Galaxy S6 • Unlocked vs Galaxy S7 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S6, released in April 2015, and the Samsung Galaxy S7, launched in March 2016, represent two consecutive generations of Samsung's flagship smartphone line. While sharing a premium design language, the Galaxy S7 introduced several key enhancements over its predecessor, including improved durability features, expanded storage options, and a refined camera system. Both devices run on the Android operating system, offering a familiar user experience with Samsung's custom interface.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience. The Galaxy S6 and S7, being older models, have reached the end of their official software update cycles, though community support may extend their usability.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S6 officially received updates up to Android 7.0 Nougat, while the Galaxy S7 was officially updated to Android 8.0 Oreo. This means the Galaxy S7 benefits from a slightly newer official Android version, potentially offering compatibility with more recent applications for a longer period.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S6 received an iFixit repairability score of 4 out of 10, indicating it is challenging to repair due to strong adhesives and the difficulty of replacing components like the USB port without damaging the display. The Galaxy S7 scored slightly lower at 3 out of 10, primarily due to increased difficulty in accessing internal components and the display being even more prone to damage during removal, partly due to its water-resistant seals.
• Physical Durability: A significant difference is the Galaxy S7's IP68 rating, providing dust and water resistance, a feature absent in the Galaxy S6. This offers an added layer of protection against environmental elements, potentially extending the device's practical life in varied conditions.

Performance in both the Galaxy S6 and S7 is sufficient for general daily tasks, but the newer model offers a noticeable boost in responsiveness and multitasking capabilities, alongside improved battery endurance.

• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S7 generally feels smoother and more responsive, especially when switching between demanding applications or engaging in graphically intensive tasks. This is attributed to its newer generation processor and an additional gigabyte of RAM (4GB in the S7 compared to 3GB in the S6).
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S6 offered internal storage options of 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB, but lacked expandable storage. The Galaxy S7 brought back the highly requested microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage up to 200GB (or more with newer cards), providing greater flexibility for media and applications.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S7 features a larger 3000 mAh battery compared to the Galaxy S6's 2550 mAh battery. This translates to improved battery life for the S7, with users often reporting it can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use, whereas the S6 may require more frequent charging. Both models support fast charging and wireless charging.

Both devices feature high-quality displays, but the Galaxy S7 introduces a practical enhancement that improves user convenience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7 feature 5.1-inch Quad HD (2560x1440 pixel) Super AMOLED displays. This technology delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The pixel density is very high on both, resulting in sharp and clear visuals for text and images.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: While both screens offer good brightness, the Galaxy S7 provides slightly improved visibility in direct sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors.
• Always-On Display: A key differentiator for the Galaxy S7 is the introduction of an Always-On Display feature. This allows essential information like the time, date, and notifications to be shown on the screen even when the device is in standby, consuming minimal battery power due to the AMOLED panel's ability to illuminate individual pixels. This feature is not present on the Galaxy S6.

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the Galaxy S7 offers significant advancements, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

• Main Camera Performance: The Galaxy S6 features a 16-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture. The Galaxy S7, while having a lower 12-megapixel count, utilizes a larger f/1.7 aperture and larger pixels, along with dual-pixel technology. This combination allows the S7's camera to capture significantly more light, resulting in improved low-light performance and faster autofocus speeds compared to the S6.
• Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The S7's camera improvements also translate to better video capture, especially in varied lighting, with more stable footage due to enhanced optical image stabilization.
• Front Camera and Audio: Both phones feature a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Galaxy S7's front camera also benefits from a wider f/1.7 aperture, improving selfie quality in dimmer environments. For audio, the Galaxy S7 offers notably cleaner voice transmission during calls and slightly higher volume levels for media consumption compared to the S6.