Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge: A Comprehensive Review

Product Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F) and Galaxy S7 Edge (SM-G935F) are flagship Android smartphones released by Samsung Electronics in February 2016, succeeding the Galaxy S6 series. Positioned as premium devices for global markets, the two models share core hardware and software features but differ in form factor: the S7 features a traditional flat display, while the S7 Edge introduces a curved dual-edge Super AMOLED screen—a design that would become a signature of Samsung’s “Edge” lineup. The SM-G930F (S7) and SM-G935F (S7 Edge) are the primary global variants, equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 8890 octa-core processor and full LTE support, optimized for European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets. The S7/S7 Edge marked a return to user-centric features (e.g., expandable storage, water resistance) that were omitted from the S6, while upgrading camera performance, display quality, and battery life—cementing their status as two of Samsung’s most critically acclaimed flagship smartphones, with over 55 million units shipped worldwide.

Key Hardware Specifications (SM-G930F vs. SM-G935F)

Component	Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F)	Galaxy S7 Edge (SM-G935F)
Processor	Samsung Exynos 8890 octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Mongoose + 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 big.LITTLE); Mali-T880 MP12 GPU	Same as SM-G930F
Display	5.1-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD (2560×1440) display; 577 ppi; Gorilla Glass 4; 16M colors; Always-On Display (AOD) support	5.5-inch curved dual-edge Super AMOLED Quad HD (2560×1440) display; 534 ppi; Gorilla Glass 4; 16M colors; Always-On Display (AOD); edge panel functionality (apps, contacts, tools)
Memory & Storage	4GB LPDDR4 RAM; storage options: 32GB/64GB; microSD card slot (expandable up to 200GB, returned after S6 omission); UFS 2.0 storage for fast read/write speeds	Same as SM-G930F
Camera System	Rear Camera: 12 MP Dual Pixel BSI CMOS sensor; f/1.7 aperture; optical image stabilization (OIS); Dual Pixel autofocus (0.1s focus speed); LED flash; 4K video recording (30 fps); 1080p slow-motion video (120 fps)Front Camera: 5 MP BSI CMOS sensor; f/1.7 aperture; 1080p video recording	Same as SM-G930F
Network & Connectivity	GSM 850/900/1800/1900; UMTS 850/900/1900/2100; LTE Cat.9 (up to 450 Mbps download); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 4.2; NFC; IR blaster; USB 2.0 (Micro-USB); GPS/GLONASS/Beidou	Same as SM-G930F
Battery & Charging	3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery; Adaptive Fast Charging (15W, 50% charge in 30 mins); Qi wireless charging (7.5W); IP68 water/dust resistance	3600 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery; Adaptive Fast Charging (15W); Qi wireless charging (7.5W); IP68 water/dust resistance
Form Factor & Design	Metal frame + glass back (3D curved Gorilla Glass 4); dimensions: 142.4 × 69.6 × 7.9 mm; weight: 152 g; IP68 water/dust resistance (up to 1.5m depth for 30 mins); color options: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, Coral Blue	Metal frame + curved glass back; dimensions: 150.9 × 72.6 × 7.7 mm; weight: 157 g; IP68 water/dust resistance; same color options as S7
Sensors & Extra Features	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, fingerprint sensor (home button, faster than S6), heart rate monitor (rear-mounted), pressure sensor	Same as SM-G930F + edge panel sensors for curved display interaction
Operating System	Initially shipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow; officially upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo; custom ROM support for later versions (e.g., Android 10)	Same as SM-G930F

Core Innovations & Key Features

1. Dual Pixel Camera: Redefining Mobile Photography

The S7/S7 Edge’s 12 MP rear camera was a game-changer for mobile imaging, introducing Dual Pixel technology—a first for smartphones:

Every pixel on the sensor was split into two photodiodes, enabling phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) across the entire sensor surface (vs. dedicated PDAF pixels on competing devices). This reduced focus time to 0.1 seconds, ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.
The f/1.7 aperture (wider than the S6’s f/1.9) allowed 25% more light to enter the sensor, drastically improving low-light photography and reducing noise in dim environments.
OIS stabilized the sensor for sharper photos and smoother video, while 4K video recording delivered cinematic quality for content creators.

2. Curved Edge Display & Edge Panels (S7 Edge Exclusive)

The S7 Edge’s 5.5-inch dual-edge display was more than a design gimmick—it added functional value via Edge Panels:

Customizable side panels provided one-tap access to favorite apps, contacts, weather updates, and news feeds, without navigating the home screen.
Edge Lighting lit up the curved edges when receiving calls or notifications, making alerts visible even when the phone was face-down.
The edge display also supported edge-to-edge gaming controls and split-screen multitasking for enhanced productivity.

3. User-Centric Hardware Returns & IP68 Resistance

Samsung addressed key criticisms of the S6 with two fan-favorite features:

Expandable Storage: The microSD card slot (supporting up to 200GB) let users store photos, videos, and apps externally—filling a gap left by the S6’s non-expandable design.
IP68 Water/Dust Resistance: The devices could withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, making them durable for outdoor use, beach trips, or accidental spills.
The fingerprint sensor was also improved, with faster and more accurate recognition than the S6’s sensor.

4. Always-On Display (AOD) & Battery Efficiency

The S7/S7 Edge introduced Samsung’s Always-On Display, a feature that would become a staple of future Galaxy devices:

AOD showed time, date, notifications, and battery status on the screen when the device was locked, without waking the full display. It consumed minimal power (using just a few pixels) and extended battery life by reducing unnecessary screen wakes.
The 3000 mAh (S7) and 3600 mAh (S7 Edge) batteries, paired with the efficient Exynos 8890 processor, delivered all-day battery life—even with heavy usage. Adaptive Fast Charging and wireless charging added convenience for power users.

5. Software Features (Android Marshmallow)

Doze Mode: Conserved battery life when the phone was idle by putting non-essential apps into a low-power state.
Samsung Pay: Integrated NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, allowing payments at both NFC-enabled terminals and traditional magnetic stripe readers (a key advantage over Apple Pay at the time).
Multi Window 2.0: Improved split-screen multitasking, supporting more apps and resizable windows for better productivity.

Market Impact & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Success: The S7/S7 Edge received rave reviews for its camera performance, water resistance, and user-centric design, winning multiple “Best Smartphone of 2016” awards. Over 55 million units were sold, making it one of Samsung’s best-selling flagship pairs.
Dual Pixel Camera Legacy: Dual Pixel technology became a standard feature in Samsung’s subsequent flagship cameras (S8–S24 series) and influenced competitors like Google and Apple to adopt similar autofocus systems.
Edge Display Popularization: The S7 Edge’s curved display design was refined in the S8 Edge and Note 7, establishing the “Edge” lineup as a premium alternative to flat-screen Galaxy S models.
Battery Safety Redemption: Following the Galaxy Note 7 battery recall in 2016, the S7/S7 Edge’s reliable battery performance helped restore consumer trust in Samsung’s flagship devices.

Discontinuation & Post-Support Status

Samsung officially discontinued the S7/S7 Edge in 2018, following the release of the Galaxy S9 series.
The devices received their final official Android update (Android 8.0 Oreo) in 2018. While no longer supported by Samsung, they remain popular among custom ROM enthusiasts, who have ported Android 10 and beyond to extend their lifespan.
Today, the S7/S7 Edge are regarded as Samsung’s most balanced flagship pair, praised for their blend of performance, camera quality, and durability—often cited as a “sweet spot” in the Galaxy S lineup’s history.