VS Review: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs S7

BACKSTORY


 So, yesterday I got the Samsung Galaxy S7. It wasn't fully by choice. We recently upgraded to a new plan from T-Mobile which includes legitimately unlimited data including hotspot tethering, which was the major dealbreaker, seeing as we actually don't have internet where I live in Darlington. That means everything is done from our phones or done on computers with the phones providing a WiFi hotspot for them to access the internet.

  The plan we had before was really sucky and incredibly limited for our needs. Mum and I had 20gb of data each month to share between us, which meant we couldn't really tether too long, Skype/video call, or generally download or upload too much of anything. Also, you can totally forget about streaming anything to watch.

  The new slightly more expensive plan allows us to do whatever the heck we want because EVERYTHING is unlimited. Skype, videos, and UNLIMITED TETHERING so we actually have internet access on our computers!!! It'll be a huge upgrade in quality of living for us, as we are highly involved in our digital lives. ...The only problem was this plan is not compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S5 phones we both had. So, we made yet another upgrade.

REVIEW

  Set up and transferring data from my old S5 was pretty easy and set up didn't take long. I had to re-login to all my apps on the new one, but that's about it. If you're switching phones for any reason and plan to sell/give the new one to someone else, make sure you BACK UP ALL OF YOUR DATA BEFORE YOU DO A FACTORY RESET. Do it twice if you have important files. I made this mistake once a few years ago and it was absolutely terrible. I recommend putting everything you can on your computer and writing down your app/account info before the reset. And do indeed do the factory reset if you're not going to be owning the phone anymore, especially if you're selling it. It can be a huge security risk if not, as other people can get a foothold to your personal information and accounts no matter how well you think you may have unlinked everything without doing a completely factory reset.

✯✯✯

  So far, the S7 isn't all that different. I LOVE the new camera (which we'll get into in a bit), but review-wise, other than listing the specs to help buyers decide which would be better for them, I don't have much to say from my personal opinion other than the autocorrect. I can't decide if I hate the autocorrect or love it. I could turn it off easily, but it's so helpful for stupid little typos that I am left to just put up with the negative aspects of it trying to incorrectly "fix" words that I'm trying to type.

  The autocorrect does catch mostly all stupid typos that I make when typing too fast ("hwu hoq arr tou" fixes itself to "hey how are you"), which can be great for conversation, but sometimes it incorrectly decides a word I want to type isn't the word that I want, which can be seriously frustrating, especially when trying to type fast. It does this for made up or uncommon words as well as dictionary words it thinks don't fit, even if it's what you meant. To this day, it's consantly trying to convert "WTF" into "ETC" and "pee" into "per". When it tries to incorrectly "fix" a word for you, you have to go back and retype it, then either select the check mark to tell the phone "This is actually the word I want", or retype it and correct the incorrect fix three times. I guess after the third time it gives up.

  I'm also having mixed feelings about the auto predict that offers more than one word. The S5 only offered one word at a time for sentences, whereas the S7 will sometimes suggest a couple at a time. On the downside, I have trouble removing suggestions, especially those in the middle (the "primary" suggestion). I can't just click and hold the middle suggestion to get the option to "remove suggestion" like on the S5. There are ways to do this and clear all suggestions (not ideal), and sometimes clicking and holding works and sometimes it doesn't, but to me, it seems arbitrary. Maybe I'm just technologically impaired, but it's not a big deal. Anyway, onto the specs.

FEATURES

S5: Interchangeable covers

S7: Micro SD slot

S7: Pro camera mode

S7: RAW and JPEG image capture options

S7: Take pictures while video recording

BOTH: Touch screen, fingerprint (touch), touch sensitive control keys 

BOTH: Screen size: 5.1 inches

BOTH: Autofocus, face detection, self-timer, touch to focus, burst shot mode, HDR shooting mode

BOTH: Water and dust resistant 

BOTH: Video recording at 3840x2160 (4K) (30 fps) and 1920x1080 (1080p HD) (60 fps), but S7 also has 1280x720 (720p HD) (240 fps)

NOTEWORTHY DIFFERENCES

S5: Generally ranges from $80-$200 depending on condition

S7: Generally ranges from $300-$500 depending on condition

(Pricing at the time of writing in July 2017)

S5: Body primarily made from plastic

S7: Body primarily made from glass with aluminum accents

S5: Colour options: Black, white, gold, blue

S7: Colour options: Black, white, gold, silver, pink

S5: 5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 inches

S7: 5.61 x 2.74 x 0.31

S5: Screen resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

S7: Screen resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels

S5: Pixel density: 432

S7: Pixel density: 576

S5: 16 megapixel rear camera, 2.1 megapixel front camera

S7: 12 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera

S5: Max image resolution: 5312x2988
S7: Max image resolution:  4032x3024

S5: Aperture: F2.2
S7: Aperture: F1.7

S5: Battery capacity: 2800 mAh

S7: Battery capacity: 3000 mAh

S5: User replaceable battery

S7: Non-user replaceable bettery

S5: 2 GB RAM

S7: 4 GB RAM

S5: CPU speed: 2.5GHz

S7: CPU speed: 2.15GHz, 1.6GHz, Quad-Core

S5: External storage (micro SD XC card)  capacity up to 128GB

S7: External storage (micro SD XC card) capacity up to 256GB

PROS

S7: Better all around camera settings. Shots generally have more artistic freedom with what effects can be directly done while taking images, especially with pro mode, which can rival DSLR cameras. 

S7: Longer battery life

S7: Better water resistance 

S7: Built in Emoji keyboard

S7: Works with newer phone plan package 

S7: Default but optional autocorrect (that isn't a moron) to fix typos

S5: Larger size resolution, more megapixels in camera

S5: More affordable due to being an older model

CONS

S5: Doesn't work will all cellphone plans due to being an older model 

S5: Doesn't have Emoji keyboard option built into the standard keyboard; the only place it's offered by default is the text messaging system 

S7: Expensive upgrade for what may be minimal difference for the average person compared to S5 

IN CONCLUSION

  It may go without saying that the S7 is "better" phone because...well, it's an upgrade. There are a few things that are give and take that may be better or worse depending on what you need, for example the S5's 16 megapixel camera and 2.5GHz processor, vs the S7's 12 megapixel camera and 2.15GHz & 1.6GHz, Quad-Core processor.

  The camera is the biggest give and take for me personally. Even with the slightly "higher" specs on the S5's camera (more megapixels, larger image resolution), the S7 still has a camera that offers better burst shots and more options available in pro mode for more artistic freedom in images. It's really a matter of personal taste; both cameras have cool shooting modes and lots of features, it just depends on where your priorities are: size or aesthetic. I was very upset about the smaller resolution until I saw all the neat features in the S7's pro mode and the better general image quality, both technically and in aesthetic (albeit at a slightly smaller size). Also, the fact that the S7 has the option to make both a RAW and a JPEG of the captured images was a big plus for me. DSLR cameras in the hands of those who know how to use them will always win in photography quality-wise, but I feel good about having this as a back up just in case, for both spontaneous model photography and otherwise. This is coming from the perspective a professional model/photographer. 

  If you don't need a whole bunch of fancy camera stuff or all these internal upgrades (RAM, pixel density, CPU speed, etc), or if you/the recipient of the phone you're thinking of buying doesn't know how these specs would affect you/them, you shouldn't have to worry about them too much. The S5 works just fine for about half the cost. I was totally happy with mine and really felt no need to upgrade for the couple years I had it before I was forced to upgrade due to my plan. Just be sure to double check that it will work with your current or new phone plan before you purchase it because it is an older phone. Yes, the S7 is an upgrade in most areas. If you want all those bells and whistles, especially for the phone photographer or gamer, absolutely go for it. If you're looking for something cheaper that still gets the job done, the S5 should be fine if it works with your plan. 

Both the S7 and the S5 get a 5 star rating ✯✯✯✯✯

They both have different functions for different needs. The S5 is great for the average person, as most people don't really *need* specs to be any more upgraded, anything beyond what it has can be considered bells and whistles for the most part. However, the S7 is great for people whose phone is heavily involved in their digital based hobby/profession (photography, recording videos, playing mobile games). I have no major complains about either besides the camera resolution nitpicks and the love/hate relationship with the S7's autocorrect, which worse comes to worst, I can always turn off.

I hope this was helpful! Have a great day!

-Werandra