Samsung Galaxy S7 Review: The Legacy of a Design That Still Holds Up

Back in March 2016, Samsung released the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, building on the major design shift they introduced with the Galaxy S6. The S6 had turned heads by ditching plastic in favor of a sleek glass and aluminum design. But while it looked great, it left many Samsung fans frustrated—gone were features like a removable battery and microSD card support. The S7 aimed to fix that. It kept the same stunning design, but crucially, it brought back expandable storage and added water resistance. Although the swappable battery didn’t return, the S7 managed to strike the right balance between form and function, becoming a huge success both critically and commercially.

Now, nearly a decade later, it’s worth asking: how does the Galaxy S7 hold up today?

Right out of the box, the S7 made a strong impression. The glass and aluminum body felt premium, and the curved edges of the S7 Edge gave it a distinctive, futuristic look. The standard S7 had a 5.1-inch screen, while the Edge model was slightly larger at 5.5 inches. Both featured a Super AMOLED display that was unmatched at the time—vivid colors, deep blacks, and high resolution. In fact, the S7’s display is still impressive even by today’s standards. Sure, the colors are a bit oversaturated, and there’s the risk of screen burn-in, but for the most part, it holds up remarkably well.

Design-wise, the S7 refined what the S6 started. The curved glass back on the S7 made it more comfortable to hold than the flat-backed S6, which could feel a bit sharp in the hand. But the glass also meant you’d probably want a case to avoid cracks. The bezels were relatively slim, and Samsung’s decision to keep a physical home button—complete with a fingerprint sensor—was a smart one. While the sensor wasn’t the fastest compared to competitors like the Nexus 6P or the iPhone’s Touch ID, it was still reliable.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S7 shipped with Android 6 Marshmallow and Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, later updated to Android 8 Oreo and the rebranded Samsung Experience UI. Although the software feels outdated now, at the time, the S7 packed features that were ahead of the competition: wireless charging, fast charging, water resistance (IP68), and a microSD slot—something many flagships were already starting to phase out. Samsung even kept the headphone jack, which Apple infamously removed with the iPhone 7 that same year.

Battery life on the S7 was decent for its time. The 3,000 mAh battery on the regular model, and the 3,600 mAh on the Edge, could typically last a full day. Of course, as with any phone this old, battery degradation is inevitable, and the sealed design means swapping out the battery isn’t easy. That’s one trade-off for the S7’s sleek look—no removable battery like older Galaxy models.

One of the standout features of the S7 was the always-on display. It let you see the time, date, and notifications at a glance without waking the phone. It wasn’t a groundbreaking feature at the time, but it was practical and ahead of the curve. Samsung also dropped some of the more gimmicky features that earlier Galaxy phones were known for, like the ultraviolet sensor on the Note 4 or the IR blaster from the S6. In a way, the S7 marked a turning point where Samsung began focusing more on refinement than feature overload.

The Galaxy S7’s camera, though not mentioned in detail here, was also one of its highlights in 2016, offering excellent low-light performance and fast autofocus. Combined with its water resistance, the S7 was a phone you could take just about anywhere—whether by the pool or out on a rainy day—without worry.

So, is the Galaxy S7 still worth using today? Realistically, no. The software is outdated, it lacks modern security updates, and the battery won’t hold up like it once did. But looking back, the S7 was a near-perfect phone for its time. It offered a beautiful design, practical features like expandable storage and water resistance, and a display that remains stunning even now.

The Galaxy S7 was the right phone at the right time, a model that helped Samsung solidify its place as a leader in the smartphone world. It may not be the go-to device anymore, but it’s a reminder of just how far smartphones have come—and how much the S7 got right nearly a decade ago.