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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge comparison

AndroidPIT IT Samsung Galaxy s6 edge vs s7 edge 1452
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The Galaxy S6 Edge was a gamble for Samsung because it employed a unique and unproven design. But it paid off – speculation at the time even suggested that Samsung couldn’t fulfill demand for the new device. Now its successor, the Galaxy S7 Edge, has been released by Samsung and reviewed by AndroidPIT. Is it a credible improvement? Find out in our Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge comparison.

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Take a look at how the S7 Edge matches up against its predecessor. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: design

The Galaxy S6 Edge was a revolutionary device. Its dual-sided display had an aesthetic purpose – some people just prefer the look of this handset over the simultaneously released Galaxy S6 – but it also offered unique functionality.

The Galaxy S7 Edge doesn’t look radically different from the S6 Edge. Given the success of the original, Samsung decided to keep the S7 Edge design similar to its predecessor, refining it only slightly.

The S7 Edge is noticeably bigger than the S6 Edge, which makes it better for watching videos on but worse for carrying in your pocket. It has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display and measures 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, while the S6 Edge has a 5.1-inch screen is 142 mm tall and 70 mm wide, although it does have a larger counterpart in the form of the Galaxy S6 Edge+

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As you can see, the S7 Edge is bigger than the S6 Edge. / © ANDROIDPIT

Unlike the S6 Edge, the Galaxy S7 Edge is waterproof and dustproof to IP68 certification. That means it can survive 30 minutes submerged in 1.5 m of water. These details were missing in the S6, despite having been present in the S5.

The S7 Edge has a slot for a microSD and nano SIM; the phone’s memory is expandable up to 200 GB via microSD, which is not the case with the S6 Edge. This is feature was well received by Samsung enthusiasts who longed for exapandable memory in the S6 Edge. 

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The S7 Edge brought back the microSD slot from previous Galaxy generations. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: display

The Galaxy S7 Edge features a dual-sided display (meaning that it slopes on the right and left-hand sides). The S7 Edge has not improved on the S6 Edge display, at least not from a resolution standpoint. As we suspected, the Galaxy S series didn’t get the 4K treatment; the S7 Edge display has the same QHD resolution as its predecessor.

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There are noticeable differences in display between the two phones. / © ANDROIDPIT

The screen edge software, though, offers a more discernible difference between the handsets. More on that below.

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: software

The Galaxy S6 Edge arrived with its own set of software features (which you can read about in the Galaxy S6 Edge review), afforded by the curved display. Some argued that these were merely novelty additions, so we were not surprised that Samsung updated them for the S7 Edge (as it has done each year with the Galaxy Note series' Air Command software). Some of the less-used features have been chopped, others improved, and there are some new additions.

Some of the software features available on the S6 Edge were afforded by its curved display

For example, the Galaxy S7 Edge display can make use of two side columns rather than one, meaning even more information can be displayed on the edge of the screen. What's more, the API has been made available to third-party developers to create their own unique functions for Samsung's edge panels.  

TouchWiz has not changed in a significant way since the S6 Edge+ or the Note 5. The phone comes with about seven Samsung apps, five from Microsoft, plus some from Google, as well as Facebook and WhatsApp. In total, the Galaxy S7 Edge has 25 pre-installed applications. Aside from the new edge display features, the user experience is much the same as before.

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Software between the two devices has remained about the same. / © ANDROIDPIT

The S7 Edge comes running Android Marshmallow. The S6 Edge was upgraded to Marshmallow in the first quarter of 2016.

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: performance

The European Galaxy S7 Edge variant contains the Exynos 8890 chipset, which has four cores with a maximum speed of 2.4 GHz and four with 1.6 GHz.

According to Samsung, the CPU and GPU are 30 percent more powerful than the ones in the S6, which gives an idea of the power that this phone can produce in comparison with its predecessor. 

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Processing power is higher in the S7 Edge. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: camera

The S6 Edge camera technology is the same as on its counterpart, the Galaxy S6, and it is impressive. The S7 camera, unfortunately, has a lower resolution, but its low light capabilities, dynamic range and color representation are an overall improvement from the S6 Edge.

The S7 Edge uses dual-pixel technology, which means that for each pixel, there are two light-sensitive photodiodes working in tandem. This means that an impressive 24 million photodiodes work together simultaneously. Its focus speed is four times faster in low-light conditions than on the S6.

It seems that with the S7 Edge, Samsung aimed for something more like Apple’s camera tech, which favors balance and contrast over high resolution. And this time, the camera doesn't stick out of the back of the handset like a goth at a pep rally as did the camera of the S6 Edge.

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The few S7 Edge camera improvements make for an even better photo-taking experience. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: battery

Battery life was generally pretty good on the S6 Edge and is even better on the S7 Edge. The S7 Edge and the S6 Edge alike are also now able to take advantage of the battery-saving features that Android Marshmallow offers.

The Galaxy S7 Edge battery has a decent capacity of 3,600 mAh, which is 1,000 mAh larger than the S6 Edge battery. Samsung has used new flexible battery technology that's able to take advantage of extra space inside the body so that the S7 Edge did not need to be too much larger than the S6 Edge. 

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The S7 Edge, though having a larger body than the S6 Edge is equipped with a larger battery. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S7 Edge: price and conclusion

The price of the S7 Edge started at US $800 when it was released, that's more expensive than the S6 Edge was upon its launch.

 

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The S7 Edge has made some solid improvements to the innovative S6 Edge. / © ANDROIDPIT

The Galaxy S6 Edge was groundbreaking, but it could be argued that it lacked a unique feature to really sell the benefit of the curved display. Features such as Edge Lighting were ultimately unessential and provided only minor aesthetic value.

The S7 Edge has made some improvements in key areas, such as the inclusion of microSD card support and water-resistance. It has managed to increase the size of the battery without greatly increasing the size of the body: no small feat. It has decreased the size of the camera bump on the back of the device: a notable blemish on the S6 Edge. 

Read more about the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge at the link and let us know in the comments why you are or aren't interested in upgrading to the Galaxy S7 Edge. 

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Cory Schmidt

Cory Schmidt
Editor

A Minnesota native, Cory's background is in writing and editing. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and his MA from the University of Kansas. He joined the Android community in 2009 and is excited to be contributing at AndroidPIT.

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27 comments
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  • 6
    mark griesser Jul 10, 2016 Link to comment

    "Goth at a pep rally." Nice

    Cory Schmidt


  • 1
    Lindy Jul 7, 2016 Link to comment

    I have a 6 edge and love all samsung products. However my edge has had some issues. I will have full service then all of a sudden no service. Says I have full bars however phone calls will not ring through. Voice mails are not being delivered until 3 hours after they have been left. I am not the only person that has had this issue. At work we have compared other phones and none of them have any of these issues. When the 6 edge is showing 2 bars 3 other phones are full service. I am looking at the 7 but worried I will have the same problems,


  • 2
    Ranee David May 3, 2016 Link to comment

    Hi Sir. Thank you for this helpful article. I'll be buying my new phone and I actually need your guys help on which one is better if the Samsung S6 Edge or the Samsung S7 Edge. Thank you.

    Cory Schmidt


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt May 22, 2016 Link to comment

      Thank you Ranee, I'm happy to hear that we helped.


  • Wendy Loosemore 1
    Wendy Loosemore Apr 6, 2016 Link to comment

    Why buy a flagship phone for a small fortune and then keep dropping it on the pavement. Absolute muppets.


    • 6
      mark griesser Jul 10, 2016 Link to comment

      What does the muppets reference imply there butter fingers?


  • surya kumar 16
    surya kumar Mar 25, 2016 Link to comment

    S6 edge is best.It is starting point.S7 is just a shadow of s6


  • ORDINARY BROADCAST 1
    ORDINARY BROADCAST Mar 9, 2016 Link to comment

    Ive been using the s6 edge for a few months now and i dropped it once face first on the pavement,terrified, i picked it up and to my suprise it was fine.I now have a case on it and i can assure you it is a strong and durable phone.It gets slippery when you sweat etc but overall it's a great phone.


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Mar 10, 2016 Link to comment

      Phew, glad it's okay :)
      Do you think you will upgrade to the S7 Edge?


  • 35
    Lalit
    • Admin
    Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Any idea what it's going to to cost ??


    • 46
      Deactivated Account Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

      Read under price and conclusion and it tells you.


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

      It's unconfirmed but could be around US$799


  • 21
    Peter Harwood Feb 21, 2016 Link to comment

    why on was the edge a best seller I've no idea because it was of no real functionality just looked different and is very fragile and prone to breakages


    • 3
      Pat Gencarelli Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

      If theres oen thing I can say about the S6 Edge after a year of using it, besides that its an amazing phone, is that it is not fragile/prone to breaking at all. I've dropped it multiple times on pavement, all that was left was some scuffs on the corners

      zhollywoodTahsheen KasseeUn4G1V3Nkarl clark


    • 1
      Ruhl Mohaan Apr 5, 2016 Link to comment

      I've had my S6 edge for about 9 months now and as Pat references it is a VERY robust phone! I have dropped the phone several times with no issues; I've sat on it and put stress on the screen that would have demolished other models yet the S6 edge lasted. In addition, I use the edge as a clock next to my bed (how awesome is the minimized display) and most importantly as a quick reference for the 5 or so super important contacts I use for business. If you get a bunch of updates, the edge's people reference is awesome because you set the six spots up with contacts you wish to monitor and you get THEIR updates only at that point not a convoluted mess. And with my carrier's 6-month worry-free trade in program going for the S7 is not an issue.


  • 1
    Scott Malsbury Jan 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Its all maybes and could bes... This guy dont know anything about the phone..


  • 1
    Raisa Dmello Jan 24, 2016 Link to comment

    S6, S6 Edge, Note 5 and more is now on sale only on BestAndroidPhoneDeals:com


  • M. A. Griesser 6
    M. A. Griesser Jan 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Lobster on a birthday cake? See I have no idea what you're trying to imply. A lobster on a B-Day cake to me is out of place and sticks out like a sore thumb. That doesn't describe the camera on my s6 Edge by any stretch of the imagination. That's why I'm perplexed.

    zhollywoodScott Adam Gordon


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

      "out of place and sticks out like a sore thumb" -- you're saying this does NOT describe the S6 Edge rear camera?? :)

      mark griesser


      • M. A. Griesser 6
        M. A. Griesser Jun 2, 2016 Link to comment

        Yeah I don't even notice it. It's slightly raised and barely noticeable. A far cry from lobster on a cake and a sore thumb? Whomever would use that term has never had a sore thumb.


      • zhollywood 2
        zhollywood Jun 14, 2016 Link to comment

        And I didn't even realize it "stuck out" until this article mentioned it. LOL

        M. A. Griesser


  • 9
    Luka Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    If it's the software that would really make a difference, wouldn't the S6 edge get the same things in a software update?


  • Joe Hanick 1
    Joe Hanick Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    You had me until you stated that the s6 edge battery life was pretty good. It is not!


  • 49
    storm Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    3D touch doesn't seem to have really gone anywhere for Apple after a little initial buzz. Samsung might throw it in, but it would be mostly meaningless without full integration into Android. Otherwise it's just a few Samsung apps that use it and those apps are not often used. I know on my Samsung phones I download the default Google apps. I know the interface and there's no reason to add Samsungs snooping permissions to my basic app usage.

    Samsung and the consumers would be better served waiting for Google to incorporate it into the OS.

    I think Samsung will have a hard time justifying premium pricing for these when compared to the performance and features of the so-called mid grade Android handsets that perform nearly as well for 100s of dollars less.


  • 1
    Raisa Matthews Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    S6, S6 Edge, S7 and more is now on sale only on BestAndroidPhoneDeals:com


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    The web is buzzing over the new LG G5 rumors with the new modular design, most sites have put articles about it. Why are you guys stuck on a phone that will really just be a copy of and old design with only marginal improvements? Yes they are far fetched rumor but at least it something new not the SOS articles you a been putting out lately.


  • hassan bouchta 10
    hassan bouchta Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Well i dont think that the s7 would be much different from the s6 edge plus same size same display maybe same battery no one would notice the change on performance so i think ill stick whit my s6 edge +

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