Which Samsung S7 to buy

[bufffilm]

I'm on Verizon, but getting the phone from them gives me the Snapdragon CPU (less battery life and runs hotter) and bloatware which is I'd like to avoid.

So my question is what is the model number to get for all the following:

- Exynos chip
- full CDMA band support on Verizon
- minimal bloatware

 

[hallux]

You can't get a Galaxy S7 with the Exynos chipset in the US. The US versions (all of them, even the unlocked one direct from Samsung) will be the SD 820 version. You'd have to import a global model, but then you run the risk of not having Verizon compatibility.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php

You can buy the unlocked version from Best Buy, this will not compromise your Verizon compatibility.

There are the supported network types, direct from the specs on Samsung's product page for the non-Edge Onyx S7.

Frequencies and Data Type

2G CDMA: CDMA800, USPCS1900
2G GSM: GSM850,GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G CDMA: BC0(800), BC1(1900, BC10(800)
3G UMTS: B1(2100), B2(1900), B4(AWS), B5(850), B8(900)
3G TD-SCDMA: B34(2010), B39(1880)
4G FDD LTE: B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B13(700), B18(800), B19(800), B20(800)

 

[nviz22]

Not only compatibility issues, but you could miss out on software features like Samsung Pay, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. That's the risk I ran with trying to go Exynos with T-Mobile. It's not worth the trade off because it's just better performance and battery life at the cost of having a slightly gimped phone. Samsung Pay is an awesome feature.

 

[bufffilm]

Not only compatibility issues, but you could miss out on software features like Samsung Pay, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. That's the risk I ran with trying to go Exynos with T-Mobile. It's not worth the trade off because it's just better performance and battery life at the cost of having a slightly gimped phone. Samsung Pay is an awesome feature.

I would sacrifice Samsung pay to get the Exynos chip w/o batting an eyelash.
[doublepost=1470417679][/doublepost]

You can't get a Galaxy S7 with the Exynos chipset in the US. The US versions (all of them, even the unlocked one direct from Samsung) will be the SD 820 version. You'd have to import a global model, but then you run the risk of not having Verizon compatibility.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php

You can buy the unlocked version from Best Buy, this will not compromise your Verizon compatibility.

There are the supported network types, direct from the specs on Samsung's product page for the non-Edge Onyx S7.

So getting the global phone thru Amazon may mean some CDMA bands from that list aren't supported then?

 

[nviz22]

I would sacrifice Samsung pay to get the Exynos chip w/o batting an eyelash.
[doublepost=1470417679][/doublepost]

So getting the global phone thru Amazon may mean some CDMA bands from that list aren't supported then?

Okay, what about XLTE, Wi-Fi Calling, and other Verizon features? Most global unlocked phones are GSM. Verizon uses CDMA and has extra GSM tech for global usage.

 

[bufffilm]

Okay, what about XLTE, Wi-Fi Calling, and other Verizon features? Most global unlocked phones are GSM. Verizon uses CDMA and has extra GSM tech for global usage.

Ahhh...so then there are other tangible benefits with sticking to a Verizon phone.

Would the unlocked version from BestBuy give me anything extra over the one from Verizon?

 

[nviz22]

Ahhh...so then there are other tangible benefits with sticking to a Verizon phone.

Would the unlocked version from BestBuy give me anything extra over the one from Verizon?

Doubt it because it might not work with the software needed to get XLTE, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. See if they worked on a method to get that on Verizon on XDA or through Android Central or another source. If not, get the Verizon version and disable bloat like I am doing with T-Mobile!

 

[bufffilm]

Doubt it because it might not work with the software needed to get XLTE, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. See if they worked on a method to get that on Verizon on XDA or through Android Central or another source. If not, get the Verizon version and disable bloat like I am doing with T-Mobile!

Thanks for clearing that up.

I think I wait for the S8 and then weigh the choices. I really hope Samsung goes w/the Exynos chip exclusively in 2017.

They're definitely doing the right things of late...brought back the SD card and added bigger battery in the S7. If Apple drops the 3.5" jack, all the more reason to consider other phones.

 

[nviz22]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I think I wait for the S8 and then weigh the choices. I really hope Samsung goes w/the Exynos chip exclusively in 2017.

They're definitely doing the right things of late...brought back the SD card and added bigger battery in the S7. If Apple drops the 3.5" jack, all the more reason to consider other phones.

I don't see the S8 having Exnyos only because Samsung doesn't need to do it plus they could have an existing contract with Qualcomm, which only gets temporarily suspended with a situation like the 810.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I think I wait for the S8 and then weigh the choices. I really hope Samsung goes w/the Exynos chip exclusively in 2017.

They're definitely doing the right things of late...brought back the SD card and added bigger battery in the S7. If Apple drops the 3.5" jack, all the more reason to consider other phones.

Yep, I switched to the Galaxy S7 Edge last month (and I've owned and used iPhones since 2009)!

Samsung's done so much right this year (and they started that trend with the S6 last year). For me, the reason to switch, was because I was up for something new and the iPhone 7 appears to be a very lack luster update... an improved camera, perhaps some water and dust resistance and the removal of the headphone jack. Not that exciting to me.