Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Review (2016): The Perfect Curve
Introduction: The Edge That Changed Everything
In 2016, Samsung didn’t just refine its flagship lineup, it redefined what a smartphone could be. Enter the
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, a phone that blurred the lines between technology and art.
Following the success of the
Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung’s second-generation curved flagship returned with
bigger ambitions,
sharper engineering, and a
bolder personality. The Galaxy S7 Edge wasn’t just a phone, it was a
statement. A showcase of Samsung’s design mastery, camera innovation, and hardware excellence.
If the
Galaxy S7 was the perfect smartphone, the
S7 Edge was its
beautiful, curvy twin, and arguably, the best Android phone of 2016.
Design and Build: A Masterpiece in Metal and Glass
The
Galaxy S7 Edge design is one of the most beautiful in smartphone history. Samsung’s blend of
3D curved glass and
polished aluminium feels luxurious and futuristic.
- Dimensions:9 × 72.6 × 7.7 mm
- Weight: 157 grams
- Build: Gorilla Glass 4 (front and back), aluminium frame
- Colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, and later Coral Blue
The curved edges aren’t just for looks. They make the display feel like it’s spilling over the sides, creating an immersive, borderless illusion. This time, Samsung got the ergonomics right. The phone is slim, comfortable to hold, and feels less slippery than its predecessor.
And yes,
IP68 water and dust resistance is back. You can dunk the S7 Edge in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, and it’ll keep going strong. Simply put, the
S7 Edge was the most beautiful smartphone you could buy in 2016.
Display: Curves That Captivate
Samsung’s displays have always set the bar, and the
Galaxy S7 Edge display raised it even higher.
- Size:5 inches
- Type: Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 2560 × 1440 (Quad HD)
- Pixel Density: 534 ppi
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 4
The result is a screen that’s
vivid, razor-sharp, and breathtakingly bright. Whether you’re watching 4K YouTube videos, scrolling through photos, or playing games, the
colors pop with life. The dual-edge design isn’t just cosmetic. It houses
Edge Panels, giving you quick access to apps, contacts, weather, and tools, all with a simple swipe.
And then came something new:
Always-On Display, showing the time, date, or battery status even when the screen is off. It’s functional, elegant, and battery-efficient. The
S7 Edge display wasn’t just the best of 2016, it was arguably the best smartphone screen ever made at that time.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Specifications
| Feature |
Specification |
| Display |
5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED (534 ppi) |
| Processor |
Exynos 8890 Octa (Global) / Snapdragon 820 (US) |
| RAM |
4 GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage |
32 / 64 GB + microSD (up to 256 GB) |
| Rear Camera |
12 MP Dual Pixel, f/1.7, OIS, 4K video |
| Front Camera |
5 MP, f/1.7 |
| Battery |
3600 mAh (non-removable) |
| OS |
Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Features |
IP68 water resistance, Always-On Display, Edge Panels |
| Connectivity |
4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC |
Every component feels carefully chosen. Nothing excessive, just pure power and polish.
Performance: Power Meets Efficiency
Under the hood, the
Exynos 8890 Octa-core processor (or
Snapdragon 820 in some markets) delivers flawless performance. Combined with
4 GB of RAM, the
Galaxy S7 Edge handles multitasking like a champ. You can jump between heavy apps, stream videos, and game in high definition, all without lag or heat.
Samsung also introduced a
liquid cooling system, ensuring consistent performance even under heavy load. The
Game Launcher feature was a first, giving players performance controls, recording tools, and “Do Not Disturb” options. It’s fast, fluid, and smart, everything you’d want from a 2016 flagship and more.
Camera: Redefining Smartphone Photography
In 2016, smartphone photography took a massive leap, and the
Galaxy S7 Edge camera led the charge. Samsung made a daring move: reducing megapixels from 16 MP (on the S6 Edge) to
12 MP, but with
larger 1.4µm pixels and a
wider f/1.7 aperture, it captured more light, more detail, and more magic.
- Rear Camera: 12 MP Dual Pixel, f/1.7, OIS
- Front Camera: 5 MP, f/1.7
- Video: 4K UHD @ 30fps
The
Dual Pixel autofocus was revolutionary. It locked onto subjects instantly, even in near-dark conditions, something unheard of at the time. Low-light shots came out bright, crisp, and full of color. Even motion blur was dramatically reduced.
Selfies on the
5 MP front camera were equally impressive, sharp, well-lit, and flattering. In 2016, no other smartphone camera came close. The
Galaxy S7 Edge camera wasn’t just great, it
set a new standard.
Software: Simplicity with Smart Touches
Running
Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Samsung’s refined
TouchWiz UI, the S7 Edge offered a smoother, more intuitive experience than ever.
Key features included:
- Edge Panels: Access apps, contacts, tools, and news feeds.
- Always-On Display: View time and notifications without waking the phone.
- Smart Manager: Control battery, storage, and security.
- Samsung Pay: NFC and MST support for real-world transactions.
- S Health: Accurate step, heart rate, and sleep tracking.
Samsung trimmed the excess bloat and focused on usability, resulting in an interface that felt both powerful and polished.
Battery Life: Long, Strong, and Reliable
The
Galaxy S7 Edge battery got a huge bump,
3600 mAh, up from 2600 mAh on the S6 Edge. This wasn’t just an upgrade, it was liberation. With smart power management and the efficiency of the
14nm Exynos chip, the S7 Edge comfortably lasted a full day and beyond.
It also supported:
- Fast Charging (0–100% in under 90 minutes)
- Fast Wireless Charging
Even the
Always-On Display barely touched the battery, thanks to AMOLED efficiency. If endurance mattered, the
S7 Edge was the king of 2016.
Storage: The microSD Slot Returns
After the outcry over the missing expandable storage on the S6 series, Samsung listened. The
Galaxy S7 Edge storage supports
microSD expansion up to 256 GB, perfect for photos, videos, and games. With fast UFS 2.0 internal memory and the flexibility of external storage, users finally got the best of both worlds.
Connectivity and Features
As expected from a premium flagship:
- 4G LTE (Cat 9)
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth 4.2 LE
- NFC + MST (for Samsung Pay)
- GPS + GLONASS
- Fingerprint Sensor integrated into the Home button
The
IP68 rating, microSD slot, and MST-based
Samsung Pay support made the S7 Edge not just powerful but practical.
| Feature |
Galaxy S7 |
Galaxy S7 Edge |
| Display |
5.1-inch Flat |
5.5-inch Dual Curved |
| Battery |
3000 mAh |
3600 mAh |
| Dimensions |
142.4 × 69.6 × 7.9 mm |
150.9 × 72.6 × 7.7 mm |
| Weight |
152g |
157g |
| Design |
Flat glass |
Curved dual-edge glass |
The
S7 Edge offered a larger screen, bigger battery, and sleeker design, all without making the phone feel bulky. It was the definitive Galaxy of 2016.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stunning curved design
- Best-in-class Quad HD AMOLED display
- Exceptional camera with Dual Pixel tech
- Long battery life with fast and wireless charging
- Water and dust resistant (IP68)
- microSD slot returns
- Smooth, fast performance
Cons:
- Glass design attracts fingerprints
- Non-removable battery
- Edge panels could still use refinement
Conclusion: Beauty Meets Power
The
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge wasn’t just another flagship, it was a
masterpiece. Samsung perfected the curved design it pioneered, paired it with the best display and camera in the business, and wrapped it all in a feature-rich, waterproof shell.
It was
everything users wanted, and more. The
S7 Edge marked a turning point for Samsung, transforming the Galaxy line from a powerful brand into a design icon. In 2016, this was the phone everyone wanted to own. And even today, years later, it remains a
symbol of premium Android excellence.
If perfection could be curved, it would look exactly like the
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
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