iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 - Complete Review
iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 - Complete Review & Comprehensive Buying Guide
The battle between the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 represents one of the most significant rivalries in smartphone history. While both devices were released in 2016, they remain relevant today for specific user groups: budget-conscious buyers, parents looking for a child's first phone, or collectors. This is not just a comparison of specs; it is a technical deep dive into two divergent philosophies of mobile computing. In this comprehensive analysis, we revisit these devices through a modern lens. We will examine how the Apple A10 Fusion chip holds up against the Exynos 8890 in the current app ecosystem, analyze the degradation of battery technologies over time, and determine which device offers better value in the used and refurbished market today.
Expert Opinion Snapshot
Before diving into the technical minutiae, here is the executive summary for the pragmatic buyer. The iPhone 7 has aged significantly better in terms of raw performance and software support, running iOS 15 comfortably. However, the Samsung Galaxy S7 still boasts a superior display (1440p AMOLED) and retains legacy features like the headphone jack and expandable storage that the iPhone lacks. Expert Insight: Most reviews overlook the storage architecture. The iPhone 7 uses NVMe storage (similar to PC SSDs), which is significantly faster than the UFS 2.0 found in the Galaxy S7. This results in the iPhone feeling snappier today, despite having less RAM.
| Feature | iPhone 7 Winner | Samsung Galaxy S7 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Display Quality | -- | Yes (Super AMOLED 1440p) |
| Processing Power | Yes (A10 Fusion) | -- |
| Battery Life | -- | Yes (Larger Capacity) |
| Software Support | Yes (iOS 15) | -- (Stuck on Android 8) |
Full Technical Specifications Comparison
To understand the capabilities of these devices, we must look at the raw hardware. While numbers aren't everything, they dictate the limits of what these phones can handle in a modern context.
| Specification | iPhone 7 | Samsung Galaxy S7 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Technology | 4.7" Retina IPS LCD (750 x 1334) | 5.1" Super AMOLED (1440 x 2560) |
| Processor (SoC) | Apple A10 Fusion (16nm) | Exynos 8890 / Snapdragon 820 (14nm) |
| RAM | 2GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Base Storage | 32GB (No MicroSD) | 32GB (MicroSD Support) |
| Water Resistance | IP67 (1m for 30 mins) | IP68 (1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Charging | Lightning (Slow Charging) | Micro-USB (15W Fast Charge) + Wireless |
Ergonomics, Build & Materials
The ergonomic difference between these two devices is stark. The iPhone 7 represents the pinnacle of Apple's aluminum unibody design. It is incredibly slim, lightweight, and durable against drops because it lacks a glass back. The matte black finish, in particular, resists fingerprints well. However, this was the generation where Apple courageously—or notoriously—removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, a major inconvenience for audiophiles who prefer wired IEMs. The Galaxy S7 utilizes a "glass sandwich" design with a metal frame. While it feels more premium and dense in the hand, the glass back makes it significantly more fragile. The S7's curved back edges (ergonomic curves) make it sit comfortably in the palm, arguably better than the flat iPhone. Critically, the S7 retains the headphone jack and introduces the MicroSD card slot in the SIM tray, a massive win for media hoarders.
Performance, Thermals & Gaming
This is where the iPhone 7 pulls ahead decisively. The A10 Fusion chip was a marvel of engineering, being Apple's first quad-core mobile processor. It utilizes two high-performance cores and two high-efficiency cores. Even today, the A10 allows for relatively smooth web browsing and social media usage. The Galaxy S7, powered by the Exynos 8890 (Global) or Snapdragon 820 (USA), struggles with modern app demands. While it has 4GB of RAM (double the iPhone's 2GB), Android's memory management and the heavier TouchWiz/Samsung Experience interface bog it down. Thermal Throttling Analysis: In our retrospective testing, the Galaxy S7 tends to run hotter during tasks like video calls or light gaming, leading to aggressive screen dimming. The iPhone 7 manages heat better due to the metal chassis acting as a giant heat sink, though it can get warm near the camera module.
Camera Capabilities: The 2016 Showdown
In 2016, the S7 was widely considered the camera king, but how does it look now? Samsung Galaxy S7: Features a 12MP sensor with "Dual Pixel" autofocus. This technology allows for instantaneous focusing, even in pitch-black conditions. The f/1.7 aperture lets in massive amounts of light. Photos from the S7 are punchy, saturated, and sharp, though Samsung's processing can sometimes over-sharpen images. iPhone 7: The 12MP f/1.8 camera produces more natural, color-accurate images. It supports wide color capture (P3), which looks fantastic on Apple displays. However, in low light, the iPhone 7 introduces more noise than the S7. Video Recording: The iPhone 7 wins in video. The stabilization (OIS) on the iPhone is smoother, and the dynamic range in video mode handles shifting lighting conditions better than the S7. If you want to shoot TikToks or Instagram Reels, the iPhone 7 is the superior tool due to app optimization.
Battery Endurance & Charging Speeds
Battery life is the Achilles' heel for both devices in the modern era, but for different reasons. The iPhone 7 has a tiny 1,960 mAh battery. Even with a brand new battery, heavy users will need to charge twice a day. It also lacks fast charging; charging from 0% to 100% takes over two hours with the standard 5W brick. The Galaxy S7 sports a 3,000 mAh cell. While larger, the higher resolution 1440p screen drains it quickly. However, the S7 supports 15W Adaptive Fast Charging and, crucially, Wireless Charging. The convenience of dropping the S7 on a charging pad makes the battery anxiety more manageable.
Market Value Guide (New vs Used)
Buying these phones brand new is nearly impossible and generally not recommended due to battery degradation in sealed boxes. The refurbished market is where the value lies.
| Condition | iPhone 7 (32GB) | Galaxy S7 (32GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Used (Fair) | $50 - $70 | $40 - $60 |
| Refurbished (Excellent) | $90 - $120 | $70 - $90 |
Pre-owned Inspection Checklist
If you are buying one of these devices today, you must perform these critical checks to avoid buying a lemon.
| Component | Test Procedure | Specific Failure Points |
|---|---|---|
| Audio IC (iPhone Only) | Open Voice Memos app and try to record. Make a call on speakerphone. | "Loop Disease" is common on iPhone 7. If the speaker button is greyed out, do not buy. |
| AMOLED Burn-in (S7 Only) | Dial *#0*# and select "Blue" or "White". | Look for faint shadows of keyboard or status bar icons (ghosting). |
| Battery Health | Settings > Battery > Health (iPhone). Use AccuBattery (S7). | Anything below 80% requires immediate replacement. |
Top Alternatives Comparison
If you are considering these two phones, you should also look at slightly newer alternatives that offer better longevity for a small price increase. 1. iPhone 8 / SE (2020): Retains the iPhone 7 form factor but adds a glass back for wireless charging and significantly faster processors (A11 or A13). 2. Samsung Galaxy S9: Keeps the S7's best features (headphone jack, MicroSD) but modernizes the design with thinner bezels and a much better camera aperture (f/1.5). 3. Google Pixel 3a: Offers a camera that beats both the i7 and S7, with clean software, though the build quality is plastic.
Critical Advice
For the iPhone Buyer: Ensure you buy the 128GB model. The 32GB model of the iPhone 7 actually had slower write speeds than the higher capacity models due to the number of NAND chips used. Also, 32GB is suffocating in the modern era of 4K video and large apps. For the Samsung Buyer: If you plan to use the S7, you must be comfortable with Custom ROMs (like LineageOS). The official software support ended years ago, leaving the device vulnerable to security threats. Flashing a newer Android version breathes new life into the hardware but requires technical skill.
Final Verdict
So, who wins the "iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7" debate today? The Winner: iPhone 7. Despite the inferior screen and lack of a headphone jack, the iPhone 7 is the only device of the two that remains functionally usable for the average person today. The A10 Fusion chip is still capable, and app support on iOS 15 is widespread. It is the safer, more reliable choice. The Runner Up: Samsung Galaxy S7. The S7 is a fantastic device for media consumption (thanks to that beautiful AMOLED screen and expandable storage) or as a collectible. However, the lack of software updates and the aging performance of the Exynos/Snapdragon chips make it difficult to recommend as a daily driver unless you are a tech enthusiast willing to tinker with custom software.