Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge goes up against the Sony Xperia X Performance. The metal and glass construction of the Galaxy S7 Edge makes the Xperia X Performance look very stalk and business-like. Although Sony changed the construction of the Performance to an all-metal design, it is still instinctively a Sony phone. It is a rectangle in design with large top and bottom bezels – and let’s not forget its 1080p display. While the glass and metal design of the S7 Edge are solid as a rock, the metal that Sony used not only looks like plastic but also feels like plastic. The devices do share many of the same internal parts and specs, but the overall feel of the devices are different. We will look at those similarities now, and then later we will look at each smartphone to try to determine a winner of this specification comparison.
The Galaxy S7 Edge and the Xperia X Performance do share some properties – the S7 Edge is just slightly physically larger, probably due to the one-half inch larger display, but weighs 7.4 grams less than the smaller Xperia X. They are both IP68 certified against water. Both devices use the same 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor and the terrific Adreno 530 GPU for graphics. Both have 32GB of internal storage which is expandable via a microSD card. Both have excellent camera areas but use different technics. They both have Hi-Res audio for superior earphone listing. The S7 Edge and Xperia both have non-removable batteries and use Quick Charge 2.0 for rapidly charging the devices. They also both have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and a microUSB v2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The S7 Edge does have a fingerprint sensor and so does the international version of the Xperia X Performance – however, there is none included with the US variant.
Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge retains the metal and glass design from the Galaxy S6 Edge series along with its dual curved display, although the sides were redesigned slightly to allow easier pickup on a flat surface. The curved screen does not have that ‘wow’ factor it once had, but it is a beautiful looking design. How does this aging premium smartphone hold up to the new Sony Xperia X Performance and its all-metal design? Let’s look and see just how they compare to one another.
The Galaxy S7 Edge sports a 5.5-inch QHD Super AMOLED ‘always-on’ display with dual curved edges, a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, and 577 pixels-per-inch (PPI). There are two processors used in the Galaxy S7 Edge – in the US you will get the newest Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15 GHz – the same one found in the Sony Xperia X Performance. Elsewhere, you will get Samsung’s Exynos 8890 octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and four cores clocked at 2.3 GHz. The 820 processor uses an Adreno 530 GPU, and the Exynos 8890 uses the Mali-T880 MP4 GPU – both are very accomplished. The Galaxy S7 Edge packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and offers 32GB of UFS 2.0 memory, with expansion up to 200GB via a microSD card.
The primary camera is a new Dual Pixel 12MP sensor with an increased aperture of f/1.7, included faster phase detection autofocus (PDAF), auto HDR, and OIS. The Galaxy S7 Edge uses a 5MP wide-angle lens with a larger f/1.7 aperture and Live HDR for its front-facing camera (FFC.) This combination allows for excellent low-light selfies and video chatting. Samsung did increase the battery size to a larger non-removable 3,600 mAh battery and included Quick Charge 2.0 and quick wireless charging as well.
The Galaxy S7 Edge display incorporates an always-on display to help conserve battery life and uses dual curved edges – both provide some excellent functionality. Besides Android Pay, you also have the option of using Samsung Pay just about anywhere you can swipe a credit or debit card. The S7 Edge provides a heart rate monitor, oxygen saturation sensor, and quick wireless charging. The S7 Edge measures 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, weighs in at 157 grams and is available in Black, White, Gold, and Silver, costing about $790.
Sony Xperia X Performance
The new Sony Xperia X Performance is your typical Sony smartphone – a rectangle, large top and bottom bezels, a decent camera, and an FHD display. This year they went from a metal and glass design to an all-metal design, but even the metal they used not only looks, but feels like plastic. Sony put out a US model with no fingerprint scanner and an international model with a fingerprint sensor. With the same processor and GPU, just how well does the Sony hold up to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge? Let’s take a look.
The Xperia X sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and 441 PPI. It was good to see that Sony went with the 64-bit Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15 GHz. To handle the graphics an excellent Adreno 530 GPU is included. It is also packing 3GB of DDR4 RAM, comes with 32GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 200GB via a microSD card.
The Performance uses Sony’s infamous 23MP camera sensor for its primary shooter, with an aperture of f/2.0, 24 mm, Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF,) and LED flash. Sony did jump from a 5.1MP to a larger 13MP FFC and gave it an aperture of f/2.0 and 22 mm lens for excellent selfies and video chats. A 2,700 mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities supplies the power.
The Sony Xperia X Performance has excellent dual stereo front-facing speakers. Although there is no fingerprint sensor in the US version, the international version should work on limited US networks – check with your carrier. The Xperia X measures 143.7 x 70.4 x 8.7 mm and weighs in at 164.4 grams. The colors are White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold, and Rose Gold and the Xperia X will cost you about $675 – $700.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
This was a tough decision only because of the price difference – the Galaxy S7 Edge is the clear winner in technology despite both devices using the same CPU and GPU. It has the new always-on technology, a larger display that uses Super AMOLED technology, and uses the QHD resolution. The curve display on the S7 Edge does offer some functionality as well as great looks. Inside it packs 4GB of RAM versus the 3GB on the Performance, and has a fingerprint sensor for authorizing mobile payments. Speaking of payments, the S7 Edge also offers Samsung Pay as well as Android Pay. The S7 Edge has a much larger battery and offers wireless charging, a heart rate monitor, and oxygen sensor.
The Sony Xperia X Performance is a nice enough phone with an excellent processor and GPU, but it is nowhere near the S7 Edge in overall features and build quality. These facts will not stop the Sony fanatics from defending the Performance, but for $100 difference in price, the S7 Edge is worth it.