Samsung Announces Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge With Expandable Storage, Larger Battery

[super michael]

I wish google would stop region restricting Gibraltar so much, why do we have to go to another country just to download free apps. Vpn is so unreliable it fails too much.

Why on earth does google restrict Gibraltar billing address for credit card.

That what puts me of buying another samsung phone.

Its not the phone i hate, i like it but the stupid restriction. I have the samsung galaxy 5 and to download app it always restriction can't and vpn fails mostly.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Although it is good to see Samsung has provided a strong update at the same time you're still dealing with their half-assed update schedule where the end users are shafted even if they're in countries where the carriers don't hold up the updates - In New Zealand for example Samsung has a fast track with a turn around by carriers of no more than a week for major updates and auto-approval for critical security updates etc. but alas you still have the massive lead times. This is the one reason if I was ever going to jump onboard the Android train I would be getting a Nexus 6P rather than a Samsung or HTC device.

I think that's the biggest drawback, lack of updates.

 

[jamezr]

I understand u don't find it useful and it's subjective for everyone but 3D Touch works pretty well to me. I mainly use it for peek n pop and it's been nice. And at least you know Apple will update it relatively soon, something you cannot say Samsung would be as quick with.

But honestly I think 3dt is a nice step toward something else, like Touch ID was to ap. And there may be more to apples goal ultimately.

I now wonder if Samsung did indeed leave it out due to them not being able to get it ready in time based on the need for both hardware and software modifications. I do expect them to do it as soon as next iteration though.

But you have to admit the feature has not been implemented very well. It doesn't work or give useful info for all apps even Apple's in house native apps.
I am glad Samsung didn't add it to the S7 lineup. Better to wait for it to develop a little more until it's done and ready.

 

[maxsix]

Because frankly it's more interesting than the trash Apple has been putting out the last few years.

You've brought up a very good point.

While I wouldn't say Apple has built trash, I do find the latest iPhone model far less than what Apple's capable of. The company knows what the minimum improvement is, that they can get away with and keep selling phones.

A huge part of Steve Jobs Legacy is how he built an enduring cult like following that he programmed to believe Apple knows better than they do.

Fast forward to today's posts and you can see his influence as the Apple Excuse Makers are alive and well. They still hunger for Steve Jobs presence. They still insist Apple would do things better if he were alive.

 

[Wahlstrm]

The S6 Edge was perfect, until you looked at the back and it was horrible, and pricing for decent storage was Apple-like..

That´s taken care of, but why did you have to go huge this time around instead!?

 

[rockametrics]

I think that's the biggest drawback, lack of updates.

I think that updates are half the issue. The other half is that these phones become unusable. I had the S6 Edge last year. I have gone back and forth from Android and iOS over the past 5 years. I always end up coming back to Apple. Samsung gets you with the idea of what the phone can do but seems to always disappoint. I have had S3,S4,S5 and S6 Edge. Ever year we hope this will be the update that fixes everything and pairs down TW. Battery and software lag drove me nuts on the S6 edge. One of the most biggest gripes I had was the horrible lag while opening apps. Never mind that I would frequently have to hold the phone up to my vents in the car so AC could cool it down. I have a feeling it will be more of the same. Will the feel of the S7 trump my 6S plus? Absolutely! Does it look Sexy? Yep! Will it frustrate me to the point of wanting to throw it out the window? Yes, yes it will. I hope Apple comes out with a 5.1 inch phone this year though(probably won't happen) I think that is truly the sweet spot. If they could take one page out of the S7's book that would be my request. Don't be fooled the S7/Edge is nothing more than eye candy.

 

[American Hero]

The S6 Edge was perfect, until you looked at the back and it was horrible

Yes, because it's so damn ugly... Especially compared to what the back of the iPhone 6S looks like.

 

[samcraig]

This past year I was pretty set on the S6 Edge but considered the Note. I don't use the stylus that much, but at the end of the day, the Note 5 was much more comfortable to hold. The edge is a very sexy phone - but the way it curved made it harder (for me) to hold. And I didn't think I would get much utility from the edge screen. But visually, it's stunning. I was blessed to have walked away from ATT 4 months after I got my Note 5 with no ETF/etc because of the grandfathered unlimited data plan. Now that I use a Gear VR and have a 360 camera too, I would love the Note 6 to have expandable storage.In hindsight, I should have gotten the 64gb phone vs the 32.

 

[cdmoore74]

I think that's the biggest drawback, lack of updates.

It's the one thing I hate on any non-Nexus Android phone. Truth be told I'm buying the S7 edge just for it's hardware and features (Gear VR is legit and Samsung pay works at more places). I'm not expecting Android N this fall; I would buy a Nexus for that.
I'm still buying a iPhone 7 but if Apple does not start with 32GB or they gimp the 4.7" model compared to the 5.5" (or whatever size the mid range would be) I'm not failing for it. I have this funny feeling that Apple is still going to release a 16GB iPhone 7. I just know it.

 

[maxsix]

Although it is good to see Samsung has provided a strong update at the same time you're still dealing with their half-assed update schedule where the end users are shafted even if they're in countries where the carriers don't hold up the updates

I'm a very big smartphone enthusiast that enjoys both platforms and has been using both Android and iPhones concurrently, way back since the beginning of each platform.

At one point in the past I'd agree. But today's Android OS is so good it doesn't require frequent patches like iOS does.

Apple users have used this excuse as a club to beat up Android.

I use both a Nexus 6P and Samsung S6 just for the fun of comparing. While I've always been a huge proponent of Google's Nexus Smartphones and owned every model, I've also enjoyed Samsung, HTC, Moto Droid's et al.

 

[samcraig]

I'm a very big smartphone enthusiast that enjoys both platforms and has been using both Android and iPhones concurrently, way back since the beginning of each platform.

At one point in the past I'd agree. But today's Android OS is so good it doesn't require frequent patches like iOS does.

Apple users have used this excuse as a club to beat up Android.

I use both a Nexus 6P and Samsung S6 just for the fun of comparing. While I've always been a huge proponent of Google's Nexus Smartphones and owned every model, I've also enjoyed Samsung, HTC, Moto Droid's et al.

Android - no matter what OEM you go with - has the benefit that a lot of the core apps are independent from the OS and get frequently updated by Google. In fact, Google over the years has made Google Play Services take over a lot of things previously left to the OEMs.

So yes, while OEMS and Carriers can delay a full OS update, it's less important than when everything relied on a full OS update.

 

[Truefan31]

Actually after nearly three years of Beautiful Spacious Displays on Android phones... Apple could no longer hang back profit taking, by not spending money to make the iPhone a modern sized handset.

When Apple caved into public demand their users were starved for a contemporary iPhone with a larger display. That pent up demand was proven by huge record breaking sales. Finally Apple catches up with their competitors.

Even though they continue to follow Samsung's lead, there's hope that at some point in the future Apple may get serious, do their best work and return to being a leader. It's not too late for Apple to get moving again.

I think Apple is pretty serious seeing how they produce the number one selling flagship phone. And everything I've seen lately shows Samsung following apples lead since its Apple who's actually leading where it matters. Not a wish list on a tech forum but actual tangible results. Because neither Apple or Samsung care about us. How about Samsung get more serious with support and updates seeing how they can't or won't give the s6 users marshmallow.

Lol it's not too late for Apple. You'd think they were on htc or blackberry status based on your words.

 

[Truefan31]

Android - no matter what OEM you go with - has the benefit that a lot of the core apps are independent from the OS and get frequently updated by Google. In fact, Google over the years has made Google Play Services take over a lot of things previously left to the OEMs.

So yes, while OEMS and Carriers can delay a full OS update, it's less important than when everything relied on a full OS update.

The fact you have carrier interference at all is a big pain point.

 

[samcraig]

The fact you have carrier interference at all is a big pain point.

For some. Personally, I buy a phone for what it can do today. Not for what the phone might do tomorrow. I know a lot of people who never update their phones even when it's available too. I don't disagree it's a pain point, but I do wonder to how many it really matters to.

 

[Truefan31]

For some. Personally, I buy a phone for what it can do today. Not for what the phone might do tomorrow. I know a lot of people who never update their phones even when it's available too. I don't disagree it's a pain point, but I do wonder to how many it really matters to.

To each his own. I know a lot of people who don't upgrade every year and get upset they spent a lot of money for a phone that seemingly the oem doesn't provide updates in a timely fashion.

 

[Enygmatic]

Thread full of the usual bickering; objective articles and reviews online all seem AWFULLY reminiscent of a certain "upgrade" release last September: 'mostly moderate upgrades, and a compelling option for owners of older phones - those with the most recent (last year's) version, however, probably are better off waiting.'

Always fun to read all of the predictable "gripes" with Apple prior to any sort of release. Waiting to see what actually happens BEFORE pulling out the soapboxes... so boring, I guess.

Edge model is still sexy... I wish it was a Nexus device. I'll wait until the 2017 response to the iPhone 7 to speculate on their future. I don't think this is enough for Samsung to threaten Apple at that premium tier, and definitely not enough to fend off the acceleration of competition from cheaper Android models - especially the Chinese ones.

 

[samcraig]

Personally, the one thing I am most surprised about is no upgrade to the screen resolution. Esp since they are pushing the Gear VR and also introducing a 4K 360 camera. Perhaps that will be with the Note 6.

 

[Vertigo50]

Free GearVR + Water Resistant + up to 200GB of add in storage.... commmon appple........ Let me iphone allow me to bring all my music with me again...... please!!! I'm tired of all these streaming services.

I mean, how cool would it be to have all your music that you own, with you in your pocket (again).

You mean like you get with Google Music? You don't even have to subscribe to their monthly streaming package. They offer unlimited free storage of your own files. Also, I highly recommend their streaming service. Especially since it combines your own library with their whole streaming library.

 

[American Hero]

I'll wait until the 2017 response to the iPhone 7 to speculate on their future. I don't think this is enough for Samsung to threaten Apple at that premium tier, and definitely not enough to fend off the acceleration of competition from cheaper Android models

It isn't Samsung's fault the average user is clueless and buys a phone for the fashion brand that is Apple.

Premium phones have super AMOLED displays, sharp cameras, wireless charging, fast charging, 3+ GB of RAM, 400+ PPI, magnetic stripe technology, NFC, and a quality, wide angle front camera.

The iPhone has an average LCD display, a mediocre front facing camera, an average rear camera, average charging, 2 GB of RAM, NFC, no magnetic stripe technology, no wireless charging, and 326-400 PPI.

Not to mention in the looks department. Gee, a glass and metal finish with no ugly antenna lines? I know a phone that has those ugly features.

 

[tkukoc]

Never once thought about purchasing a phone other then the iPhone since I've been with them from the beginning.. but wow this is an attention grabber. I don't need a new phone at the moment.. in fact I probably won't buy this years iPhone either.. but dang this device looks like it has a lot of bells and whistles.

 

[DevNull0]

Beautiful phones, make me wish I could run iOS on them...

Exactly how I feel. I bought a samsung GS4 before Apple increased their screen sizes because the dinky screens were a deal breaker for me. It is a gorgeous piece of hardware; and the screen in that 4 year old phone still beats the iPhone 6s by a huge margin. It even has an easily swappable battery and a microSD card slot.

That said android really is a crappy OS, I've complained about it almost since day one. I won't go into details on an Apple forum, but I really do hate android.

So I've actually been keeping the GS4 because I have no idea what to get even though I've been eligible for a subsidized upgrade for years. The iPhone means I'm grossly overpaying to get a crappy screen, no SD slot, I have to overpay even more because of the the low base memory, the 16 gig base really feels like a kick in the rear from Timmy. Or I can pay a few hundred dollars less for a far better piece of hardware and then I'm stuck in 2 more years of android purgatory. It really feels like a lose-lose situation.

 

[ValO]

I like the overall design of the S7 edge.
But samsung should change a few things.
1. The shiny front glass
2. The samsung branding, they should come up with a new logo, instead of the full company name, and they should not put it on front of the phone, just on the back.
3. All these sensors on front of the phone, i don' t like them.

Less is more....

But a solid update, this s 7 however will not sell very well. It will make the s6 sell a lot better though at a discounted price.

 

[American Hero]

So I've actually been keeping the GS4 because I have no idea what to get even though I've been eligible for a subsidized upgrade for years. The iPhone means I'm grossly overpaying to get a crappy screen, no SD slot, I have to overpay even more because of the the low base memory, the 16 gig base really feels like a kick in the rear from Timmy. Or I can pay a few hundred dollars less for a far better piece of hardware and then I'm stuck in 2 more years of android purgatory. It really feels like a lose-lose situation.

You know nothing about smartphone buying/selling plans and strategies. I would suggest doing some research, and you may be able to find a better way to get the device you want, and get a newer one on a more frequent basis.

 

[maxsix]

To each his own. I know a lot of people who don't upgrade every year and get upset they spent a lot of money for a phone that seemingly the oem doesn't provide updates in a timely fashion.

I don't disagree.

Yet fact is... the greater majority of mainstream smartphone users who aren't enthusiasts, know little if anything about their smartphones operating system and simply don't care.

 

[Truefan31]

It isn't Samsung's fault the average user is clueless and buys a phone for the fashion brand that is Apple.

Premium phones have super AMOLED displays, sharp cameras, wireless charging, fast charging, 3+ GB of RAM, 400+ PPI, magnetic stripe technology, NFC, and a quality, wide angle front camera.

The iPhone has an average LCD display, a mediocre front facing camera, an average rear camera, average charging, 2 GB of RAM, NFC, no magnetic stripe technology, no wireless charging, and 326-400 PPI.

Not to mention in the looks department. Gee, a glass and metal finish with no ugly antenna lines? I know a phone that has those ugly features.

Lol those average users are way more important than u and I. But it's ok Samsung will keep thinking comparing to that ugly average iPhone will help them when it hasn't yet.