Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge: Hands on With the New Devices
Everything you want to know about Samsung's new phones.
— -- When it comes to releasing new smartphones, Samsung is perhaps the most prolific manufacturer on the market.
The South Korean company's newest flagship smartphones -- the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge -- were unveiled today in Barcelona one day before the start of the Mobile World Congress. The new devices look similar to last year's Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge but include a number of design tweaks and performance enhancements.
Design
Bigger is once again better in Samsung's world. The Galaxy S7 has a 5.1-inch screen. The Galaxy S7 Edge has a 5.5-inch screen -- the same size as the iPhone 6 Plus.Both devices have a curved back, while the he Galaxy S7 Edge also has a curved front.
The new phones come in Black Onyx, Gold Platinum ans Silver Titanium.
Water Resistant
This is a dream come true for anyone who has ever dropped their phone in a sink, accidentally gone swimming with it or spilled liquid all over it. The new devices are water resistant and can handle being submerged in up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes, according to Samsung, though it's not recommended you try it with your device.
'Always On' Display
People check their phones as much as 150 times a day, according to Samsung. The new "Always On" display shows a calendar or a clock so you don’t have to go through the task of checking your phone and draining your battery. A Samsung representative told ABC News the “Always On” feature has a negligible effect on battery life. If you don't like it, the feature is optional.
Camera
Samsung's goal with its latest built-in camera is to take great photos in any circumstance. The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge have cameras that can take in low light and still produce a vibrant photo when other smartphones may produce a more grainy image, according to the company.
The camera also has super-fast auto-focus and a 25 percent wider aperture than the previous generation, allowing the camera to take in more light. Each pixel is also 56 percent larger, creating a more professional-looking image -- or at minimum, one you'd be proud to post on Facebook.
Performance
This year, it's full speed ahead in improving Samsung's performance metrics. Expect a fast-charging battery that can gather half a charge in just half an hour. The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is 64 percent better, while the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is 30 percent faster, according to Samsung.
No more deleting photos and apps to make room -- there's an option for expandable storage of up to 200 GB.
The Edge
Samsung introduced the curved edge last year -- and this year's model shows how easy it is to take advantage of the extra piece of real estate on the phone. The curved edge on the Galaxy S7 Edge now has 550 pixels compared to the 260 pixels of the Galaxy S6 Edge and allows users to build the Edge set-ups that matter to them, including adding tasks, contacts, stocks, sports scores and more. Samsung also offers a developer's kit to entice third-party developers to create new experiences for the Edge.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders are set to begin this week with the phones being available from U.S. carriers sometime in mid-March, according to Samsung.
