Samsung Galaxy F02s vs. Apple iPhone 7: A Battle of Generations

The Samsung Galaxy F02s and the Apple iPhone 7 represent vastly different eras of smartphone design and philosophy. The F02s, a modern budget offering, clashes with the iPhone 7, a once-premium device now available at significantly lower prices. This comparison isn't about raw power; it's about understanding where each phone excels in today's market, and who benefits from their respective strengths.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a refined user experience, the Apple iPhone 7 remains the better choice despite its age. Its A10 Fusion chip, while older, delivers smoother performance than the Snapdragon 450, and the 61-hour endurance rating provides superior battery life. However, the F02s offers a newer Android experience at a lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy F02s Apple iPhone 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1660, A1778
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1660, A1778
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1660, A1778
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA - A1660
Launch
Announced2021, April 052016, September 07. Released 2016, September 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 09Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)138 g (4.87 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ion-strengthened glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCDRetina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
 -3D Touch display & home button
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm)
GPUAdreno 506PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics)
OSAndroid 10iOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF, OIS
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps
Selfie camera
Features-Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.27 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard)
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGLightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired-
Talk time-Up to 14 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 1960 mAh, non-removable (7.45 Wh)
Misc
ColorsCeramic Blue, Ceramic White, Ceramic BlackJet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red
ModelsSM-E025F, SM-E025F/DSA1660, A1778, A1779, A1780, A1853, A1866, iPhone9,1, iPhone9,3
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 180 EUR
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.38 W/kg (head)     1.34 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 61h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1603:1 (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 75dB
Performance- Basemark OS II 2.0: 3416

Samsung Galaxy F02s

  • More affordable price point
  • Newer Android operating system
  • Potentially larger display size

  • Significantly weaker processor performance
  • Likely inferior camera quality
  • Unknown battery capacity

Apple iPhone 7

  • Superior processor performance (A10 Fusion)
  • Excellent battery life (61h endurance)
  • Refined iOS ecosystem

  • Older operating system (limited software updates)
  • Higher price compared to F02s
  • Smaller display size

Display Comparison

Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 1603:1 (nominal) and 3.964 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the F02s likely benefits from a larger display size, typical of its market segment, while the iPhone 7 prioritizes a more compact form factor. Details regarding the F02s' panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) are missing, but the iPhone 7's display, while dated, was known for its color accuracy. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device is expected given their respective release timelines.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the iPhone 7 likely holds an advantage in image processing and overall quality. Apple’s image signal processor (ISP) in the A10 Fusion is known for its excellent dynamic range and color reproduction. The F02s’ camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a precise comparison, but budget phones often compromise on sensor size and lens quality. The iPhone 7’s camera, even by today’s standards, delivers consistently good results in various lighting conditions. The F02s may offer more camera features due to its newer software, but image quality is likely to be inferior.

Performance

The Apple A10 Fusion, fabricated on a 16nm process, significantly outperforms the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The A10’s quad-core architecture (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) allows for more efficient task allocation compared to the F02s’ octa-core Cortex-A53 setup. While the F02s has more cores, the A10’s cores are individually more powerful. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience on the iPhone 7, particularly with demanding applications. The Snapdragon 450 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or heavy app usage.

Battery Life

The iPhone 7 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 61 hours, indicating excellent battery optimization despite its relatively small battery capacity. The F02s, with its 15W wired charging, offers a more modern charging solution, but its battery capacity is unknown. The A10 Fusion’s power efficiency contributes significantly to the iPhone 7’s longevity. While the F02s may offer faster charging speeds, the iPhone 7’s superior battery life and power management provide a more reliable experience throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy F02s if you need a very affordable Android device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prefer a larger screen. Buy the Apple iPhone 7 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, a well-maintained ecosystem with continued software support (albeit limited), and a more capable camera for everyday photography, even if it means paying a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 7 still receiving software updates?
Apple has officially ended software support for the iPhone 7. While it remains functional, you won't receive the latest security patches or feature updates. This is a significant consideration for users concerned about security vulnerabilities.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the F02s struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While the Snapdragon 450 can run these apps, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods. The A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7 will provide a much smoother experience with these applications.
❓ How long will the iPhone 7's battery realistically last in 2024?
Given the age of the iPhone 7, the battery has likely degraded. While the original endurance rating was 61 hours, expect significantly less – potentially 30-40 hours with moderate use. Battery replacement is a viable option to restore performance.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy F02s support fast charging beyond 15W?
No, the Samsung Galaxy F02s is officially rated for 15W wired charging. While it may work with higher-wattage chargers, it won't charge any faster than its maximum supported rate.