Samsung's new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

[jdandy]

I have been considering a cellular phone upgrade. I have had my Samsung Galaxy S5 for two years now and I have a case of upgrade-itus. I stopped in at AT&T's store last week and took a look at the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Both are spectacular cellphones featuring quad core processors, and amazing quad HD super AMOLED displays. It features a dual pixel camera for excellent natural and low light photos. The battery, although not user replaceable like my S5, has been bumped up to 3000 mAh size. The S7 and S7 Edge see the return of water resistance like my S5. Samsung dropped the water resistance feature with the current S6 and got a lot of negative feedback because if it.

The S7 Edge is a real looker with its curved screen but its dimensions are larger than my Galaxy S5 and beyond my tolerance for comfortable carry. Furthermore, I find the curved screen a bit gimmicky. The initial wow factor will probably sell many people on it but it does not appeal to me. The Galaxy S7 is actually smaller than my S5 in width while retaining the same screen dimensions. Samsung did this by removing the black edge that runs down both sides of the S5 screen. This allows the phones metal frame to pull closer to the screen. I find this appealing because I have always felt the S5 was too wide. Now if Samsung will reduce the length by about 5mm it would be ideal.

I actually committed to purchase the Galaxy S7 early last week but the AT&T salesman told me I could not buy one for another two days even though they had the S7 and S7 Edge on display. I thought that was rather silly. I will probably pick up a new Galaxy S7 next week. Should be a great phone.

 

[joeinid]

Thanks Dan,

I am curious what you finally end up getting. I am considering an upgrade too. Can you post your opinion after a few days of usage? Thanks!

 

[Paul]

Dan, The Sammy S7 is clearly winner.

In terms of S7 or Edge , you should ask you wife if the size is matter or not ?

 

[jdandy]

Thanks Dan,

I am curious what you finally end up getting. I am considering an upgrade too. Can you post your opinion after a few days of usage? Thanks!

Joe.......Sure, I will be happy to report on the Galaxy S7. I played with the S7 in the store for about 20 minutes. The screen is super sharp with richly saturated colors. It is quick when flicking from page to page, pulling down menus, or loading apps. I snapped two photo inside the AT&T store and both looked true to the store's setting in lighting and color.

I am strongly considering the gold S7. I have had three other smart phones, all black, and I'm tired of black. I have a Spigen Neo Hybrid case on my Galaxy S5 and it has been without fault. It adds very little additional size or bulk to the phone and offers great protection. I will put the Spigen Neo Hybrid case below on the S7.

 

[Golucid]

Dan...Samsung essentially xeroxed the iphone with Android. Do you believe they advanced not only function but security as well with their device. I am not adverse to switching to Samsung [a known theif] that copied because everyone frankly steals IP anyway and there is no protection. and I don't care... Can you shed the things they stole and made better?

 

[Mivera Audio]

LG's new G5 can accept a plug in DAC module with the new ESS ES9028 DAC chip in it. Better chip than the 9018S that's currently being used in over 50% of the high end DAC's on the market today. It has the new ESS 9602 headphone amp in it as well. Supposed to be a game changer for compact headphone amps.

The DAC module just plugs into a slot in the bottom. Can be used with headphones, or as a stand alone DAC. Even can decode DSD. Other modules like a camera can be plugged into the slot as well. Pretty cool for a phone!

 

[Steve]

Dan... It pains me to say that the Samsung S7 is a great phone. They are claiming water resistance in their marketing of this series also.

I am no fan of the Korean company. I also don't think Android is as good a platform as Windows 10 Phone.

There is no denying that the Samsung+ Android combo is winning the smartphone race at 75% of the global market.

Windows phone is catching up to a slowly declining iPhone saturation as more apps come online.

Still Android is market king by a long shot and Samsung Galaxy had a lot to do with that. Until Microsoft Surface Phone is launched, Samsung has the bling.

Before you commit, take a look at a Microsoft Lumia 950XL. It is also octo-core, has an SD card slot and you can easily swap batteries out. It has NFC and all the other hardware stuff plus a great 20mbps camera. The Continuum accessory allows you to turn it into a full screen Windows 10 desktop. Microsoft Store support is also great. I have never had a problem with a return or a replacement for any device purchased from the Microsoft Store.

In the end, as the iPhone loses its steam, Windows or Android platforms are the way forward for your next phone.

If you want seamless and compelling integration, the Windows platform cannot be beat. And if you want to run and do Microsoft stuff on Android, you can do that too.

 

[jdandy]

Steve.......Yes, Microsoft has finally fully implemented cross platform integration between the Windows phone and Windows computer and operating system. They have desperately attempted to successfully deploy Apples business model for years. I knew they would eventually get it right.

For me, the thing is I don't care about cross platform integration. I guess if I were still in business and not retired the concept would be more appealing, but frankly I don't have any use for Windows programs running on my phone so that I can integrate that activity with cloud computing and my home desktop. I want a phone to make and receive phone calls, access email, send an occasional text message, surf the web when I want to check on AA, AS, or Google something. I want to be able to have a few useful apps at my command, and I want the phone to be well made, have a gorgeous screen, good battery life, be easy to carry, and reliable. That's about it. There are plenty of cellular manufacturers whose phones can fill that bill. I happen to like the Samsung premium phones. They have proven to be rugged, attractive, efficient for my needs, and dependable.

Having said all that, I will take a look at the new Lumia 950XL. Thanks.

 

[jdandy]

Dan...Samsung essentially xeroxed the iphone with Android. Do you believe they advanced not only function but security as well with their device. I am not adverse to switching to Samsung [a known theif] that copied because everyone frankly steals IP anyway and there is no protection. and I don't care... Can you shed the things they stole and made better?

David.......The courts can plow through all of that. It will surely keep the attorney's happy. Apple is certainly not without transgressions. They recently lost a large court battle to Samsung. It's business in the 21st century.

Here is something to ponder. Did the entire automotive industry steal the idea of gasoline powered engines in vehicles from Karl Benz? Did every tire manufacturer steal the idea of putting air inside what was originally solid rubber tires from the Scottish engineer Robert W. Thomson? Is the steering wheel somehow unique and proprietary only to the first vehicle to deploy it? Some things become universal simply by their existence.

 

[jdandy]

Before you commit, take a look at a Microsoft Lumia 950XL. It is also octo-core, has an SD card slot and you can easily swap batteries out. It has NFC and all the other hardware stuff plus a great 20mbps camera. The Continuum accessory allows you to turn it into a full screen Windows 10 desktop. Microsoft Store support is also great. I have never had a problem with a return or a replacement for any device purchased from the Microsoft Store.

Steve.......This Lumia 950XL video doesn't exactly leave me lusting for a Microsoft Windows phone.

 

[Golucid]

David.......The courts can plow through all of that. It will surely keep the attorney's happy. Apple is certainly not without transgressions. They recently lost a large court battle to Samsung. It's business in the 21st century.

Here is something to ponder. Did the entire automotive industry steal the idea of gasoline powered engines in vehicles from Karl Benz? Did every tire manufacturer steal the idea of putting air inside what was originally solid rubber tires from the Scottish engineer Robert W. Thomson? Is the steering wheel somehow unique and proprietary only to the first vehicle to deploy it? Some things become universal simply by their existence.

The only reason we have the type of phones and smart devices we embrace so much is because of Apple. Prior to Apple was simply 1984 slavery and lack of innovation. Disgust! Every time you look at an LG or Samdung or any other device, you are looking at Apple knock-offs. Apple lead the way out of darkness. At the very least, us young minds get this.

Dan, look at smart phones prior and after Apple. Samdung has access to intellectual property... to that of Apple. They are scoundrels! All the ideas they put for born out of Apple. At the very least, Samsung owes Apple some respect. Apple pioneered the devices we are using today. Can you imagine going back to a Nokia...gasp! A flip phone... slit my throat.

This is what phone looked like before Apple

After Samsung IP theft

Now all phones look like Apple

Samsung is a tough act too follow xerox machine.

 

[Mate]

I had the same NOKIA ("banana") for years, then another NOKIA for almost a full decade, and now I have just bought a third mobile phone in my life:

... I woulnd't be caught dead with a touch-screen monstrosities

 

[Steve]

David.... The Op is seeking a Samsung phone recommendation not an Apple sermon from the Apple Church. Apple did not invent the smartphone. They merely polished and packaged converging technologies which was to inevitably happen.

Steve Jobs was a marketing evangelist and could convince most people to buy a "Pencil" if he wanted to.

Without Steve, the Apple is losing its sheen.

 

[Steve]

Steve.......This Lumia 950XL video doesn't exactly leave me lusting for a Microsoft Windows phone.]

Dan...That guy is a professional w#nker. The usability claim is grossly exaggerated and unsubstantiated. Quite the contrary actually. Windows 10 phone is receiving new, feature rich functionality all of the time. There is no argument that Microsoft have positioned Windows 10 to be a progressively dynamic platform.

The only way to get a true feel for any phone is in the shop with a fully functional demonstration as you have probably already done with the Samsung. If there is a Microsoft Store in your area, even better.

In the end, you have to be comfortable and happy with your solution choice and what the technology package can and will do for you. Remember, you are also investing in a commitment to an eco-system, not just a smartphone. That is inevitable, there is no avoiding the eco-system. You are connected, you are committed. With each of the 3 eco-systems, are varying degrees of viscosity or stickiness.

The real decision in the end IMO, is "who ya gonna trust the most with your privacy and security?"

Is it going to be USA platform device technology or Korean platform device technology?

 

[Golucid]

David.... The Op is seeking a Samsung phone recommendation not an Apple sermon from the Apple Church. Apple did not invent the smartphone. They merely polished and packaged converging technologies which was to inevitably happen.

Steve Jobs was a marketing evangelist and could convince most people to buy a "Pencil" if he wanted to.

Without Steve, the Apple is losing its sheen.

No, Apple did not invent the smart phone, they invented the ability to use it without the need to kill yourself. If you look at what horrific phone technologies existed and were available prior to Apple creating something a human can use... *mic drop* This is where the old and new bridge manifest. The young versus the old. There is no win to be had here. I'm talking to my grand parents now. Gasp. The logic simply is dead here. Steve Jobs understood humans. He understood what humans wanted and could use with ease. Samsumg and those like them are thieves because they lack the ability to connect with the young.

Samsung disgusts me. Oh my, lets be original... lets create a Samsung store...lets mimic Apple commercials...yawn...LOL

 

[Steve]

David... Perhaps take your argument to another thread.

 

[Golucid]

David... Perhaps take your argument to another thread.

Perhaps ask the moderators to ban me. I don't care. I recall you didn't care for your opinions to be censored. Right. Don't care. Ban me! I absolutely passionately disagree. I recall you stood firm ground for what you believed [a maverick] on AA and now you tell me to basically "shush". I am disappointed. You lost me...

 

[Steve]

The question here is Samsung Galaxy S7. They are the global market leaders. Are they great phones? Can the company be trusted?

 

[Golucid]

The question here is Samsung Galaxy S7. They are the global market leaders. Are they great phones? Can the company be trusted?

No. Liars! Thieves. Devoid of innovation. Break out the Xerox machines.

 

[jdandy]

Steve......Good post, and I can appreciate your enthusiasm for the Windows eco-system. I like the Android interface. I have been using it for years through its various iterations and feel comfortable with it. As for privacy and security, I have never kept sensitive data on any phone and don't ever plan to do so. I text occasionally, and email more often, nothing that would require protection. We all have our uses for these devices. Mine is casual, no business, and nothing private that requires being protected.

These days, what exactly does security and privacy really mean? The Federal Government and National Defense contractor's computers are routinely hacked by China and who knows who else. Large corporations like IBM are being hacked. Am I to believe my lowly cellphone is somehow invincible?