Still weighing your options between two titans of the smartphone world? The iPhone 8 and Samsung S7, though released at different times, often find themselves in direct comparison for users seeking a reliable and capable device.
Both devices represent significant leaps in mobile technology for their respective eras, offering distinct user experiences and feature sets. Whether you’re drawn to Apple’s ecosystem or Samsung’s Android flexibility, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is key.
This comparison dives deep into the core aspects that matter most, helping you decide which of these popular smartphones truly aligns with your needs and preferences. Get ready to see how the iPhone 8 stacks up against the enduring Samsung S7.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | iPhone 8 | Samsung S7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 4.7-inch | 5.1-inch |
| Display Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 750 x 1334 pixels | 1440 x 2560 pixels |
| Processor | A11 Bionic | Snapdragon 820 / Exynos 8890 |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 128GB | 32GB, 64GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 7MP | 5MP |
| Battery | 1821 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Biometric Security | Touch ID | Fingerprint Scanner |
| Operating System | iOS 11 (upgradeable) | Android 6.0 (upgradeable) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- iPhone 8: Features a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with IPS technology. It offers excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it great for everyday use and media consumption. While not the highest resolution, its pixel density is still very good.
- Samsung S7: Boasts a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a higher resolution (1440 x 2560 pixels). This results in sharper visuals and deeper blacks, offering a more immersive viewing experience. However, AMOLED can sometimes exhibit color oversaturation.
- Winner: samsung s7
Processor
- iPhone 8: Powered by the A11 Bionic chip, which was industry-leading at its release. It delivers exceptional performance for apps, gaming, and multitasking, with excellent power efficiency.
- Samsung S7: Utilizes either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Samsung’s Exynos 8890 processor, depending on the region. While powerful for its time, it falls short of the A11 Bionic’s raw speed and efficiency.
- Winner: iphone 8
Camera
- iPhone 8: Features a 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and f/1.8 aperture. It excels at producing natural-looking photos with great detail and color reproduction, especially in good lighting. Video recording capabilities are also top-notch.
- Samsung S7: Equipped with a 12MP dual-pixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture and OIS. It’s known for its excellent low-light performance and fast autofocus. Photos can sometimes appear more vibrant than natural.
- Winner: samsung s7
Battery Life
- iPhone 8: Offers decent battery life for a full day of moderate use, though it’s not its strongest suit. It supports wireless charging, which is a convenient addition.
- Samsung S7: Generally provides slightly better battery life than the iPhone 8, especially with its larger battery capacity. It also supports fast charging and wireless charging.
- Winner: samsung s7
Build Quality & Design
- iPhone 8: Features an all-glass design with an aluminum frame, offering a premium feel and supporting wireless charging. It’s water and dust resistant (IP67). The design is classic but starting to feel dated.
- Samsung S7: Utilizes a glass and metal construction with curved edges, giving it a sleek and ergonomic feel. It also boasts IP68 water and dust resistance, making it more resilient.
- Winner: samsung s7
Storage
- iPhone 8: Comes with fixed internal storage options (64GB or 256GB) with no expandable storage.
- Samsung S7: Offers 32GB of internal storage but crucially features a microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing for significantly more capacity.
- Winner: samsung s7
Operating System
- iPhone 8: Runs on iOS, known for its user-friendly interface, strong app ecosystem, and timely software updates. It offers a smooth and intuitive experience.
- Samsung S7: Runs on Android, offering more customization options and flexibility. While it has a vast app selection, software updates can be slower and less consistent compared to iOS.
- Winner: iphone 8
Durability & Water Resistance
- iPhone 8: Rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
- Samsung S7: Rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, allowing it to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, offering superior protection.
- Winner: samsung s7
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display Quality | Samsung S7 (AMOLED, higher resolution) |
| Performance | iPhone 8 (A11 Bionic is generally faster) |
| Camera | Tie (Both are excellent, slight variations in processing) |
| Battery Life | Samsung S7 (Larger capacity) |
| Software Experience | iPhone 8 (More consistent updates, simpler UI) |
| Expandable Storage | Samsung S7 |
| Build & Durability | Tie (Both are premium and water-resistant) |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both devices feature high-quality displays that offer vibrant colors and good brightness levels for an enjoyable viewing experience.
- Camera Capabilities: Both the iPhone 8 and Samsung S7 are equipped with capable 12MP rear cameras that can capture detailed photos and record high-quality video. They also offer front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
- Water and Dust Resistance: Both phones boast a significant level of protection against water and dust ingress, offering peace of mind for everyday use and accidental spills.
- Premium Build Materials: You’ll find a combination of glass and metal construction on both devices, giving them a solid and premium feel in hand.
- Wireless Charging: Both the iPhone 8 and Samsung S7 support wireless charging, allowing for convenient cable-free power-ups.
Iphone 8 Vs Samsung S7 Buying Guide
Performance and Everyday Use
The iPhone 8, powered by Apple’s A11 Bionic chip, offers a significant performance edge over the Samsung S7’s Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890. For everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and app usage, both phones are generally smooth. However, the iPhone 8 will handle more demanding games and applications with greater ease and future-proofing.
If you prioritize raw speed and seamless multitasking for intensive applications, the iPhone 8 is the clear choice. The S7, while still capable, might show its age more noticeably with newer, more resource-hungry software. (See Also: Demeyere 5 Plus Vs Atlantis )
Camera Capabilities
Both devices boast excellent camera systems for their time. The iPhone 8 features a single 12MP rear camera with improved image processing and OIS, delivering sharp, vibrant photos. The Samsung S7 offers a 12MP camera with OIS and a wider aperture, excelling in low-light conditions and offering more manual control for photography enthusiasts.
For point-and-shoot simplicity and consistently good results in most lighting, the iPhone 8 is a strong contender. If you value low-light performance and the flexibility of manual camera settings, the S7 might appeal more, though its software processing can sometimes be less refined than Apple’s.
Display and Design
The iPhone 8 sports a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone technology, offering excellent color accuracy and brightness. Its design is classic Apple, with an aluminum frame and glass back. The Samsung S7 features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a higher resolution (QHD) and vibrant, punchy colors, along with a more premium glass and metal build.
If you prefer a more compact device with natural color reproduction, the iPhone 8 is a good option. The S7’s larger, higher-resolution AMOLED screen provides a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption, and its slightly curved design can feel more ergonomic for some users. (See Also: Nikon 50 1 8 Vs 1 4 )
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life on both devices is respectable for their era, though neither is a multi-day champion. The iPhone 8 generally offers a solid day of moderate use. The Samsung S7, with its larger battery capacity, can sometimes edge out the iPhone 8 in longevity, especially with its power-saving modes.
Both phones support fast charging, and the iPhone 8 also introduces wireless charging, a feature absent on the S7. If wireless charging is a priority, the iPhone 8 has an advantage. For overall battery endurance, the S7 might offer slightly more consistent performance for heavy users.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy iPhone 8 If…
- You are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.
- You prioritize consistent software updates and long-term support.
- You value a simple and intuitive user interface.
- You want a compact phone with a powerful processor for its size.
Buy Samsung S7 If…
- You prefer the flexibility and customization options of Android.
- You need expandable storage via a microSD card.
- You want a larger display for media consumption and multitasking.
- You are looking for a phone with a larger battery capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better display?
The Samsung S7 generally boasts a superior display due to its higher resolution (QHD) and Super AMOLED technology. This results in deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and a slightly sharper image compared to the iPhone 8’s Retina HD display. While the iPhone 8’s display is excellent, the S7’s offers a more visually striking experience, especially for media consumption.
Which phone is better for gaming?
The iPhone 8 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful A11 Bionic chip. It can handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and smoother performance. While the Samsung S7 can still run most games adequately, the iPhone 8 offers a more future-proof and consistently superior gaming experience. (See Also: Samsung Pro Vs Evo 850 )
Which camera takes better low-light photos?
The Samsung S7 often has a slight edge in low-light photography due to its wider aperture (f/1.7) and advanced image processing for its time. This allows it to capture more light in darker environments, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. The iPhone 8’s camera is still very capable in low light, but the S7’s hardware advantage can be noticeable.
Does the iPhone 8 have wireless charging?
Yes, the iPhone 8 was Apple’s first iPhone model to support wireless charging. This allows you to conveniently charge the device by simply placing it on a compatible wireless charging pad, eliminating the need for cables. The Samsung S7 does not feature built-in wireless charging capabilities.
Which phone offers better software support and updates?
The iPhone 8 will receive software updates from Apple for a significantly longer period than the Samsung S7 will from Samsung. Apple is known for its extended software support, meaning the iPhone 8 will continue to get the latest iOS versions and security patches for many years. The S7 is no longer receiving major Android updates.
Final Verdict
While both the iPhone 8 and Samsung S7 were excellent smartphones in their prime, the iPhone 8 holds a distinct advantage in performance, future software support, and the addition of wireless charging. The Samsung S7 counters with a superior display and potentially better low-light camera performance for its era. However, for a more modern and enduring experience, the iPhone 8 is the more compelling choice.
Winner: Iphone 8