Samsung Galaxy S7 Yay or Nay?

Gday Ozbargain

Following on from my last poll (thanks for the input, I will be getting an apple watch this week - yay), I'm after more of the community's insights.

My Mrs needs a new phone. Her last phone was a nexus 5 that is now a little long in the tooth. The last OTA update also removed the ability to connect the phone as an MTP device (which sucks, because now we cant easily transfer over audio files) - the final nail in the coffin.

She doesnt want apple.

The things that are important to her are:
Size - easy to hold for normal female hands
Decent battery life
SD card is ideal
Ideally not a drop magnet, but she can put a case on it.

After doing a bit of research I think the Samsung Galaxy S7 is the best fit.
I also looked at the S6, S5, HTC 10, Motorola X and G (though getting harder to acquire since the Lenovo buyout).
Not adverse to going month to month, but likely to get a device on a plan (just works out easier for tax purposes)

S7 has generally good reviews but i noticed multiple XDA forums about how 'tinny' the speaker is and how soft the in call volume can be. Now I know you will inevitably get some dud units, and its those with problems who are often the most vocal on forums.

So Ozbargain, alay my fears!
Is the GS7 the bees-knees, or does it's audio truly suck? Do you have any other suggestions?

Poll Options

  • 26
    Galaxy S7
  • 0
    Galaxy S6
  • 0
    Galaxy S5
  • 0
    HTC 10
  • 0
    Moto X
  • 0
    Moto G
  • 8
    Other
  • 5
    Borrow a Bikie's phone

Comments

  • +4

    The S7 is probably the best all-rounder from your list. It's a damn good phone and the good thing with popular phones is there is always a heap of online support available for issues, not to mention cheap extras (cases, screen protectors, replacement screens/batteries etc).

    Re the speaker - even the best phone speakers are still phone speakers. If you want great sound reproduction, don't listen to things through a phone speaker.

    • I agree it does look like a good all rounder. Certainly with a bump to battery on S6 + SD card, I think it is worth it.

      Regarding the audio, it's not so much sound reproduction on video that's important. It's in call volumes and clarity (not via speakerphone). Can you comment on that at all?

  • It's slippery as (profanity)

    • A bar of soap on a rainy winters day

    • But how is the call quality ;)

    • "Don't drop the S7"

  • Does she like Windows?

    • +1

      Neither of us have used Windows. Each to their own but it looks like a dead OS to me

  • +1

    I bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 for my wife and the speaker audio is loud and clear for me. Yes it is mono (compared to stereo sound on other top Android phone) but it is good enough for ring tones and listening to YouTube occasionally. From your list, Samsung Galaxy is probably the best option, it has SD card support, decent battery life and if you put a good case on it, it looks and feels nice.

    • Thank you mate. Very reassuring

  • only thing you have to be wary of is the crap range of screen protectors available. There's multi-page threads on XDA and other sites about various tempered screen protectors and how crap they are. Personally, I've found one that is not great, but it does it's job (for now) but there's heaps out there that don't cover the whole screen, reduce touch sensitivity, give ghost touches etc etc

    • I used to put a screen protector on my phones. When I was about 6 months away from upgrading my iPhone 5s I took it off and never looked back. No issues with scratches. Didn't put a protector on my new iPhone 6 either, just a case.

      Live naked, I dare you ;)

    • I do keep keys in my wallet pocket not my phone pocket though. That's the only thing to be wary off.

      Do put pens in my phone pocket without issue

  • I owned the Galaxy S2 all the way to Galaxy S5, never again. It seems they develop their phones with the intention of only lasting one year before the battery rapidly slows down and lag galore to deal with.

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