Galaxy S7

[Mxbzz]

Evidently the us version has been rooted...
At least on at&t

http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-galaxy-s7/how-to/g935a-root-t3410403

A user in the forums reported it working on T-Mobile as well. Samsung and Android Pay apparently not working (yet). Also, doesn't trip KNOX.

 

[aneftp]

Over at Android Central:

Also, be warned, it comes with the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp apps preinstalled and, unlike a bunch of Samsung and Google apps, they are NOT removable. You can disable them, but that's all. That is sure to make some people very unhappy.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...ed-full-support-all-major-usa-carriers-2.html

Sounds like the bloat you would expect on a factory phone I guess. No carrier bloat of course.

Tmo wifi calling working.... one person having issues with Verizon wifi calling.

No one commenting on the bootloader. I don't have an account to ask.

There is another video I saw (on android authority I think) said it came out of the box with the may update. he didn't get the june one yet.

Pretty sure Facebook paid Samsung a few million (s) to have non removeable apps.

Just like Microsoft years ago paying the AOL desktop browser game.

 

[timeconsumer]

Looks like Samsung heard me finally.....

http://www.androidcentral.com/unlocked-galaxy-s7-gs7-edge-now-available-us

Unlocked US model (with the Snapdragon), works on all carriers, no carrier bloat, updates from Samsung, all warranties included, Samsung pay working. They say Tmo Wifi calling workis out of the box as well. $669/$769

Thanks for posting this, I will most likely pick one of these up in a few weeks. I would prefer the exynos processor but the fact it's unlocked for use on all US carriers and no carrier bloat ware definitely makes it worth buying.

 

[Surf Donkey]

Anandtech follow up review:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10196/the-samsung-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-review-part-2

They bring up a very good point about the major issue at least the Snapdragon version is up against here in the US.... against the competition, the premium price tag is simply not justifiable:

The Galaxy S7 is clearly packed with features and ticks all the right boxes, but as soon as I start looking closer at everything I start to see cases where Samsung just doesn’t seem to care enough. Everything about the phone seems to be targeted towards being a great experience for the first week or two of ownership and while that strategy has worked well for them I’m left wondering what Samsung would be capable of if they cared about getting things right even if no one would notice the extra frame drop or 50ms of roam latency. I want Android phones that can be the best in the industry without any double standards, creative metrics, or qualifiers, and Samsung is clearly the OEM best-positioned to carry this out, so it's frustrating to see them fall short.

The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are still great phones, but the difference between a $400 phone and a $700 phone are these details when phones like the OnePlus 3 are providing almost the same product at a dramatically reduced price. There are clear points of differentiation between the Galaxy S7 and OnePlus 3 or Mi5 in terms of features, but I don’t think it’s enough to be worth the $300. I think the only way to really justify the difference here is if you can get the Exynos 8890 version, which isn't necessarily an indictment of the Snapdragon 820, but rather the attention to detail that the Exynos variant receives.

And they seem to be going down the very same path with the next Note..... curb appeal over function at a premium price.

 

[jamezr]

Surge in second-quarter smartphones sales likely helps Samsung to best quarter in two years.

Analysts expect a 13 percent increase in operating profit over the same period last year. Samsung is likely to post an operating profit of 7.8 trillion won ($6.8 billion) which will be the highest since the 8.5 trillion won profit it posted back in the first quarter of 2014.

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/07/05...y-helps-samsung-to-best-quarter-in-two-years/

 

[Surf Donkey]

More from Anandtech:

The final area of discussion is software, and frankly Samsung’s UI just isn't something I find good. While the redesign with the Galaxy S5 was a solid step forward, in the time since Samsung has been stagnating in design yet again. While it’s fair to argue that design philosophies vary with culture, the Galaxy S7 is fundamentally an Android device and whatever changes Samsung makes to Android in terms of user interface need to be consistent in design so users have a similar experience with first party and third party apps. While themes can alleviate the issues to some extent, relying on third parties to solve fundamental problems with your user interface is really not what I would call a good user experience when themes can have noticeable effects on performance and battery life.

 

[epicrayban]

I think Samsung has become like Apple in the sense that they are charging premium price for particular advantages. The experience of the screen, the camera, water proofing, wireless charging, design (less bezels, the screen to body ratio), and a few other things that no one else can match in the Android space gives them that self professed premium advantage. Very similar to Apple.

I agree the galaxy phones are over priced. Today, I'd probably buy a one plus 3 given that major price difference. That home button finger print scanner makes a big difference to me. Samsung needs to go capacitive.

 

[jamezr]

I think Samsung has become like Apple in the sense that they are charging premium price for particular advantages. The experience of the screen, the camera, water proofing, wireless charging, design (less bezels, the screen to body ratio), and a few other things that no one else can match in the Android space gives them that self professed premium advantage. Very similar to Apple.

I agree the galaxy phones are over priced. Today, I'd probably buy a one plus 3 given that major price difference.

I have them both....
The S7 edge is the better phone by quite a large margin. Better display, better camera, IP68 certification, wireless charging, SD Card and better feature set. The features cannot be matched on these low cost stock phones. The phone design and feel in the hand is top notch. The curved display is awesome to look at! Sure it is pure aesthetics....but we don't buy phones because their ugly.
I agree that smartphone pricing is getting outta hand. But then look at the features that some brands bring versus the others.

 

[Surf Donkey]

I have them both....
The S7 edge is the better phone by quite a large margin. Better display, better camera, IP68 certification, wireless charging, SD Card and better feature set. The features cannot be matched on these low cost stock phones. The phone design and feel in the hand is top notch. The curved display is awesome to look at! Sure it is pure aesthetics....but we don't buy phones because their ugly.
I agree that smartphone pricing is getting outta hand. But then look at the features that some brands bring versus the others.

Yeah but look at the Anandech stats against the other phones this year... the Snapdragon variant isn't leading by than much in anything except price tag. And those features you mention simply aren't worth the extra price tag. Samsung needs to keep pushing for unlocked phones in the US, but that price tag won't cut it for much longer. They are playing a king of the hill game where they can easily be knocked off in the Android world.

 

[jamezr]

Yeah but look at the Anandech stats against the other phones this year... the Snapdragon variant isn't leading by than much in anything except price tag. And those features you mention simply aren't worth the extra price tag. Samsung needs to keep pushing for unlocked phones in the US, but that price tag won't cut it for much longer. They are playing a king of the hill game where they can easily be knocked off in the Android world.

Those features aren't worth it to you ......but they are to the most others. Then to be honest. Anandtech is a little biased in their Samsung reporting. This has been brought up a number of times over the years. Even after Schrimpi left to work for Apple their reporting on Samsung has been a little tilted. The things they ding Samsung for they do not ding Apple (or others) for the same things.
Samsung will not ever push unlocked phones. If you want unlocked phones buy some of the cheaper stock phones. There are a lot of them on the market and they are great phones. But they don't have the design and features on the current Samsung flagship phones. You get what you pay for.
Waiting a little for the unlocked version of the S7 is worth it to some but not others. I get that.

But part of the success of their flagship phones is carrier involvement. They have to have the carriers helping to push their phones. Samsung doesn't have the clout that Apple does in this area. I wish they did. They could dictate to the carriers how distribution is going to happen....not the other way around.

 

[Surf Donkey]

Those features aren't worth it to you ......but they are to the most others. Then to be honest. Anandtech is a little biased in their Samsung reporting. This has been brought up a number of times over the years. Even after Schrimpi left to work for Apple their reporting on Samsung has been a little tilted. The things they ding Samsung for they do not ding Apple (or others) for the same things.
Samsung will not ever push unlocked phones. If you want unlocked phones buy some of the cheaper stock phones. There are a lot of them on the market and they are great phones. But they don't have the design and features on the current Samsung flagship phones. You get what you pay for.
Waiting a little for the unlocked version of the S7 is worth it to some but not others. I get that.

But part of the success of their flagship phones is carrier involvement. They have to have the carriers helping to push their phones. Samsung doesn't have the clout that Apple does in this area. I wish they did. They could dictate to the carriers how distribution is going to happen....not the other way around.

OK so now Anandtech is a bias source

Anyway, benchmarks don't lie. If you are a foundry like Samsung, are capable of being the best, charge the most, claim to be the best.... the you better be the best.

 

[jamezr]

OK so now Anandtech is a bias source

For a few years now.......
It has been brought up and discussed here on MR a gazillion times.
So you're going by benchmarks as to a phone's quality?
Don't all product makers claim to be the best at what they are producing?

 

[Surf Donkey]

For a few years now.......
It has been brought up and discussed here on MR a gazillion times.
So you're going by benchmarks as to a phone's quality?

High benchmarks typically indicate value for the price tag for me as a user, yes. Not a one to one science, but if I am going to pay twice as much for a phone, it better have near twice as good benchmarks.

 

[navaira]

S7 on T-Mobile NL goes for €449 + free 64GB microSD card – just sayin'.

 

[jamezr]

High benchmarks typically indicate value for the price tag for me as a user, yes. Not a one to one science, but if I am going to pay twice as much for a phone, it better have near twice as good benchmarks.

Sorry but benchmarks do not mean a thing when buying smartphones. They don't give all the information needed to make an informed buying decision. They don't show user experience and aesthetics that factor into a buying decision more than a benchmark ever will.
Some phones that score big on benchmarks don't sell at all because they lack in features and curb appeal.

So these phones score big on benchmarks. Does that make them the BEST phones? I don't see a Nexus phone? Does that mean Nexus phones are crap?

http://www.antutu.com/en/view.shtml?id=8216

 

[Surf Donkey]

Sorry but benchmarks do not mean a thing when buying smartphones. They don't give all the information needed to make an informed buying decision. They don't show user experience and aesthetics that factor into a buying decision more than a benchmark ever will.
Some phones that score big on benchmarks don't sell at all because they lack in features and curb appeal.

So these phones score big on benchmarks. Does that make them the BEST phones? I don't see a Nexus phone? Does that mean Nexus phones are crap?

A summary of benchmarks and ratings absolutely mean quite a bit when buying a smart phone. Not surprising to hear you take this angle now that Samsung is falling in with the rest of the pack. The trap you are falling into is cherry picking one benchmark, but you typically do that to prove a point.

You are scrambling, not going to bicker with you on this. Sorry if Anandtech hurt your feelings.

 

[MRU]

S7 on T-Mobile NL goes for €449 + free 64GB microSD card – just sayin'.

On contract or off contract ?

It's €449 on a €35 euro per month for 24 month contract here in Ireland with Vodafone or €749 PAYG which is off contract but still locked to the carrier ...

 

[jamezr]

A summary of benchmarks and ratings absolutely mean quite a bit when buying a smart phone. Not surprising to hear you take this angle now that Samsung is falling in with the rest of the pack. The trap you are falling into is cherry picking one benchmark, but you typically do that to prove a point.

You are scrambling, not going to bicker with you on this. Sorry if Anandtech hurt your feelings.

Not at all...I have said user experience trumps benchmarks forever here on MR. You are making unfounded generalizations.
Then you seem to want to make things personal instead of debating the topic.

If you are going to use benchmarks as the measuring stick then you have to live by the results.
Then which benchmarks are best? Some benchmarks show some phones higher than others? Different benchmarks show one phone higher but then another benchmarks rates the same phone lower....so which one is authoritative?
I have said it a million time here on MR. Benchmarks do not mean squat...they can be manipulated by the benchmark app.

Some phones will score very high in a benchmarks but sales will be horrible. I'll bet the G5 scored well in benchmarks. How has that translated to sales for them? It hasn't because the user experience isn't there.

 

[tbayrgs]

Those features aren't worth it to you ......but they are to the most others. Then to be honest. Anandtech is a little biased in their Samsung reporting. This has been brought up a number of times over the years. Even after Schrimpi left to work for Apple their reporting on Samsung has been a little tilted. The things they ding Samsung for they do not ding Apple (or others) for the same things.
Samsung will not ever push unlocked phones. If you want unlocked phones buy some of the cheaper stock phones. There are a lot of them on the market and they are great phones. But they don't have the design and features on the current Samsung flagship phones. You get what you pay for.
Waiting a little for the unlocked version of the S7 is worth it to some but not others. I get that.

But part of the success of their flagship phones is carrier involvement. They have to have the carriers helping to push their phones. Samsung doesn't have the clout that Apple does in this area. I wish they did. They could dictate to the carriers how distribution is going to happen....not the other way around.

I'll agree with you regarding the value of features/functionality, even design. I find in comical when members here outright dismiss certain element of a phone as not worth the extra cost when they very well may be very valuable. For instance, a user who is interested in VR will value the best in industry Samsung display coupled with the Gear VR--the OP3 would be a far inferior experience. The camera, wireless charging, waterproof (this is quickly moving up my wish list on my next phone), bigger battery with better performance--hell, even Samsung Pay, all offer additional value, in varying amounts to different customers. The Samsung is packed to the gills with features and functionality...probably more than any other phone on the market. I personally don't want compromise in my smartphone so I have no reservations paying top end prices if I value the additional functionality provided.

But the claim of bias against Anandtech is becoming a bit of a tired troupe whenever they're brought up. In this specific case, their assessment is really about software performance and it's nothing new or unique to them. Make the rounds of any of the most popular Android focused media and you'll generally hear pretty much the same. I listen to podcasts from quite a few Android centric sites (Android Central, All About Android, Material are regulars listens amongst others) and next to none of the staff/writers or usually guests choose a Samsung phone as their personal daily driver. And when it comes to recommendations for devices, Samsung's are rarely first choices and if they are, there is almost always the 'TouchWiz of software caveat'. And there is usually high praise for the hardware as best in industry---but none choose it and it's always software (or update) related. The criticism being levied by Anandtech or pretty much the same as you see across the tech media.

 

[nviz22]

I put my S7 Edge up for sale right now. Great phone, but I am planning a move to the Note 7 as of now. If not, the iPhone 7+, OP3, or Nexus 2016 are in the mix. Worst case scenario is I get another 6P dirt cheap at Black Friday for like $250-$300.

 

[jamezr]

I'll agree with you regarding the value of features/functionality, even design. I find in comical when members here outright dismiss certain element of a phone as not worth the extra cost when they very well may be very valuable. For instance, a user who is interested in VR will value the best in industry Samsung display coupled with the Gear VR--the OP3 would be a far inferior experience. The camera, wireless charging, waterproof (this is quickly moving up my wish list on my next phone), bigger battery with better performance--hell, even Samsung Pay, all offer additional value, in varying amounts to different customers. The Samsung is packed to the gills with features and functionality...probably more than any other phone on the market. I personally don't want compromise in my smartphone so I have no reservations paying top end prices if I value the additional functionality provided.

But the claim of bias against Anandtech is becoming a bit of a tired troupe whenever they're brought up. In this specific case, their assessment is really about software performance and it's nothing new or unique to them. Make the rounds of any of the most popular Android focused media and you'll generally hear pretty much the same. I listen to podcasts from quite a few Android centric sites (Android Central, All About Android, Material are regulars listens amongst others) and next to none of the staff/writers or usually guests choose a Samsung phone as their personal daily driver. And when it comes to recommendations for devices, Samsung's are rarely first choices and if they are, there is almost always the 'TouchWiz of software caveat'. And there is usually high praise for the hardware as best in industry---but none choose it and it's always software (or update) related. The criticism being levied by Anandtech or pretty much the same as you see across the tech media.

Agree with you on the first paragraph....features are worth paying extra for if that brings a better user experience. Some people do not need or want those extra features...some do.

As far as Anandtech is concerned. I have read a lot of their reviews and agree with some and not so much with others. But they do seem to have a Samsung bias imho. It has been brought up here a lot of times. Imho they do favor Apple in a lot of their reviews.

I am asked a lot to recommend phones to people because they know I'm a phone geek
When recommending a Samsung phone i add the TW caveat as well. But it has gotten better the last 2 years. Hopefully with the Note 7 and the new UX design it will evolve a little more.

 

[epicrayban]

Cheaper smartphones are becoming more popular, according to analysts

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Chea...ng-more-popular-according-to-analysts_id82894

No surprises.

 

[jamezr]

Cheaper smartphones are becoming more popular, according to analysts

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Chea...ng-more-popular-according-to-analysts_id82894

No surprises.

The technology in these lower cost phones is amazing! The OPO3 is an amazing phone for $399!
This kind of phone is the real threat to Samsung IMHO.

 

[navaira]

On contract or off contract ?

It's €449 on a €35 euro per month for 24 month contract here in Ireland with Vodafone or €749 PAYG which is off contract but still locked to the carrier ...

On contract. €449 upfront, then €21 a month for 120 minutes in NL/EU and 3 GB data – plenty for me. I now pay €31 per month, lowering that by another 10 will be more then welcome, and I do have to have some sort of contract anyway, not a fan of prepaid.
[doublepost=1467734605][/doublepost]I have a question.

Is anybody using Spotify with their S7? If yes:
1) Does the widget crash/unload regularly?
2) If you add a gapless album from your library (not from Spotify library) – say, a live album – does it play gapless?

I've been reading that gapless on Android tends to work depending on phone. Nexus seems to be best at it (surprise). My Xperia Z5 Compact is not good enough. I have hopes for S7 with its 4 GB RAM.

 

[aneftp]

Anandtech follow up review:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10196/the-samsung-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-review-part-2

They bring up a very good point about the major issue at least the Snapdragon version is up against here in the US.... against the competition, the premium price tag is simply not justifiable:



And they seem to be going down the very same path with the next Note..... curb appeal over function at a premium price.

Well considering there are installment pricing promos weekly it seems with most of the major carriers at retailers like Best Buy target Costco SAMs club etc for $200 or even $300 gift cards. That's the only reason I was able to justify a $694 Samsung Galaxy s7 with $200 Best Buy gift card in April 2016 3 weeks after launch.

I will never pay full price for a high end phone iPhone or Samsung or anything without a promo again.