Should You Go For The Samsung Galaxy S7 Or Wait For The iPhone 7?

4 min read By eCompareMo on April 4, 2016

If you’re seriously looking for a new smartphone, here are your options.

Ahead of the anticipated launch of the Apple iPhone 7 in the Philippines later this year, Samsung made its big move to corner the mobile market by releasing its flagship phones, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, last month.

Now Samsung might be up against yet an unknown enemy, but already the phones have been receiving praises among critics and fans alike. Thanks to the S7’s and S7 Edge’s features and pricing, some Apple fans have actually been thinking of making the switch. “[The] S7 is so nice. If Apple only [has] SE this year, I’ll convert to team Samsung,” says Twitter user Nikky6793.

Should you too?

Under the hood

Aside from their screen size and curvature, battery, and general dimensions, the Samsung S7 and S7 Edge are basically are on par in terms of performance: with a quadcore processor, an Android Marshmallow OS, 4 GB RAM, and an internal memory of up to 64 GB. Critics are saying the S7 is one of the phones to beat this 2016.

The said features may already be impressive, but the S7 is also packed with other aces under its sleeve. And all of them are features that we have yet to see in an Apple phone: an expandable slot of up to 200 GB, water-resistant case, wireless charging, and a 12-megapixel camera.

The Cupertino-based company has yet to announce what will make the iPhone 7 a standout, but numerous rumors have been circulating around since early this year. According to Apple news and rumors aggregator MacRumors.com, changes include the possibility of a next-generation processor dubbed the A10, dual rear cameras, stereo speakers, and the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Furthermore, other features like a smart connector on the back, a 7.04 watt-hour battery, and a thinner body might also make it to the final product.

The specs of iPhone 7 may still not be available, but it will definitely be a leap from the phone’s current lineup. According to a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 6s and the Samsung Galaxy S7, the latter mostly trumps Apple’s current smartphone in terms of specs except for the CPU, microphone, screen specs, and other Apple-exclusive feats like AirPlay and Force Touch. If the iPhone 7 will be a leap from its predecessor, the S7 may bite the dust come September.

Cheaper, better contenders

It seems like the Galaxy S7 has the spotlight now, but it doesn’t go without competition. In a sea of smartphones vying to get the attention of the consumers, there are only a few units that can go toe-to-toe with Samsung’s newest weapon.

The Galaxy S7 32 GB is priced at P34,990, while the Galaxy S7 Edge 32 GB will be priced at P39,990. If your budget and taste don’t suit neither of Samsung’s or Apple’s new releases, here are viable (some, even cheaper) alternatives to the iPhone and S7.

LG G5

Not long ago, LG announced the release of the G5, and it wowed the world by gambling on the modular technology. Not only does the G5 beat the S7 in terms of screen size, dual rear cameras, and connectivity, it also has a line of accessories that harnesses its modular design.

Currently, LG has announced two accessories for the G5: a camera module that gives the users total control over the phone’s camera, and a sound module that gives users high-definition music experience. The price of the G5 may not yet be available, but it sure poses a threat to S7’s plan to dominate the market.

Huawei Nexus 6P

Google’s partnership with Chinese phone maker Huawei gave birth to the Nexus 6P, and it is definitely a force to reckon with. Compared side-by-side with the S7, Samsung’s latest phone pales in comparison when it comes to battery, CPU, screen size, internal memory, overall camera features, and OS updates. Remember, it is a Google-branded smartphone. While the longevity of this device may not be an issue, given the specs that can last for a while, the price of the Nexus 6P is lower than the S7 at P29,990.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Sony has been lagging behind in the smartphone wars with its sluggish Xperia line, but it seems like it has a fighting chance now with the Z5 Premium. The Japanese electronics maker boasts of the Z5 as the first smartphone that has a 4k display resolution, but it’s not the only ace Sony has over the S7. Better battery, faster CPU, bigger screen, and more powerful camera—these are just some of the edges of Z5 over Samsung’s new phone. As for the price, expect it to be more expensive than the standard Z5, which stands at P35,990. –Dino Mari Testa