Samsung Galaxy S7, S7edge and S7 Plus

[faniebraai]

So, about time we start looking at rumours, as the announcement is just around the corner



Based on the above render, four things can be gleaned:

1. This image suggests the Galaxy S7 will make use of USB Type C. Taking a look at the bottom side of the device shows a clearly symmetrical, elongated ovular port for charging. While some had speculated the Note 5 would include USB-C, the S7 would be the first Samsung device to include it. Unfortunately the third image (located 2 below) directly conflicts with this assertion as a standard USB 2.0 port is clearly visible.
2. The image suggests the home button will be an elongated rectangular shape. The Galaxy S6 had used a larger, more ovular button. It is all-but-confirmed that a fingerprint sensor will be present, once again given the S5 and S6, and possibly even lower-end models come next year.
3. The image suggests that the overall front design of the S7 will be essentially the same as that of the S6: the glass looks to be 2.5D with a metal perimeter and separated volume buttons.
4. The front camera will be located to the extreme right side of the upper bezel.



Based on the above render, we can observe the following:

1. The Galaxy S7 will once again have a side-loading SIM tray. Located on the right side of the device, towards the bottom an elongated ovular structure is clearly visible. While some may initially see this as a dedicated camera button, the third render (below) clearly shows a pin-hole for ejecting what would be the SIM tray. In addition, the S6’s SIM tray is in the same location.
2. The camera module will protrude from the device. The “bump” actually looks somewhat larger than that on the Galaxy S6. The Korea Times’ report of higher priority on internal components, as well as recent claims by various sources suggesting the S7 will have an improved camera suggest that Samsung will no doubt be keen on making photography a critical selling point of this device.



Based on the above full-device render, we note the following:

1. The Galaxy S7 will have an IR-port. This issue in particular became a sore spot for those who purchased – or had planned to purchase – the Galaxy Note 5, and the Galaxy S6 Edge+. Samsung’s decision not to include an IR port gave rise to rumors the company was ditching the component entirely, and even prompted criticism from software studios that rely on the component’s presence. In particular, the fact that the S6 Edge had IR but the S6 Edge+ didn’t was “damning evidence” of such a belief.
2. The bezels on the sides are extremely small.
3. The rectangular home button can once again be seen.
4. A USB 2.0 port is clearly visible.

DIMENSIONS

There will be a standard sized Galaxy S7 measuring 143.37 x 70.8 x 6.94 mm. This is virtually the same as the Galaxy S6.

 

[faniebraai]

Analysis and Speculation

Now that the noteworthy news is out in the open, let’s analyze what maybe may be.

The Galaxy S7 Plus

Perhaps the largest bombshell here is that which isn’t pictured at all, but which is…just large. Literally so. That Samsung would make a Galaxy S7 Plus in and of itself does not come as a surprise given the Galaxy S6 Edge+ which released in August. That the device may have a 6-inch display on the other hand, is somewhat surprising. The company has long demonstrated that it doesn’t wish to approach such sizes with its flagship smartphone offerings and thus 2016 could potentially be a big year indeed.

The idea of a 6-inch S7 also addresses one of the chief criticisms some raised about the Galaxy S6 Edge+, that it was released too late in the year. Many of these comments argued that the proper timing for such a large screen variant would have been a simultaneous release with the S6 itself, or else immediately following. By offering a large variant from the get-go, although there is no indication Samsung would actually do this, it would enable the major choice to be made from the start, instead of surprising customers with it next summer.

The Galaxy S7 Edge

None of the information leaked provided any details about the Galaxy S7 Edge, widely believed to be in development. Given the extreme similarity the Galaxy S7 renders have to the Galaxy S6 that released, it would be a logical conclusion to assume the Galaxy S7 Edge will thus closely resemble its predecessor as well.

The real question, perhaps, is with respect to the aforementioned S7 Plus: will there be two variants of the device made, or will Samsung forgo releasing an S7 Edge Plus?

No USB Type C

Perhaps the largest surprise here is the suggestion that next year’s flagship Galaxy will not include USB Type-C. The format, which allows for faster data transfer speeds and an end to “one way only” plug insertion annoyances, has been adopted by several OEMs in China – OnePlus included – and even by Google’s own pair of 2015 Nexus devices, the Huawei Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X.

Many had speculated the Galaxy Note 5 would debut the format (given that the Note 3 had USB 3.0 first) however it now seems Samsung may be curiously forgoing the format for yet another year, at least as far as the “mainstream” flagship is concerned.

No microSD slot

The other major surprise is the lack of a microSD card slot. This issue in particular severely angered some Samsung-loyal and – along with the lack of a removable battery – arguably prompted some shift to LG’s G4. There are rumors suggesting the S7 will have support for microSD, however at this stage it will clearly not be accomplished by a dedicated “door” on the phone.

These days however, especially with metal-framed phones, it has become standard to include the microSD with the SIM tray thus it’s important not to make any definitive conclusions yet.

An IR Port

If the renders are to be believed, Samsung will be including IR support on the Galaxy S7. Given the company’s decision to forgo it on not only the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ but also the Galaxy Tab S2, it can be assumed there was a change of heart. It’s impossible to say if this is a result of companies like Peel’a appeals or else consumer feedback.

A rectangular Home Button

The home button has been a Samsung standard since the original Galaxy S, with just about every one of its smartphones including it, the Galaxy Active series and a few carrier-specific S1/S2 variants notwithstanding. Even the Galaxy S4, which had an elongated narrow button, still had relatively curved sides. This button however, is clearly rectangular. Why Samsung has made this decision is unclear.

The design

While some may be upset at the prospect of a “Galaxy S7s” the suggestion of a near-identical design to that of the Galaxy S6 is not surprising. Samsung’s smartphones have been facing tough competition in recent times and the company has made a pledge to change, even going as far as replacing J.K. Shin from his position as the head of Samsung Electronics. If cost-cutting is crucial, there is arguably little point in spending untold amounts of cash reserves to develop a new design when even the mainstream media and tech collective near-universally praised that which the S6 was.

Source: AndroidAuthority

 

[faniebraai]

S7 to feature pressure sensing screen and retina scanner

http://www.sammobile.com/2015/12/14...essure-sensing-screen-and-retina-scanner-wsj/

Starting with the Galaxy S6, Samsung rethought its smartphones and brought forward beautiful devices with a hugely improved software. The South Korean smartphone giant is expected to announce the Galaxy S7 during the last week of February 2016, and there have been a lot of reports regarding the features of the device. Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Galaxy S7 will feature a pressure-sensing display, something similar to the 3D Touch technology used in the recent iPhones.

The publication, which has an excellent track record regarding technology-related reports, states that the Galaxy S7 will also feature USB Type-C port along with fast charging technology, something we reported exclusively long back. Moreover, the report states that the Galaxy 7 will have an improved camera and a design that’s largely similar to the Galaxy S6, but there will be no camera hump on the back. Apparently, “some versions” of the device will also feature a retina scanner, and the device will be announced during MWC 2016, and it will hit the market sometime in mid-March.

Now here’s the exciting bit. The WSJ is also reporting that the variants of the Galaxy S6 with a non-curved display is likely to have expandable storage (yes, a microSD card slot). The Galaxy S7 is expected to feature a pressure-sensing Super AMOLED display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, an Exynos 8890 processor (or a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC in some variants), 4GB RAM, a fingerprint scanner, fast wireless charging, LTE Cat. 12 and USB Type-C connectivity. Are you excited about the Galaxy S7?

 

[faniebraai]

Seems like the MicroSD will be returning to the S7 only, not the edge.

And to go on sale end of March, not announcing in Jan as previously speculated. Will be announced at MWC in Feb I see.