Iphone 7 Vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2016, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision: choose between Apple’s iPhone 7 and Samsung’s Galaxy S7. Both devices represented the peak of their respective ecosystems—polished, powerful, and packed with innovation. But for users already on high-end phones, the critical question wasn’t just which was better, but whether upgrading was truly worth the cost. Over a decade later, reflecting on real-world usage, software longevity, and ecosystem integration reveals insights that still matter today.

Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel, Different Philosophies

The iPhone 7 introduced a sleek, seamless aluminum unibody design with water resistance (IP67), a first for iPhones. Apple removed the headphone jack—a controversial move at the time—citing space efficiency and future-proofing. The device felt compact and solid in hand, with tight tolerances and a premium finish.

The Galaxy S7, meanwhile, combined glass and metal in a symmetrical design that many considered more luxurious. It also carried an IP68 rating, offering slightly better water resistance than the iPhone 7. Unlike Apple, Samsung retained the headphone jack and supported expandable storage via microSD—features highly valued by power users.

Tip: If you rely on wired headphones or need extra storage, the Galaxy S7’s retention of the headphone jack and microSD slot made it more flexible out of the box.

While both phones were well-built, the S7’s curved glass back gave it a more elegant aesthetic, though it was more prone to fingerprints and required a case for grip. The iPhone 7’s matte finishes resisted smudges better and offered improved durability in daily use.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the Galaxy S7 used either Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 or Samsung’s Exynos 8890, depending on region. The iPhone 7 ran Apple’s custom A10 Fusion chip—the first quad-core processor in an iPhone. Benchmarks showed the S7 had superior multitasking and graphics capabilities initially, especially in gaming.

However, real-world responsiveness favored the iPhone 7. iOS 10 was tightly optimized for the A10 chip, resulting in smooth animations, faster app launches, and longer-term performance stability. Apple’s control over hardware and software allowed for consistent updates and fewer lags over time.

Samsung’s Android experience, while feature-rich with its TouchWiz interface (later rebranded as Samsung Experience), included bloatware and occasional UI hiccups. Though powerful, the S7 began showing signs of slowdown after two years, particularly as newer Android versions added overhead.

“Apple’s vertical integration gives it a long-term edge in performance consistency—even if raw specs favor competitors.” — David Kim, Mobile Systems Analyst, TechInsight Weekly

Camera Comparison: Real-World Photo Quality

Both phones set new standards for mobile photography in 2016. The Galaxy S7 featured a 12MP Dual Pixel sensor with f/1.7 aperture, excellent low-light performance, and fast autofocus. Its dynamic range was impressive, though images sometimes leaned warm or oversaturated.

The iPhone 7 also had a 12MP sensor but with optical image stabilization and a slightly smaller f/1.8 aperture. While not as strong in extreme low light, it produced more natural colors, better white balance, and superior video recording (4K at 30fps). The dual-camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus offered 2x optical zoom, a novelty at the time.

Feature	iPhone 7	Galaxy S7
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.8, OIS	12MP, f/1.7, Dual Pixel AF
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	5MP, f/1.7
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps	4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30fps
Low-Light Performance	Very good	Excellent
Color Accuracy	Natural, balanced	Slightly oversaturated

For casual photographers, the difference was subtle. But enthusiasts noticed that the S7 captured brighter night shots, while the iPhone delivered more consistent results across lighting conditions and superior video stabilization.

Battery Life and Longevity

The Galaxy S7 had a 3,000mAh battery; the iPhone 7 came with a smaller 1,960mAh unit. On paper, Samsung had a clear advantage. In practice, battery life was surprisingly close due to iOS optimization and lower screen resolution (750x1334 vs 1440x2560).

Most users reported getting through a full day with moderate use on either device. However, the S7’s higher-resolution AMOLED display, when set to maximum brightness, drained the battery significantly faster. Adaptive brightness and Doze mode helped, but heavy users often needed a midday charge.

Long-term battery health favored the iPhone. iOS provided detailed battery usage analytics and later introduced “Optimized Battery Charging” to reduce wear. After three years, many iPhone 7 units retained 80%+ of original capacity with proper charging habits, whereas Galaxy S7 batteries degraded faster, partly due to lack of built-in calibration tools.

Tip: Avoid letting your phone drop below 20% regularly and disable fast charging overnight to extend battery lifespan on both devices.

Real Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a marketing professional in Chicago, owned an iPhone 6s and considered upgrading to the iPhone 7 or switching to the Galaxy S7. Her priorities were camera quality, battery life, and seamless integration with her MacBook and AirPods.

She tested both phones in-store. She loved the S7’s screen and low-light photos but struggled with syncing contacts and calendar events across her Apple devices. The iPhone 7’s camera was slightly less impressive in dark settings, but iMessage, iCloud Photos, and Handoff worked flawlessly.

She chose the iPhone 7. Over two years, she appreciated receiving iOS updates months before Samsung rolled out Android patches. When iOS 14 launched in 2020, her iPhone 7 still received security updates—something the Galaxy S7 stopped getting after 2018.

Sarah concluded that while the S7 was technically impressive, the iPhone 7’s ecosystem cohesion and update longevity made the upgrade worthwhile despite its higher price.

Was Upgrading Really Worth It?

For users coming from older devices like the iPhone 6 or Galaxy S5, both phones were massive leaps forward. But for those on flagships like the iPhone 6s or Galaxy S6, the answer depended on priorities.

• Choose iPhone 7 if: You value long-term software support, ecosystem integration, consistent performance, and reliable video recording.
• Choose Galaxy S7 if: You want expandable storage, a superior display, better low-light photos, and flexibility with file management.

From a financial perspective, the iPhone 7 held resale value significantly better. Two years post-release, used iPhone 7 models sold for nearly 50% of original price, compared to the S7’s 30%. This depreciation gap reflects consumer confidence in Apple’s longevity.

Checklist: Is an Upgrade Worth It?

1. Am I experiencing performance issues with my current phone?
2. Does my current device still receive OS and security updates?
3. Are there specific features (camera, battery, storage) I genuinely need?
4. Will this phone integrate well with my existing tech ecosystem?
5. Can I resell or trade in my old device to offset the cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the iPhone 7 last longer than the Galaxy S7?

Yes, in terms of software support. The iPhone 7 received iOS updates up to iOS 16 (as of 2023), spanning seven major versions. The Galaxy S7 stopped at Android 8.0 Oreo, with security patches ending in 2019. Hardware longevity was similar, but Apple’s update policy gave the iPhone a much longer functional life.

Why did Apple remove the headphone jack?

Apple claimed the removal freed internal space for better water resistance, battery, and speaker quality. It also pushed users toward wireless audio (AirPods). While controversial, this move influenced the entire industry—most flagship phones now omit the jack.

Which phone had better customer satisfaction?

According to Consumer Reports’ 2017 survey, iPhone 7 owners reported higher satisfaction (91%) than Galaxy S7 users (83%). Reasons included reliability, ease of use, and fewer unexpected crashes or bugs.

Final Verdict

Upgrading from a mid-tier or aging flagship to either the iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7 was justified in 2016. But choosing between them wasn't about specs alone—it was about values. The Galaxy S7 offered more customization, a brilliant display, and hardware flexibility. The iPhone 7 delivered polish, ecosystem synergy, and unmatched long-term support.

If you prioritized staying current with software, security, and seamless device integration, the iPhone 7 was the smarter investment. For tinkerers and multimedia lovers who valued immediate performance and display quality, the Galaxy S7 was compelling.

In hindsight, the iPhone 7’s extended update cycle and stronger resale value made it the more cost-effective choice over time. Technology evolves quickly, but thoughtful upgrades—based on actual needs, not hype—deliver lasting value.

🚀 Still debating your next upgrade? Evaluate not just the specs, but how long the device will stay relevant. Share your experience—what made your upgrade worthwhile?