S7 Vs S7 Edge

S7 Vs S7 Edge: Samsung’s two flagships have much in common, but there are some key differences. You can read our full reviews for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge to learn which one you want, but we thought a head-to-head comparison might make your decision a little easier. On the surface, the Galaxy S7 Edge boasts a bigger screen and two edges. The standard S7, on the other hand, has a traditional design and a more petite frame. Both are excellent phones that are more than worthy of filling your pocket, but which one is right for you? Below are the key differences between the two Galaxies.

When it comes to specs, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are evenly matched. Both U.S. models rock Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors and 4GB of RAM, which result in super speedy performance. The European counterparts for the S7 and S7 Edge have Samsung’s Exynos octa-core onboard, which is said to be weaker than the Qualcomm chips, but not noticeably so. The two Galaxies also have special water cooling systems inside to keep the heat down while gaming or taking on processor-heavy tasks, though both do get warm in your hand. In terms of performance, these two are completely tied.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge: Design

Samsung Galaxy S7: 7.9mm thick, 152g, metal alloy, glass front and back, IP68 certified, Black/Gold
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: 7.7mm thick, 157g, metal alloy, 3D thermoformed dual-curved display, glass front and back, IP68 certified, Black/Gold

Samsung has continued with the design language of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge for the two follow-ups. That means they’re both beautiful phones with finely sculpted metal rims and smooth glass rear covers. Speaking of the back, Samsung has rounded out the rear of both of these devices, making them more balanced and more comfortable to hold. It also means that the camera lens doesn’t stick out quite so much.

This year the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is actually a bigger device than the Galaxy S7, but not by as much as you might think. It’s slightly taller and wider, and it’s a mere 5g heavier. However, the Galaxy S7 is actually 2mm thicker. Clearly, the biggest difference between the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are those curvy sides. The Edges, as Samsung likes to call them, are not only gorgeous to look at, but they hold some nifty little features too.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge: Screen

Samsung Galaxy S7: 5.1-inch Super AMOLED, 2,560 x 1,440, 577 ppi
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: 5.5-inch Super AMOLED, 2,560 x 1,440, 534 ppi

Here’s the reason for the Galaxy S7 Edge being a little bigger than the Galaxy S7. Unlike last year, Samsung has decided to differentiate its two flagship Galaxy phones a bit more. So while it’s kept the screen size on the S7 to 5.1-inches, it’s upped the S7 Edge to an iPhone 6S Plus-like 5.5-inches.

The resolution on the two is the same, though. Both are quad-HD, so the smaller S7 actually has a more pixel-dense panel. Still, both displays are stunners – with bright, vivid and accurate colours. Even though they’re Super AMOLED they don’t suffer from over-saturation, thanks to Samsung’s vastly improved technology.

The S7 Edge does have a few screen issues though. The sides are prone to strong reflections and there’s an ever so slight blue tinge when you’re looking at apps with white backgrounds. It’s a small issue, but it’s hard to unsee once you spot it.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge: Hardware

We’ve redesigned the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to have memory that expands at your will. The incredibly fast processors and huge RAM keeps everything running smooth even when running at full capacity. While the bigger battery keeps you going for longer.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge: Water & Dust Resistance

The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge go everywhere you go. In the rain, the shower, or the pool. Up to 30 minutes or 1.5 meters under. We’ve also worked out how to completely seal off the inside components while keeping micro USB ports, earphone jacks open, so you won’t have to fiddle with extra caps or covers.

Galaxy S7 Edge Vs S8

The first thing you’ll notice when putting these two phones side by side is just how similar they are. But, despite the Galaxy S8 featuring a 5.8-inch display, the Galaxy S7 Edge (5.5-inch screen) is actually bigger overall.

Strangely, the Galaxy S8 is thicker than the Galaxy S7 Edge, yet it has a smaller battery than last year’s model (3,000mAh as opposed to the S7 Edge’s 3,6000mAh). Even still, the Galaxy S8’s Snapdragon 835 processor promises to net users significant performance and battery improvements, so the difference may not even matter.

Galaxy S7 Edge Vs S8: Screen

Another subtle but notable difference is the S8’s higher resolution display, which gets users 570ppi compared to the S7 Edge’s 534ppi screen. That probably won’t be discernible to most users during everyday use but it shows that Samsung continues to push its display technology in a positive direction.

If you currently own the Galaxy S7 Edge, whether or not you should upgrade is a tough question. There are some trade-offs no matter which route you decide to go. We’re still questioning Samsung’s decision to put the Galaxy S8’s fingerprint sensor right next to the camera lens, but we can’t help but love the device’s beautiful screen.

We haven’t spent too much time with the Galaxy S8 yet, so we’re holding off final judgment until later. For now, check out the chart down below for a full breakdown of how these phones compare on paper.