The Samsung Galaxy Note7 hit our four Bolt Mobile locations in Saskatoon last week and the response has been extremely positive as a SaskTel Authorized Dealer. It’s widely considered to be the best phone on the market now and analysts suggest it will outsell the Galaxy Note 5 without a doubt. A couple weeks prior to launch, Samsung had confirmed that interest in the Note7 had already surpassed that of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. That’s impressive.
Now in just a few weeks, we will be getting ready for the much anticipated announcement of Apple’s flagship phone. Discussion around the iPhone 7 is mixed, considering the smartphone isn’t slated for major updates, and it may be losing commonplace features, such as its headphone jack. In contrast, there is considerable excitement surrounding the Galaxy Note7 and the late 2016 rivalry between Apple and Samsung should be interesting.
In the end, it all comes down to the phones. Regardless of perceptions, the iPhone 7 and Galaxy Note7 will be two of the top flagship smartphones released this year and will include some of the top specifications currently available.
Here is a rundown of features rumored for the iPhone 7 compared to the features on the Galaxy Note7. Should you wait for Apple’s launch or pick up Samsung’s top phone now at Bolt Mobile? Find out here.
Display
Apple is expected to continue its release of two devices, a slate smartphone and a phablet. The iPhone 7 is expected to have a 4.7-inch display, while the iPhone 7 Plus will have a 5.5-inch display. The devices will likely maintain their Retina HD display with respective 1334×750 and 1920×1080 pixel resolutions.
Meanwhile, Samsung has dialed back, releasing only one device in late 2016. The Galaxy Note7 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440 resolution) display with dual-edge curves. It is the first device in the Note line to feature a dual-edge display. Outside of that it is the same as the screen on the Galaxy Note 5, with a pixel density of 518 ppi. Samsung has introduced a Gorilla Glass 5 covering for the Galaxy Note7, which is expected to be able to withstand damage from a shoulder-height drop.
Hardware
In addition to the TSMC produced A10 chip, Apple is expected to include 2GB RAM in the iPhone 7 and 3GB RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus. Internal storage may also get a boost, starting at 32GB for its base level. Some rumors have suggested there may be a 256GB storage option available for the 7 Plus, as well as a 128GB option for both models. Rumors suggest a 1,735 mAh battery capacity for the iPhone 7 and a 2,810 mAh battery capacity for the 7 Plus. There are also murmurs of a 1,960 mAh battery for the iPhone 7.
The Galaxy Note7 will ship with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip. Its 4GB RAM capacity remains the same as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 5, but the Note7 is available in a 64GB internal storage base model. MicroSD expansion is available up to 256GB.
The Galaxy Note 7 features a 3,500mAh battery, the largest cell ever featured on a Note device, but 100mAh smaller than the battery in the Galaxy S7 Edge. Samsung told iDigitalTimes the power downgrade was due to the S-Pen taking up space in the Galaxy Note 7 chassis; however, the manufacturer plans to add software boosts to ensure performance does not lag.
Design
Leaks suggest the iPhone 7 models won’t differ much from the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6 in terms of design. The device is expected to be outfitted in the same matte finish metal as its recent predecessors. A major difference may be a new position of the devices’ antenna bands, from the back panel to the top and bottom of the device.
The device is expected to be thinner than the iPhone 6s but image leaks don’t back up the claim. Other rumors suggest a new, thinner lightning port and the removal of the headphone jack to accommodate a thinner frame.
Color options for the iPhone 7 are expected to include Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold and Gold.
While the Galaxy Note7 is the first of its kind in the Note line, the first dual-edge smartphone with an S-Pen, though many consider it similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge in terms of design. The curved display allows the Note7 to maintain a 5.7-inch display, while being slightly smaller than the flat Galaxy Note 5. Its curves are more dramatic to ensure most of the screen is available for S-Pen features. Like its curved display predecessors, the edge display is largely ornamental, with edge features being software based.
Samsung has introduced to its smartphone line, the USB Type-C port, which allows for faster charging and data transfer than the older Micro USB standard. Samsung senior designer, Hong Yeo has said that the main premise behind the Galaxy Note7 design is symmetry. USB Type-C ports are know for being symmetrical, so they don’t have to be facing a certain way to be inserted into a device.
Galaxy Note7 color options include Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Blue Coral as well as Gold Platinum, which will only be available internationally. As a SaskTel Mobility dealer, we will only be carrying the black and silver colours.
Camera
After upgrading from an 8-megapixel to 12-megapixel lens in the iPhone 6s, Apple is expected to further tweak its camera technology. The iPhone 7 Plus will likely feature a dual-lens configuration; however, rumors have not indicated a megapixel count for the camera. The iPhone 7 will likely retain its single-lens camera. The device’s front camera may be 5 megapixels, similar to the iPhone 6s.
The Galaxy Note7 features a 12-megapixel rear camera and and 5-megapixel front camera, both featuring f/1.7 aperture. Other camera features include 4K and HDR video.
Software
The iPhone 7 will run iOS 10, which was announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June. Feature highlights includes resigned for the lock screen, messages and Apple music, the ability to delete stock applications, developer access to Siri and a new “Home” app to accompany HomeKit IoT devices.
The Galaxy Note7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, with various tweaks to Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, such as uniformly rounded icons and motion wallpaper, which moves as the device is moved. Other software highlights include new camera shortcuts and a consumer play on Knox Workspace called Secure Folder.
New features accompanying the Galaxy Note7 S-Pen include an animated GIF creator, a translation feature (allowing users to select words to translate with the S-Pen) and the ability to pin notes to the always-on display. The always-on display is also new to the Galaxy Note line, after being introduced on the Galaxy S7.
Special Features
Apple may bring its 3D Touch feature , which works on the iPhone 6s screen, to its home button. This would allow users to apply different levels of pressure to the home button in order to execute different functions. The feature is already present on some Macbook trackpads.
The iPhone 7 Plus may also include a Smart Connector functionality, which would allow the smartphone to connect to other devices wirelessly. The feature was introduced on the iPad Pro, but on the 7 Plus, it is expected to enable wireless charging and wireless connectivity to accessories such as headphones.
The Galaxy Note7 features an iris scanner, in addition to a fingerprint scanner as biometric options on the handset. A user can set up both features and use them for different authentication functions.
The Galaxy Note7 is the first Note device to feature IP68 water, wind and dust resistance. The handset and S-Pen are both sealed to make the Note 7 completely water resistant. Users will be able to use the phone and stylus underwater.
Price and Availability
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are expected to be announced in early September but there are no details in terms of when the phones will be available in Saskatoon. Until released, we would only be able to speculate on the price. In getting into a new two year voice and data plan with SaskTel, the prices should be similar to the last launch.
The Galaxy Note 7 was announced August 2nd in New York City but was not available in Saskatoon until August 19th. You can buy one now for $549.99 on a two year contract. Alternatively, you can purchase the device only for $1049.99. Shop Now!
Are you going to wait for the iPhone in September or pull the trigger now on a Samsung Galaxy Note7? The choice is yours.