Iphone 6 Vs Galaxy S7 Looking Back Was The Upgrade Really Worth It

In 2015 and 2016, smartphone users faced a pivotal decision: stick with Apple’s ecosystem or leap into the Android flagship arena with Samsung’s Galaxy S7. The iPhone 6, released in 2014, had redefined Apple’s design language with its sleek aluminum body and larger screen. A year later, Samsung answered with the Galaxy S7—water-resistant, powerful, and packed with features that seemed ahead of its time. Now, years later, we can assess the upgrade objectively. Was switching from the iPhone 6 to the Galaxy S7 truly worth it? Or did brand loyalty and ecosystem lock-in outweigh raw hardware gains?

The Design and Build: A Clash of Philosophies

The iPhone 6 introduced a minimalist, unibody aluminum design that prioritized elegance over ruggedness. Its chamfered edges and curved back made it comfortable to hold, but the lack of water resistance and susceptibility to bending (infamously dubbed “Bendgate”) were notable flaws. It felt premium, but fragile.

In contrast, the Galaxy S7 brought a more refined approach. With a glass front and back sandwiching an aluminum frame, it exuded sophistication while offering IP68 water and dust resistance—a feature absent from any iPhone until the iPhone 7. The S7 also reintroduced the microSD card slot, giving users flexibility in storage expansion, something Apple has never offered.

Tip: Water resistance wasn’t just a gimmick—it saved countless devices from accidental spills and rain exposure, a real-world advantage the iPhone 6 lacked.

While both phones felt high-end, the S7’s practical durability gave it an edge for users who valued peace of mind over pure aesthetics.

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, the differences were stark. The iPhone 6 ran on Apple’s A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. For its time, it delivered smooth performance, especially within iOS’s optimized environment. However, by 2016, users were noticing slowdowns, particularly after iOS updates.

The Galaxy S7 launched with either the Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890 (depending on region), paired with 4GB of RAM. This meant significantly better multitasking, faster app loading, and superior gaming performance. Benchmark scores showed the S7 outperforming the iPhone 6 by a wide margin.

“Hardware isn’t everything, but in 2016, the S7 felt like a true next-generation device. The jump from the iPhone 6 was palpable.” — Mark Tran, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Battery life was another area where the S7 shined. With a 3000mAh battery compared to the iPhone 6’s 1810mAh, the S7 offered nearly double the screen-on time. Combined with adaptive brightness and Doze mode in Android Marshmallow, it consistently lasted a full day, often stretching into a second with moderate use.

Camera Capabilities: Innovation vs Consistency

The iPhone 6 featured an 8MP rear camera with Focus Pixels and improved low-light performance over its predecessor. While reliable and consistent, especially in daylight, it struggled in dim environments and lacked optical image stabilization.

Samsung took a bold step with the Galaxy S7 by introducing Dual Pixel technology—a first in smartphones. This allowed every pixel on the sensor to act as a phase-detection autofocus point, drastically improving speed and accuracy, especially in low light. The S7 also used larger 1.2µm pixels and an f/1.7 aperture, capturing more light than almost any phone at the time.

Feature	iPhone 6	Galaxy S7
Rear Camera	8MP, f/2.2, no OIS	12MP, f/1.7, OIS, Dual Pixel AF
Front Camera	1.2MP	5MP, f/1.7
Low-Light Performance	Fair	Excellent
Video Recording	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps

For photography enthusiasts, the S7 was a game-changer. Its ability to capture bright, detailed images in near-darkness set a new standard. The iPhone 6 couldn’t compete, especially as social media shifted toward visual storytelling.

User Experience and Ecosystem Lock-In

Despite hardware advantages, the software experience played a decisive role. iOS on the iPhone 6 remained snappy and secure, with timely updates. Apple’s ecosystem—iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop—created strong user retention. Switching to Android meant losing seamless integration with Macs, iPads, and Apple Watch.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow on the S7 was polished, with useful features like Always-On Display and expandable storage. But Samsung’s update policy lagged. While the S7 received two major OS updates, support ended by 2019. In contrast, the iPhone 6 received iOS updates until 2019 as well, but performance degraded noticeably on newer versions.

Tip: If you rely heavily on iMessage or own other Apple devices, switching ecosystems may cost more in convenience than you gain in specs.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a freelance photographer, upgraded from her iPhone 6 to the Galaxy S7 in early 2016. She needed better low-light performance for event shoots and wanted longer battery life during travel. The S7 delivered—she praised its camera and water resistance when caught in a sudden downpour. However, she missed iMessage and struggled with inconsistent app quality on Android. After two years, she returned to iPhone, citing ecosystem fatigue despite the hardware shortcomings.

Her experience reflects a broader trend: hardware excellence doesn’t always outweigh ecosystem cohesion.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A Balanced Verdict

For tech-savvy users seeking cutting-edge features, the Galaxy S7 was unquestionably the superior device. It offered better performance, camera innovation, battery life, and durability. The upgrade from the iPhone 6 represented a generational leap in hardware capability.

However, “worth it” depends on priorities. Users deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem—those using multiple Apple devices, relying on iMessage, or valuing long-term software consistency—often found the transition jarring. The iPhone 6, while aging, remained functional and familiar.

• Worth it if: You prioritized camera quality, battery life, water resistance, or Android customization.
• Not worth it if: You depended on iMessage, used a Mac daily, or preferred iOS simplicity.

Checklist: Should You Have Upgraded?

1. Did you need better low-light photography? → Yes → S7
2. Did you want water resistance? → Yes → S7
3. Were you invested in iMessage and iCloud? → Yes → Stay with iPhone
4. Did you value expandable storage? → Yes → S7
5. Were you frustrated by iPhone 6 battery life? → Yes → S7
6. Did you prefer iOS over Android? → Yes → Stay with iPhone

FAQ

Could the iPhone 6 handle iOS 10 and 11?

Technically yes, but performance suffered. Many users reported lag, app crashes, and reduced battery efficiency. The iPhone 6 was not designed for the demands of iOS 11, making the upgrade taxing.

Did the Galaxy S7 receive security updates for long?

Samsung provided monthly security patches for about two years, tapering off afterward. By 2019, updates were infrequent, leaving the device vulnerable compared to Apple’s longer support cycle.

Is the iPhone 6 still usable today?

Limitedly. It cannot run modern apps efficiently, lacks support for current iOS features, and many services no longer support its OS version. It’s best suited as a backup or emergency phone.

Conclusion

Looking back, the Galaxy S7 was a technological triumph—a device that pushed boundaries in design, camera, and functionality. For users open to Android, upgrading from the iPhone 6 was absolutely worth it in terms of raw capability and future-proofing. But technology isn’t just about specs; it’s about integration, habit, and personal workflow. For many, the comfort of iOS and Apple’s ecosystem outweighed the S7’s advancements.

The real lesson? Upgrades should align with how you use your device, not just what’s new. Whether you stayed with the iPhone 6 or embraced the Galaxy S7, the decision reflected deeper values—consistency versus innovation, familiarity versus exploration.

🚀 Still debating old upgrades or planning your next move? Share your iPhone-to-Android (or vice versa) journey in the comments—we’d love to hear what drove your decision.