Galaxy S7

[Nikhil72]

First Impressions.

- Feels and looks great!
- Phone did lag on initial setup (restoring backups, installing apps, etc) and it also got very warm--since then, no lag.
- I disabled some bloatware so still don’t have a clue how the battery will hold up compared to my Note 5.
- Speaking of the Note 5, I do miss the phablet. I’ve just gotten so used to that screen size so whenever I get a smaller device, it just feels… weird.

As of right now, I’m undecided whether I like it or not. TMO gives me 14 days so I have some time to test drive.

I know the note 5 is bigger, but does the edge seem even smaller with the curves? Looking at my 6s, I know they have the same screen size and the edge is more comfortable to one hand but the edge screen almost looks smaller to me

Also, no wifi calling on AT&T, which blows.

 

[HiDEF]

I know the note 5 is bigger, but does the edge seem even smaller with the curves? Looking at my 6s, I know they have the same screen size and the edge is more comfortable to one hand but the edge screen almost looks smaller to me

Also, no wifi calling on AT&T, which blows.

I'd say it competes well with the 6s when it comes to handling and display. I'd personally would give the nudge to the S7, though. But to answer your question, IMO, no it doesn't seem smaller.

 

[epicrayban]

This again. Does it matter?

Samsung shipping both ISOCELL and Sony sensors in the Galaxy S7…again
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-isocell-sony-sensors-678779/

 

[HiDEF]

This again. Does it matter?

Samsung shipping both ISOCELL and Sony sensors in the Galaxy S7…again
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-isocell-sony-sensors-678779/

This would bother me.

 

[epicrayban]

And I keep forgetting to mention that when I am browsing in Chrome that there are green lines or maybe just reflections running down on both sides of the screen right next to each edge. Pretty noticeable to tell the truth.

Now sure if would be different with any other browser.

Does a screen grab reveal green lines? If not, reflection I guess. Which color Edge do you have?

 

[spinedoc77]

I know the note 5 is bigger, but does the edge seem even smaller with the curves? Looking at my 6s, I know they have the same screen size and the edge is more comfortable to one hand but the edge screen almost looks smaller to me

Also, no wifi calling on AT&T, which blows.

The S7 doesn't have wifi calling on ATT? I've been patiently waiting for wifi calling on my Note 5 and was hoping Marshmallow would have that. This is ridiculous, I'm about to say F ATT but I have nowhere to go, I wish Tmobile didn't have such awful reception around me.

Oh, also I fondled a S7 edge next to my Note 5 and yeah the S7 feels a decent bit smaller and thinner, but not that much. The edge screen is a bit smaller, 5.5 versus 5.7. I think the S7 edge is an incredible phone, but no way in hell I'd trade in my Note series for it.

 

[Nikhil72]

The S7 doesn't have wifi calling on ATT? I've been patiently waiting for wifi calling on my Note 5 and was hoping Marshmallow would have that. This is ridiculous, I'm about to say F ATT but I have nowhere to go, I wish Tmobile didn't have such awful reception around me.

Nothing I can find in settings. Googled it, guess they never even claimed it a feature. Too bad, unfortunately; even on AT&T, I rely on my 6s plus wifi calling in the hospital where signal never seems to get through except near Windows. And agree re: T-Mobile; if their service were better in Manhattan, I'd have switched long ago.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Nothing I can find in settings. Googled it, guess they never even claimed it a feature. Too bad, unfortunately; even on AT&T, I rely on my 6s plus wifi calling in the hospital where signal never seems to get through except near Windows. And agree re: T-Mobile; if their service were better in Manhattan, I'd have switched long ago.

You are in luck. John Legere has specifically targeted all of New York City and the 5 burrows to get full 700mhz spectrum on Band 12, plus the first to get 600mhz after the auction. "Supposedly" you will be able to go anywhere within that area and won't lose an LTE signal by the end of this year.
I think he lives in Manhattan, does a lot of marathons and training in NYC, which is why he wants to be able to go anywhere and maintain LTE.

Obviously, nothing can penetrate certain areas of a hospital due to the nature of certain equipment. The sheer amount of metal and electromagnetic interference acts like a Faraday cage.

 

[LukinLedbetter]

Just an FYI. I picked up the "flat" S7 and also bought the Zagg HDX screen protector for it. I'd advise staying away from the HDX as I have haloing around the edges of the display. I would have thought that since it's a pliable screen protector, that it would have bent with the slight curves but it doesn't. Hope that helps someone with a purchasing decision.

 

[Truefan31]

Early reports are saying preorders in south Korea are weaker than preorders for the s6.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Sams...-apparently-not-so-hot-in-South-Korea_id79122

Maybe because of the mere refinement in design?

Maybe because of competing mid and low range phones?

Either way, I've always said it's a bit of a shame that Samsung devices don't often sell "well" despite being leading class in many fronts.

The money doesn't always go to the best.

Honestly it's still kinda early but yeah that's not a good start. Especially all the promotions they've offered. If they didn't offer it the demand might be even lower.

I really think it's the mid level market affecting it as well. In the us paying almost 800 for the 32 gb edge plus spending for a capable 4K sd card for an android phone is a lot compared to its own competition. If the report is true look for an immediate price drop like the s6 or more bogo like Tmobile.

The people these companies care about aren't us, who buy multiple phones a year, root/jb and/or put custom launchers on. It's telling reviewers I've seen say get the s6 edge instead at a much lower price.

 

[epicrayban]

Why is everyone pointing out that the phone lags during initial set up of re-installing old apps and restoring stuff, etc.?

Don't all Android phones do this? I remember when my partner was setting up the Nexus 5X, inital installs and etc. lagged the phone too. This is just normal. Seems like a weird thing to point out by everybody.

 

[spinedoc77]

Nothing I can find in settings. Googled it, guess they never even claimed it a feature. Too bad, unfortunately; even on AT&T, I rely on my 6s plus wifi calling in the hospital where signal never seems to get through except near Windows. And agree re: T-Mobile; if their service were better in Manhattan, I'd have switched long ago.

That's terrible, jeez. My wife has wifi calling and it' s a godsend at home for her. I'm stuck on a crappy microcell. Speaking of hospitals, the issue I had with Tmobile was having a great signal outside of my hospital, but when I got to my office inside had zero signal. At home I get like 1 bar outside and can use the phone, but inside the house it's a very iffy 1 bar and drops calls, or completely drops reception often. I know I can use wifi calling both at home and work but my concerns are everywhere else, I can't be dropping calls on my morning commute. Also our internet at home is down a lot (crappy Optimum) and when the internet goes down there goes my cell phone with it.

I may probably end up ditching ATT for Verizon, but I'm waiting for when the Note 6 comes out to make the move. I still won't be able to root, but at least I'll get wifi calling if ATT doesn't have it by then. That's so pathetic from AT&T.

 

[epicrayban]

Well, I exchanged out my microSD for the Samsung Pro+ 128GB.

PSA: It's currently on sale at Best Buy for the same price as the 64GB one, so the gettin' is pretty good right now!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...hite/4713100.p?id=1219807037153&skuId=4713100

 

[spinedoc77]

You are in luck. John Legere has specifically targeted all of New York City and the 5 burrows to get full 700mhz spectrum on Band 12, plus the first to get 600mhz after the auction. "Supposedly" you will be able to go anywhere within that area and won't lose an LTE signal by the end of this year.
I think he lives in Manhattan, does a lot of marathons and training in NYC, which is why he wants to be able to go anywhere and maintain LTE.

Obviously, nothing can penetrate certain areas of a hospital due to the nature of certain equipment. The sheer amount of metal and electromagnetic interference acts like a Faraday cage.

While my tmobile reception drops down from 5 bars to zero in my hospital, my ATT phone retains at least 3-4/5 bars. That's one of the only reasons I've stayed with them.

 

[Truefan31]

Obviously. I personally can't stand his reviews. He looks at tech like my 70 year old Dad. But iPhone fans love him for sucking Apple's teet. Which is why a glowing review from him is actually pretty important for Samsung to get converts. And it does seem almost every mainstream reviewer got the Verizon version, which is a real shame. Because they have to get through all the bloat setup mess. And coming from an iPhone, that is jarring.

More of Verizon's stupid demands causing confusion:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...alaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-but-you-can-sideload-it/

Samsung, time to sell a non-Carrier phone. You are getting rich as hell off this release. Step up.

Honestly I don't think Samsung has that kind of pull at least in the us. Or they'd be doing it right now.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

This again. Does it matter?

Samsung shipping both ISOCELL and Sony sensors in the Galaxy S7…again
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-isocell-sony-sensors-678779/

Yep, can confirm.

I have the Samsung sensor in mine. It takes some damn good photos....

Here is a comparison : http://blog.gsmarena.com/samples-comparison-galaxy-s6-s6-edge-sony-samsung-camera-sensors-2/

I kind of prefer the look of the samsung sensor, though I only skimmed it.

 

[HiDEF]

Why is everyone pointing out that the phone lags during initial set up of re-installing old apps and restoring stuff, etc.?

Don't all Android phones do this? I remember when my partner was setting up the Nexus 5X, inital installs and etc. lagged the phone too. This is just normal. Seems like a weird thing to point out by everybody.

I understand it doesn't mean much but I personally like to mention it so readers have all aspects of my impression.

But agreed, all androids get warm with initial setups.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Samsung sensor?

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Not an option on the T-Mobile variant. I'll never understand carries.

This is disconcerting. I ordered on T-Mobile instead of Verizon because I thought T-Mobile sold the phone without modifying software.

Does know if the AT&T or Verizon versions include Labs? I can't fathom why carriers remove included Samsung features. I'm considering canceling the T-Mobile order now.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Samsung sensor?

Was that directed at me?

Yes I have a Samsung Sensor.

 

[epicrayban]

Honestly I don't think Samsung has that kind of pull at least in the us. Or they'd be doing it right now.

I'm glad reviewers, like the Verge, are starting to call Samsung out for not standing their ground against carrier bloat. Verizon and ATT (neither are surprises) seem to be the biggest offenders here. Verizon even removed the Samsung Pay app.

While I don't care much about bloatware because all phones come with their own variations of bloat, including Nexus and iPhones, I care more about less carrier tampering and delaying of software updates. It's not always Samsung's fault carriers are pushing updates out slow/late nor is it really Samsung's fault that the carriers load up all the bloat that we are hating on, but it's time they take some of the blame.

Samsung should begin exercising their weight and muscle on these carriers. There was a time when it was understandable why they couldn't and shouldn't step on the carriers' toes because as we all know, for better or worse, the carriers do basically control the gateways to the US market, but Samsung is a growing brand and the biggest Android player in the game. It's time to take another page out of Apple's book and start forging better deals and rules with these carriers.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any indication that Samsung will do this in the near future. They've said they refuse to risk the relationships they have in place right now. And who really knows what these deals entail. Maybe Samsung has less bargaining power than we think. No matter what, they are not Apple, so maybe it's not as easy as we'd like.

But, the S6 and especially the S7 prove that Samsung can and will listen to the general consensus and tech journalists. So who knows.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

This is disconcerting. I ordered on T-Mobile instead of Verizon because I thought T-Mobile sold the phone without modifying software.

Does know if the AT&T or Verizon versions include Labs? I can't fathom why carriers remove included Samsung features. I'm considering canceling the T-Mobile order now.

According to sammobile, all US variants have the option removed. Not a big deal at this point, unless Samsung adds more options in Galaxy Labs in the future.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Was that directed at me?

Yes I have a Samsung Sensor.

My mistake, didn't realize the Isocell was Samsung. I have Sony sensor.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

I'm glad reviewers, like the Verge, are starting to call Samsung out for not standing their ground against carrier bloat. Verizon and ATT (neither are surprises) seem to be the biggest offenders here. Verizon even removed the Samsung Pay app.

While I don't care much about bloatware because all phones come with their own variations of bloat, including Nexus and iPhones, I care more about less carrier tampering and delaying of software updates. It's not always Samsung's fault carriers are pushing updates out slow/late nor is it really Samsung's fault that the carriers load up all the bloat that we are hating on, but it's time they take some of the blame.

Samsung should begin exercising their weight and muscle on these carriers. There was a time when it was understandable why they couldn't and shouldn't because as we all know, for better or worse, the carriers do basically control the gateways to the US market, but Samsung is a growing brand and the biggest Android player in the game. It's time to take another page out of Apple's book and start forging better deals and rules with these carriers.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any indication that Samsung will do this in the near future. They've said they refuse to risk the relationships they have in place right now.

But, the S6 and especially the S7 prove that Samsung can and will listen to the general consensus and tech journalists. So who knows.

We can hope the upgrade program migrates from the UK to the US. That would eliminate carrier interference.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm glad reviewers, like the Verge, are starting to call Samsung out for not standing their ground against carrier bloat. Verizon and ATT (neither are surprises) seem to be the biggest offenders here. Verizon even removed the Samsung Pay app.

While I don't care much about bloatware because all phones come with their own variations of bloat, including Nexus and iPhones, I care more about less carrier tampering and delaying of software updates. It's not always Samsung's fault carriers are pushing updates out slow/late nor is it really Samsung's fault that the carriers load up all the bloat that we are hating on, but it's time they take some of the blame.

Samsung should begin exercising their weight and muscle on these carriers. There was a time when it was understandable why they couldn't and shouldn't step on the carriers' toes because as we all know, for better or worse, the carriers do basically control the gateways to the US market, but Samsung is a growing brand and the biggest Android player in the game. It's time to take another page out of Apple's book and start forging better deals and rules with these carriers.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any indication that Samsung will do this in the near future. They've said they refuse to risk the relationships they have in place right now.

But, the S6 and especially the S7 prove that Samsung can and will listen to the general consensus and tech journalists. So who knows.

Really? They removed Samsung pay. That's terrible, I love Samsung pay. I wish Samsung would bring back a developer option, I have no issue paying full price. Although Samsung seems to be close to rolling out a payment plan, so that might also be a good option. A developer edition seems like a good way for Samsung to make the hardcore happy.