By the time the Samsung Galaxy S8 becomes a reality, it's time to make a comparison with its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Why with the Edge model and not the standard? Mainly because the new Galaxy S8 is already equivalent to an Edge , with the curved screen. In addition, they are more similar in size, and the Edge is more powerful.
Let's see how the new Samsung phone supports its comparison in each of its characteristics with one of the flagship phones of 2016 . Let us begin:
The new Galaxy S8 and S8 plus, together.
Design and display
In the design part is where we will find more palpable differences: the new design of the Samsung Galaxy S8 reaches 58% screen ratio , while the Galaxy S7 Edge stayed at 76%. What has been the main reason? The removal of the front button. This has cut the edges even more.
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is 5.8 inches, with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels, which is higher than Quad HD, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It also incorporates 3D Touch technology. The Galaxy S7 Edge, for its part, remains in Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixels) for its 5.5 inches with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. In both cases, the screen is curved on the sides.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, star of 2016.
In the Galaxy S8 we find a 5.8-inch screen, yes, but nevertheless, we do not have a too large terminal. Its thickness is 8 mm, its height is 148 mm, and its weight is 155 grams . Surprisingly, the Galaxy S7 Edge, with its 5.5-inch screen, was taller (150mm) and weighed more (157 grams). Of course, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is slightly thin, with 7.7 millimeters thick.
performance
Power interests us, and a lot, to be able to compare between these two monsters. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge came equipped with an Exynos 8890 processor with eight cores at a maximum of 2.3 GHz and 4 GB of RAM . In addition, it had 4 GB of RAM.
Its successor repeats its own processor (at least in Europe), but goes up in generation. In the Samsung Galaxy S8 we will find an Exynos 8895 chip also with eight cores with a maximum of 2.3 GHz clock frequency . The RAM memory remains, with 4 GB. From a hardware point of view, it is not a huge difference.
In storage we do see an important jump: from the 32 GB offered by the Galaxy S7 Edge, we went to the 64 GB of the Galaxy S8 . In both cases, yes, it is expandable storage via microSD card.
Comparative sheet
| Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge | Samsung Galaxy S8 | |
| screen | 5.5 ″ Super AMOLED, QHD resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels, 424 dpi | 5.8 ″ Super AMOLED resolution 1440 x 2960 pixels, 570 dpi |
| Main chamber | 12 MP, aperture f / 1.7, LED flash | 12 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7, LED flash |
| Camera for selfies | 5 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7 | 8 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7, LED flash |
| Internal memory | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Extension | microSD up to 256 GB | microSD up to 256 GB |
| Processor and RAM | Exynos 8890 (2.3 GHz 4 cores and 1.6 GHz 4 cores), 4 GB RAM | Exynos 8895 (eight cores 4 at 2.3 GHz and 4 at 1.7 GHz), 4 GB of RAM |
| Battery | 3,600 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging | 3,000 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging |
| Operating system | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 7 Nougat |
| Connections | Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, USB 2.0, NFC, Wi-Fi 4G, 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac | Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac |
| SIM | nanoSIM | nanoSIM |
| Design | Metal and glass curved screen, | Metal and glass, 58% screen ratio. Colors: black, silver and purple |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (157 grams) | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (155 grams) |
| Featured Features | Fingerprint reader, Dual Pixel, waterproof (IP68) | Fingerprint reader, iris scanner, facial recognition, Bixby, waterproof (IP68) |
| Release date | Available | April 28, 2017 |
| Price | 600 euros (in April 2017) | 810 euros (as of April 2017) |
On the right, Samsung Galaxy S7. On the left, Samsung Galaxy S8
Operating system
The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with Android 7 Nougat as a base . The Galaxy S7, for its part, came with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but its update to Android 7 was recently released. Therefore, in terms of software there will be few things that at least are not compatible.
However, there is one aspect of the Galaxy S8's software that makes a big difference from its predecessor. It's about Bixby, the virtual assistant . Samsung's artificial intelligence, with a woman's voice, becomes an intermediary between the user and the phone.
Through voice commands, in the style of Google Assistant or Siri, we can receive weather or traffic information, check the calendar or recent messages . In addition, thanks to Samsung Connect, we can also control other Samsung smart home appliances such as the TV, the air conditioning or the refrigerator.
Camera
The rear camera of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge was a success, thanks in part to its Dual Pixel 12 - megapixel sensor . In addition, an aperture of f / 1.7 and the possibility of recording videos in 4K made this a flagship camera. The front, without having as much resolution (5 megapixels), maintained an aperture of f / 1.7 and had automatic HDR. And very good results.
The Galaxy S7 Edge camera, working.
When we compare this camera with that of the Samsung Galaxy S8, we do not find significant differences. The rear camera at least remains equivalent in hardware, in the absence of knowing if new modes have been added through the software. At the front camera if we found an improvement . The 5 megapixels become 8, while the aperture remains.
Image of the USB 2.0 connector of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Autonomy and connections
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge's battery had a powerful 3,600 milliamp capacity . It promised to last up to two days of regular use. In addition, it included fast charging technology and wireless charging.
With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S8, we find a significantly lower battery, equivalent to that offered by the Galaxy S7 in its standard model. 3,000 milliamps also with fast charging and wireless charging . If the system is optimized, it shouldn't be a problem for the terminal.
In terms of connections, the main change is the jump from a USB 2.0 charging connector on the Galaxy S7 to a USB Type-C port on the Galaxy S8 . The Bluetooth version also changes, being 5.0 on the Galaxy S8 and 4.2 on the Galaxy S7 Edge. In the rest of the features, there is not much difference: NFC, 4G, GPS and Wi-Fi.
The front screen of the Galaxy S8, where the iris scanner is housed.
Security
On the left, Samsung Galaxy S7. On the right is the Samsungh Galaxy S8
The fingerprint reader of the Samsung Galaxy S8 has been one of its most commented elements, especially since the first photos were leaked. In the absence of knowing if it is more or less comfortable than the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edg e, what we know is that both devices have that technology.
But the account ends there. The Samsung Galaxy S8 has included two new identification technologies that were not found in the previous terminal. We are talking about the iris scanner and the facial recognition system . Both are located at the front and serve to give the user extra protection. With these systems, data theft becomes difficult.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, in the palm of one hand.
Summary
After having put these two devices face to face, we have found quite a few differences , but there are some elements in which they are not so far apart. Let's see them.
Let's start with the dimensions of the phone. Both terminals have a very similar size, however, the Samsung Galaxy S8 spider in the same space 0.3 inches more of screen , and it makes a difference. In addition, its resolution improves and includes 3D Touch.
In the absence of a test, the power seems quite similar, even if it is two processors from different generations. In storage we do see a leap in quality. And is that 64 GB go a long way , and 32 GB are nothing in comparison.
When it comes to software, Bixby is the big difference. Samsung's assistant adds value to the Galaxy S8 that the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge does not have. The closest thing it could have to artificial intelligence would be Google Now, and the user would have to download it.
The bezel-less screen of the Galaxy S8.
In the rear camera there does not seem to be any drastic change. It is however in the front camera where we see a slight improvement, which the public also demanded. However, the photographic equipment is not the greatest novelty of the Samsung Galaxy S8 .
The autonomy does not stand out either. You could almost say that it goes backwards, losing 600 mAh of battery capacity from the S7 Edge to the S8 . That would be the most controversial point in the comparison of these two smartphones.
As an added element, we should talk about the price. The Samsung Galaxy S8 will go on sale for 800 euros at the end of April , while the Galaxy S7 is now around 600 euros.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 +, together.
conclusion
It's no surprise to say that the Galaxy S8 is superior to the Galaxy S7 Edge . It was predictable. However, it must be made clear that the Galaxy S7 Edge remains with great dignity, a year later, as a great mobile.
The purchase of the Galaxy S8 is highly recommended , but also the Galaxy S7 Edge. The first is a necessary continuation of the second, and in any case, they are two excellent terminals.
What is clear is that Samsung has not wanted to radically break with its tradition or style , although it has modernized and adapted to the change of time. What could be improved has improved, and what was already very good has remained.