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How good is the Samsung Galaxy S7 in 2020?

AndroidPIT IT Samsung Galaxy S7 features 3553
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The former top smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, are now four years old. Is it still worth buying a Galaxy S7 in 2020? What do they cost? Do you still get updates? And what can newer smartphones really do better? You can find the answers right here.

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Should you still buy the Galaxy S7/Edge in 2020?

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge in 2016, it quickly became one of the most popular smartphones. But now four years have passed and the fourth successor is the Galaxy S11 or S20. With the radiance of the new products, manufacturers like Samsung naturally want to make people forget that older models can be bought for a tenth of the price. And that they do equally good work in everyday life. But we should clarify an important question before buying...

Is the Galaxy S7 still getting updates?

Samsung only delivers security patches for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge every three months. Major version updates to Android 9 Pie or Android 10 are no longer officially offered for Galaxy S7. Since both models are now four years old, we also expect the quarterly patches to stop shipping soon.

AndroidPIT samsung galaxy s7 samsung galaxy edge comparison 1
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. / © NextPit

The devices will then stay on Android 8.0 permanently. Without security patches, it will become increasingly easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your device and your data over time.

Unofficial Android 9 for Galaxy S7/Edge

Technically savvy users can replace the official firmware of their Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge with third-party firmware - so-called custom ROMs. Official versions of LineageOS or Pixel Experience have unfortunately also discontinued official support. However, there is still a lot of activity in the legacy area of ​​LineageOS and in the forum of the XDA Developers and there is a large selection of current and therefore secure Android 9 variants for the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge.

How much is the Galaxy S7 / Edge worth?

The Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge models were launched at the time at around $700 to $800. You can now get them for significantly less money. eBay auctions of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge end at $100 or so. New or refurbished, the Galaxy S7 costs around $130 to $150.

What can newer smartphones do better?

This question arises especially for those who are currently still using a Galaxy S7. What has really happened on the smartphone market since 2016? To be honest, very little!

  • New high-end devices no longer have a 3.5mm headphone jack
  • The selfie camera interrupts the display in a notch or a hole
  • Instead of one, smartphones have several main cameras
  • Photos at night, portrait shots and slow-motion videos have gotten much better
  • There are fingerprint sensors under the display now
  • Face recognition has become more important, but is hardly asserting itself
  • 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage have became normal

Then there are important new functions in software updates. Android 9 Pie and Android 10 deliver the following innovations:

  • Dark mode: user interface and apps are displayed dark
  • Digital Wellbeing: limits your use of apps and the entire smartphone
  • An app is only granted location permission if you actively use it

The Galaxy S7/S7 Edge is certainly still suitable for everyday tasks. The Samsung Exynos 8890 is still working at a good level and the 4GB of RAM is sufficient. It's different with the storage. If you have the 32GB model, you may have to sift through your data or expand the memory using a microSD card.

A very good display that you can repair inexpensively

The Super AMOLED display on both smartphones is still better than many other smartphones today. Even the QHD resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels is still not a standard. In addition, it has become difficult to find a 5.1 or 5.5-inch screen in the high-end area. This can be a plus if you like compact smartphones that have become rare lately. And of course, it has no notch!

The Galaxy S7 can also be repaired quite cheaply. Since it has no curved display, repair costs for professionals are around $100. The Galaxy S7 Edge, on the other hand, is getting more expensive. Replacing a broken display costs over $200, sometimes even $300.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10 technical specifications

  Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung Galaxy S10

Battery life and a camera good

Although the 3,000 or 3,600 mAh for the battery could indicate that the battery life of both smartphones is not as good as you can get today, the devices still get you through the day thanks to a less demanding processor and the small displays. In addition, there is a quick charging technology that makes the battery full again in one hour and 15 minutes. It doesn't get any faster with newer models. If the battery becomes weak, you can have it professionally replaced for a new one for around $50.

The single 12-megapixel camera with f/1.7 aperture still delivers solid photos, which are no longer among the best, but are still good enough in many situations.

AndroidPIT IT Samsung Galaxy S7 features 3563
The camera continues to deliver solid results. / © NextPit

Sometimes you notice your age on your smartphone

Nevertheless, you sometimes notice the age. The Galaxy S7 was Samsung's last flagship before the manufacturer stretched the display and made the edges around it smaller. By now you are used to such a good relationship between the display and the front, which sometimes makes it a little strange to hold a device with such wide edges in your hands - both above and below.

Connectivity is also getting a bit old-fashioned because instead of the more and more widespread and practical USB-C connection, you can still find a micro-USB connection here.

AndroidPIT omar loves Samsung S7 edge 1422
The Galaxy S7 (Edge) is one of the most popular models from Samsung. / © NextPit

Conclusion

The good old Galaxy S7 has not yet had its day. Unfortunately, Samsung will soon stop supplying security patches. Then the once expensive and high-quality smartphone suffers the same fate as so many Windows 7 computers. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to install a newer version of Android instead. The device will soon become the gateway for Android malware. Online banking or other confidential content is then potentially no longer - well - confidential.

This is annoying, after all, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge would still be technically competent. Most users have no critical advantage from newer models. Especially not one that justifies up to ten times the price.

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  • 1
    paul Oct 27, 2020 Link to comment

    I have the S7 edge. and i have to say that it has worked flawlesly for the last 4 years, last year i was due an update but decided to keep it for another year as i could see no benifit in getting yet another expensive phone.
    However that year has passed by, and its time to update, but i dont know what to update it with, could it be an S10, S20, or the latest Note, (my previouse phone was a Galaxy Note 2) another great phone, i still have it as a spare!
    what would you upgrade to ???


    • 1
      Mark Lyford Nov 7, 2020 Link to comment

      I'd actually update to a OnePlus phone--you get a ton more phone for the money :) I am using a OnePlus 8T, which is a higher-midrange phone. It is superb! The OnePlus Nord is a huge value, and the OnePlus 8 Pro 5G is one of the most future-proof phones you're gonna find anywhere.


  • 1
    Kuba Jun 2, 2020 Link to comment

    This is absolutely great phone. I bought it in 2017 when this model was already 2 years old. It has great display, very good battery and excellent antenna and voice quality (it performs much better than many other phones in areas with poor signal).

    Unfortunately using custom ROM is not an option for me (I already tried many custom ROMs back when I uwas using Galaxy S4 - they were ultra buggy, not even close to official ROM if we talk about stability). It would be great if Samsung could provide updates for G7E for another year or two.


  • 1
    digitalmacster May 26, 2020 Link to comment

    I still use my S7 after 4 years, I have difficulty with the mic, which has forced me to look at another phone. but i still think the S7 is right up there.


    • 1
      lizb Aug 9, 2020 Link to comment

      clean the mic hole with air blast . Use a straw


  • Tim Stevens 10
    Tim Stevens Apr 30, 2019 Link to comment

    Im still with my s7edge and my girl and daughters with s7...uodating to pie is easy (just flash if samsung wont help)... Still working flawless daily!!! I dont need a new one for at least a year


  • 4
    koperoktober Apr 30, 2019 Link to comment

    It's a fabolous phone. Maybee the best Samsung has made. Flawles and trusty in every situation. No edges. And as per today Android 5 is satisfying every need of average user. For flagship users up to them, but S7 has nothing to wish more.


  • 49
    storm Apr 30, 2019 Link to comment

    Unless the battery was giving me problems I'd stick with it.


    • 1
      The4ceSavage Oct 26, 2020 Link to comment

      My battery life is terrible on it and i have no clue how to fix it

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