When the white Galaxy S7 test unit landed on my desk, I considered it was the iPhone 6. To the naked eye, the build and shape look so similar that, were it not for Samsung’s more rectangular home button, I’d have said the two are identical. Even Samsung has adopted the same design of SIM card slot that requires a removal tool to open.
That, although, is where their similarities end. The S7, released this month, is slightly larger and, with a sturdy housing of glass and metal and weight of 152 grams, it feels fantastic in the hand.
Its specifications are similar to those of the bigger Galaxy S7 Edge. But, I did put its camera, waterproofing and battery to the test.
I never used to like Samsung phone cameras, as they produced, to my mind, oversaturated images with exaggerated vibrancy. The S7 camera seems to have corrected that, with colours looking more natural, whereas most impressive is its ability to take excellent photos in low-light conditions. You are able to do so much with the camera that it alone will keep you entertained for hours.
The only drawback – and I am not sure whether it was just my test unit – is that on one occasion, after I took a few snaps, the camera started to make strange crackling noises and I had to quit the application. However that happened only once during the week I had the phone.
Talk about battery power! One charge lasts several days with moderate usage: camera, internet surfing with no gaming.
In the end, I put the phone under a running tap before submerging it in a container and Ziploc bag full of water; it passed these tests with flying colours.
