The Oppo R7s and Samsung Galaxy Note7 were both highly regarded smartphones in their time, offering compelling features and designs. But with different strengths and weaknesses, which one ultimately comes out on top? This in-depth comparison will break down every aspect, from display quality to battery endurance, to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Note7 decisively wins this comparison. While the Oppo R7s offered impressive battery life, the Note7's superior performance, stunning display, and advanced features like wireless charging and a more refined camera make it the clear victor, despite its unfortunate recall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global, Taiwan, USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9/Cat10 or LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 4, 7, 17 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, December | 2016, August. Released 2016, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.8 x 75.4 x 7 mm (5.98 x 2.97 x 0.28 in) | 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.04 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~78.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Exynos 8890 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Mali-T880 MP12 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 2.1 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, stereo sound rec., HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide)
2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 75% in 30 min | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Type | Li-Po 3070 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Golden | Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, Black Onyx |
| Models | R7sf | SM-N930V, SM-N930A, SM-N930P, SM-N930T, SM-N930R4, SM-N930W8, SM-N930F, SM-N930G, SM-N930S |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 850 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.5dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 73h
| Endurance rating 90h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.247 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 930Basemark X: 5302 |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2676Basemark X: 32648 |
Oppo R7s
- Excellent battery life
- Fast charging (20W)
- Relatively affordable (when new)
- Lower performance compared to flagship phones
- LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Older chipset
Samsung Galaxy Note7
- Flagship performance
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Wireless charging
- Premium design
- Advanced camera
- Battery recall issues (historical)
- Difficult to find in good condition
- Higher price (when new)
Display Comparison
Both phones boast impressive contrast ratios, with the Note7 edging out the R7s slightly in sunlight readability (4.247 vs 3.964). The Note7's AMOLED display also offers richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the R7s's LCD panel, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The Note7 also had a higher resolution.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities (details are lacking in the provided specs), the Galaxy Note7 generally had a reputation for superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. It featured a more advanced camera sensor and image processing algorithms. The Note7 also offered features like optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Galaxy Note7's Exynos 8890 chipset and Mongoose CPU architecture significantly outperform the Oppo R7s's Snapdragon 615. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The Note7's 14nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Oppo R7s shines in this category, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 73 hours. However, the Galaxy Note7 isn't far behind with 90 hours, and its inclusion of fast charging (15W wired, Qi wireless) provides added convenience.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Oppo R7s? Budget-conscious users seeking excellent battery life and a decent camera. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note7? Users prioritizing top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and a premium experience (if you can find one in good condition).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Why was the Samsung Galaxy Note7 recalled?
The Galaxy Note7 was recalled due to a battery defect that caused the phones to overheat and, in some cases, catch fire.
❓ Is it safe to use a used Samsung Galaxy Note7?
While Samsung replaced the original faulty batteries, finding a reliably tested and safe used Note7 can be challenging. Exercise extreme caution and thoroughly research the seller's reputation.
