iPhone 7 Vs. Galaxy Note 7: How The Late 2016 Apple And Samsung Flagships Match Up

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 standing sideways with folio case
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 standing sideways with folio case Fionna Agomuoh

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will hit stores in a few weeks, and buzz suggests presales are doing well and the device will outsell the Galaxy Note 5. Availability of Samsung’s flagship will be followed by the announcement of Apple’s, expected in early September . Discussion around the iPhone 7 is mixed, considering the smartphone isn’t slated for major updates, and it may be losing commonplace features, such as its headphone jack. In contrast, There is considerable excitement surrounding the Galaxy Note 7, since Samsung announced its upcoming Unpacked event Wednesday. The late 2016 rivalry between Apple and Samsung should be interesting.

In the end, it all comes down to the phones. Regardless of perceptions, the iPhone 7 and Galaxy Note 7 will be two of the top flagship smartphones released this year and will include some of the top specifications currently available.

Here’s a rundown of features rumored for the iPhone 7 compared to the recently confirmed features on the Galaxy Note 7. Should you wait for Apple’s launch or pick up Samsung’s top phone in a few weeks? Find out here.

Display

Apple is expected to continue its release of two devices, a slate smartphone and a phablet. The iPhone 7 is expected to have a 4.7-inch display, while the iPhone 7 Plus will have a 5.5-inch display. The devices will likely maintain their Retina HD display with respective 1334×750 and 1920×1080 pixel resolutions.

Meanwhile, Samsung has dialed back, releasing only one device in late 2016. The Galaxy Note 7 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440 resolution) display with dual-edge curves. It is the first device in the Note line to feature a dual-edge display. Outside of that it is the same at the screen on the Galaxy Note 5, with a pixel density of 518 ppi. Samsung has introduced a Gorilla Glass 5 covering for the Galaxy Note 7, which is expected to be able to withstand damage from a shoulder-height drop.

Hardware

In addition to the TSMC produced A10 chip, Apple is expected to include 2GB RAM in the iPhone 7 and 3GB RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus. Internal storage may also get a boost, starting at 32GB for its base level. Some rumors have suggested there may be a 256GB storage option available for the 7 Plus, as well as a 128GB option for both models. Rumors suggest a 1,735 mAh battery capacity for the iPhone 7 and a 2,810 mAh battery capacity for the 7 Plus. There are also murmurs of a 1,960 mAh battery for the iPhone 7.

The Galaxy Note 7 will ship with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip or Exynos 8890 chip, depending on the market, with the U.S. will receiving the Snapdragon SoC. Its 4GB RAM capacity remains the same as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 5, but the Note 7 will be available in a 64GB internal storage base model. Rumors suggest there may be a 6GB RAM/128GB storage model available in China, but this has not been confirmed. MicroSD expansion is available up to 256GB.

The Galaxy Note 7 features a 3,500mAh battery , the largest cell ever featured on a Note device, but 100mAh smaller than the battery in the Galaxy S7 Edge. Samsung told iDigitalTimes the power downgrade was due to the S-Pen taking up space in the Galaxy Note 7 chassis; however, the manufacturer plans to add software boosts to ensure performance does not lag.

Design

Leaks suggest the iPhone 7 models won’t differ much from the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6 in terms of design. The device is expected to be outfitted in the same matte finish metal as its recent predecessors. A major difference may be a new position of the devices’ antenna bands, from the back panel to the top and bottom of the device.

The device is expected to be thinner than the iPhone 6s but image leaks don’t back up the claim. Other rumors suggest a new, thinner lightning port and the removal of the headphone jack to accommodate a thinner frame.

Color options for the iPhone 7 are expected to include Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold and Gold.

While the Galaxy Note 7 is the first of its kind in the Note line, the first dual-edge smartphone with an S-Pen, though many consider it similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge in terms of design. The curved display allows the Note 7 to maintain a 5.7-inch display, while being slightly smaller than the flat Galaxy Note 5. Its curves are more dramatic to ensure most of the screen is available for S-Pen features. Like its curved display predecessors, the edge display is largely ornamental, with edge features being software based.

Samsung has introduced to its smartphone line, the USB Type-C port, which allows for faster charging and data transfer than the older Micro USB standard. Samsung Sr. Designer, Hong Yeo told iDigi that the main premise behind the Galaxy Note 7 design is symmetry. USB Type-C ports are know for being symmetrical, so they don’t have to be facing a certain way to be inserted into a device.

Galaxy Note 7 color options include Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Blue Coral as well as Gold Platinum, which will only be available internationally.

Camera

After upgrading from an 8-megapixel to 12-megapixel lens in the iPhone 6s, Apple is expected to further tweak its camera technology. The iPhone 7 Plus will likely feature a dual-lens configuration ; however, rumors have not indicated a megapixel count for the camera. The iPhone 7 will likely retain its single-lens camera. The device’s front camera may be 5 megapixels, similar to the iPhone 6s.

The Galaxy Note 7 features a 12-megapixel rear camera and and 5-megapixel front camera, both featuring f/1.7 aperture. Other camera features include 4K and HDR video.

Software

The iPhone 7 will run iOS 10 , which was announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June. Feature highlights includes resigned for the lock screen, messages and Apple music, the ability to delete stock applications, developer access to Siri and a new “Home” app to accompany HomeKit IoT devices.

The Galaxy Note 7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, with various tweaks to Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, such as uniformly rounded icons and motion wallpaper, which moves as the device is moved. Other software highlights include new camera shortcuts and a consumer play on Knox Workspace called Secure Folder.

New features accompanying the Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen include an animated GIF creator, a translation feature (allowing users to select words to translate with the S-Pen) and the ability to pin notes to the always-on display. The always-on display is also new to the Galaxy Note line, after being introduced on the Galaxy S7.

Special Features

Apple may bring its 3D Touch feature , which works on the iPhone 6s screen, to its home button. This would allow users to apply different levels of pressure to the home button in order to execute different functions. The feature is already present on some Macbook trackpads.

The iPhone 7 Plus may also include a Smart Connector functionality , which would allow the smartphone to connect to other devices wirelessly. The feature was introduced on the iPad Pro, but on the 7 Plus, it is expected to enable wireless charging and wireless connectivity to accessories such as headphones.

The Galaxy Note 7 features an iris scanner, in addition to a fingerprint scanner as biometric options on the handset. A user can set up both features and use them for different authentication functions.

The Galaxy Note 7 is the first Note device to feature IP68 water, wind and dust resistance. The handset and S-Pen are both sealed to make the Note 7 completely water resistant. Users will be able to use the phone and stylus underwater.

Price and Availability

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are expected to be announced in early September, possibly Sept. 6 or 7. The devices may go on sale Sept. 16, at a projected starting price of $649. Preorders are likely to begin Sept. 9.

The Galaxy Note 7 was announced Aug. 2 in New York City and is currently available for preorder. The device will go on sale Aug. 19 , selling for around $849. It will be available at carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and U.S. Cellular and retailers including Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Car Toys, Sam’s Club, Target and select Walmart stores.

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