Test of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, enough to eclipse the iPhone 6s Plus

This test dates from over 6 years ago

In addition to reviewing his copy with a very good Samsung Galaxy S7, the Korean manufacturer once again offers an EDGE version with curved screen borders.This time, this is another format that Samsung offers, just to expand its customer target.But to satisfy with its Edge model, Samsung needs to make it more comfortable than last year, while providing it with the same improvements as the S7.Let's see the result obtained together.

Technical sheet

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is equipped with a 5.5 -inch QHD screen with curved edges since it is its great feature.There is also an exynos 8890 SOC, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory (with microSD), 12 and 5 megapixel photo sensors (F/1.7 for both), or a battery of 3600 mAh.

Our video test

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Much better ergonomics

As LG had done with an almost unchanged G4 compared to the G3, Samsung retains a winning formula with its S7 and S7 Edge, almost completely modeled on their previous versions.The manufacturer still endowed the Edge model with a larger slab (5.5 inches), and takes the opportunity to improve some aesthetic details.In short, "change in continuity", as the late Pompidou would have said.

There is a metallic edge similar to that of last year, although perhaps a little less sharp on the Edge version.By the way, the slightly curved rear window, like a Xiaomi Mi note, and the front window of the 2.5D type offer increased comfort in terms of handling.A detail not necessarily trivial.Besides, this metal slice this year signals the return of the microSD card, available in the hatch dedicated to the nano sim card of the mobile.

And despite a placement of the Jack and Microousb ports, and the audio output, quite similar to what we had on the previous model, an invisible detail is hidden here.The Galaxy S7 Edge is effectively certified IP68, which allows it to brave the water for 1 hour and up to a meter deep.

We had really reproached the S6 soundtracking camera protuberant in the back.If he did not bother more than this in flat use, for example on a table, this aesthetic detail was not particularly elegant.This year, this protuberance is less pronounced by 0.46 mm, sufficient for us to see and feel the difference.

Despite dimensions of 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge takes control, especially since its weight remains acceptable (157 grams).Obviously, it is always glass that dresses the front and rear faces, and the fingerprints are inevitable (and very tiring too).In short, this is a phone that is pleasant to use on a daily basis, ergonomics improving a lot on this curved screen model.

A very nice screen

With its Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Samsung has not announced a revolution on the side of the display.Here we have a 5.5 inch slab supporting a QHD definition (2560 x 1440 pixels), which gives us a very beautiful resolution of 534 ppi, largely sufficient not to distinguish pixels with the naked eye.Virtual reality lovers may be disappointed since a 4K / UHD screen would have removed the grid effect that can sometimes be perceived, but at the expense of performance and energy consumption.

There are already several - including Display Mate - to have explained that the S7 and S7 Edge screen is the best ever tested.And we are going to have trouble contradicting them, since this is exactly what the results obtained by our colorimetric probe say.In basic mode, the one that is closest to a natural rendering, the saturation of colors is well contained, the color temperature is ideal (between 6500 and 6800 k), the contrast is infinite thanks to the amoled, the brightnessmaximum is 542 cd/m2 in the sun and 450 cd/m2 indoors.

You will understand, the screen of the Galaxy S7 Edge is very pleasant to use, and very close to that of the S7.

Software

Released in March 2016 obliges, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is installed under Android 6.0.March 1, with the Touchwiz interface.An interface that had evolved a lot when leaving the S6, getting rid of many superficial applications (Bloatware) in addition to major aesthetic changes (size and look of icons in particular).

A lire
Découverte des fonctionnalités logicielles des S7 et S7 Edge

Since then, Samsung has not enormously renewed its Touchwiz interface, and the main visible changes in the first place are mainly due to the arrival of Marshmallow at Samsung.Those who already have this version of Android on another phone of the brand have already seen the new notification bar, in lighter colors.When we draw this bar, the shortcuts are no longer presented on a single line on which we sail from left to right, but on a panel which integrates 18 shortcuts.And we avoid a complete turn of the tab dedicated to parameters to activate anything.

The most important functionality (perhaps) is that like LG this year, or Motorola in the past, Samsung here introduces the Always on Display, an option that allows you to display information on the mobile screen.You can make the time appear, a calendar, or even images, without having to activate the phone screen.The advantage is that it is an option that is not - theoretically at least - not energy -free, and which can provide information without needing an interaction with the phone.As presented during the S7 video handling, this mode allows you to display notifications, and certain widgets (images, calendar, clock) on the watch screen of the mobile watch.

On this Galaxy S7 Edge in particular, since the curvature must serve something other than to do pretty, Samsung has enriched its features.On the side therefore, from this screen, it is possible to display favorite applications, create shortcuts for tasks, add favorite contacts, but also other shutters.

When we access the sidebar parameters, we can actually define which components will be offered.This can be weather information, your calendar ... Strangely, the component dedicated to Yahoo News, which was present during the MWC, however disappeared on this commercial version.In the parameters of the lateral shutter, we can also define the position (left or right), the size of the tab, or the level of transparency of it.

We were afraid not to find the Game Launcher, presented at the MWC, which is absent from the starting interface.To throw it, just start a game, and the dedicated parameters tab opens, and it is from there that it is possible to activate the shortcut on the home page.Not necessarily easy to find, know that these options are accessible by going in advanced functions then games.

At stake, the Game Launcher reveals a floating button, which also allows you to access several features specially studied for players.Indeed, when you press it, it is possible to launch a video recording, to make screenshots, to ask to reduce it from the game window, to lock the multitasking and return keys, or to block the alerts during apart.

Another interesting thing: in the settings of this Game Launcher, it is possible to adjust the quality of play with the Economy Battery option.If the option is deactivated, the resolution is normal with a frequency of images at 60 fps, while this frequency goes to 30 fps on the two energy saving modes.The maximum economy mode even offers a very low resolution for graphics.

Networks and communication

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge supports 4G category 9 allowing to reach a maximum theoretical flow of 450 Mbps for download and 150 Mbps in the rose.In fact, this flow is not yet accessible in France, but mobile will be able to take advantage of network improvements for many months.Regarding Wi-Fi, the smartphone supports 2.4 and 5 GHz bands with 802 standards.11a/b/g/n/ac.As you would expect, Samsung Blinde so the network part.The phone is also compatible with NFC and Bluetooth V4.2 the.

Besides, communications are very clear, whether for us or our correspondents, while the GPS is very effective.

Performance

We tested the European version of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, that is to say the one that integrates the Exynos 8890, the Korean giant's house chip, not the Snapdragon 820 intended for the American market.We are therefore in the presence of an octo-core processor with four Exynos M1 cores, which could be compared to cortex-a72 hearts, that is to say reserved for the most delicious tasks, but also four cortex-a53 heartsFor the simplest tasks.The latter are clocked at 1.6 GHz while the first four are clocked between 2.3 and 2.6 GHz.

In detail, the 2,600 MHz are affected if only two exynos M1 cores are in service.If there are four of them, their maximum frequency will then be 2300 MHz.

For the graphic part, there is a Mali-T880 MP12 of Arm clocked at 650 MHz and assisted by 4 GB of LPDDR4 memory at 1800 MHz.On paper, exynos 8890 is therefore powerful, very powerful, and largely above the exynos 7420 of the Galaxy S6.And in practice, what does the Galaxy S7 give?

On a daily basis, the phone is very fluid, there is no problem with slowdowns, we had no doubt any in any doubt given the power debauchery proposed by Samsung.And in a little more delicious uses like benchmarks and games?

In games, the Galaxy S7 Edge is doing pretty well, with an average at 32 fps under Real Racing but only 19 fps under Hitman Sniper.It’s better than many smartphones, but it’s somewhat disappointing, because we remain almost level of the Galaxy S6 which reaches 34 FPS on Real Racing and 19 FPS on Hitman Sniper.We remain slightly behind the Mate 8 since the Huawei terminal and its Kirin 950 allows you to reach 60 fps with Real Racing 3 and 34 FPS under Hitman Sniper.We will see in more detail the operation of the two chips in a dedicated article.

We have read that some consumers plan to import the Snapdragon 820 version, but the interest is frankly limited since Samsung has obviously smoothed the features of the two chips so that the 820 does not surpas too much exynos.

Multimedia

The Galaxy S7 Edge is no longer equipped with a 16 -megapixel photo sensor, but a Sony, the IMX260, 12 megapixel model.The promise here, as explained during the test of the model without curved screen, it is that of larger photosites (1.4 micron against 1.12 in the Galaxy S6), therefore allowing to capture more light andOffer more convincing results in low light conditions.

The whole thing is based on a Dual-Pixel technology which, unlike the classic phase detection autofocus, mobilizes all the pixels (or rather of their photodiodes) of the sensor, in order to achieve a development as fast asprecise.Beautiful promises, associated with an opening at f/1.7, a 26 mm lens, an optical stabilization system and a double LED flash.

In low light, we can therefore expect this phone to outdo the competition, and even a 6P Nexus whose HDR mode is very effective.And that's what the S7/S7 Edge duo does, with very impressive shots outdoors and at night.A simple store lightened store allows you to make a lot of light to a scene and give a little body to our night shots.

By day, outdoors, we have the feeling that the Galaxy S7 gains even more efficiency.It becomes very hard to miss a photograph as brightness management is good in automatic mode, HDR Auto mode is perfect, and hyper fast trigger makes this camera very easy to use, for any user.

If we have to find a downside to this sensor, it may be that the image definition is suddenly lower than on the Samsung Galaxy S6, and we therefore have the impression of losing a little something.Note also that macro photos will sometimes tend to be blurred due to the "too large" opening (f/1.7).

The most experienced users can be convinced by the pro mode of this photo application.A very effective mode where you can adjust the shutter speed, the ISO level or the white balance.Photo software is also equipped with various more or less usual mode, such as Hyperlapse, Panorama or slowdown (720p@240).Everything works wonderfully, for our greatest pleasure.

No big evolution either concerning the audio part of this smartphone.The sound seems slightly lower than on the Galaxy S6, but also a bit better.

Autonomy

After seeing the prowess of the Samsung Galaxy A5, and with a more imposing battery this year (3600 mAh), we only expect good for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.It must be said that, despite a first flattering overview for the S6, S6 Edge or S6 Edge +, daily autonomy was rather irregular, especially when the phone faced episodes of strong heating.

On our classic endurance test-that is to say an hour of HD video on the YouTube application with the brightness set over 200 cd/m2-the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge accuses a loss of 9 % load, andis therefore classified in the high average on this test, without however being exceptional.But the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) had not done better on this exercise, displaying a loss of 10 % of autonomy, while it is easily ranked among the most enduring smartphones of the moment.

In daily use, we are a little less won over by this S7 Edge which, if it is not bad, is not exceptional.First, the standby mode consumes a lot of energy and it will take at least 6-7 % missing load after a night of 7 hours.And with the Always functionality we active (time display + calendar in this case), the pressure drop is even greater, in the order of 12-13 %.It still does a lot for a night without use.

If our use is very moderate, we will be able to shoot just two days of use of this smartphone.But as soon as you have the misfortune to solicit it regularly during the day, the S7 Edge shows its limits and it will sometimes be necessary to count on a single day of autonomy, apart from the modes of economics.It is both disappointing and at the same time not surprising with a high-end smartphone like this.Note all the same that most of its competitors must be recharged every evening.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is currently in pre -order everywhere, at a price of 799 euros.On the Samsung website, a Gear VR helmet is offered if the pre -order is carried out before March 10.