Galaxy S7

[gotluck]

hope they bring the SD card back and keep the higher internal storage sizes. I hardly use 3d touch and it doesnt excite my on android either with longpress being fairly prevalent already

on another note has samsung been doing the monthly security updates on touchwiz devices?
gs4 GPE just received its second monthly patch (november and now december) looks like it's staying on 5.1 though

 

[MRU]

hope they bring the SD card back and keep the higher internal storage sizes. I hardly use 3d touch and it doesnt excite my on android either with longpress being fairly prevalent already

on another note has samsung been doing the monthly security updates on touchwiz devices?
gs4 GPE just received its second monthly patch (november and now december) looks like it's staying on 5.1 though

I don't believe they will. I was first to call the removal of microSD last year and was lambasted for it prior to the S6 launch, likewise when I said they wouldn't with the Note 5/Edge + I was equally lambasted. People were insistent the Note 5 / Edge + would have new processors and microSD card support. In the end I was on the mark (other than the Note 5 not being released in Europe).

So with that it mind I can not see Samsung returning to microSD. There is just too much of an extra profit margin by not having it. Up-selling your device based on storage is win win for them. Micro SD support like removable battery is gone. People need to let it go instead of holding onto false hope, as it will only lead to disappointment when it is finally unveiled.

 

[gotluck]

I don't believe they will. I was first to call the removal of microSD last year and was lambasted for it prior to the S6 launch, likewise when I said they wouldn't with the Note 5/Edge + I was equally lambasted. People were insistent the Note 5 / Edge + would have new processors and microSD card support. In the end I was on the mark (other than the Note 5 not being released in Europe).

So with that it mind I can not see Samsung returning to microSD. There is just too much of an extra profit margin by not having it. Up-selling your device based on storage is win win for them. Micro SD support like removable battery is gone. People need to let it go instead of holding onto false hope, as it will only lead to disappointment when it is finally unveiled.

I hear you but SD card is a major differentiating feature! They spend all this time on their version of 3d touch when an SD card would probably please more overall customers (I would wager significantly more!) Wonder if the loss in development costs of 3d touch outweigh the potential loss in revenue due to people skimping on storage due to available SD card (of course you would also have to account for additional buyers that jump on the phone because it had sd card and would not if it didnt )

the loss of removable battery can at least be blamed getting a more premium design

loss of the sd card is only about $$, which is a shame

I wager the SD card will not dissappear anytime soon though. The underdog will continue to use it while the top dogs shelf it because they can (there is no benefit to the user for excluding it). Apple & Samsung no SD. Moto Sony LG Microsoft and whoever else will keep SD

I always feel like I'm wasting resources by keeping media on fast internal storage

 

[Lloydbm41]

hope they bring the SD card back and keep the higher internal storage sizes. I hardly use 3d touch and it doesnt excite my on android either with longpress being fairly prevalent already

on another note has samsung been doing the monthly security updates on touchwiz devices?
gs4 GPE just received its second monthly patch (november and now december) looks like it's staying on 5.1 though

Yes and no. They updated the stagefright patch which went to the carriers, who have updated the S6 variants/Note 5 over November and December, along with the usual network updates. And based on the recent Samsung leak, carriers won't get the Android 6.0 update from Samsung until Jan/Feb, which means the earliest a Samsung device will see Marshmallow goodness isn't until after the S7 launch.

 

[JaySoul]

One thing I've learned is I'm going to wait for the S7 to price drop and/or for better promo deals before jumping onto the S7 train (if I decide I want it).

I got mine around October for £400 (64gb edge). I'm happy to wait 5 months if necessary, this phone is pleasantly surprising me and could make it to a year!

(Doubtful but you never know)

 

[gotluck]

Yes and no. They updated the stagefright patch which went to the carriers, who have updated the S6 variants/Note 5 over November and December, along with the usual network updates. And based on the recent Samsung leak, carriers won't get the Android 6.0 update from Samsung until Jan/Feb, which means the earliest a Samsung device will see Marshmallow goodness isn't until after the S7 launch.

Nice I saw December security patch level in a screen shot in the note 5 thread jamezr posted too. That's very good I hope they keep that up.

 

[jamesrick80]

It's going to be just like S Voice on the S III and the fingerprint scanner on the S5. S Voice was and still is awful, and the fingerprint scanner required a swipe gesture, making it tedious to use and inaccurate. With the S7 my bet would be that it will have the technology, but it will have lacklustre software optimisation.

Hope Samsung realizes that no one uses S Voice. I think they did realize this because it didn't pop up in my Galaxy Tab S2 once since installing the device lol.

 

[nj-morris]

Hope Samsung realizes that no one uses S Voice. I think they did realize this because it didn't pop up in my Galaxy Tab S2 once since installing the device lol.

I deleted it from my S6 Edge+. Never used it, and don't really care for it's future. As you say, Samsung should give up.

 

[epicrayban]

If you haven't installed this on your Samsung device, ya should: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en

If all those S-apps bother you that much.

 

[nj-morris]

Any word on battery? The recent A series phones are packing some pretty impressive battery sizes, especially considering their dimensions. I'm hoping that the S7 and S7 Plus could pack similar sizes. My guess is 3,300 and 4,100mAh, respectively.

 

[Sevanw]

Looks like all that testing Samsung did for Qualcomm was for good reason. Rumor has it that Samsung will be the first to use the 820 exclusively until April. We shall see.

 

[Vegastouch]

I really hope the rumor of the microSD card returning for the regular S7 doesn't mean that there are limited internal storage size options. Nowadays, I need/want 64GB minimum.

That's my only concern about the returning microSD. It's weird that it's rumored only for the regular S7... and not the Edge or Plus variants.

Id welcome the micro SD card. The phone would be cheaper. A 32 GB micro card costs nothing today so if i can get a 32 GB phone and save $80 id just get a card for it that costs $10-12. However, ill be skipping this the GS7. I have never bought the next version after ive bought one. I went from a GS1 Vibrant to a GS3 to a GS6. That is if i dont end up giving my GS6 to my Wife or Son. And in that case id get the smaller version which im guessing is the same size i have now.

 

[epicrayban]

Any word on battery? The recent A series phones are packing some pretty impressive battery sizes, especially considering their dimensions. I'm hoping that the S7 and S7 Plus could pack similar sizes. My guess is 3,300 and 4,100mAh, respectively.

I don't expect the battery size to change very much given the design isn't changing much.

I think improvements in battery life will rely on the new prossessor, android 6.0's doze mode, and hopefully if the rumors are true Google and Samsung's partnership optimizing the software.

 

[epicrayban]

I may consider the edge variant of the s7 this time around too.

After it goes on sale a few months down the road.

 

[MRU]

I don't expect the battery size to change very much given the design isn't changing much.

I think improvements in battery life will rely on the new prossessor, android 6.0's doze mode, and hopefully if the rumors are true Google and Samsung's partnership optimizing the software.

Though in fairness Samsung already do a better job optimising battery life compared to Google and nexus devices and that's even with Doze in marshmallow now. If anything Samsung should be telling google how to optimise battery life rather than vice versa.

 

[mclld]

Edge is cool looking and all but I would take the regular version over it, it serves no purpose for my uses

 

[jamezr]

We might see some great TW and user experience improvements from Samsung on the S7 line if all the rumors pan out.


http://www.sammobile.com/2015/12/17...hwiz-more-fluent-than-ios-with-the-galaxy-s7/

 

[jamezr]

Though in fairness Samsung already do a better job optimising battery life compared to Google and nexus devices and that's even with Doze in marshmallow now. If anything Samsung should be telling google how to optimise battery life rather than vice versa.

I agree and hope with the S7 they optimise even more. My Note 5 with a 3000 mAh battery got the same battery life as my 6P did with a 3450 mAh battery running stock marshmallow.

 

[Blaze4G]

Though in fairness Samsung already do a better job optimising battery life compared to Google and nexus devices and that's even with Doze in marshmallow now. If anything Samsung should be telling google how to optimise battery life rather than vice versa.

Actually, the lower than expected battery life with the 6p cpared to note 5 is because of 3 things. 9-11% less efficient screen, 810 being extremely inefficient and encrpytion. I wish Google took notes from Sony for battery life though.

 

[epicrayban]

Edge is cool looking and all but I would take the regular version over it, it serves no purpose for my uses

For me, I think the cool thing about the Edge isn't even in the Edge-related features (they're mostly kind of meh), but more so in just the general use of the screen. Have you used it? It feels like everything on the screen just pops, almost like it's 3D. The screen feels like it's lifted toward you. The lack of side bezels helps achieve this effect, too.

And for slide out menus, the Edge screen feels very natural to use.

I've always said the screen just by itself is/was the coolest feature of the Edge variants. All packaged in a gorgeous design.

Unless Samsung comes out with new and useful features for the Edge screens, this is the reason I would consider the Edge the next go around. In fact, even this go around, I think Samsung should have advertised and marketed the screen itself for the Edge variants instead of trying to make it seem like those Edge features were must have features. They should have just let the gorgeous screen technology and design speak for itself.

 

[mclld]

Yes I have had an edge, don't care about it

 

[epicrayban]

Yes I have had an edge, don't care about it

I do have concerns about accidental palm presses. Do you have that issue in using the Edge? Do you have the Edge Plus or regular sized Edge?

That would be hugely annoying, I think.

 

[mclld]

I had the regular edge, I didn't have any issues. I can see why people would prefer it, it just isn't for me. Not knocking it though

 

[nj-morris]

Just thought of something else I want: a fingerprint coating on the back. I just don't see why not. The S6 models are, in the words of every single reviewer, fingerprint magnets. Needs to be sorted out.

 

[epicrayban]

Just thought of something else I want: a fingerprint coating on the back. I just don't see why not. The S6 models are, in the words of every single reviewer, fingerprint magnets. Needs to be sorted out.

That'd be nice, but don't those coatings wear off, and wear off quickly? I rather Samsung save the money on that to keep the S7 affordable. Or focus that money into software, as rumored.

What I do on my S6 is get a clear skin to put on the glass back. It looks naked, and it's protecting it from scratches, and the skin is easy to wipe.