Samsung launches Galaxy S7, S7 Edge makes big push for virtual reality

Google has I/O and Apple has its Keynotes. So, Samsung decided to take over the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016. Headline the launch pre-MWC announcements with the launch of their Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Gear 360

The latest Galaxy S7 smartphones from Samsung aren’t much of a departure from Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in terms of design, besides the metal back (on S7 series) instead of a glass one (on the S6 series). (YouTube)

Google has I/O and Apple has its Keynotes. So, Samsung decided to take over the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016. Headline the launch pre-MWC announcements with the launch of their Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Gear 360.

Samsung hooked up all the attendees to a Samsung Gear VR to show them a box which opened to unveil the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. After some trippy animations, of course.

Introducing the Samsung #GalaxyS7 and #GalaxyS7edge. Rethink what a phone can do.https://t.co/tSudYPWoda

— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 21, 2016

Design

The phones aren't much of a departure from Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in terms of design, besides the metal back (on S7 series) instead of a glass one (on the S6 series).

Borrowing from Apple's Jony Ive's design principles, Samsung emphasised that the phones don't just look great but feel great too.

Screen

The S7 will have a 5.1 inch super AMOLED screen while the S7 Edge will sport a 5.5 incher. Something we heard earlier during the LG G5 launch, Samsung reminded us that on an average, we check our phones up to 150 times a day. And thus, S7 and S7 Edge have an "always on" display. But unlike LG G5's IPS screen, the Galaxy S7 series sports a Super AMOLED screen to save power. You can even get custom third party "always on" themes to personalise the screen and information it shows when locked.

The Galaxy S7 phones have a liquid cooling system and Vulkan API -- improved graphics and low power consumption during gaming ( )

The Galaxy S7 phones have a liquid cooling system and Vulkan API -- improved graphics and low power consumption during gaming ( )

Performace

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are waterproofed from the inside according to Samsung. Apparently that helps keep the device slim. The Samsung galaxy still uses micro usb and not a USB-C, but adds expandable memory to the list of features.

The Galaxy S7 phones have a liquid cooling system and Vulkan API -- improved graphics and low power consumption during gaming. The phones will also have specific tools under the game launcher feature for gaming to record, share or disabling the home button among others. Buyers will also get $200 in in-game currency for some popular game on Play Store.

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Flaunting the 3,000 mAh battery on S7 and 3,600 mAh battery on S7 Edge, Samsung said that the an entire season of Game of Thrones can be watch on a single charge. However, for those with more battery needs, the Samsung will also sell accessories like a power case for extended battery life.

The Gear 360 is a VR camera that pairs with the S7 phones to capture 360-degree pictures and videos in 30 MP resolution ( )

The Gear 360 is a VR camera that pairs with the S7 phones to capture 360-degree pictures and videos in 30 MP resolution ( )

Camera

Stating that, "most cameras are optimised for dayight," Samsung showed sample pictures taken from an S7 Edge and an iPhone 6s Plus to highlight how their cameras were better equipped in low light conditions.

Boasting of being the first to put a camera on a phone, Samsung mentioned that they put a wider F1.7 aperture lens on and bigger pixels (30% bigger than the iPhone) to take in more light for better low-light-photography. For faster focus in low lighting conditions, Samsung has uses dual-pixel technology on the S7 smartphones. The technology "works like human eyes."

Samsung will also sell optional covers with lenses for wide angle and fish eye effect.

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Gear 360

Introduced by Pranav Mistry the Gear 360 look like a golf ball that's a 360-degree camera. Mistry, who hails from Gujarat India is the Global Vice President of Research at Samsung. The Gear 360 has two cameras back-to-back with F2.0 apertures and captures images in 30 MP resolution. The site is which according to the promo video, can steam live 360 degree video to a Gear VR headset. The S7 does all the background processing to capture VR content and store or stream it to a Samsung Gear VR.

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The Gear 360 is a result of Samsung's Project Beyond -- meant for professional photographer. Calling their VR better and naming it "other reality," for some weird reason Mistry said that "the real world is not in one direction."

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Even Facebook CEO Zuckerberg made an appearance to announce their partnership with Samsung to make 360 degree shareable on his social network. He said that he wants to record his daughters first steps in VR unlike his parents who just note down the date and time on a piece of paper to celebrate the occasion. Calling Gear VR the best VR headset for the large catalogue of content, price, Oculus technology used and AMOLED screen (renders faster than human eye can capture) he mentioned that Mincepraft will make it to the Samsung Gear VR.