Ondrej Holzman After years of Samsung being often mocked for blatantly copying Apple products, the South Korean firm has pulled out. It already showed last year that it can make a good phone itself, and this year it raised the bar even higher. The latest Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge models are putting significant pressure on Apple, which will have a lot to do in the fall to fend off its competitor's attack.
The biggest rival of iPhones is without a doubt the phones of the Galaxy S series. Apple has long paid for the innovative market leader, but in recent years it is not so clear. The competition has worked on itself, and today it is far from just Apple, which will bring something to the market that has not been there before and set the direction for several years ahead.
Samsung, in particular, has stepped up significantly after a period when it seemed as if its designers were just sketching everything that came out of the California workshops, and in the latest Galaxy S7 phones, it has shown that it can create products as good as Apple. If not even better.
The first reviews that appeared this week on the new South Korean flagship are very positive. Samsung is getting praise, and Apple will have its hands full in the fall to introduce a similarly successful product. In some areas, such as software, Apple will already have the upper hand, but Samsung has shown several elements that they should consider in Cupertino.
Five and a half inches isn't like five and a half inches
Samsung chose a slightly different tactic this year than a year ago. He introduced two models again – Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, but each only in one size. While last year the Edge was more of a marginal issue, this year it is a clear flagship with 5,5 inches. The 7-inch display remained on the Galaxy S5,1 without curved glass.
So the Galaxy S7 Edge is currently a direct competitor to the iPhone 6S Plus, which has the same 5,5-inch display. But when you put the two phones next to each other, at first glance you would probably hardly guess that they really have the same screen size.
- 150,9 × 72,6 × 7.7 mm / 157 grams
- 158,2 × 77,9 × 7.3 mm / 192 grams
The numbers mentioned above show that Samsung has created a phone with the same screen size, but it is still 7,3 millimeters lower and 5,3 millimeters narrower. These millimeters are really noticeable in the hand, and even such a large device is much easier to control.
For the next generation of iPhone, Apple should consider whether it is worth basing on unnecessarily wide and equally large (albeit characteristic) bezels, and not finally come up with a different design instead. The curved display also helps Samsung in more pleasant dimensions. Although there may not be such a software use for it yet, it will save valuable millimeters.
The weight should also be mentioned. Thirty-five grams is again something you can feel in your hands, and there are many users for whom the iPhone 6S Plus is simply too heavy. The fact that it is four-tenths of a millimeter thicker in the final version of the Galaxy S7 Edge does not matter much. On the contrary, it can be beneficial. It makes no sense to chase after the thinnest phone for its own sake.
Waterproof and fast charging for every phone
After a one-year absence, Samsung has returned water resistance (IP68 degree of protection) to its Galaxy S series. Both new phones can last up to half an hour submerged one and a half meters below the surface of water. It doesn't mean you should go swimming with your phone, but it will definitely protect your device from accidents like spilling tea, dropping it in the toilet, or just plain rain.
In today's world of smartphones costing tens of thousands, it's fascinating that water resistance is still such a rarity. Samsung is far from the first to protect its products from water, but at the same time there are a number of companies behind it that do not provide such protection. And among them is Apple, which customers often blame when their iPhone - often by accident - meets water.
Apple should take an example from its South Korean competitor in another area that many would certainly like to take for granted - charging. Once again, Samsung's phones have both fast charging technology and the option to charge wirelessly.
We have often read about the fact that the next iPhone will be able to charge without a cable in recent years. But Apple hasn't prepared anything like that yet. At least with the charging speed, he could do something already this year, when it is said that wireless charging - for the reason that the current options are not good enough for Apple – we won't see it this year. The Galaxy S7 can be charged from zero to almost half in half an hour. Here, too, Samsung scores.
Apple doesn't have the best displays and cameras anymore
Apple's Retina displays, which it put in iPhones and iPads, have long paid for the best that could be seen on mobile devices. However, progress does not stop even in Cupertino, so this year Samsung again came up with significantly better displays, which was also confirmed by expert tests. Looking at the Quad HD displays on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge is simply a better experience than looking at the Retina HD displays of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
Unlike Apple, Samsung is betting on AMOLED technology and already speculations begin to abound, if this does not force the iPhone manufacturer to switch from LCD to OLED even earlier than originally planned. One telling statistic: the pixel density on the Galaxy S7 Edge is 534 PPI, the iPhone 6S Plus offers only 401 PPI on the same size display.
And Samsung is also receiving praise for its new cameras. Virtually everyone who has held its new phones in their hands says that even thanks to several new technologies, these are the best cameras Samsung has ever introduced, and most also agree that the results from them are better than what iPhones can provide.
Healthy competition is good competition
The fact that Samsung was able to present a quite innovative product, which some have even called the best smartphone today, is very positive. It puts pressure on Apple and finally presents the healthy competition that was so lacking in earlier years – largely due to Samsung just trying to copy Apple.
Apple is far from having a secure place in the limelight and cannot afford to introduce just any iPhone in the fall. And it may well happen that in the end it will be him who will catch up with his rival.
At least USB 3 and Apt-X would be enough for a start :)
I agree with the opinion of the editors that Apple will have to fight back this year. But don't forget that Apple is a conservative company, and thus it will not give up the location of the Home button, as well as its obsession with symmetry (meaning the same distance from the edge throughout the phone) and the thinness of its devices. I hope that Apple will again show that it is smart and will finally present phones and, of course, iPads with the smallest possible edges. I hate the edges and they are, for example, the reason why I am not forced to switch from iPad mini 2 to iPad mini 4. Apart from the processor and Touch ID, it is the same design (I don't feel any less weight and thickness). And it's a shame because I'd upgrade right away. I believe the opinion that the 5,5" Samsung feels better in the hand than the 5,5" iPhone 6 Plus.
I completely agree with the editor's opinion.
Exactly, apple does not have to get rid of symmetry or the home button, but it would only be enough to reduce the unnecessary gaps between the edge and the home button and the display. Apple could save 2mm on the left and right sides of the phone, according to my imprecise measurement, even while maintaining the curvature of the glass. On the upper and lower sides, in the areas above and below the home button, a total of 4mm could be saved, which, according to Applack symmetry, would be reflected in the upper part as well. All in all, the phone is narrower by 4mm and lower by 8mm, all while retaining the curved glass and current design. I own an iPhone 6S plus and I have to say that it would really fit, the current dimensions and weight are really at the limit of comfort and I think for people with smaller fingers even at the limit of usability. Personally, I'm not calling for a bezel-less phone or a curved display... It would be enough for me if Apple didn't waste space unnecessarily. iPads are also a great proof of this, where I'm not calling for a frameless design again, for some reason we have to hold the tablet and lean on our hand (that leaning is also a plus) but there is a lot of space, for example below and above the home button, where even the home button is not even symmetrical placed or unnecessarily large edges, which mainly applies to the air model.. I don't know if Apple does not add weight to these factors or if it is not deliberately overlooked, but they must realize that these factors directly affect the usability and comfort of the user...
Reduce the dimensions (as already mentioned here, a few millimeters could be removed on all edges), add wireless charging, include an iPad charger (which charges the phones faster and does not harm the phones from the six models onwards), throw in waterproofing and ditch the thinness at the expense battery life… Then this would be the perfect phone for me.
On the contrary, I definitely don't want a higher display resolution, which I don't really know (I went to the store to look at it and I just can't see the difference) and which will only unnecessarily squeeze the performance and the battery. My camera is also stolen. I'm no photographer and I personally don't know the differences anymore - but I understand that it's important for photography enthusiasts.
Samsung is out of the question for me because Android. But I admit that for ordinary people it can be a certain alternative to the iPhone that will not cause shame.
"alternative for ordinary people"?
ad1) do you know how much these samsungs cost? it is not such an alternative for ordinary people...
ad2) structuring into ordinary and extraordinary people is quite funny :D
I don't know what the price has to do with it, but I assume you probably already have your S7/6 right? As I wrote, you won't be ashamed of it, and if you don't really require a functional device and it's more about style and the need to stand out, then why not. You can call from it. But it is not a professional mobile phone. I also play on PC, but I wouldn't want to work on it. Because Windows :-)
So according to everyone it is the (Android) mobile of the year, but according to you it is not a functional device? Did you read the article? It says in it that the phone is practically at the top of the range, whether it's a display or a camera... BTW, I don't have a Samsung, I do have an Android. But I'm not a fan of Android - I don't see what I would look for on this website. ;-)
You answered yourself. Android.
You are too misleading, pure android or tweaked superstructure like MIUI is ok.
TouchWiz is what makes Samsung a useless product. :)
Android vs iOS are fully comparable, I would say that Android can basically do a little more, it is based on the logic of the fact that it is an open system, so the user is not limited only to the AppStore.
Don't convince Apple-nazis... :o)
For example, I know quite "unusual" people who use either Samsung phones or other brands out of necessity. Simply creating software for corporate customers is easier within the Android solution and there is a high probability that an overwhelming percentage of corporate employees and clients will be able to use it. That's just reality.
Creating SW is definitely not any more complicated on iOS than on Android. Of course, employees will be happy to have an Android service file rather than an iPhone.
It seems to me that almost everyone has an iPhone anyway. it's already warm in Western Europe.
That's right, there's nothing better than healthy competition, and it could force Apple to radically modify the iPhone 7. It's interesting that trolls don't suddenly write here that they're surprised how Apple fans, unlike them, are able to praise a good product?
Even with the Galaxy S6, I thought they finally had a good phone. But there's one thing I still can't get over them - the display burns out within a month. :(
Really? So I haven't noticed that with my S6 yet. And I've had it for half a year already. On the contrary, it still seems perfect to me. But I'll see in time.
Real photos of the SGS7 and SGS7 Edge compared to the competition, Samsung not much. The Sony Z5 takes noticeably better photos than the SGS7. It's also no wonder compared to the LG G3/4.
SGS7 (Edge)
https://goo.gl/photos/RNbmkMyVZQRVcPFa6
https://goo.gl/photos/qWBrSqHGjNNNpm538
https://goo.gl/photos/nVZNS3RYtpnVPVYZ8
MX4 Pro
https://goo.gl/photos/8DJH9GwubR69qNWJ9
https://goo.gl/photos/Eimi1QrVMNEysPgm6
https://goo.gl/photos/Kpx76LshqvHvciow9
Why do you want Apple to follow Samsung? Do we really want the next phone to be called the iPhone Galaxy 7 Edge Plus? Unless Samsung phones are able to drive a proper OS to perfection, it will always be just a really bloated pile of lazy hardware. So if Samsung merges with Android, it will always be a big loss for Samsung and an advantage for the competition.
I like Jáblíčkář, but this time I have to criticize a little (jj, everyone can criticize, which is not to say that I would do it better myself). :-) ..aleeee…
1) Advertising for competing devices on fan sites - hmm, hmm.
2) Before reading what is actually better about the new Samsung, I read several paragraphs about nothing. And round and round, just the word order changed.
3) The whole thing could be summed up; changing the display's width-length layout; slightly lighter, finer resolution; new camera.
4) When the display will be everywhere, where will the phone be held? Even now, some seniors and children, or people with larger hands, have the problem of "not pressing something".
5) In such small numbers, the difference in weight is unrecognizable (I understand that the advertisement must say "recognizable").
6) Display resolution – the human eye cannot see pixels from the first retina, further refinement is just a number on paper. Irrelevant.
7) Camera – like… ..“everyone with a phone in their hand was saying…” :-) ..I was expecting some technical information, not that one lady was talking…
Well, if Apple were to stoop to that kind of rhetoric, I don't know if I'd still be a fan.
It's similar to the fact that Apple doesn't have to have the most powerful processor, the largest storage memory, etc. for its products, because in conjunction with software that can work so well with the hardware, the device itself is still more powerful overall, the user experience is significantly more interesting, and work on such a device significantly more efficient.
PS: I work with an iPad and an iPhone that are about 4 years old. While acquaintances have already replaced several phones or tablets with Android (including Samsung) during that time. Likewise a computer - I've had a Macbook for several years and in that time others have replaced several Windows laptops.
The only thing the S7 brings is SD cards and water resistance, otherwise it doesn't stand out from the competition in anything.
On the contrary, in many things there is a lot of but...
1) TouchWiz…no point in detailing…
2) AMOLED does have a higher contrast, but in a direct comparison with the Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium, iPhone 6S Plus, Meizu MX4 IGZO display, the competition is much better in terms of color rendering and display fidelity.
3) The cameras are even worse on the S7 than on the S6 despite all the hype. The Z5 has significantly better photos, the LG G3/4 too, the Xiaomi mi4 and several other competing models have a better camera than the Galaxy.