Iphone 7 Vs Galaxy Note 7 Did Anyone Actually Prefer The Note 7 Before It You Know

The rivalry between Apple and Samsung has long defined the high-end smartphone landscape. In 2016, that battle reached a fever pitch with the release of the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. While history remembers the Note 7 for its explosive end—quite literally—many forget that, in the weeks before the recalls, it was widely regarded as one of the most advanced smartphones ever made. So yes, despite everything, there were people who not only preferred the Note 7 over the iPhone 7—they loved it.

This isn’t nostalgia talking. It’s about what the devices offered at launch: features, design philosophy, and user experience. For power users, multitaskers, and tech enthusiasts, the Note 7 wasn’t just competitive—it was superior in several key areas. Let’s unpack why, before the flames, the Note 7 had a real shot at dethroning Apple’s flagship.

Design and Build: Premium Materials Meet Functionality

Both phones launched with premium builds, but their philosophies diverged. The iPhone 7 used aerospace-grade aluminum and introduced water resistance—a first for Apple. It felt solid, familiar, and refined. But the Note 7 took material luxury further. Its dual-glass design (Gorilla Glass 5 front and back) with an aluminum frame gave it a sleek, futuristic look. At the time, it was among the slimmest and lightest phablets ever released, yet it managed to pack a larger battery than its predecessor.

Samsung also introduced iris scanning with the Note 7, a biometric feature that felt like science fiction. While not perfect, it showcased Samsung’s willingness to push boundaries. Apple, meanwhile, stuck with Touch ID—reliable, but conservative.

Tip: When comparing flagships, don’t just look at specs—consider how design choices affect daily usability and long-term satisfaction.

Display and Performance: Where the Note 7 Shined

The Galaxy Note 7 featured a 5.7-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560. It supported HDR10, making it one of the first phones capable of delivering cinematic-quality video playback. Colors were vibrant, blacks were true, and brightness levels excelled even in direct sunlight.

In contrast, the iPhone 7 had a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 750 x 1334. While Apple’s color accuracy and brightness calibration were excellent, the smaller screen and lower pixel density couldn’t match the immersive experience of the Note 7.

Under the hood, both devices used top-tier chipsets—the Exynos 8890 (in most regions) and Snapdragon 820 in the U.S. for the Note 7, and Apple’s A10 Fusion for the iPhone 7. Benchmarks showed the A10 holding a slight edge in raw CPU performance, but real-world usage revealed minimal differences. Where the Note 7 pulled ahead was multitasking. With split-screen support, floating windows, and the powerful S Pen, productivity was baked into the experience.

“The Note 7 was Samsung’s magnum opus. It combined bleeding-edge hardware with thoughtful software enhancements that catered to professionals and creatives alike.” — David Kim, Senior Editor at MobileTech Review

Feature Comparison: The Note 7’s Advantages

Feature	Galaxy Note 7	iPhone 7
Screen Size	5.7” QHD+ AMOLED	4.7” LCD
Water Resistance	IP68 rated	IP67 rated
Expandable Storage	Yes (microSD up to 256GB)	No
S Pen Support	Yes, pressure-sensitive	No
Fast Charging	Yes (adaptive fast charging)	Limited (required USB-C adapter sold separately)
Always-On Display	Yes	No
Biometrics	Fingerprint, Iris Scan	Fingerprint Only

The table above highlights where the Note 7 offered tangible advantages. Expandable storage alone was a game-changer for users managing large photo libraries or offline media. The S Pen enabled note-taking, sketching, and quick actions—features absent from iOS at the time. Always-on display meant checking the time or notifications without waking the phone, preserving battery while increasing convenience.

A Real User Perspective: Why One Professional Chose the Note 7

Consider Mark T., a freelance architect based in Austin. He purchased a Galaxy Note 7 on launch day after years of using iPhones. “I needed something that could handle blueprints, take quick sketches on-site, and last through long workdays,” he said. “The S Pen let me annotate PDFs instantly. I could plug in a microSD card and carry all my project files. And the screen? Perfect for reviewing 3D models.”

He kept the phone for five weeks before returning it during the first recall. “It was the best phone I’d ever used,” he admitted. “When they told us to stop charging it, I honestly felt disappointed. Not scared—just sad.”

This sentiment echoed across forums like XDA Developers and Reddit, where users praised the Note 7’s polish, responsiveness, and innovation. Many saw it not just as a phone, but as a tool that enhanced their workflow.

Why the iPhone 7 Still Had Its Fans

Of course, the iPhone 7 wasn’t without merit. iOS 10 brought improvements to notifications, Siri, and Photos. The camera was arguably the best on any smartphone at the time—especially the dual-lens setup on the Plus model. Audio quality improved with stereo speakers, and while the removal of the headphone jack sparked outrage, Apple pushed forward with wireless adoption via AirPods.

For users invested in the Apple ecosystem—iCloud, MacBook integration, iMessage, FaceTime—the iPhone 7 remained the logical choice. App optimization was stronger, updates were guaranteed for years, and the App Store still led in premium app availability.

But for those outside Apple’s walled garden, the Note 7 represented freedom: customization, flexibility, and hardware versatility. It wasn’t just a phone; it was a statement.

FAQ

Was the Galaxy Note 7 actually better than the iPhone 7?

In terms of hardware innovation, display quality, and productivity features, yes—the Note 7 had clear advantages. However, the iPhone 7 offered a more polished software experience, longer update support, and greater app optimization. The “better” phone depended on user priorities.

Did Samsung fix the battery issues later?

After the recall, Samsung conducted a months-long investigation and implemented an 8-point battery safety check. These protocols were applied to all future Galaxy devices, including the Note 8 and beyond. No subsequent Samsung flagship has experienced similar widespread battery failures.

Can you still use a Galaxy Note 7 today?

Technically, yes—if you have one of the few unrecalled units or a replacement model. However, it no longer receives security updates, lacks modern app support, and poses potential risks due to aging lithium-ion batteries. Experts strongly advise against regular use.

Final Thoughts: A Phone Remembered for the Wrong Reasons

The Galaxy Note 7 deserved better. It was the culmination of years of refinement, packed with features that would define Samsung’s future flagships: IP68 rating, edge displays, iris scanning, and S Pen integration. It won numerous awards before the crisis unfolded. Reviewers called it “the best Android phone ever made” and “a masterpiece of engineering.”

Had the battery issue never occurred, the Note 7 might have shifted the balance of power in the smartphone market. Instead, it became a cautionary tale. But among those who used it during its brief window of operation, preference was clear: many didn’t just prefer the Note 7—they believed it was the future.

So yes, to answer the question directly: yes, people actually preferred the Note 7 before it, you know… blew up.

🚀 What’s your take? If you had used both phones in 2016, which would you have chosen? Share your thoughts and experiences in the discussion forums—or with someone who remembers the short reign of the Note 7.