samsung s7 edge review

What is the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge?

The curved screen is Samsung’s new headline design trait, and it’s using it more and more frequently. The S7 Edge is the best version of it yet, I haven’t spent enough time with the Galaxy Note 7 just yet, and it makes for an iconic phone. It's more eye-catching than the regular Samsung Galaxy S7, too.
It doesn’t just impress in the looks department though; this is an all-round stunner. It has the best optics, crispest screen and even Samsung’s software has taken a step back. The sloping display might make it harder to hold for some, but it’s never become an issue for me.
It’s expensive, it’s always going to be, but you’re getting a lot of phone for your money.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Design

Metal and glass build, curved display, IP68 water resistant, available in black or gold
Design hasn't always been Samsung's strong suit. Just two years ago, Samsung released the Galaxy S5. The handset was the most powerful phone available at the time, but it wasn’t a looker. Last year’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge signaled a much needed change for Samsung, and the change is only more obvious with the S7 Edge.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Battery life

3,600 mAh battery, fast charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging
The Galaxy S7 Edge packs a 3,600 mAh battery that's much larger than the disappointing 2,600 mAh cell sat inside the Galaxy S6 Edge and it performs so much better for it.
Battery life still isn't perfect though. The iPhone 6S Plus can go a few hours longer and the Moto X Force will last an extra half a day, but even if you’re a heavy user you shouldn’t have to reach for the charger until bedtime.
With moderate to high daily use the S7 Edge tends to leave me with around 25-35% battery life at the end of the day. It drops much more suddenly during intensive tasks – 30 minutes of Hitman Sniper took it down 15% – but it has exceptional standby time. Leaving it unplugged overnight only ate through 2% thanks to Android Marshmallow's excellent Doze feature.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, TouchWiz and Software

Game Launcher, Microsoft Office Suite, S-Health
Once a thorn in the side of the Galaxy series, TouchWiz has slowly gotten cleaner, smoother and better. With the Galaxy S7 Edge, the skin has finally reached the point where it’s no longer a serious negative against the phone.
Granted, it’s not as sleek as vanilla Android Marshmallow, but it’s starting to come mightily close. There are fewer useless bundled apps, fewer ‘bleeps’ and ‘blops’ and fewer childish icons. The theming engine from the S6 is still around, so you can do a pretty good job of making Android look just the way Google intended.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Camera

12MP Dual Pixel sensor, f/1.7 aperture, LED flash, 5MP selfie sensor, OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation)
Megapixels no longer matter, there are more important factors in making a great mobile camera.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge actually has fewer megapixels (12-megapixels as opposed to 16) than the Galaxy S6, but you wouldn’t think that looking at the results. While the actual amount of pixels in the sensor is less, there’s a load of improvements here.