Samsung Galaxy S7 Review After Half a Year: Still a Top Contender

Six months after its launch, the Samsung Galaxy S7 continues to hold its position as a leading flagship smartphone. At the time of release, the S7 and its curved-edge counterpart, the S7 Edge, generated significant excitement due to their impressive features, and even now, the device remains a strong contender in the competitive market.

Design The S7 features a comfortable 5.2-inch form factor that is easy to handle with one hand, thanks to its curved glass back. The combination of glass and metal construction provides a premium feel, and the design remains relevant, influencing later models like the Galaxy Note 7. The phone's aesthetics and ergonomics continue to appeal to users.

Display As expected from Samsung, the S7 features a superb Super AMOLED display that stands out for its brightness and clarity. After using this screen, other smartphone displays can seem dull in comparison. Users can also tweak the color settings to achieve a more natural look if desired. The Always On Display feature, which initially seemed like a gimmick, proved useful for quickly checking the time or date without unlocking the phone. However, more extensive customization options would enhance this feature.

Performance In Nepal, the S7 is equipped with Samsung's Exynos 8890 processor, which offers comparable power to the Snapdragon 820 found in many competitors, including the newer Galaxy Note 7. The phone has performed flawlessly for the reviewer, handling all tasks smoothly, including graphics-intensive games, although some heat is generated during prolonged gaming sessions. However, multitasking could be better optimized, as the 4GB of RAM does not retain as many apps in memory as some other phones.

Camera The standout feature of the S7 is its 12MP camera with an f/1.7 aperture, which was revolutionary at the time of release and remains one of the best smartphone cameras available. Users will find joy in mobile photography, as the camera consistently produces crisp, detailed images, even with simple point-and-shoot usage. The phone supports various creative camera modes and a manual mode for more control. Video recording reaches up to 4K resolution, and the resulting footage is of high quality, a fact confirmed by the reviewer, who has used it for professional video work. In terms of camera performance, the S7 is unmatched.

Software The S7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Samsung's TouchWiz UI, which has become less cluttered and more streamlined over time. The software is stable, free of major bugs, and benefits from regular updates that improve security and performance. A new theme store allows users to customize the phone's appearance, offering a range of visual options.

Battery With a 3,000mAh battery, the S7 provides around four hours of active use, and the standby time is excellent, even with the Always On Display enabled. While charging speeds lag behind some competitors like the OnePlus Three, the S7 can still reach a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Water Resistance The S7's water-resistant design has proven practical, particularly during rainy weather. The reviewer has experienced no issues with the phone getting wet, and it continues to function perfectly after exposure to rain.

Verdict Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has been a favorite device for the reviewer throughout the past six months. While some users may find the glass back susceptible to damage, investing in a tempered glass screen and a protective back cover can mitigate this concern. Despite the release of newer models, the S7 remains a comprehensive package, excelling in display quality, camera performance, processing power, and overall user experience. For those seeking a top-tier smartphone, the Galaxy S7 remains an excellent choice even half a year after its initial launch.