Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: on the verge of interesting
Also this year, Samsung will come up with a variant of its Galaxy S top phone that is equipped with a curved screen. However, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has a different approach than the S6 edge. It does not have the same screen size as the regular S7, but a considerably larger screen. As last year, the differences are minimal. That is why in this short addition to the S7 review we discuss the elements that are different from the S7. So be sure to read the review of the Galaxy S7 if you want to know everything about the common issues.
Screen and design
The screen is the most eye-catching change of the edge compared to the regular S7. At 0.4 inches, it is noticeably larger than the display of the S7, bringing it to 5.5 inches. The resolution is the same and counts 2560×1440 pixels, which equates to a pixel density of 534ppi. Even on the edge, you cannot see the individual pixels, so the screen is super sharp.
Given the results of our screen tests, Samsung has adjusted the screens of the S7 and S7 edge similarly. The color temperature is quite similar and the differences in measured average color and grayscale error are also not startling. The edge is a bit brighter in our screen test, but that is a difference that is within the margin of error.
The screen of the edge is of course not only bigger, the edge takes its name from the curved edges to the side of the screen. That looks luxurious, but the S7 now has a curved back, which in our opinion has reduced the difference in luxurious appearance between the normal and edge version. Due to the curved edges at the front, the edges at the back are less curved at the edge. Where the edge held less well last year because the side was thinner, that is now the case again. Still, it holds slightly better than the S6 edge, because it is still slightly curved. We still find the regular S7 a bit more comfortable in the hands due to the more curved edges at the back.
| Device | Galaxy S6 | Galaxy S7 | Galaxy S7 edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width (mm) | 70.5 | 69.6 | 72.6 |
| Height (mm) | 143.4 | 142.4 | 150.9 |
| Thickness (mm) | 6.8 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| Weight (grams) | 138 | 152 | 157 |
| Screen (inch) | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.5 |
| Screen-to-bezel ratio | 70.9% | 72.3% | 75.94% |
Above you see a table of the dimensions and weight of the S6, S7 and S7 edge. With the figures of the edge you can see that it is also somewhat larger than the regular S7 due to the 5.5-inch screen, but that is not too bad in comparison. It has more screen compared to the rest of the front surface. It is also a wafer thinner, although that is almost imperceptible. It is also striking that it is not much heavier than the regular S7.
Software
The rounded edges of the screen not only serve an aesthetic function, but also a practical one. You can swipe in from the edge to bring up the edge menu. Its software has been expanded for the S7 edge. For example, you can now display 10 apps on the edge side panel. There is also now Task Edge. In addition, you can start an app at the touch of a button and activate a specific function within that app. For example, you can set a shortcut to taking a selfie, or go directly to your alarm function instead of first going to your clock and then to the alarm function.
Another handy feature is that you can set favorite widgets for work and private use, for example. The widgets can be displayed automatically based on location data. There are also a lot more edge apps to set up, such as your favorite contacts, a compass and the weather.
In practice, we hardly use the edge functions, to be honest. However, that does not necessarily mean that they are superfluous. We ourselves already have our ways of quickly launching frequently used apps, for example, and the speed gain is simply not very large by doing things via the edge menu. Still, if you teach yourself, the edge functions can certainly be a nice way to work.
Battery
Another difference with the regular S7 is the battery capacity. The regular has 3,000mAh, but the edge no less than 3,600mAh. It is therefore a bit larger, but has the same number of pixels to be controlled. We ran our battery tests and listed the differences between the two new Galaxy devices.
Where the S7 already comes out very well in the tests, the S7 edge takes it a step further. We almost ran out of time with this review, because the video test was still not over and we wanted to check out some things on the edge. It also lasts a long time in practice in our experience, although two whole days is sometimes a bit tight. You do charge the edge pretty quickly, just like the regular S7. It is 80 percent charged in just over an hour.
Performance
It is a bit strange for us to write a performance heading in this addition review, because you would expect the phones with the same chipset and pixels to be controlled to perform the same. Still, there are some consistent differences in performance. Normally, a larger phone with the same soc could sometimes be a bit faster, because it can dissipate its heat a bit better due to the larger housing and therefore suffer less from throttling.
In this case, however, it is the other way around. Our review sample of the edge performs slightly less well than the regular S7. The difference is about 10 percent at most, which with a bit of good will could be due to a blue Monday chip at the edge. After all, one chip is not the other, even if it concerns the same chip type, and performance differences can therefore occur. These benchmark results are of course hard figures, but in practice you will not notice any difference.
Conclusion
The question is whether the curved edges of the S7 edge are worth paying 100 euros more. That largely depends on personal preference and wallet. At the time of writing, the suggested retail price is 799 euros, which is about the level of the iPhone 6s Plus and therefore falls into the very highest price range.
Still, it is more interesting than last year to consider whether the edge version is something for you. First, the screen is bigger, which some will prefer. In addition, you have the edges with extra software functions, which can add value depending on personal preference. And then there is the battery life, which is slightly longer than that of the regular S7. Where last year’s edge version with the same screen size as the S6 cost 150 euros more, the difference is now only 100 euros. Last year we didn’t find the edge version that interesting, but now it’s more on the edge of interesting.