Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (4GB + 128GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is an impressive, iterative upgrade featuring a 5.5-inch Quad HD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 3,600mAh battery. Key advantages include IP68 water resistance, a microSD slot, and a superior low-light camera, while the design is marked by a fingerprint-prone, slippery body and sometimes oversensitive curved edges. Despite the lack of USB Type-C and a non-removable battery, the device stands out for its high performance and practical additions like the Game Launcher and Always-On Display.

Walt Mossberg’s review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge praises the devices for their premium metal and glass design, excellent camera performance in low light, and the reintroduction of water resistance and expandable storage. Despite these improvements, the devices are described as slippery, with the standard model noted to run hot. A significant flaw identified is the unreliable fingerprint reader, along with limited internal storage in U.S. models. The review strongly criticizes the "software bloat" from Samsung and carriers, labeling the user interface as cluttered with duplicate apps and deeming the S7 Edge's software features as a gimmick. While considered the best Android phones at the time, the clumsy software prevents them from surpassing the overall user experience of the iPhone.

In a 2016 comparison by The Verge, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge was declared the superior camera over the iPhone 6S Plus, largely due to its faster f/1.7 aperture and Dual Pixel autofocus, which excelled in low-light conditions. The S7 Edge demonstrated advantages in speed, HDR performance, and selfie field of view, though it sometimes struggled with overexposure. While the iPhone 6S Plus maintained better color accuracy and superior video stabilization, it lagged behind in low-light performance and autofocus speed.

The Nasi Lemak Tech review praises the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge as a significant, premium improvement over its predecessor, highlighting its comfortable design, reintroduction of the microSD slot, and lag-free, high-performance capability. The 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen delivers vibrant visuals, while the camera’s f/1.7 aperture and dual-pixel system offer superior, fast-focusing, low-light performance alongside reliable, long-lasting battery life. However, the review notes cons including poor speaker quality, a fragile glass back, and a heavily skinned TouchWiz UI, ultimately questioning the practical utility of the edge screen despite its aesthetic appeal.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge represents a significant refinement over its predecessor, successfully transitioning the curved display from a perceived "gimmick" to a legitimate, sophisticated technology featuring a 5.5-inch Quad HD display and a premium glass-and-metal build. According to Tech Advisor, the device brings back essential features like microSD storage expansion and IP68-rated water resistance, while delivering powerful performance with an Exynos 8890 processor and a superior 12MP camera with enhanced low-light capabilities. Despite these strengths, the review notes the phone is a major "fingerprint magnet" with a slippery design, an occasionally finicky fingerprint scanner, and the notable absence of USB-C.

The Droid Life review considers the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge a near-perfect refinement, praising its excellent design, comfortable in-hand feel, and the reintroduction of microSD storage and IP68 water resistance. Key strengths include a 3,600mAh battery with fast wireless charging and a top-tier AMOLED display, alongside a highly functional, redesigned Edge Panel for software shortcuts. Conversely, the review identifies significant cons, including a "tinny" external speaker with poor placement, a glass body that acts as a fingerprint magnet, and a TouchWiz interface that still lacks the smoothness of stock Android.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is praised by Android Central as a refined, premium device that successfully brings back the microSD card slot and introduces IP68 waterproofing. Key advantages include a significantly larger 3,600mAh battery for all-day performance, a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, and a 12MP camera with superior low-light capability. However, the device is noted for having a disappointing, easily distorted bottom-firing speaker and a glass body that functions as a fingerprint magnet. Additionally, the curved edges can cause accidental touches and make the device awkward to grip. Finally, the review considers the "Edge" software features to be more of a luxury than a necessity, as they lack deep third-party integration. The device runs a refined version of TouchWiz over Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

In a 2016 review, WIRED described the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge as premier Android devices, highlighting their exceptional 12-megapixel camera with "Dual Pixel" autofocus, which excelled in low-light conditions. The devices boasted a premium glass-and-metal design, bringing back essential features like IP68 water resistance and expandable microSD storage. While the camera, speed, and display quality were major pros, the review noted that the glossy backs were prone to fingerprints and that the specialized software for the Edge’s display offered limited utility. Furthermore, the devices suffered from significant pre-installed bloatware and carried a high retail price compared to competitors. WIRED

According to CNET, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is a refined, premium device featuring a 5.5-inch wraparound display and a robust 3,600mAh battery. The smartphone improves upon its predecessor by reintroducing IP68 water resistance and expandable storage, alongside a highly capable 12-megapixel camera. While praised for its design and performance, the S7 Edge is a high-priced, "fingerprint magnet" device with potential for accidental screen touches.

DXOMARK awarded the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge an overall score of 88 in its camera review, praising its Dual Pixel autofocus for speed and accuracy. Pros included excellent exposure, dynamic range, low noise, and high detail preservation, but cons involved a yellow cast under tungsten light, highlight clipping in high-contrast scenes, unnatural bokeh, and detail loss with digital zoom. Video performance also scored 88, noted for effective stabilization and tracking but showing jitter artifacts, fine detail loss in low light, and color shading.

According to a TIME review, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are considered Samsung's best phones at the time of release, featuring design improvements, microSD card expansion, and IP68 water resistance. The devices offer a gorgeous Super AMOLED display, an Always-On Display feature, and strong low-light camera performance, though the glass back attracts fingerprints and the software includes bloatware. Time MagazineSamsung Galaxy S7 Black Onyx£107.04($198.98)SEALED BOXED Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 32GB (Blue) Unlocked£130.004.7(31.3k)

Tom's Guide describes the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge as significant refinements, bringing back features like water resistance and a microSD card slot, and featuring a "seductive" design with improved one-handed use on the S7 Edge. Both phones boast high-powered processors, 4GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, Super AMOLED displays with wide color range, and a new camera excelling in low-light photography and fast autofocus, though the always-on display can be hard to see in direct sunlight. Drawbacks include fingerprint-prone glass backs and unnecessary pre-installed apps, while battery life is improved, lasting over 10 hours on the S7 Edge, making the Edge the top pick for screen size and longevity despite the standard S7 having less battery life. Samsung Galaxy S7 Black Onyx£106.79($198.98)Samsung Galaxy S7 edge SM-G935F 32GB 4G - smartphones (Single SIM, Android, NanoSIM, GSM, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, WCDMA, LTE)£220.994.7(31.3k)

PCMag describes the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge as a top-tier Android smartphone, praising its design, Quad HD screen, powerful processor, long battery life, expandable storage via microSD, and IP68 water resistance. However, drawbacks include its high price, limited usable internal storage due to pre-installed software, and a design prone to fingerprints. The review concludes it is a highly recommended, no-compromise device for users seeking a powerful Android phone with key features like water resistance and expandable storage.

According to a 2016 review, The Guardian considered the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge the "smartphone to beat," highlighting its 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED screen and improved ergonomics due to its curved edges. The device's pros include expandable storage, a waterproof design, smooth performance, a long-lasting battery, and a 12-megapixel camera praised for low-light capability and fast autofocus. Cons noted were a disappointing selfie camera, the phone being a fingerprint magnet, accidental touches on the curved screen, unremovable bloatware, and limitations on microSD card use for apps.

TechRadar's review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge describes it as an "exceptional, five-star" smartphone highly praising its premium design, 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, IP68 water/dust resistance, microSD slot, powerful performance, impressive 12MP camera, and improved 3,600mAh battery. Noted cons include the glass back's tendency to attract fingerprints, a bottom-firing single speaker, an occasionally inefficient always-on display notification system, and its high launch price.

According to The Verge's 2016 review, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge featured stunning hardware, including a 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display in a compact design with comfortable curved edges and a refined inky black finish. Praised for performance and practicality, it brought back IP68 water resistance and microSD card expansion, offered reliable full-day battery life, and boasted a standout 12-megapixel camera with fast focus and exceptional low-light capabilities. The primary weakness was identified as the software, with the TouchWiz interface described as "cartoony" and cluttered with bloatware, and the Edge panels considered largely a gimmick often leading to accidental palm touches.