1. Phil Nickinson: Galaxy S7
I went for the Galaxy S7 this yr. Prime. Correct. No matter you need to name it. (I exploit each of these phrases as a result of they drive Andrew nuts.) For me it was concerning the measurement, after which the texture. That 5.1-inch show is ideal for my freakishly small palms.
Samsung’s button scheme bothers me, however that is nonetheless the perfect telephone on the market.
The GS7 is, for my part, the perfect general smartphone you’ll be able to presently purchase. It is acquired the perfect digital camera. One of the best show. Good measurement. Samsung Pay could be very cool, since you need to use it anyplace that has a daily card reader. Gear VR is a superb little product. After which there’s the waterproofing.
I am nonetheless not loopy concerning the GS7’s bodily residence button although. There’s one thing about it truly shifting that simply bugs me. And I nonetheless say Samsung has the capacitive buttons within the fallacious order. I can reside with it, however I do not prefer it. Battery life has simply been acceptable for me. (A few of that could be as a result of I’ve obtained a Verizon mannequin although. Networks matter.) However quick charging makes up for that. (I have never bothered with wi-fi charging.)
All in all? It is nonetheless the most effective, regardless of the few small points I famous. Let’s examine how shortly Samsung can convey it as much as Android N later this yr, although.
2. Jerry Hildenbrand: Galaxy S7 edge
I am utilizing the Galaxy S7 edge, which I nonetheless assume shouldn’t be solely the most effective telephone Samsung has ever constructed however among the best telephones ever constructed. Now that I’ve stated that, this is why I may need to cease utilizing it …
The sting display is gorgeous, nevertheless it kills usability with unintentional touches.
The sting display. I really like the thought. I had excessive hopes that the brand new edge display format from Samsung would get builders excited and we might see one thing superb to fill the area. We’ve not (but), however that is not my problem with it. It is the best way it interferes with the issues I truly need to be touching as a result of my hand is by chance resting on the sides. This turned an actual challenge at Google I/O the place I used to be too busy making an attempt to navigate from one parking zone to a different with my telephone as a information (that is the place the I/O map lived) to fret about how I used to be holding my telephone, and unintentional edge touches killed me. Throughout a break between periods, I pulled the SIM card out from the S7 edge (although it provided the perfect battery lifetime of any in my bag) and dropped it into my BlackBerry Priv.
I hope Samsung can do one thing to make this challenge slightly higher, however to date I feel the updates to deal with it have truly made it worse. I really like every little thing else concerning the telephone — the large battery, the display, the well timed updates (gasp) and do not even hate the buttons on the entrance. I simply want to have the ability to one-hand it whereas I am wheeling round.
Three. Andrew Martonik: Galaxy S7 & S7 edge
After spending my preliminary few weeks with the Galaxy S7 edge for evaluate functions, I knew it wasn’t the telephone for me. Identical to Jerry, I have never been capable of recover from the awkwardness of utilizing a telephone that randomly picks up touches from my palm as I exploit it. Swipe-in gestures are actually robust once you solely have one hand free, and aside from wanting actually cool, the sting display does not supply me a lot practical profit — simply downsides.
With that being the case, I’ve settled on the Galaxy S7 and I’m fairly smitten with this telephone. The 5.1-inch display with a skinny, compact physique is simply the proper measurement, and the battery life is notably higher than the Galaxy S6. The digital camera is nice, the display is best-in-class and this telephone is highly effective sufficient to deal with something I throw at it.
The GS7 wants a greater speaker, and I nonetheless do not benefit from the navigation keys.
However in fact, there are nonetheless some points even with my most popular Galaxy S7. The speaker is improved over final yr, however nonetheless pales compared to telephones just like the Nexus 6P. The fingerprint sensor is quick, however nonetheless requires you to show the display on to make use of it — and being embedded in a house button flanked by capacitive keys is sub-optimal in comparison with a rear- or side-mounted sensor and on-screen navigation keys.
After which there’s the software program. Whereas I haven’t got any main complaints about Samsung’s interface at this level, I nonetheless dislike the slate of duplicate apps and the open door coverage Samsung appears to have with loading up its telephones with service bloat. I am tremendous glad that safety updates have been rolling out, however the few issues Samsung continues to be doing mistaken in software program put it a notch under what Google is providing in Android on its Nexus telephones.
Even with out these modifications, can I nonetheless advocate the Galaxy S7 to only about everybody? You guess I can.
four. Russell Holly: Galaxy S7
I went with the Galaxy S7. As fascinated as I’m with the issues you are able to do on Samsung’s edge show, the smaller of the 2 telephones is what I needed. After having used the Nexus 6P for some time, it was a pleasant change of tempo.
Samsung must ditch the glass again.
The very first thing I might change about this telephone is ditching all of the glass. I do not like how slippery the telephone feels, I can not stand how simply the again scratches, and it is actually the one factor concerning the telephone I have never been capable of adapt to. Like every part else in my life, it would be nice if the battery have been somewhat higher, however the one actual change I might make on this telephone is the glass.
This hasn’t stopped me from recommending the telephone to individuals, however that suggestion comes with an enormous sidenote to purchase a case instantly. I am not a fan of something that should have a case in an effort to be practical, so I in all probability would not purchase this telephone for myself. For many folks, although, that is one of the best Android telephone you will get at present.
5. Daniel Bader: Galaxy S7 edge
I have been utilizing the platinum Galaxy S7 edge, and whereas I feel it is barely too massive — my fingers would adore it much more if the display was 5.Three-inches as an alternative of 5.5 — it is undoubtedly probably the most engaging and well-rounded Android telephone I’ve used so far.
As Russell talked about, the again scratches too simply — I’ve babied this factor, however someway there is a good massive gash on the rear glass — and it is slippery, however I’ve but to drop it regardless of my predilection for tenuous one-handed utilization.
The fingerprint sensor and always-on show want a bit work.
Principally, the hardware is top-notch — tremendous quick, best-in-class digital camera, and a display you possibly can legitimately use within the solar — however there are a few different issues I want Samsung would change. I have been spoiled by fingerprint sensors on units just like the HTC 10 and Moto G4 Plus that unlock the telephone with out first turning on the show. I get that the sensor is primarily a house button, however it would not have been troublesome for Samsung to implement such a two-tier unlock system. I’m additionally dismayed at how poorly carried out Samsung’s tackle the always-on show in comparison with the Moto line and up to date Nexus telephones; regardless of it being bought as a function, on the Galaxy S7 edge it feels very a lot an afterthought.
Lastly, regardless of shopping for the telephone instantly from Samsung, it’s nonetheless beholden to the horrible replace schedule of the service it’s locked to. This can be a common drawback with many Android units, however I used to be naive sufficient to assume that Samsung would have overcome this concern by now and found out a solution to problem updates — even month-to-month safety patches — regularly, with out carriers appearing as intermediaries. Whereas some carriers handle to get updates out shortly, it would be higher if the updates weren’t as much as them in any respect.
However, wow, that digital camera.