wish they had gone over to a USB-C connector. Either that or a OnePlus 2 for way less than half the price....

    Francesco V.


    • 19
      Glostermeteor Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

      I am actually glad they haven't, all my other devices are microUSB so I only have to ever carry one charger with me

      Mark G.James PierceMikeku


  • Francesco V. 20
    Francesco V. Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    Well, I would definitely buy it if it had a more stock-like OS and if it was available at a more affordable price.
    That said, this seems a great device!

    surya kumar


    • surya kumar 16
      surya kumar Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

      Yeah hardware is brilliant.But touchwiz is very much bloated

      Justin KellyFrancesco V.


      • Francesco V. 20
        Francesco V. Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

        Yep. And it's not just the TouchWiz or other UI mods: in fact, the additional apps that cannot be unistalled (and often not even disabled) makes smartphones consume more space and battery.
        That's why many many users want stock Android, which is not very clean either: I personally don't use some of the Google (Alphabet?) apps and can only disable them, even if I'd like to actually remove 'em completely.

        GT Ohh


  • 6
    Victor Martino Feb 28, 2016 Link to comment

    I think Samsung nailed it, as this is as close to the perfect phone as can be, but I'm really worried about the price in Brazil. Last year they tried selling it for 3000 reais which is just impossible, especially considering android phones get outdated pretty fast, so if the price isn't a little more competitive, I'm not buying it. I'd probably go for the g5

    Rahul paul


    • 2
      Andreas Larsson Feb 29, 2016 Link to comment

      To bad the g5 wont come with sd820 in Brazil :(

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