The Always on Display can also show calendar information, but it's a shame this widget isn't actionable like traditional Android Marshmallow notifications. READ NEXT: The best smartphones - our pick of the best It's a similar idea to Motorola's Moto Display, which displays the time and any notifications when you pick up the phone or give it a jolt, but, as its name implies, the S7 displays this information permanently, which is more useful when you just want to glance down at your phone on the table to check the time. It also has the added benefit of Samsung's Always on Display technology, which can be used to display information such as the date, time and the phone's battery status when the screen is turned off. However, it's not something you'd notice in everyday use.
The S7's metal frame is now slightly smoother and less angular, but it's also a fraction fatter and heavier than the S6's, measuring 7.9mm thick compared to the S6's 6.8mm and weighing 152g rather than 132g. Otherwise, the rest of the S7's design improvements are all relatively minor. As a result, you'll probably want to invest in a case, particularly when the S7's rounded back and edges feel like they're constantly about to slip out of your hand. The back was in better condition, but its glass-plated rear is an absolute magnet for fingerprints, so it never looks quite as new and pristine as you'd ideally want it to be. Samsung Galaxy S7 review: DesignĪdmittedly, my first impressions of the Galaxy S7 weren't great, as my review sample had fine scratches in numerous places on the display and the fingerprint sensor.
As a result, those after the fanciest Android phone around should probably check out the S7 Edge. However, rather than have two S7 phones that are the same size, the S7 Edge is now much bigger, coming in at a 5.5in while the S7 remains at 5.1in. Of course, the same applies to the S7's curvy sibling, the Galaxy S7 Edge, as well. READ NEXT: All the best S7 deals right here With an IP68 certificate, the S7 can survive being submerged in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes, meaning it's now fully capable of surviving a heavy rain storm, or a drop down the toilet. Samsung's also brought back its waterproofing protection, which was strangely absent on the S6 after making such a splash (pardon the pun) on the Galaxy S5. The S7 is available in 32GB or 64GB models by default, so you still have the option of having more storage if you need it, but at least you now have a choice.
Instead, you can simply buy a microSD card (it supports cards up to 200GB) and slot it in whenever you like, allowing you to upgrade your storage cheaply rather than being hamstrung by your original purchase decision. For starters, it means you now don't have to pay extra upfront for a larger capacity smartphone, a la Apple. It's a small change, but it's important all the same. Samsung Galaxy S8 review: Two years on, is the galaxy S8 still a worthy purchase?