Galaxy S7

[Lloydbm41]

To this specific point, I no longer really worry about Apple getting ahead in hardware. There's nothing that they're really doing that no one else can do. There are exceptions, of course, but most of the time, other OEMs will catch up and then either do it more affordably or simply do it better (if not right away then certainly over time). It's happened with the camera and screen, happened with the battery, happened with the industrial design (nevermind the Edge software features, the screen itself is just gorgeous) and with virtually everything else hardware-related that Apple once held dominion over.

Apple sometimes sets the bar -- I have great respect for that -- but too often they end up trailing behind when everyone else catches up and then surpasses them (and currently, they're trailing not only in things they used to lead in, but also in things that others are doing that they're not). And if history is any lesson, the iPhone 7 won't be bringing anything too drastically new either because it's a design year. The most exciting thing they're rumored to bring -- proximity wireless charging -- likely won't be ready until the 7S. And by then, where will the competition be with that specific feature? Who knows.

I always warned and argued ad nauseum that Apple's consistent record breaking sales should not be used as defense or an excuse to not compete at the same pace others are. Yet that's precisely what is constantly brought up when you have these sorts of discussions. It's not good. Not good for Apple in the long run, and not good for the Apple fans like myself.

Proximity wireless charging won't happen for a couple of years. The feature will require saftey commission testing, government red tape to clear and so on. Anytime you have electrical (read amperage) transmission that are wirefree and sent over a distance of more than a couple inches, lots of hurdles need to be cleared.

 

[spinedoc77]

Fair. I have a Gear VR on my S6 Edge+, and the pixelation is probably my main gripe with that thing. But I still don't really expect any better. Not now, anyway.

Yeah but can you imagine putting in an iPhone in there?

 

[epicrayban]

Samsung rep was at BB when I was looking at the devices on display. He was absolutely certain US was getting Snapdragon and it did not matter what carrier.

What's not to like? Well nothing really, I have to decide on the color and it would be the Edge for me or nothing cause it would be too much of a change from the latest screen sizes I have gotten accustomed to for me to go to the S7. It will come down to if I want to spend the money, I would not get the goodies if I buy outright from Best Buy.

1.5GB was free on the S7 I tried with 10 apps opened, included in those were Subway Surfers and Temple Run.

The device never ran hot, matter of fact I never noticed any increase in temperature at all so it never was even getting warm.

One odd thing is I changed the screen mode to basic and it never registered with those two games, it started in that screen mode and then you can see it switch to adaptive almost immediately when the games started. That did not happen when I demoed other Samsung smartphones in the past.

The sound output onboard built in was fine, maybe a little on the low side but it was noisy in the store but I did not notice any distortion. With earphones, a pair of Sonys, the quality was very good with youtube videos and games with no hissing with the latter even with rather low mellow music. Cranked up, the device never vibrated.

The always on is pretty neat, you have different options for choosing and supposedly not much battery drain if you leave it on. The "Edge" with more available options to view is neat as well.

The biggest thing for me would be the overall device size change which would be a plus. I have no other issues with my current Edge + really. I don't need more storage and never had to worry about it being waterproof (in fact the S5 was a pain in the arse with the port covered having to remove to charge though I know that isn't the case here but I'd never put this in water to test). One handed operation would still be an issue as the Edge still isn't small but I don't concern myself with that really.

The camera improvement I'd never really would take advantage of to tell the truth. I don't snap much with any smartphone I've owned.

If I think of more later, I'll add. Why did I try the S7 more instead of the Edge? Well cause I wanted to really see how much I'd miss the screen size.

Don't go to the stores or carriers if you are leading towards keeping what you already own cause Samsung did a great job with these and you will end up pulling the trigger!

It would be black for me as a preference really, it has sort of a stealth look to it.

All BB's have them now?

Also, do you know when BB gets the unlocked versions?
[doublepost=1456347528][/doublepost]

Proximity wireless charging won't happen for a couple of years. The feature will require saftey commission testing, government red tape to clear and so on. Anytime you have electrical (read amperage) transmission that are wirefree and sent over a distance of more than a couple inches, lots of hurdles need to be cleared.

If that's the case, then iPhone 8? =T

 

[AppleRobert]

All BB's have them now?

Also, do you know when BB gets the unlocked versions?
[doublepost=1456347528][/doublepost]

I'd imagine most Best Buy stores would have them on display because there is availability for preorder. You'd think they would want hands on for trying out for their customers.

Not sure about unlocked, I'll ask next go round but I think it takes awhile for them to get those devices.

 

[Truefan31]

Been saying this for a while now. For some reason, people now seem to say, it depends on your needs to consider something the best. As in, the best "for you." So laughable. And the tech media are the worst offenders. You don't have to be a tech head to read reviews on something you're looking to buy. So when your casual shopper looks at these reviews, they're no longer song that definitive, "the best smartphone" rating like when the iPhone was declared, The Best. Just look how much better the display on the Galaxy had to get before the tech journos had to call it the best display. IPhone goes around with a 720P LCD display and they have the nerve to even mention the damn thing in the same sentence as a 2K Amoled screen? Gtfoh..

Or you could just enjoy what you enjoy and not get so worked up over the iPhone and the masses that are satisfied with it and the support it brings.

 

[Truefan31]

To this specific point, I no longer really worry about Apple getting ahead in hardware. There's nothing that they're really doing that no one else can do. There are exceptions, of course, but most of the time, other OEMs will catch up and then either do it more affordably or simply do it better (if not right away then certainly over time). It's happened with the camera and screen, happened with the battery, happened with the industrial design (nevermind the Edge software features, the screen itself is just gorgeous) and with virtually everything else hardware-related that Apple once held dominion over.

Apple sometimes sets the bar -- I have great respect for that -- but too often they end up trailing behind when everyone else catches up and then surpasses them (and currently, they're trailing not only in things they used to lead in, but also in things that others are doing that they're not). And if history is any lesson, the iPhone 7 won't be bringing anything too drastically new either because it's a design year. The most exciting thing they're rumored to bring -- proximity wireless charging -- likely won't be ready until the 7S. And by then, where will the competition be with that specific feature? Who knows.

I always warned and argued ad nauseum that Apple's consistent record breaking sales should not be used as defense or an excuse to not compete at the same pace others are. Yet that's precisely what is constantly brought up when you have these sorts of discussions. It's not good. Not good for Apple in the long run, and not good for the Apple fans like myself.

It's how you define competing. Because in reality competing means tangible results for a business. How is the iPhone selling as a flagship smartphone? If it's doing well vs other flagships well then it's competing well. I'll say it again neither company cares about us the tech enthusiasts. There's no moral victories to them. They care about money and making money, specifically profit. The pace others compete are faster because they have to. There's so many android oems and they release all kinds of phones throughout a year they're trying to one up each other. It can seem unfocused as a whole. The iPhone enjoys the fact that they're the only iOS oem. Like it or not it means they offer a unique experience matched with top notch support. It's clearly been a winning formula.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

It's how you define competing. Because in reality competing means tangible results for a business. How is the iPhone selling as a flagship smartphone? If it's doing well vs other flagships well then it's competing well. I'll say it again neither company cares about us the tech enthusiasts. There's no moral victories to them. They care about money and making money, specifically profit. The pace others compete are faster because they have to. There's so many android oems and they release all kinds of phones throughout a year they're trying to one up each other. It can seem unfocused as a whole. The iPhone enjoys the fact that they're the only iOS oem. Like it or not it means they offer a unique experience matched with top notch support. It's clearly been a winning formula.

This is a galaxy s 7 thread. Just like if you go to the iPhone section of this website, you see nothing but hate for Android phone. So it is reasonable to assume you will see something similar in this thread. Therefore, it is highly likely that defending the iPhone to every post that criticizes it, is a huge waste of time. The iPhone maybe the best selling phone in the world, but what people say here is valid. Just because the iPhone is the top selling phone in the world, doesn't mean that Apple should be charging as much as they do for hardware that is not up to par. I don't blame Apple, because if millions and millions of people are going to pay me an outrageous amount of money, and do it year after year no matter what I produce. Then I'm going to do it. But there is no denying that other companies have surpassed Apple in what they are offering for the money, even with the galaxy that is priced at the top end of the Android spectrum, and equivalent to the iPhone in pricing. That is not to say that you are wrong, people are inherently ill informed, and I stress that I'm not saying if you buy an Apple product your I'll informed. Even though personally I think Apple is going downhill, despite what the profits says, they still make great products. Just because a product, or idea, does really well doesn't mean it is worth defending. I do not think it is worth defending Apple, and their prices for what they offer. Just like I don't think that's certain rich billionaire should be the next president of the United States, despite his immense popularity.

We should be criticizing Apple, in withdrawing our business, until they begin to offer high quality, hi tech product at a comparable and competitive price. Unfortunately, as long as they remain a status symbol, that won't happen. Again I don't necessarily disagree with you, I just felt like taking the opposite side, because it's a slow day at work.


****

Correction, I am home early from work because I got snowed out in a blizzard. So I'm having an early afternoon drink, so take the above with a grain of salt. Cheers.

 

[Truefan31]

I'm surrounded every day by people who the vast majority of which have and use iPhones. Two and a half years ago less than half did, most with 4Ss (this was in the era of the 5S and 5C) , the others with Blackberrys and Androids. Here's what happened: The people with iPhones loved their phones. That's just the effect that iOS has. Because it's just so easy to adapt to, and it did everything that they wanted them to do so easily. I'll even go as far as to say that I prefer iOS over Android. The people who didn't have iPhones, although used to their own phones, envied the iPhone users, and got their own. That effect has pretty much spread over that time, and for a while now, everybody has an iPhone.
But I feel the craze is dying. I'm one in the crowd of iPhone users who has an Android phone. I have people admiring it, praising the screen, design and camera. I'm not the sort of guy who goes around saying, 'that has been available on Android phones for 2 years now', or 'I can't believe your phone only has 326ppi'. But I am getting people to realise that there are great Android phones, that they have abandoned the ugly design that they had with KitKat and lower, and that they are super well-built (or at least some are). I think that, in a matter of years, Android will become more mainstream. We've reached a period of time where Android users are no longer vilified, and we're not seen as people who just can't afford an iPhone.

"People love their iPhones".

That sums it up. Go figure these people don't wanna switch because they like what the iPhone offers. It's what some in these forums don't understand. If people are happy with iPhone there's little to no reason to switch just like if people are happy with android it'd be hard I imagine to get them to go to iPhone. If a phone like the s5 has all these extra features, then the s6 took away said features, just for half of them to return in the s7 "oh those past versions were bad but now it's great I can't believe you have an iPhone xxxx" well if those people are happy with their iPhones why switch?

I'll say it again because I believe it. The apple support is a huge reason for the success. They can help with most anything on their devices. They don't allow carrier interference. They're not slow with updates. They at a least act like they care. They don't pawn u off to a carrier store for issues.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I must say LG and Samsung have really brought out some excellent devices this year. Android is getting exciting again after a few quiet years.

 

[mellofello]

I must say LG and Samsung have really brought out some excellent devices this year. Android is getting exciting again after a few quiet years.

This is the year I go back... And then the iPhone 7 will come out and I will lose my ass selling the phone on CL

 

[Truefan31]

This is a galaxy s 7 thread. Just like if you go to the iPhone section of this website, you see nothing but hate for Android phone. So it is reasonable to assume you will see something similar in this thread. Therefore, it is highly likely that defending the iPhone to every post that criticizes it, is a huge waste of time. The iPhone maybe the best selling phone in the world, but what people say here is valid. Just because the iPhone is the top selling phone in the world, doesn't mean that Apple should be charging as much as they do for hardware that is not up to par. I don't blame Apple, because if millions and millions of people are going to pay me an outrageous amount of money, and do it year after year no matter what I produce. Then I'm going to do it. But there is no denying that other companies have surpassed Apple in what they are offering for the money, even with the galaxy that is priced at the top end of the Android spectrum, and equivalent to the iPhone in pricing. That is not to say that you are wrong, people are inherently ill informed, and I stress that I'm not saying if you buy an Apple product your I'll informed. Even though personally I think Apple is going downhill, despite what the profits says, they still make great products. Just because a product, or idea, does really well doesn't mean it is worth defending. I do not think it is worth defending Apple, and their prices for what they offer. Just like I don't think that's certain rich billionaire should be the next president of the United States, despite his immense popularity.

We should be criticizing Apple, in withdrawing our business, until they begin to offer high quality, hi tech product at a comparable and competitive price. Unfortunately, as long as they remain a status symbol, that won't happen. Again I don't necessarily disagree with you, I just felt like taking the opposite side, because it's a slow day at work.


****

Correction, I am home early from work because I got snowed out in a blizzard. So I'm having an early afternoon drink, so take the above with a grain of salt. Cheers.

Ok but honestly your common sense in a positive way shows here. You don't blame Apple for perceived high prices because if you sold the number one selling flagship phone you'd do the same thing. So yeah in reality and the business world that's what they're doing. Any company worth their salt would do the same. They'd evaluate the price they think they could sell their product successfully and then do it. The consumers overall will dictate whether it's worth it. How are they not at a competitive price if they sell the most flagship smartphones? They offer a high quality product WITH top level service and support without carrier interference. Does anyone really think there's no high level tech going on inside the iPhone? The a9? The gpu, or the nvme controller at the least?

Android oems should focus on besting each other before taking on Apple imo. Marketing against iPhone doesn't work.

 

[Truefan31]

OMFG "Retina display" how I HATED that BS marketing term, F you Apple. ( makes me think Apple thinks their customers are too stupid to know what retina display even really means, but it sounds great in marketing and promoting it )

Today I am shocked beyond belief the iPhone is still as popular as it is. Why would anyone want one, compared to the likes of the Nexus 6P, or new Galaxy S7 Edge, or Note 5, etc... The screen sucks, the speakers suck, the OS totally blows chunks, feels like something stuck in 2008, the design and build quality are really the only thing going for it, but now Android manufacturers have woken up, making competitive designs themselves.

I think Apple has most of it's buyers brainwashed years ago, thinking the iPhone is some super premium phone or some bull crap ? And that idea has stuck even today, that the iPhone is the "it" phone to get, and a lot of people still look down on Android as some cheap offering, and lesser phone.

Whatever, I do love the competition, and this year, the 2016 Android flagships look to be kicking butt, let's hope this wakes up Apple to produce an truly award winning awesome smartphone this Summer. But if the iPhone 7 is just a thinner and slightly revised design of the iPhone 6S with worse battery life, I'll laugh at all the sheep who will still wait in line for hours to be the first to get one.

I sense some animosity. "How could anyone want an iPhone it's xxxxx and android can xxxx." If iPhone works for its customers then why change? I guess some people like nice hardware, an easy to learn os, timely updates, no carrier interference, and top notch post sales support.

 

[jamezr]

This is a galaxy s 7 thread. Just like if you go to the iPhone section of this website, you see nothing but hate for Android phone. So it is reasonable to assume you will see something similar in this thread. Therefore, it is highly likely that defending the iPhone to every post that criticizes it, is a huge waste of time. The iPhone maybe the best selling phone in the world, but what people say here is valid. Just because the iPhone is the top selling phone in the world, doesn't mean that Apple should be charging as much as they do for hardware that is not up to par. I don't blame Apple, because if millions and millions of people are going to pay me an outrageous amount of money, and do it year after year no matter what I produce. Then I'm going to do it. But there is no denying that other companies have surpassed Apple in what they are offering for the money, even with the galaxy that is priced at the top end of the Android spectrum, and equivalent to the iPhone in pricing. That is not to say that you are wrong, people are inherently ill informed, and I stress that I'm not saying if you buy an Apple product your I'll informed. Even though personally I think Apple is going downhill, despite what the profits says, they still make great products. Just because a product, or idea, does really well doesn't mean it is worth defending. I do not think it is worth defending Apple, and their prices for what they offer. Just like I don't think that's certain rich billionaire should be the next president of the United States, despite his immense popularity.

We should be criticizing Apple, in withdrawing our business, until they begin to offer high quality, hi tech product at a comparable and competitive price. Unfortunately, as long as they remain a status symbol, that won't happen. Again I don't necessarily disagree with you, I just felt like taking the opposite side, because it's a slow day at work.


****

Correction, I am home early from work because I got snowed out in a blizzard. So I'm having an early afternoon drink, so take the above with a grain of salt. Cheers.

^^^^^ this times 1000 Could have said it better myself.
[doublepost=1456351329][/doublepost]

Android oems should focus on besting each other before taking on Apple imo. Marketing against iPhone doesn't work.

Disagree....Apple is the space leader so who do they take on first? The space leader of course. Marketing against the space leader always works......

 

[Truefan31]

^^^^^ this times 1000 Could have said it better myself.
[doublepost=1456351329][/doublepost]
Disagree....Apple is the space leader so who do they take on first? The space leader of course. Marketing against the space leader always works......

Really? I don't see it working. Haven't seen it in the past either against iPhone. Imo they're just giving more free press to Apple.

 

[jamezr]

Really? I don't see it working. Haven't seen it in the past either against iPhone. Imo they're just giving more free press to Apple.

I can see the commercials now.......people having a party....music laughing nice young couple by the pool sitting with their legs dangling in the water......texting their friends.....glancing at each other sheepishly.......one has a Galaxy S7 the other a iPhone...... he goes in for the kiss....they both drop their phones in the water......guess which one survives?
Play that kind of comparison anywhere there is water and activity. Boating....fishing......hiking.....
Man! I should write commercials for a living

 

[Tig Bitties]

I sense some animosity. "How could anyone want an iPhone it's xxxxx and android can xxxx." If iPhone works for its customers then why change? I guess some people like nice hardware, an easy to learn os, timely updates, no carrier interference, and top notch post sales support.

That's cool, I get it, some people just want a simple Fisher Price type phone, and the iPhone is great for those grandparents and high school kids just getting into their first smartphone, I respect that. And the iPhone design really is top notch, fantastic quality, I'm just not a fan of the stale OS, but that's just me, obviously millions upon millions of people do love the iPhone, thus the great success they've had. Sort of like the Bic Mac at McDonald's.

Last point on this topic though, the double standard the tech journalists give the iPhone vs. a flagship Android phone. The iPhone 6S has a 720p screen, and it's their flagship phone, and not many websites criticize them too badly for that. But let's say HTC came out with a "flagship" device 4.8" screen or so, and it had a 720p display, people would be screaming cheap, budget screen, cutting corners, etc...nothing they'd ever say about Apple having it.

 

[epicrayban]

Important question that we may not be able to answer yet:

Did Samsung remove the tips and warnings? Did they at least give an option to opt out?

 

[MRU]

Important question that we may not be able to answer yet:

Did Samsung remove the tips and warnings? Did they at least give an option to opt out?

That's one that we likely won't find out until it's in the hand of normal folks. Also very dependent on regional firmwares. I do hope they have got rid of them though.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Important question that we may not be able to answer yet:

Did Samsung remove the tips and warnings? Did they at least give an option to opt out?

The only warning I still get on my S6 edge is the high volume warning when using headphones. Most likely that's going to stay.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

The only warning I still get on my S6 edge is the high volume warning when using headphones.

Yeah....I hate that. Hope it is gone

 

[MRU]

Yeah....I hate that. Hope it is gone

Actually stock Android also has an annoying one when you make a video in chrome browser full screen it constantly asks you if you want to do so. It's like they think we're all morons...

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Actually stock Android also has an annoying one when you make a video in chrome browser full screen it constantly asks you if you want to do so. It's like they think we're all morons...

Yep. Windows/chrome does the same. Drives me nuts.

 

[mclld]

Would be nice to have a thread that stayed on topic, is it really that hard? Do you guys not get tired of arguing about the same , insignificant stuff? It makes the threads here bloated, way to much x versus y fanboy battles going on

 

[Surf Donkey]

Interesting, I was just thinking yesterday how few fanboy battles there are in this thread considering this is MacRumors. I think this has been an extremely fun and informative thread. I am assuming most of the true Apple diehards stay out of the ghetto of "Alternatives to iOS"

Look at any front page post that mentions Samsung, Google or Android. Then you'll get an idea of how bad it could be.

 

[spriter]

Any UK residents know if they're in Samsung or carrier shops here yet?