Galaxy S7

[msavic]

I'm still not hearing how TouchWiz "damaged Android."

Isn't Samsung typically credited in large part for Android's success?

It's an argument commonly used by stock android purists. The flaw with their argument is that TouchWiz did not "ruin" android but instead made it more applicable and marketable to everyday consumers.

I've owned an android phone since the Nexus One, I used to exclusively purchase Nexus devices for the sole purpose of no bloat ware and fast updates. When I owned the Nexus One, the android market had 40k apps of questionable quality.

If I look back at devices like the Galaxy Nexus and the S3/S4, there is a huge difference in the user experience between those two devices. Stock Android was not suited for the general public, there was just way too many missing features.

At that point, stock Android didn't even have an included voice recording app and i don't believe it has one now either. On top of that, Google expected consumers to find and download the apps they needed from the Play store which ruins the cohesive experience of the OS when basic functionality needs to be implemented through 3rd party apps.

Samsung with TouchWiz turned Android from a bare bones OS with plenty of holes in functionality to a relatively cohesive experience. Performance did suffer but at least users switching from iPhones wouldn't have to go digging in the app store to find an app to implement basic functionality.

Even if you look at stock Android today, things haven't changed much. The camera app is horrific, there's no battery percentage in the notification panel unless it's hidden inside the battery icon where it's invisible and chrome is still an unoptimized mess.

Sure, you get fast updates and great performance out of that box but eventually you have to weigh the pros and cons. In the end, the general consumers are the ones who make the most money for manufacturers and as such devices are tailored to there specific needs.

 

[nj-morris]

You don't to take out your sim as the SD card slot is next to it so no you don't need to restart the phone

Still, every time I take out the SIM tray of my S6 Edge+, it tells me to restart even if I put it back in with the same SIM card still in. Does it do the same on the S7?

 

[The Game 161]

Still, every time I take out the SIM tray of my S6 Edge+, it tells me to restart even if I put it back in with the same SIM card still in. Does it do the same on the S7?

I've never had that issue. Workable with or without needing to restart.

 

[epicrayban]

It's an argument commonly used by stock android purists. The flaw with their argument is that TouchWiz did not "ruin" android but instead made it more applicable and marketable to everyday consumers.

I've owned an android phone since the Nexus One, I used to exclusively purchase Nexus devices for the sole purpose of no bloat ware and fast updates. When I owned the Nexus One, the android market had 40k apps of questionable quality.

If I look back at devices like the Galaxy Nexus and the S3/S4, there is a huge difference in the user experience between those two devices. Stock Android was not suited for the general public, there was just way too many missing features.

At that point, stock Android didn't even have an included voice recording app and i don't believe it has one now either. On top of that, Google expected consumers to find and download the apps they needed from the Play store which ruins the cohesive experience of the OS when basic functionality needs to be implemented through 3rd party apps.

Samsung with TouchWiz turned Android from a bare bones OS with plenty of holes in functionality to a relatively cohesive experience. Performance did suffer but at least users switching from iPhones wouldn't have to go digging in the app store to find an app to implement basic functionality.

Even if you look at stock Android today, things haven't changed much. The camera app is horrific, there's no battery percentage in the notification panel unless it's hidden inside the battery icon where it's invisible and chrome is still an unoptimized mess.

Well written. That was my understanding of the influence TouchWiz has had on the Android landscape, too.

As you've touched on, even this year, Android N is still planning to add useful features TouchWiz has always had.

 

[MRU]

Still, every time I take out the SIM tray of my S6 Edge+, it tells me to restart even if I put it back in with the same SIM card still in. Does it do the same on the S7?

It may depend on your firmware but on my unlocked unbranded exynos european model it doesn't.

 

[nj-morris]

I've never had that issue. Workable with or without needing to restart.

Just on the S7, or Samsung phones in general?

 

[MRU]

Just on the S7, or Samsung phones in general?

On my S7e only - on the 2015 S6 edge and S6 edge + and Note 5 I had, all required a reboot after taking sim out or swapping sim. Tbh, I can't remember with the S5, Note 4 or Galaxy Alpha from 2014.

 

[The Game 161]

Just on the S7, or Samsung phones in general?

Think it's only on new phones this year

 

[nj-morris]

On my S7e only - on the 2015 S6 edge and S6 edge + and Note 5 I had, all required a reboot after taking sim out or swapping sim. Tbh, I can't remember with the S5, Note 4 or Galaxy Alpha from 2014.

Think it's only on new phones this year

That's a relief, they really needed to sort that out.

 

[Fernandez21]

FML

 

[epicrayban]

FML

Looks like your S7 Edge got into a gun fight with another smartphone.

 

[Fernandez21]

Looks like your S7 Edge got into a gun fight with another smartphone.

Yup. So after having multiple smartphones for several years (since the Blackjack, 2005?), I had my first stolen phone (Note 5), and first cracked screen 2 days apart.

 

[MRU]

FML

Agghhh. After the Note 5 you're on a streak of bad luck !!!!

 

[epicrayban]

Yup. So after having multiple smartphones for several years (since the Blackjack, 2005?), I had my first stolen phone (Note 5), and first cracked screen 2 days apart.

Dang. That is a serious run of bad luck. Sorry to hear...

Have insurance of any kind?

 

[Fernandez21]

Dang. That is a serious run of bad luck. Sorry to hear...

Have insurance of any kind?

Not on the edge. I did on my note, but there is a $200 deductible. Going to have to see how much it'll cost to repair the edge, then see what I'll do. I've still got 2 more back-up phones (HTC One M8 GPE and iPhone 5S)

 

[Fernandez21]

Agghhh. After the Note 5 you're on a streak of bad luck !!!!

Yeah, not sure what I did to piss off the phone gods. Lord knows I sacrifice a lot of greenbacks in their name.

 

[MRU]

Yeah, not sure what I did to piss off the phone gods. Lord knows I sacrifice a lot of greenbacks in their name.

Your just getting all the bad luck out of the way so that something good has to step in to fill the void ....

Hopefully screen repair won't be too pricy for the edge.

 

[Fernandez21]

Your just getting all the bad luck out of the way so that something good has to step in to fill the void ....

Hopefully screen repair won't be too pricy for the edge.

Maybe that's it, or maybe they really didn't want me to keep the urbane, which is going back now because of the sudden added expenditures I have now. Really cool watch, but have been on the fence about it since I got it, was leaning towards returning it anyway but this just sealed it.

And if my note hadn't been stolen, it would've been the one to bite the dust, but screen repair on that would be cheaper because it isn't curved. Might have to DIY the screen, but then I would have no confidence in the water proofing.

 

[greentwo]

Not on the edge. I did on my note, but there is a $200 deductible. Going to have to see how much it'll cost to repair the edge, then see what I'll do. I've still got 2 more back-up phones (HTC One M8 GPE and iPhone 5S)

Did you buy the S7 edge with a credit card? If so, maybe you could check to see if your card has accidental damage protection. I know Discover Card offers 90 days of purchase protection if something I bought is stolen or damaged.

 

[Fernandez21]

Did you buy the S7 edge with a credit card? If so, maybe you could check to see if your card has accidental damage protection. I know Discover Card offers 90 days of purchase protection if something I bought is stolen or damaged.

I bought it with a debit card, so I don't think it offers any protection. Been meaning to get a discover card, but trying not to get into debt, I try to save up and then purchase, only use credit on large items such as my car or laptop.

 

[zone23]

I'm considering using Jump and getting a S7 or S7 Edge but my question is for all who own iStuff what if anything do you do about iMessage? I guess you just turn it off but don't you kind of miss not getting text on your other iStuff? The other question is what if you want to switch between a S7 and a iPhone you just leave iMessage off i guess? Getting over iMessage feels like a giant hurdle.

 

[Nikhil72]

I'm considering using Jump and getting a S7 or S7 Edge but my question is for all who own iStuff what if anything do you do about iMessage? I guess you just turn it off but don't you kind of miss not getting text on your other iStuff? The other question is what if you want to switch between a S7 and a iPhone you just leave iMessage off i guess? Getting over iMessage feels like a giant hurdle.

See my post two or three pages back, but ultimately it'll be your priorities that will matter. Enjoyed my 10 days with the Galaxy, loved the hardware, enjoyed the software generally, but FaceTime and iMessage are way too integrated into my life and just too seamless to give up. And to convince people, especially the older folks, to switch to a different mode of test communication when they otherwise use and get iMessage (because there's nothing really to get). You could always try the device out and see if you'll miss it; I did and went back during the return period.

 

[zone23]

See my post two or three pages back, but ultimately it'll be your priorities that will matter. Enjoyed my 10 days with the Galaxy, loved the hardware, enjoyed the software generally, but FaceTime and iMessage are way too integrated into my life and just too seamless to give up. And to convince people, especially the older folks, to switch to a different mode of test communication when they otherwise use and get iMessage (because there's nothing really to get). You could always try the device out and see if you'll miss it; I did and went back during the return period.

I think I just miss my jailbreak thats probably what the problem is.. I think every once and a while I need to play with Android so I can see that I'm really not missing anything. If I didn't have all Apple computers I could probably live with Android but just think I would be giving too much up to make the switch.

 

[The Game 161]

See my post two or three pages back, but ultimately it'll be your priorities that will matter. Enjoyed my 10 days with the Galaxy, loved the hardware, enjoyed the software generally, but FaceTime and iMessage are way too integrated into my life and just too seamless to give up. And to convince people, especially the older folks, to switch to a different mode of test communication when they otherwise use and get iMessage (because there's nothing really to get). You could always try the device out and see if you'll miss it; I did and went back during the return period.

Yeah I get that

I've seen alot say this..all of praise for the S7 but the iphone does so much in so many ways in most people's daily life. I did have S7 edge as my daily driver but now it's my side by side device. due to imessage/syncing is why the 6s plus is my daily driver now as fits into things connected to my ipad pro as well. That said still loving my S7 edge as it is my go to media device now for watching stuff thats for sure.

 

[MRU]

Yeah I get that

I've seen alot say this..all of praise for the S7 but the iphone does so much in so many ways in most people's daily life. I did have S7 edge as my daily driver but now it's my side by side device. due to imessage/syncing is why the 6s plus is my daily driver now as fits into things connected to my ipad pro as well. That said still loving my S7 edge as it is my go to media device now for watching stuff thats for sure.

yeah if your very mac and iOS device invested as a phone the iPhone does fit into the meld better as a daily driver than android, at least it does for me, but like yourself I enjoy having the android as a media device and secondary device. I'm switching back and forth between my iPhone SE and 6S+ as my daily driver (using the SE more) and for the fact it fits into my workload too with iMessage & SMS forwarding to my computers and iPad Pro.

Then also at moment the HTC 10 has the secondary sim in it as my main android device. However I still use my S7e with Gear VR for Netflix too .... I may sell the S7e when something like the Nexus or Moto X 2016 come out.