The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Active were both flagship devices, but catered to different users. The standard S7 prioritized sleek design and a vibrant display, while the S7 Active focused on rugged durability and extended battery life. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S7 Active wins for users prioritizing battery life and ruggedness. The standard S7 offers a slightly more refined design and potentially a better camera experience in ideal conditions. Ultimately, the choice depends on your lifestyle and priorities – durability vs. aesthetics and a potentially better camera.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G930A, G930V | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G930A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25 - G930R | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, March | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm (5.61 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 148.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (5.86 x 2.95 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 184.8 g (6.53 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), TouchWiz UI | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 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 (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 110 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Onyx, Silver Titanium, Gold Platinum | Camo Green, Titanium Gray, Sandy Gold |
| Models | SM-G930A, SM-G930P, SM-G930V, SM-G930T, SM-G930R, SM-G930F, SM-G930U, SM-G930R4, SM-G930T1, SM-G930VL, SM-G930AZ, SM-G930R6, SM-G930R7 | SM-G891A |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | 1.24 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 96h |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2487Basemark X: 32362 |
Samsung Galaxy S7 (USA)
- Sleek Design
- Vibrant Display
- Potentially Better Camera
- More Refined Software Experience
- Less Durable
- Shorter Battery Life
- More Susceptible to Damage
Samsung Galaxy S7 active
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Rugged and Durable Design
- Water and Dust Resistant (IP68)
- Grip-Friendly Texture
- Less Premium Design
- Slightly Less Vibrant Display
- Potentially Lower Camera Quality in Low Light
Display Comparison
The S7 (USA) boasts a slightly more vibrant and color-accurate AMOLED display, often considered superior for media consumption. The S7 Active's display is functional and bright, but tuned for better visibility in sunlight, sacrificing some color richness. Both have a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution.
Camera Comparison
The S7 (USA) generally has a slight edge in camera quality, particularly in well-lit conditions, thanks to potentially better image processing. The S7 Active's camera is still very capable, but may exhibit slightly more noise in low light. Both feature a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera.
Performance
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 820 chipset and 3GB of RAM, resulting in virtually identical performance for everyday tasks and most games. You won't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness.
Battery Life
This is where the S7 Active truly shines. Its larger 4000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life compared to the S7's 3000mAh battery, as reflected in the endurance rating of 96h for both models. The S7 Active is a champion of battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 (USA)? Users who value a premium design, a vibrant display, and a generally well-rounded smartphone experience. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active? Individuals who need a phone that can withstand drops, bumps, and harsh conditions, and who prioritize exceptional battery life above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S7 Active waterproof?
Yes, both the S7 and S7 Active are IP68 rated, meaning they are water and dust resistant.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Performance is virtually identical due to the same chipset. The S7 (USA)'s display might offer a slightly better visual experience, but battery life could be a limiting factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Can I still find these phones?
Yes, both phones are available on the used market. However, be sure to check the battery health and overall condition before purchasing.
