iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Hardreviews

It’s that time of year where we have both Apple and Samsung flagship phones available to buy, but which is better? There’s only one way to find out and that’s our iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 comparison review. See also: Best phone 2016 and read our full iPhone 7 review and Galaxy S7 review.

Also see: Best Black Friday Phone Deals

iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 review: Price

Many consumers still get their phones on a contract, even though it can often end up being more expensive, as it’s more convenient and you don’t need the large amount money to buy a phone outright. However, it’s nigh on impossible for us to compare these devices based on the huge selection of fluctuating contracts.

So, let’s look at how much they will cost you to buy outright (and it you can then grab a SIM-only deal).

The iPhone 7 costs the same amount in the US this year but here in Blighty we’ve been treated to a price hike – likely because of Brexit. Whatever the reason, the iPhone 7 will set you back a cool £599 (up from £539) for the cheapest 32GB model. As usual there are various options and you can spend up to £799 if you want the Jet Black model with 256GB of storage.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S7 will cost you £569 for the same 32GB storage, although you can pick it up at £549 from Carphone Warehouse. Your best bet is head to Amazon where you can buy the Galaxy S7 for just £489 – that’s a saving of more than £100 compared to the iPhone 7 and the advantage of Samsung’s phone being on the market for a little longer.

See also: iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7.

iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 review: Design and build

Both of these phones follow design traits of previous generations, the iPhone more so than the Galaxy, despite its new colour options. Apple’s new Jet Black finish might look nice but it’s not available in 32GB and many have reported that it scratches easily.

As usual, you’ll need to buy a case to protect the somewhat delicate iPhone and although the Galaxy S7 is more robust, its glass rear means that it can easily slide off surfaces or out of your pocket when sitting down.

The Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 each offer premium design and build and you’ll know which one you prefer from looking at them. If you’re bothered, the iPhone wins on thickness and weight – it’s 7.1mm and 138g compared to 7.9mm and 152g.

This namely due to its smaller screen, not the lack of the headphone jack; the iPhone 7 is actually no thinner than its predecessor.

Something which used to separate the iPhone from some rivals is waterproofing but this has changed with the iPhone 7. It’s now IP67 rated which means you can dunk it in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. The Galaxy S7 does have a higher rating at IP68 so you can take it to depths of more than 1.5m, also for up to 30 minutes.

Coming back to the headphone jack to finish this section, it’s arguably the biggest design change for the iPhone. That’s right; you can no longer simply plug in a pair of regular headphones to listen to music. You’ll need to use Lightning compatible headphones, wireless ones or use the included adapter. If that all sounds like too much hassle then the Galaxy S7 is the way forward in this comparison.

iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 review: Specs and performance

While some areas of tech are accelerating quickly, neither Samsung nor Apple has done much with the screens in these phones. The iPhone 7 remains at 4.7in and 750×1334 to maintain the 326ppi pixel density. It is 25 percent brighter than the iPhone 6S, though, and has a wider colour gamut so colours are a bit more vibrant.

Those who prefer a larger screen can opt for the Galaxy S7 which has a 5.1in display and a higher Quad HD resolution. A decent 1440×2560 means a high pixel density of 577ppi. The SuperAMOLED panel also offers punchy colours, although for some it’s a little too much.

If you’re into virtual reality then the Galaxy S7 is compatible with Samsung’s Galaxy VR headset.