Iphone 7 Plus Vs Galaxy Note 5 Looking Back Which Phone Was Actually Better

When Apple released the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016 and Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 5 in 2015, both were positioned as premium flagships catering to power users. The iPhone 7 Plus arrived with a dual-camera system that redefined smartphone photography, while the Note 5 offered stylus functionality, expandable storage, and fast charging. Today, nearly a decade later, it’s worth revisiting these devices—not just for nostalgia, but to assess which one truly held up over time in terms of software support, hardware durability, user experience, and long-term value.

This isn’t about who won on launch day. It’s about which device aged better, delivered more consistent performance, and provided a more satisfying ownership experience in the years that followed.

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a sleek aluminum unibody with IP67 water resistance—a first for any iPhone. Its design was minimalist, featuring a solid-state home button and no headphone jack, a controversial move at the time. Despite initial skepticism, the build quality proved resilient, with many units surviving daily wear for years without structural issues.

In contrast, the Galaxy Note 5 featured a glass-and-metal sandwich design with a 2.5D curved glass front and aluminum frame. While elegant, the glass back made it prone to cracks when dropped. More critically, Samsung removed the removable battery and microSD slot from earlier models, limiting customization options and repairability. One notable flaw: the Note 5’s S Pen could be damaged if inserted backwards, a design oversight quickly criticized by users.

Tip: Devices with sealed batteries and non-expandable storage may limit long-term usability—consider repairability when choosing a flagship.

Performance and Software Longevity

Under the hood, the iPhone 7 Plus used Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, a 64-bit quad-core processor that outperformed most Android rivals in single-threaded tasks. Paired with iOS optimization, this allowed the iPhone 7 Plus to receive five major iOS updates—from iOS 10 to iOS 15—making it supported for six years after release. Even today, some users continue running iOS 15 on the device for basic tasks.

The Galaxy Note 5, powered by the Exynos 7420 (in international models) or Snapdragon 808 (in select regions), was strong in 2015 but began showing limitations by 2017. It received only two major Android updates (from Lollipop to Nougat), with security patches ending around 2018. By comparison, the iPhone 7 Plus remained functional and secure far longer, giving it a significant edge in software lifespan.

“Apple’s control over hardware and software allows older iPhones to remain useful years after release—something Android struggles to match.” — David Kim, Mobile Analyst at TechInsight Weekly

Camera Comparison: Innovation vs. Consistency

The iPhone 7 Plus marked a turning point in mobile photography with its dual-lens setup: a 12MP wide-angle and a 12MP telephoto lens enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode. While early versions of Portrait Mode had edge-detection flaws, Apple refined the feature through software updates. The result was consistently natural color reproduction, excellent dynamic range, and strong low-light performance.

The Galaxy Note 5 had a capable 16MP rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture, offering good detail and bright images in daylight. However, it lacked optical zoom and struggled in low light compared to the iPhone 7 Plus. Samsung’s image processing often oversaturated colors, which appealed to some but lacked realism. No software update added depth-sensing features like Portrait Mode, leaving the Note 5 behind in computational photography.

Feature	iPhone 7 Plus	Galaxy Note 5
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP (wide + telephoto)	16MP single sensor
Optical Zoom	2x	No
Portrait Mode	Yes (via software update)	No
Front Camera	7MP	5MP
Video Recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 30fps

Battery Life and Charging: Practical Real-World Use

The Galaxy Note 5 had a 3000mAh battery with fast charging and wireless charging support—features ahead of their time. However, heavy usage drained the battery quickly, especially with the QHD display. Fast charging helped, but heat buildup during charging occasionally caused throttling.

The iPhone 7 Plus came with a larger 2900mAh battery and a more efficient A10 chip, delivering comparable or better endurance despite lacking fast charging out of the box. Apple’s iOS power management also contributed to stable performance over time. Users reported fewer battery degradation issues even after three years of use, partly due to optimized background app refresh and thermal regulation.

Notably, the Note 5’s non-removable battery meant replacement required professional service, whereas Apple’s Battery Replacement Program made maintaining iPhone health easier and more affordable during peak ownership years.

User Experience and Ecosystem Integration

Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on the Note 5 was feature-rich but bloated, with redundant apps and inconsistent UI elements. Though powerful, multitasking features like Multi Window were underutilized by average users. The S Pen added unique functionality—especially for note-takers and artists—but its utility was niche.

iOS on the iPhone 7 Plus offered simplicity, consistency, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. Features like iMessage, AirDrop, iCloud Photos, and Handoff created a cohesive ecosystem. For users already invested in Macs, iPads, or Apple Watches, the iPhone 7 Plus became a central hub rather than just a phone.

Over time, this ecosystem advantage compounded. App developers prioritized iOS optimization, and services like Apple Pay and Siri improved steadily. Meanwhile, Samsung’s software roadmap shifted frequently, leaving Note 5 owners without access to newer DeX or advanced S Pen features introduced in later models.

Tip: Consider how well a phone integrates with your existing devices—ecosystem lock-in can increase long-term satisfaction.

Mini Case Study: Two Users, Five Years Later

Mark bought the Galaxy Note 5 in August 2015 for its S Pen and high-resolution screen. He loved taking handwritten meeting notes and appreciated fast charging. But by 2018, the phone felt sluggish, apps crashed frequently, and updates stopped coming. He replaced it with a newer Android model but found his old notes difficult to migrate.

Jessica purchased the iPhone 7 Plus in late 2016 primarily for photography. She used Portrait Mode extensively and synced her photos to iCloud. Even in 2021, she kept the phone as a backup device because it still ran WhatsApp, Messages, and basic apps smoothly. Her photos remained accessible across devices, and she upgraded directly to an iPhone 13 without losing data.

Both phones served their owners well initially, but the iPhone 7 Plus demonstrated superior long-term usability.

FAQ

Which phone had better customer support?

Apple offered standardized global support through Apple Stores and authorized providers, making repairs and replacements predictable. Samsung’s support varied significantly by region, with longer turnaround times and inconsistent service quality.

Could the Galaxy Note 5 last as long as the iPhone 7 Plus?

In practice, few did. Hardware wear, lack of updates, and declining app compatibility made the Note 5 obsolete faster. The iPhone 7 Plus benefited from sustained software investment and tighter hardware-software integration.

Was the S Pen enough to justify choosing the Note 5?

For creative professionals or students who relied on digital note-taking, yes. But for general users, the iPhone 7 Plus offered broader utility and longer relevance.

Final Verdict: Which Was Actually Better?

On paper, the Galaxy Note 5 had compelling advantages: higher-resolution display, expandable storage (on certain variants), fast charging, and the S Pen. But real-world ownership is measured not by specs, but by longevity, reliability, and evolving usefulness.

The iPhone 7 Plus wins this retrospective comparison decisively—not because it was perfect, but because it aged gracefully. Six years of iOS updates, consistent camera performance, strong resale value, and deep ecosystem integration gave it staying power the Note 5 couldn’t match. Samsung would later improve update policies with the Galaxy S20 series onward, but in 2015–2016, iOS simply provided a more sustainable platform.

If you’re evaluating smartphones based on long-term ownership, the lesson remains relevant: raw power matters less than sustained support, software refinement, and seamless integration.

💬 Still using either of these phones—or remember switching between them? Share your experience and what you learned about long-term device care in the comments below.