Oneplus 3t Vs Galaxy S7 Was Upgrading From The S7 Really Worth It

In 2016, the Samsung Galaxy S7 set a new standard for Android flagships—water resistance, a refined design, excellent camera, and solid performance made it a favorite among users. When OnePlus released the OnePlus 3T shortly after, it promised flagship specs at half the price. For many Galaxy S7 owners, the question arose: was upgrading to the OnePlus 3T actually worth it?

This isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about real-world usage, daily convenience, long-term software support, and overall user satisfaction. Let’s break down the key differences and see whether making the switch delivered meaningful improvements—or if the S7 still held its ground.

Design and Build: Familiar Yet Different

The Galaxy S7 featured a premium glass-and-metal sandwich with IP68 water and dust resistance—a feature absent on the OnePlus 3T. The S7 felt more polished, especially with its curved display edges and seamless back panel. In contrast, the OnePlus 3T used an aluminum unibody with a matte finish, offering better grip but lacking official waterproofing.

While both phones were comfortable in hand, the S7 had a slight edge in perceived quality. However, the OnePlus 3T compensated with a cleaner aesthetic and fewer fingerprints thanks to its coating. For users prioritizing durability in wet environments—like those who frequently used their phones near water—the S7 remained the safer choice.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone outdoors or near liquids, a waterproof-rated device like the S7 adds real-world peace of mind—even if you never drop it in water.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the OnePlus 3T packed the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, compared to the S7’s Snapdragon 820 (or Exynos 8890 depending on region). While the difference wasn’t massive, benchmarks showed the 3T consistently outperforming the S7 by around 10–15% in CPU and GPU tasks.

More importantly, OxygenOS on the 3T offered a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware. This meant faster app launches, smoother animations, and quicker updates. Samsung’s TouchWiz (later rebranded as Samsung Experience) on the S7, while improved, still carried extra apps and visual effects that some users found sluggish over time.

One real advantage for OnePlus was its aggressive background app management and memory optimization. Users reported longer effective multitasking life and less need to manually close apps. However, Samsung offered deeper customization and features like split-screen mode earlier than OnePlus.

“OxygenOS struck the right balance between functionality and simplicity—fast, clean, and predictable.” — David Kim, Mobile Tech Analyst at Android Weekly

Camera Comparison: Low Light vs Consistency

The Galaxy S7’s 12MP Dual Pixel sensor was widely praised for its low-light performance. Its larger pixels (1.4µm) and f/1.7 aperture allowed it to capture significantly more light than most competitors. In dim indoor settings or nighttime scenes, the S7 often produced brighter, more natural-looking photos with less noise.

The OnePlus 3T also used a 16MP Sony IMX298 sensor with OIS and an f/2.0 aperture. While daylight shots were sharp and well-saturated, they sometimes leaned toward oversharpening. In low light, the 3T struggled slightly more with noise and dynamic range compared to the S7.

However, the OnePlus 3T introduced a front-facing 16MP camera—an upgrade over the S7’s 5MP shooter—making it a better option for selfie enthusiasts and video callers.

Feature	Galaxy S7	OnePlus 3T
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.7, Dual Pixel	16MP, f/2.0, OIS
Front Camera	5MP, f/1.7	16MP, f/2.0
Low-Light Performance	Excellent	Good, but noisier
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Slow Motion	720p @ 120fps	720p @ 120fps

Battery Life and Charging: Where the 3T Shines

The OnePlus 3T came with a 3,400mAh battery, up from the S7’s 3,000mAh. Combined with the efficiency of OxygenOS, this translated into noticeably longer battery life. Heavy users reported getting through a full day with screen-on times exceeding five hours, something the S7 often struggled with under similar loads.

Additionally, the 3T supported Dash Charge—a proprietary fast-charging technology that could deliver a full day’s power in about 30 minutes. Unlike generic quick charge solutions, Dash Charge maintained high speeds even while using the phone, thanks to its lower voltage design.

The S7 supported Adaptive Fast Charging, which was decent but not as efficient. More critically, its smaller battery and always-on display feature drained power faster over extended use.

Real-World Example: Daily Commute Usage

Consider Mark, a photographer and frequent traveler who upgraded from the S7 to the 3T. He used his phone heavily for navigation, music streaming, and photo editing during commutes. On the S7, he often needed a midday charge. After switching to the 3T, he regularly ended his workday with 25–30% battery remaining—even after eight hours of mixed usage. The combination of larger capacity and optimized charging made a tangible difference in his routine.

Long-Term Value and Software Updates

Samsung provided two major Android OS updates for the Galaxy S7 (from Android 6.0 to 8.0), along with regular monthly security patches for about two years. After that, update frequency slowed significantly.

OnePlus committed to a similar timeline. The 3T launched with Android 6.0 and received upgrades to Android 7.0 and 8.0. While neither device got Android 9 Pie officially, community developers kept both alive with custom ROMs like LineageOS.

However, OnePlus gained a reputation for quicker bug fixes and more responsive customer feedback. Their forums were active, and software tweaks arrived faster than Samsung’s enterprise-driven cycle. For tech-savvy users who valued control and transparency, this made the 3T a more appealing long-term device.

Tip: If you plan to keep your phone beyond two years, check community support early—custom ROMs can extend usability far beyond official updates.

Checklist: Is Upgrading from S7 to 3T Right for You?

• ✅ Need longer battery life and faster charging?
• ✅ Prefer a stock Android experience with fewer preinstalled apps?
• ✅ Want better front camera quality for selfies or video calls?
• ❌ Do you rely on water resistance in daily use?
• ❌ Are you invested in Samsung’s ecosystem (Gear devices, DeX, etc.)?
• ❌ Do you prioritize absolute best-in-class low-light photography?

If most of your answers are “yes” to the first three and “no” to the last three, the OnePlus 3T likely offered a worthwhile upgrade path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the OnePlus 3T have better signal reception than the S7?

Signal performance varied by carrier and region. Some users reported slightly weaker LTE reception on the 3T, particularly in rural areas. This was attributed to antenna design and lack of carrier certification optimizations present in Samsung’s globally tuned devices.

Was the display quality better on the S7?

Yes. The S7’s Quad HD (1440p) Super AMOLED panel offered richer colors, deeper blacks, and higher pixel density than the 3T’s Full HD (1080p) Optic AMOLED display. While the 3T’s screen was still excellent, the S7 had superior clarity and vibrancy, especially noticeable when viewing HDR content or outdoor sunlight readability.

Could the OnePlus 3T run VR apps like the S7?

Theoretically yes, but practically limited. The S7 was certified for Samsung Gear VR, benefiting from precise motion tracking and optimized software. The 3T lacked official compatibility, though some users managed to run third-party VR apps. For serious VR enthusiasts, the S7 remained the better choice.

Final Verdict: Was the Upgrade Worth It?

For users deeply embedded in Samsung’s ecosystem or those needing IP68 protection, sticking with the Galaxy S7 made sense. Its camera, display, and build quality were objectively superior in several key areas.

But for others—especially those frustrated with battery life, software bloat, or slow charging—the OnePlus 3T represented a compelling alternative. It delivered flagship-level performance, exceptional speed, and a refreshingly clean interface at a lower price point. The upgrade wasn’t about matching every spec; it was about improving daily usability.

In hindsight, the OnePlus 3T didn’t surpass the S7 in every category, but it offered a different kind of excellence—one focused on efficiency, responsiveness, and value. For many former S7 owners, that shift in philosophy was exactly what they needed.

💬 Upgraded from the S7 to the 3T—or the other way around? Share your experience and help others decide what truly matters in a smartphone upgrade.