Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Samsung Galaxy S7 takes on the new Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017). Because of the demise of the Galaxy Note 7, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge remain as Samsung’s current flagships. We thought it would be interesting to compare Samsung’s new Galaxy A7 midrange device to their current flagship. The Galaxy S7 uses a metal and glass construction whereas the Galaxy A7 is an all-metal device. Which one of these devices has what it takes to win this competition? Let’s see just what these two smartphones have in common and just how much they differ.
The Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy A7 do have a few things in common besides their Samsung heritage. Their Super AMOLED displays are different sizes – 5.1-inches vs. 5.7-inches, and this makes them different in physical size. They both have the ‘always-on’ display feature to save battery life. They both (the international version of the Galaxy S7) use an Exynos processor – the 8890 octa-core and the 7880 octa-core – along with a Mali GPU for graphics. They both offer a 32GB variant of internal memory, and they both are expandable to 256GB via a microSD card. The main camera areas vary, but both take great photos. They both sport a non-removable battery with rapid charging, and the Galaxy S7 enjoys wireless fast charging built in. They both enjoy a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device or authorizing mobile payments, including Samsung Pay. The usual suspects are here – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and a USB port – microUSB v2.0 on the Galaxy S7 and the newer Type-C reversible on the Galaxy A7.
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
In an effort to get a jump on other new devices, the Galaxy S series is usually released before other manufacturers in the spring of the year. All other released devices are compared to the Galaxy S series to see which device is superior. Although the Galaxy S7 was merely a refinement of the Galaxy S6, the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge outsold all other Android smartphones. The Galaxy S7 uses the same exterior look of metal and glass construction with a new processor and camera on the inside. The camera area was about the most exciting new design this year as we all expected to see a 21MP+ sensor; but instead, Samsung dialed it back to a Dual Pixel 12MP shooter.
The Galaxy S7 sports a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED QHD display giving it a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels with 577 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) Samsung added an ‘always-on’ screen to help save battery life. Rather than having to turn the display on to check for notifications or time and date, the ‘always-on’ display feature allows you glance at them all of the time. In countries other than the US, the Galaxy S7 uses Samsung’s Exynos 8890 octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.6GHz and four cores clocked at 2.3GHz. The Galaxy S7 packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and has 32GB of the faster UFS 2.0 memory, as well as possible expansion up to 256GB via a microSD card.
Samsung surprised everybody in the camera area where we expect to have our megapixels increase on a yearly basis, by dropping the 16MP lenses found in the Galaxy S6 series and replacing it with a Dual Pixel 12MP. They increased aperture to f/1.7, including a faster phase detection autofocus (PDAF), auto HDR and OIS. The Galaxy S7’s front-facing camera (FFC) comes with a 5MP sensor, a wide-angle lens, the same f/1.7 aperture as the primary camera, and Live HDR that allows for excellent low-light selfies and video chatting. Samsung did increase the non-removable battery to 3000mAh, and it features Quick Charge 2.0 and Quick Wireless Charging.
Because it is a Samsung, the Galaxy S7 can use both Android Pay as well as Samsung Pay. Adding Samsung Pay allows S7 users to make mobile purchases just about anywhere they can swipe a credit or debit card. The S7 has IP68 certification against dust and water; it sports a heart rate monitor and oxygen sensor, and High-Res audio for listening through earphones. The Galaxy S7 measures 142.4 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm, weighs in at 152 grams, is available in Black, White, Gold, and Silver, and costs about $670, although many specials are running, including BOGO.
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
The new Samsung Galaxy A7 looks like a typical Samsung device with its rounded corners, speaker grate at the top with the Samsung name, and an oval home button at the bottom. It has an all-metal aluminum body and includes some decent specifications. The Galaxy A7 (2017) also includes the IP68 certification for water and dust and has a new side-positioned loudspeaker. Let’s see just how this new Galaxy A7 mid-range holds up against the venerable Galaxy S7.
The Galaxy A7 sports a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD display giving it a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with 386 PPI. Samsung added the ‘always-on’ screen on the Galaxy A7 to help save battery life. The Galaxy A7 uses Samsung’s Exynos 7880 octa-core processor clocked at 1.9GHz and a Mali-T830MP2 for graphics. The Galaxy A7 packs 3GB of RAM and has 32GB of expandable internal memory up to 256GB via a microSD card.
Samsung chose a 16MP lenses for the primary shooter on the Galaxy A7 with an aperture of f/1.9, autofocus, and LED flash. The Galaxy A7’s FFC also comes with a large 16MP lens with the same f/1.9 aperture as the primary camera. This large FFC will give you excellent low-light selfies and video chatting. Samsung included a large non-removable battery of 3600mAh, and it features rapid charging.
The Galaxy A7 is available in some Asian markets now and will launch in Europe early next month – there is no word on when or if there will be a US release. It can use both Android Pay as well as Samsung Pay, which will allow A7 users to make mobile purchases just about anywhere they can swipe a credit or debit card. It has IP68 certification against dust and water and a side-mounted speaker. It comes with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow as the OS. The Galaxy A7 measures 156.8 x 77.6 x 7.9mm, weighs in at a heafty 186 grams, is available in Black Sky, Gold Sand, Blue Mist, and Peach Cloud and costs about $530.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
I had to go with the older Samsung Galaxy S7 as the winner of this comparison. It is by far the more spec’d device with its Quad HD, albeit smaller, display, processor/GPU, more RAM, wireless charge capabilities, heart rate monitor, and oxygen saturation sensor. It is now running Android 7.0 Nougat.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is a great device but can only be used overseas at the moment, offers no features the Galaxy S7 does not possess, and its pricing is a tad high, although cheaper than the Galaxy S7. While the Galaxy S7 is priced $140 more, most people will never pay that price with all of the discounts and promotions going on, so this evens the price playing field making the Galaxy S7 the winner of this comparison.
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