Galaxy S10+ • Unlocked vs iPhone 7 Plus • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus (2019) and the iPhone 7 Plus (2016) represent different eras in smartphone technology, offering distinct experiences for users. While both are large-format smartphones, the Galaxy S10 Plus arrived several years later, bringing with it advancements in display technology, camera systems, and overall performance. The iPhone 7 Plus, running on Apple's iOS, focuses on a streamlined user experience, whereas the Galaxy S10 Plus, with Android and Samsung's One UI, offers greater customization and a more modern hardware design.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 7 Plus was released in September 2016, making it a significantly older device compared to the Galaxy S10 Plus, which launched in March 2019. This age difference directly impacts the duration of software support and the availability of newer features.
• OS Support Duration: The iPhone 7 Plus received iOS updates up to iOS 15.8.3, concluding its major software update cycle. The Galaxy S10 Plus, having launched with Android 9.0, received several years of Android updates, likely concluding around Android 12 or 13. This means the Galaxy S10 Plus benefits from more recent software features and security patches for a longer period.
• Physical Durability: Both devices offer a degree of water and dust resistance. The iPhone 7 Plus is rated IP67, protecting against immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S10 Plus boasts an IP68 rating, allowing for immersion in up to 1.5 meters for the same duration. The Galaxy S10 Plus also features more advanced glass protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, compared to the iPhone 7 Plus's older glass technology.

The performance capabilities of these two smartphones reflect the technological advancements over their respective release periods.

• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S10 Plus, with its more recent processor and higher RAM configurations (8GB or 12GB), delivers a noticeably more fluid and responsive experience for demanding applications and multitasking. The iPhone 7 Plus, equipped with 3GB of RAM, was a strong performer in its time, but its older processor may show limitations with modern, resource-intensive apps and heavy multitasking.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S10 Plus offers a wider range of internal storage options, starting from 128GB and going up to 1TB, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card up to 512GB. The iPhone 7 Plus comes with 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB internal storage, but does not support external memory expansion.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a larger 4100 mAh battery, which generally translates to extended usage times, often lasting a full day or more for many users. The iPhone 7 Plus, with its 2900 mAh battery, typically provides a full day of use for moderate users, but heavy usage may require more frequent charging.

The visual experience differs significantly between these two devices, primarily due to advancements in display technology.

• Display Technology: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The iPhone 7 Plus utilizes a 5.5-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display, which offers accurate color reproduction and good viewing angles, but does not achieve the same level of contrast or black levels as an AMOLED panel.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S10 Plus boasts a higher resolution of 1440 x 3040 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with approximately 522 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone 7 Plus has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, providing a clear image at 401 ppi. The higher pixel density of the S10 Plus offers finer detail, particularly noticeable when viewing high-resolution content.
• Brightness and Features: The Galaxy S10 Plus's Dynamic AMOLED display supports HDR10+ and features an Always-on Display, enhancing media consumption and convenience. The iPhone 7 Plus offers a maximum brightness of 625 cd/m2 and a wide color display (P3), providing good visibility in various lighting conditions.

Both smartphones were notable for their camera capabilities at their respective launches, though the Galaxy S10 Plus benefits from a more advanced and versatile system.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12 MP wide-angle lens with variable aperture, a 12 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 16 MP ultrawide lens. This provides greater flexibility for different shooting scenarios. The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera system with two 12 MP lenses: a wide-angle and a telephoto lens, also offering 2x optical zoom and introducing Portrait mode.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S10 Plus generally offers improved low-light performance and more detailed images due to its larger sensor and wider aperture on the main lens. Its ultrawide lens allows for expansive landscape shots. The iPhone 7 Plus's camera was praised for its natural color reproduction and the introduction of Portrait mode, which creates a blurred background effect.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy S10 Plus supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second (fps), along with super slow-motion capabilities. The iPhone 7 Plus records 4K video at 30 fps and offers slow-motion video at 1080p at 120 fps or 720p at 240 fps. Both include optical image stabilization for smoother video capture.