The smartphone landscape is vast, and choosing the right device can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two phones from different eras against each other: the budget-friendly Alcatel Idol 5s and the flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Let's see how these phones stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is the clear winner. While the Alcatel Idol 5s offers affordability, the S7 edge boasts a superior display, significantly faster performance, a vastly better camera, and longer battery life. It's a flagship experience versus a mid-range offering.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G935FD, G9350 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G935F, G935FD, G935W8 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G935F, G935FD |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, September | 2016, February 21. Released 2016, March 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.6 x 72 x 7.5 mm (5.85 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (5.94 x 2.86 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM (G935F, G935W8)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (G935FD) |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Oleophobic coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.65 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) - G9350Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) - G935FD, G935F, G935W8 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) - G9350Exynos 8890 Octa (14 nm) - G935FD, G935F, G935W8 |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | Adreno 530 - G9350Mali-T880 MP12 - G935FD, G935F, G935W8 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio with RDS | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 74 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 27 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2850 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Black, White, Gold, Silver, Pink Gold, Black Pearl, Coral Blue |
| Models | 6060X | SM-G935F, SM-G935FD, SM-G935W8, SM-G9350, SM-G935S, SC-02H, SM-G935K, SM-G935L, SM-G935R4, SCV33, SM-G935X, SM-G935VC, SM-G935D |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 92h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.439 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB
|
| Performance | - |
GFXBench: 8.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
alcatel Idol 5s
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent design
- Slow performance
- Mediocre camera
- Short battery life
- Outdated chipset
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
- Stunning display
- Powerful performance
- Excellent camera
- Long battery life
- Premium design
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Older model
- Potential software update limitations
- Price (on the used market)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge's Quad HD AMOLED display is a significant advantage. Its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast (approaching infinite) far surpass the Idol 5s's likely lower-resolution LCD screen. The S7 edge's sunlight readability is also exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The S7 edge's camera is a standout feature. It captures detailed photos with excellent dynamic range and low-light performance. The Idol 5s's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks the S7 edge's capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 820 (or Exynos 8890) in the S7 edge provides a massive performance boost over the Helio P20 in the Idol 5s. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the S7 edge. Gaming will be significantly better on the Samsung.
Battery Life
The S7 edge's endurance rating of 92h is remarkable, indicating excellent battery life. While the Idol 5s has a battery, it's likely smaller and less efficient, resulting in shorter usage times.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Alcatel Idol 5s? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a compact size. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge? Anyone seeking a premium experience with a stunning display, powerful performance, and a top-tier camera, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the S7 edge remains a compelling option, especially on the used market, due to its excellent display, performance, and camera. However, be mindful of its age and potential software update limitations.
❓ What is the main difference between the Alcatel Idol 5s and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge?
The primary difference is the level of performance and features. The S7 edge is a flagship device with a premium experience, while the Idol 5s is a budget-friendly option with basic functionality.
