The Galaxy Note 7 isn't part of the Galaxy S series in name, but it sure is in spirit. The latest Note has a ton of high-end specs and features, but most of them can be found in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge that were announced some six months earlier.
The specs are nearly identical, the cameras are the same and most features are shared — so where are the actual differences between these three phones? Let us explain.
On the inside
We're all pretty familiar with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, and so much is shared internally between these three phones that it makes more sense to simply focus on the differences — let's get to it.
The biggest notable differences between the three are screen size, where the Note 7 tops out at 5.7-inches, the Galaxy S7 edge is 5.5-inches and the Galaxy S7 is a relatively small 5.1-inches. They all have the same screen technology and resolution, meaning you're getting an awesome display on each one.
Different screen, battery and storage sizes
Further, you'll find 64GB of storage on the Galaxy Note 7, compared with 32GB in the other phones, though all three have a microSD card slot that can handle up to 2TB cards ... once they become available. The Note 7 has a larger battery than its predecessor at 3500 mAh, but that's a touch smaller than the Galaxy S7 edge's 3600 mAh (remember, you need room for the S Pen) — they both beat the Galaxy S7's 3000 mAh.
You'll also see a USB-C port on the bottom of the Note 7, while the other phones are stuck on last-gen Micro-USB connectors. That doesn't make a difference in terms of charging, though: all three make use of Samsung's Fast Charge tech, which is compatible with Quick Charge 2.0 accessories. You also get both Qi and Powermat wireless charging.
And now, a full breakdown of how the specs line up:
| Category | Galaxy Note 7 | Galaxy S7 edge | Galaxy S7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Display | 5.7-inch 2560x1440 Super AMOLED Dual edge screen Gorilla Glass 5 | 5.5-inch 2560x1440 Super AMOLED Dual edge screen Gorilla Glass 4 | 5.1-inch 2560x1440 Super AMOLED Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | Quad-core Snapdragon 820 (U.S) Octa-core Exynos (international) | Quad-core Snapdragon 820 (U.S) Octa-core Exynos (international) | Quad-core Snapdragon 820 (U.S) Octa-core Exynos (international) |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| Expandable | microSD up to 2TB | microSD up to 2TB | microSD up to 2TB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP f/1.7 1.4-micron pixels OIS | 12MP f/1.7 1.4-micron pixels OIS | 12MP f/1.7 1.4-micron pixels OIS |
| Front Camera | 5MP f/1.7 | 5MP f/1.7 | 5MP f/1.7 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 ac MIMO Bluetooth v4.2 LE ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC | Wi-Fi 802.11 ac MIMO Bluetooth v4.2 LE ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC | Wi-Fi 802.11 ac MIMO Bluetooth v4.2 LE ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC |
| Charging | USB-C Fast Charge Qi wireless Powermat wireless | Micro-USB Fast Charge Qi wireless Powermat wireless | Micro-USB Fast Charge Qi wireless Powermat wireless |
| Input | S Pen stylus 4096 pts of pressure sensitivity | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Battery | 3500 mAh | 3600 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Water resistance | IP68 rating | IP68 rating | IP68 rating |
| Security | One-touch fingerprint sensor Iris scanner Samsung KNOX Private folder | One-touch fingerprint sensor Samsung KNOX | One-touch fingerprint sensor Samsung KNOX |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm | 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 169 g | 157 g | 152 g |
On the outside
Externally, the similarities are very clear. You're looking at the same glass-and-metal combination across the three, though Samsung has tweaked the formula a bit on the Note 7. You'll find tighter corners around the Note 7, leading into a frame that's symmetrical with the same glass curve on the screen as the back glass. Though the Galaxy Note 7 and S7 edge both have curved "edge screens," the Note 7's curves are much smaller and tightly curved, increasing usability with fewer accidental touches. The Note 7 has the latest Gorilla Glass 5 covering both sides as well, decreasing the chances of cracking from drops.
There are extremely subtle design changes sprinkled all around this hardware
The Note 7 also has a couple new color options to differentiate from the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, including an all-black color that anodizes the metal frame a deep black color to match the front and back, and a "blue coral" combo with a bright blue front and back accentuated by a pinkish coral metal.
You'll also notice a couple of extra holes up at the top of the Note 7 flanking the earpiece — they're used for the new iris scanning technology. An infrared light on the left and a secondary camera on the right are capable of reading your irises to give you access to secure data on the phone.
More comparisons coming
As we spend more time with the Galaxy Note 7, we'll be evaluating exactly how it stacks up against the other leading Galaxy phones of the year. In the meantime, you can catch up with our Galaxy note 7 coverage, and get back up to speed with everything we've done with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge!
