galaxys7
Latest
Verizon's Galaxy S7 can install apps on its own, but don't panic
Verizon is notorious in some circles for loading its smartphones with bloatware, but its recent moves have some users more anxious than usual... if not necessarily for the best reasons. A recent update to the carrier's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge variants has installed Digital Turbine's Ignite, an app that lets carriers install more apps in the background. This has surfaced before on earlier T-Mobile and Verizon phones, but owners on Reddit and elsewhere are understandably nervous that this suddenly gives Verizon carte blanche to install more unwanted apps. Are you going to wake up to find another unnecessary navigation app or media portal on your phone?
Moving the Galaxy S7 launch up helped Samsung's profits
Samsung's Galaxy phones drove rapidly growing profits until sales peaked a couple of years ago, but the company just reported its Q1 2016 operating profit is up 12 percent from 2015. Coming at the same time as Apple faced its first revenue drop in a decade, Samsung is getting a boost from releasing its Galaxy S7 earlier in the year than usual. Even a "one time royalty expense" didn't make a noticeable dent in the segment's performance, which is the highest it's been since the second quarter of 2014.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 phones get pink option that isn't rose gold
Not one to hold back on spinning out new colors and editions months after a smartphone debuts, Samsung's revealed metallic rose-hued Galaxy S7s and S7 Edges for Korean phone-shoppers. Wait, it's not rose gold. That's some other company. These phones are obviously pink gold. Completely different and "skin tone-inspired".
Samsung reps can remote control your S7 for troubleshooting
You know those calls you get from a friend or family member who just can't seem to figure out how to operate a smartphone? Samsung+ app's new feature could save you the trouble of having to spend hours helping them figure out how to switch on their mobile data connection or to connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones. The app's latest update adds a feature called "Assist," which allows representatives to take over and troubleshoot their phone for them.
Samsung rolls out its ad-blocking Android browser
Owners of certain Samsung devices now have a new browser option: Samsung's very own "Internet" app. Wait, don't go! You may have given up on the app long ago, but version 4.0 has some pretty interesting features. All versions of Android on Samsung devices (not just Marshmallow) now get content blocking (aka ad-blocking), provided you have a dedicated third-party app installed. The other notable feature is "Secret" mode, which is like Chrome's Incognito or Firefox's private browsing settings. However, Samsung has added authentication and encryption to more fully protect your internet browsing history.
Samsung accidentally reveals the Galaxy S7 Active
A Samsung app has leaked the existence of a new smartphone from the company, the Galaxy S7 Active. The previously unknown phone appears in a long list of supported devices in the Google Play listing for the Samsung Level app, spotted by SamMobile. The Active range of Galaxy phones was born out of necessity. It first appeared in 2013 as a waterproof, ruggedized version of the company's then-flagship Galaxy S4. Each iteration of the "S" line since has been accompanied by an Active variant.
Samsung has a new music app for Galaxy users to test
Have a new Galaxy S7 or other Samsung Galaxy device running Android Marshmallow? Then the electronics giant wants you to kick the tires on Samsung Music. I'd explain what it is, but its name does that for me. The music app plays MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC files, however, it's still in beta so it might not run without a hitch. But hey, your horoscope suggested opening yourself up to new things, so you might as well give it a shot.
Verizon upgrade program gets you a new phone every year
Verizon hopped on the annual phone upgrade bandwagon late last year, but only for iPhones -- not much good if you prefer Android-flavored devices. Thankfully, it's widening that circle today. The carrier is launching an Annual Upgrade Program that gets you a new smartphone each year. So long as you buy Samsung's Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge on an installment plan, you won't have to shell out more to upgrade to something new. You can upgrade as soon as 30 days after you activate a new phone, although you'll need to have paid at least 50 percent of the device price first -- this isn't the best choice if you're prone to buyer's remorse.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the Galaxy S7 in about a minute
Didn't have time to get through our 4,000-plus word review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge? No problem. Here's what you need to know: We like them. A lot. The S7 in particular feels like a refined version of the already-great S6, with an easier-to-hold design, improved camera, waterproof build, more powerful innards and the return of a microSD slot (back by popular demand). There's not much we would change, though a bigger jump in battery life next time around would be nice. That's the gist, as you'll see in our mini review-video above, and hey, if you need some weekend reading, you know where to find our review.
Where to buy Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge in the UK
The Mobile World Congress expo in Barcelona is fast becoming a distant memory, but now is the season for flagship phones announced at the show to start making their way to consumers. Today, it's Samsung's turn. It's fair to say the new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are only iterative improvements on last year's models; but with slicker styling, the return of expandable storage and flagship-grade performance, they're among the best Android smartphones money can buy. You may've even clocked a few in the wild already, since anyone that pre-ordered either device should've received theirs earlier this week. We understand that not everyone's that organised, though, so join us as we explore all the purchasing options on general release day.
Samsung does its own Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge teardown
While iFixit is quick to tear apart new devices to gauge repairability, Samsung has its own look inside the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The company offers a breakdown of the components that make up the two handsets rather than a step-by-step process. However, it does include a bit of an explanation on that cooling heat pipe. iFixit noted that the part was more like a "copper twig," and Samsung says the pipe condenses vapor to liquid in order to keep the temperature down. The feature is meant to lend a hand with processor-heavy tasks, like gaming, dissipating heat with that pipe and a thin thermal spreader. There's a close-up look at the rest of the device as well, if you're after a different perspective than the teardown earlier in the week.
Samsung launches a phone upgrade program of its own
With global smartphone sales decidedly flat, how can companies push new device sales? As expected, Samsung is following in Apple's footsteps by launching an upgrade program that will motivate users to get fresh models. According to Reuters, customers in South Korea who purchase the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge phones have the option to sign up for the 24 month plan and pay 7,700 won ($6.35) on top of the cost of the phone. Like the program that went live in the UK last week, customers can turn in the device and get the Galaxy S8 or whatever the latest model is.
iFixit pulls apart Samsung's new Galaxy S7
One thing that's as inevitable as the annual appearance of a new Galaxy phone is iFixit tearing it down. The repair people have, as usual, sought to understand Samsung's Galaxy S7 by exposing its various parts including the heat pipe it uses for cooling, which is really more of a "copper twig." There's also evidence of all the new seals that contribute to its IP68-rated water resistance, the larger 3,000 mAh battery (compared to 2,550mAh in the S6, 1,715 mAh in the iPhone 6S and 2,750 mAh in the iPhone 6S Plus) and Dual Pixel-equipped 12MP camera sensor. The only bad news? If repairing your own device is important to you, some of the strategies used to increase its waterproofing will actually work against you, but you can read the teardown for all of the details.
Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge review: Samsung's finest get more polished
After years of trafficking in plastic flagships, the glass-and-metal Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge proved Samsung still knew how to make jaw-dropping phones. Ah, but there was a rub -- a few of them, in fact. The expandable memory slots were gone. Neither phone was waterproof. The S6 Edge's flat back and slim sides felt awkward. Curvy screens aside, both phones were identical. The shortcomings were few, but they were notable. Rather than start anew, Samsung's designers instead set about refining last year's formula, smoothing rough edges and making the new S7 and S7 Edge feel meaningfully different. Spoiler alert: It worked, and anyone even considering a new Android phone needs to consider owning one of these things. And yet, for all the polishing Samsung has done, these S7 siblings fall short of game-changer territory -- this is a year of careful, logical upgrades.
Samsung Galaxy S7 buyers can claim their free Gear VR
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones, it offered a pretty nice enticement to pre-order buyers: A free Galaxy Gear VR headset and six-game bundle worth $150. If you plunked your money down or are planning to do so before March 18th, you can now claim your goodies through a new portal on Samsung's website. All you need to do is select the carrier or retailer you bought it from and follow the instructions. Verizon buyers can pick a Gear S2 smartwatch valued at $300 instead, while T-Mobile users get a free year of Netflix on top of the Gear VR, a $120 perk.
Mad Catz has a gaming pad for Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
Now that the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are officially out of the bag, it's time for peripheral makers to introduce products for Samsung's latest flagship smartphones. Not surprisingly, Mad Catz is spearheading that movement. The company has brought a refreshed version of its S.U.R.F.R mobile gamepad and media keyboard to Mobile World Congress 2016, and it works perfectly with the new S7 and S7 Edge. While the add-on has been around since last year, this model is part of Mad Catz's recent commitment to the Designed for Samsung program, an effort by the Korean tech giant to offer quality control guidelines for accessories.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and Gear 360 event: Here's what you missed
Samsung wasn't going to let LG have all the limelight. The mobile giant's press show at MWC was memorable, to say the least, not just for the launch of the Galaxy S7 (and S7 Edge), or even the Gear 360 VR camera, but because parts of the show were delivered over Gear VR headsets. Oh, and some chap called Mark Zuckerberg showed up. Catch a breakdown of everything that happened right here.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge arrive on March 11th
Samsung really, really doesn't want you to wait long to get your hands on a Galaxy S7. The company has announced that both the S7 and the S7 Edge will arrive in Europe and the US on March 11th, with pre-orders starting as early as February 23rd. In the US, the big four carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon) will offer the S7 starting at $23 per month on an installment plan, and the S7 Edge for $27 per month. How much you pay depends on the network, of course, but there's an important note here: Unlike the S6, there's only one 32GB capacity available for either S7 model. You'll have to spring for a microSD card if you need more storage.
The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are beautiful, if unsurprising sequels
When Samsung outed the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge last year, we all generally lavished it with praise. It was for a good reason -- they were easily the nicest phones Samsung had crafted in years, even though one was clearly more popular than the other. This year isn't really about reinventing those formulas, but about refining them, and the results are the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. You'll be able to get your own starting on March 11, but read on to get our early impressions.
Live from Samsung's MWC 2016 press event
Now that LG has shown us the G5 and "Friends," it is Samsung's turn to take the stage at Mobile World Congress 2016. If last year's event in Barcelona is any indication, all signs point toward the Korean company prepping to reveal the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, its latest flagship smartphones. There's also chance we'll learn more about the new Gear S2 smartwatch, which comes with an electronic SIM card. Whatever it may be, we're here to bring you the news as it happens. The keynote starts at 1PM ET/10AM PT -- grab some popcorn and keep your eyes peeled to this post.
