New Delhi: Samsung has finally unveiled the much-anticipated Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones - successors to the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, respectively - a day before the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 event kicks off in Barcelona.
The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge are constructed with 3D glass and metal. Samsung's Edge is getting bigger, at 5.5 inches, but because the sides curve like a waterfall, the phone won't be much wider. The main S7 model is staying constant at 5.1 inches. The new phones come with an always-on display.
According to the company, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge introduce the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone. Realizing that the megapixel count alone doesn't necessarily translate to quality images, Samsung is reducing resolution in the new phones to 12 megapixels from 18. That allows individual pixels on the sensors to be larger, thus capturing more light. The new cameras also allow the camera's aperture to open wider, letting in more light. Together, the shutter needs to stay open for a shorter time, reducing the blurring that sometimes mars indoor and night shots. The new Samsung phones promise better photos under low-light conditions, in part with sensors that capture more light.
Samsung also says its new phones will have a faster focus, which it says will improve performance at low light. And for the selfie camera, Samsung is turning the screen into a flash, similar to what Apple introduced last fall.
The new phones also come with Motion Panorama, a new camera mode which brings movement to traditional panoramic photos.
The Galaxy S7 has brought back what was missing in the Galaxy S6 Edge - a microSD card slot. The hybrid SIM card tray allows users to insert a microSD card for up to 200GB of additional storage and in some select countries, the tray can be used with a dual SIM card.
Samsung is restoring the ability to add storage, but the battery won't be replaceable by users, something Samsung had allowed before last year. Instead, Samsung is increasing the battery capacity in both models, though the Edge's larger screen and other new features in both models, including an always-on mode, will sip away power.
They new Galaxy phones will be available in four different colours - Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, White Pearl and Silver Titanium.
The new phones will start shipping March 11, with advance orders to begin this week. In some markets, including the US, Samsung is including a Gear VR headset for free to those who order ahead of time. Prices will vary by carrier, but are expected to be in line with last year's models - about $600 for the regular version, and $700 for the Edge.
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