The smartphone market is a battlefield, and two titans from different eras still spark debate: the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Apple iPhone 7. While both have been superseded by newer models, their respective strengths and weaknesses continue to intrigue users considering budget-friendly options or simply reminiscing about past mobile innovations.
The Galaxy S6, a marvel of its time, boasted a premium metal and glass design and a vibrant display that turned heads. Meanwhile, the iPhone 7 introduced water resistance and a dual-camera system on its Plus variant, pushing the boundaries of mobile photography and durability.
If you’re wondering which of these now-classic devices might still hold its own or if you’re simply curious about how they stack up against each other, this comparison will delve into their key features, performance, and overall user experience.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Samsung S6 | iPhone 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.1 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels | 750 x 1334 pixels |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 | A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 3 GB | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 16 MP | 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 5 MP | 7 MP |
| Battery Capacity | 2550 mAh | 1960 mAh |
| Operating System (Launch) | Android 5.0.2 | iOS 10.0.1 |
| Water Resistance | No | Yes (IP67) |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Samsung S6: Features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD). This provides incredibly vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent sharpness, making it great for media consumption. However, the brightness can sometimes be an issue in direct sunlight.
- iPhone 7: Boasts a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels. While not as sharp as the S6, it offers excellent color accuracy and good brightness for most conditions. Its smaller size makes it more pocketable for some users.
- Winner: samsung s6
Processor & Performance
- Samsung S6: Powered by Samsung’s Exynos 7420 chipset (octa-core) in most regions. It offered flagship performance for its time, handling multitasking and demanding apps with ease. However, it could sometimes experience thermal throttling under heavy load.
- iPhone 7: Equipped with the A10 Fusion chip (quad-core). This processor was exceptionally powerful for its generation, delivering smooth performance, excellent gaming capabilities, and impressive power efficiency. It generally remained cooler than many Android counterparts.
- Winner: iphone 7
Camera
- Samsung S6: Features a 16MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 5MP front camera. Photos in good lighting are sharp and detailed with good color reproduction. Low-light performance is decent, but can sometimes produce noisy images.
- iPhone 7: Comes with a 12MP rear camera with OIS and a 7MP front camera. The iPhone 7’s camera is renowned for its consistent performance, excellent detail, and natural color science, especially in its video recording capabilities. It generally excels in low-light conditions compared to the S6.
- Winner: iphone 7
Battery Life
- Samsung S6: Has a 2550 mAh non-removable battery. Battery life was often a point of criticism, with many users finding it difficult to get through a full day of moderate to heavy use. It does support fast charging.
- iPhone 7: Features a 1960 mAh non-removable battery. Despite the smaller capacity, Apple’s optimization often resulted in better-than-expected battery life, typically lasting a full day for most users. It does not support fast charging out of the box.
- Winner: iphone 7
Build Quality & Design
- Samsung S6: Utilizes a premium metal frame with a glass back, giving it a sophisticated and high-end feel. The design was a significant departure from previous plastic Samsung phones. However, the glass back is prone to fingerprints and cracks.
- iPhone 7: Features an aluminum unibody design. It’s sleek, durable, and water-resistant (IP67). The design is iconic and comfortable to hold, though some may find the bezels a bit large by modern standards.
- Winner: iphone 7
Storage Options
- Samsung S6: Available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB internal storage variants. Crucially, it lacks a microSD card slot, meaning storage is not expandable.
- iPhone 7: Offered in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB internal storage options. Like the S6, it does not support microSD card expansion.
- Winner: iphone 7
Biometric Security
- Samsung S6: Includes a fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button. It was an improvement over previous generations and generally fast and accurate.
- iPhone 7: Features the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, also integrated into the home button. It was widely regarded as one of the fastest and most reliable fingerprint scanners available at the time.
- Winner: iphone 7
Audio
- Samsung S6: Features a single bottom-firing speaker. The audio quality is decent for casual listening but lacks stereo immersion. It retains the 3.5mm headphone jack.
- iPhone 7: Introduced stereo speakers, offering a more immersive audio experience. However, it famously removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring users to use Lightning headphones or an adapter.
- Winner: samsung s6
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display Quality | Samsung S6 |
| Performance | iPhone 7 |
| Camera | Samsung S6 |
| Battery Life | Samsung S6 |
| Design & Build | iPhone 7 |
| Water Resistance | iPhone 7 |
| Software Experience | iPhone 7 |
What They Have in Common
- Build Quality: Both devices boast premium construction, with the Samsung S6 featuring a metal frame and glass back, while the iPhone 7 utilizes an aluminum unibody design.
- Display Technology: Both phones offer vibrant and sharp displays, with the Samsung S6 utilizing a Super AMOLED panel for excellent contrast and color reproduction, and the iPhone 7 featuring a Retina HD display known for its color accuracy.
- High-Resolution Cameras: Each device is equipped with capable rear cameras that can capture detailed and high-quality photos and videos, making them suitable for everyday photography.
- Fingerprint Sensors: Security and convenience are prioritized with the inclusion of integrated fingerprint sensors on both the Samsung S6 and iPhone 7, allowing for quick and secure unlocking and authentication.
- Wireless Connectivity: Both smartphones support modern wireless standards, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensuring seamless connectivity for browsing, streaming, and pairing with accessories.
Samsung S6 Vs Iphone 7 Buying Guide
Performance and Everyday Use
When considering everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media, and checking emails, both the Samsung S6 and iPhone 7 offer smooth performance. The S6, with its Exynos 7420 processor, is generally very capable, while the iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion chip provides a noticeable edge in raw processing power and efficiency. For demanding applications or gaming, the iPhone 7 will likely offer a more consistently fluid experience.
However, for typical daily use, the differences might not be immediately apparent to most users. The S6’s performance is still excellent for its age, and both devices are well-optimized for their respective operating systems. If you’re a power user or a mobile gamer, the iPhone 7’s superior chipset becomes more relevant. (See Also: Adobe Pro Vs Docusign )
Camera Capabilities
Both devices were flagships in their time and boast impressive camera systems. The Samsung S6 features a 16MP rear camera known for its vibrant colors and good detail, especially in well-lit conditions. It also offers manual controls for photography enthusiasts. The iPhone 7, with its 12MP camera, excels in natural color reproduction and excels in its video recording capabilities, particularly with its superior image stabilization.
In low-light scenarios, both can struggle compared to modern smartphones, but the iPhone 7 often holds a slight advantage due to its computational photography enhancements. For casual snapshots and sharing on social media, you’ll likely be pleased with the results from either. If professional-looking photos and videos are a priority, the iPhone 7 might have a slight edge.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial factor for any smartphone. The Samsung S6 comes with a 2550 mAh battery, which, while decent, can be a limitation for heavy users, especially considering its age and potential battery degradation. It does, however, support fast charging and wireless charging, which are convenient features.
The iPhone 7 has a slightly smaller battery capacity at 1960 mAh, but Apple’s optimization of iOS often translates to competitive battery life for its generation. It supports fast charging but not wireless charging. For users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day without access to a charger, the iPhone 7 might offer a more consistent experience, though neither is a battery champion by today’s standards. (See Also: 40 Vs 32 Tv )
Software and Ecosystem
The choice between the Samsung S6 and iPhone 7 is also heavily influenced by their respective operating systems and ecosystems. The S6 runs on Android, offering a high degree of customization, open file management, and integration with Google services. However, it has long since stopped receiving major software updates, meaning it lacks newer features and security patches.
The iPhone 7 runs on iOS, known for its user-friendly interface, strong app ecosystem, and robust security. While also no longer receiving major iOS updates, Apple’s long-term software support means it might still receive some security updates for a period. If you’re already invested in either Apple’s or Google’s ecosystem, that ecosystem integration will likely be a deciding factor.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Samsung S6 If…
- You prefer the flexibility and customization of the Android operating system.
- You value a higher resolution display for media consumption.
- You need a removable battery or the ability to expand storage via microSD (though the S6 did not have this).
- You want a device with a headphone jack.
Buy iPhone 7 If…
- You are invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.
- You prioritize a streamlined and user-friendly interface.
- You want a device with robust water and dust resistance.
- You are looking for a device with a powerful and efficient processor for its time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone is better for gaming?
For gaming, the iPhone 7 generally holds an advantage due to its more powerful A10 Fusion chip, which offers superior processing power and graphics capabilities. This translates to smoother frame rates and the ability to handle more demanding games with better performance. While the Samsung S6 can still run many games, it might struggle with newer or more graphically intensive titles compared to the iPhone 7.
Can I still get software updates for these phones?
Unfortunately, neither the Samsung S6 nor the iPhone 7 are currently receiving major operating system updates. The Samsung S6 is quite old and has stopped receiving updates entirely. The iPhone 7 may still receive some security patches for a limited time from Apple, but it has also reached the end of its major software update cycle. For the latest features and security, newer devices are recommended. (See Also: Lansky Vs Work Sharp )
Which phone has a better camera for photos?
Both phones have capable cameras for their time. The Samsung S6 is known for producing vibrant, punchy colors, and its 16MP sensor captures good detail in well-lit conditions. The iPhone 7, with its 12MP sensor, often produces more natural-looking colors and excels in its video recording quality and image stabilization. For casual shots, both are good, but the iPhone 7 might have a slight edge in overall image processing and consistency.
Is the battery life comparable on both devices?
Battery life on both devices can be a concern, especially when considering their age. The iPhone 7, despite its smaller battery capacity, often performs competitively due to Apple’s software optimization. The Samsung S6 has a larger battery but may suffer from battery degradation over time. For heavy users, neither phone will likely last a full day without needing a recharge, but the iPhone 7 might offer slightly more consistent performance for moderate use.
Which phone offers more storage options?
The Samsung S6 typically came in 32GB and 64GB storage variants and did not have expandable storage via microSD card. The iPhone 7 was released in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB options. Therefore, if you require more internal storage, the iPhone 7 offers higher maximum capacities, with the 128GB and 256GB models being a significant advantage over the S6’s maximum of 64GB.
Final Verdict
While both the Samsung S6 and iPhone 7 were excellent smartphones in their prime, the iPhone 7 generally offers a more compelling experience today. Its superior processing power, longer software support (even if limited), and generally better performance in demanding tasks give it an edge. The Samsung S6 is still a capable device, but its age and lack of updates make it a less future-proof option. The iPhone 7’s ecosystem and performance make it the stronger choice for most users seeking a reliable, albeit older, smartphone.
Winner: iPhone 7