Samsung Galaxy S7 Smartphone Review

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were announced in February 2016, and are currently Samsung's flagship camera models. They both feature a dual pixel 12 megapixel rear camera that has a wide f/1.7 aperture. The S7 Edge has a 5.5 inch 534 ppi screen and the S7 features a 5.1 inch 577ppi screen. Both are Quad HD. Here, we review the S7.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Features

Samsung has big things to say about the Samsung Galaxy S7's camera. The rear camera has a 12 megapixel dual pixel sensor which they say allows you to take clear photos even in the dark, and the f/1.7 aperture is one of the brightest available on any smartphone camera, even the front "selfie" camera has a bright f/1.7 aperture. 

The phone features a new custom CPU that's 30% faster than the Samsung Galaxy S6, a powerful GPU that's up to 64% faster than the predecessor and 4GB of RAM, increased from 3GB on the S6. This will aid with the smoothness of video and allow you to capture high res shooting without issue. It also means that the phone is capable of running photo editing apps without it being slowed down.

There is the capability to insert a microSD card into the phone, allowing for much greater storage when you're taking lots of pictures. The phone can support a whopping 128GB microSD. The S7 is also dust resistant and water resistant, with Samsung claiming it can withstand a half - hour dunking up to 1.5m down. It's also covered if you drop it - Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used on both the screen and the back panel, making it really tough. 

You should be able to keep shooting for longer too, with the S7 housing a bigger battery. The battery also takes just 90 minutes to charge fully. 

Back to the camera on the S7. It's said to have incredibly fast autofocus, thanks to every pixel on the dual pixel sensor being used for phase detection. This means that the autofocus of the phone is blisteringly fast, capturing sudden movements even in low light. 

The 12 megapixel back camera has 1.4um pixels, which are quite large for a smartphone, and allow the sensor to gather more light, and the camera also has optical image stabilisation. Touch focus can be used and 4K video can be recorded whilst simultaneously capturing 9-megapixel images. 

Other shooting modes include motion photo and hyperlapse, and the selfie camera will use the screen as a flash for low-light selfies.

There is a built-in LED flash and a 5-megapixel front selfie camera complete with Auto HDR.

As with all smart devices these days, it's simple to share your images via Wi-Fi or on social media through the various apps available. 

On the front of the phone you'll find the home button which has a fingerprint sensor. On the left-hand side are volume buttons and on the right-hand side is the power button. 

Key Features

• 12 megapixel Dual Pixel rear camera, 1.4micron pixels
• f/1.7 aperture, 26mm equivalent lens with Optical Image Stabilisation
• 5 megapixel front camera with f/1.7, 21mm equivalent lens 
• Auto HDR (front and rear cameras), Raw shooting possible in Pro mode
• 4K video capability whilst capturing 9 megapixel stills
• Dustproof and waterproof to 1.5m for up to 30 mins
• 5.1inch QuadHD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 (Edge: 5.5inch)
• 3000mAh battery (Edge: 3600mAh)
• MicroSD slot, Fingerprint sensor
• Available in a number of colours

Samsung Galaxy S7 Handling

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a premium design and look, with a stylish metal surround, and a curved glass back that looks almost like an optical illusion. Although it's difficult to tell the difference between the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S6 at first glance, unless you're already a Samsung Galaxy S6 user, particularly from the front, where there are very subtle differences in design (including a black frame around the home button, and a black speaker grill, instead of silver). On the back of the Galaxy S7 it's the curved rear and flatter camera lens that lets you know it's the S7.

The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which means it should survive being in a pocket with keys without scratching, and this version is designed to withstand drops much more effectively than Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The back is also protected by the same glass, but for anyone who's ever dropped a phone and seen the screen break, having a glass back could make you quite nervous, so a case is definitely recommended. The rear glass is also quite prone to fingerprints and smudges, so if you like your phone to stay clean this might soon become annoying.

There's no dedicated camera shutter release button on the S7, but the camera app opens up extremely quickly and responds almost instantly to presses of the on screen shutter button. In fact, the speed at which the Galaxy S7 operates is very impressive! Focus is impressively quick, quicker than the iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, and also the Sony Xperia XZ.

There are a number of shooting modes available including: Auto, Pro, Selective focus, Panorama, Video Collage, Live broadcast, Slow motion, Virtual shot, Food, Hyperlapse and you can even download additional (free) shooting modes from Samsung, including sports shot, beauty face, surround shot, dual camera and more. 

The camera app is easy to use and it's quick and easy to find options, and change settings. The screen looks good whether used inside or outside, and it has an impressive resolution.

Battery life - The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a 3000mAh battery, which is not-removable. The phone should last at least a day, and the battery life appeared good even though the smartphone has an always on display that shows the time on screen.