Apple iPhone 7
The new iPhone 7 smartphone is displayed inside an Apple Inc. store in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 16, 2016. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

Apple and Samsung have been dominating the smartphone industry for a number of years now. The two tech giants will always be pitted against each other as both companies produce the world’s most popular mobile devices. Apple and Samsung currently have their respective flagship handsets out in the market, but exactly which of the two rival phones is better, the iPhone 7 or the Galaxy S7?

While some analysts consider the iPhone 7 as a slightly remodelled iPhone 6S, the fact still remains that it is Apple’s best smartphone yet. The Samsung Galaxy S7, meanwhile, launched back in March to great reviews.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Design

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is extremely well-crafted, featuring a glass body framed in metal. But with all its appeal, the Galaxy S7’s glass housing cracks rather easily. The Samsung flagship phone is available in five colours: black, white, silver, gold and pink gold.

While the iPhone 7 might be the most attractive phone Apple has made, it still sports the same look as the iPhone 6. The handset is not heavy on the hand and is smaller than its Samsung rival due to its screen size. The iPhone 7 is available in five colours: silver, gold, rose gold, black and jet black.

Both phones are water resistant, but the Galaxy S7 is slightly better with its IP68 certification. This basically means that the Samsung phone can be somehow submerged into water while the IP67-rated iPhone 7 can only endure rain showers.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Display

The Galaxy S7 has a rich 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1,440 x 2,560 pixel resolution screen. Its Gorilla Glass 4 screen protector can reportedly tolerate a number of drops.

The 4.7-inch iPhone 7 features Apple’s Retina HD display with 1,334 x 750 pixel resolution. It displays colours and objects better than its predecessor. The new iPhone variant is also equipped with 3D Touch technology which allows users to access content via pressure-sensitive mechanics.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Performance

The Australian variant of the Galaxy S7 comes with Samsung’s own Exynos 8890 octa-core processor. The chipset is one of the best in the business and it makes the S7 one powerful computing machine. It has a 32 GB storage capacity with 4 GB of RAM. It comes with an expandable microSD slot that supports up to 256 GB. The US model of the S7, which is also distributed in other select regions, equips a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor and comes with an optional 64 GB internal storage.

The iPhone 7 is powered by the new A10 Fusion quad-core chipset, which is supposedly 40 percent faster than its predecessor, the A9. The new chipset can handle continuous and heavy chores. The iPhone 7 rarely lags and remains fluid and snappy on continuous use. Its stereo speakers are clean and crisp, but the missing headphone jack is a downside. The Apple smartphone has 4 GB of RAM and is available in three storage options: 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Camera

The Galaxy S7 has a 12 MP primary camera and a 5 MP secondary camera. The S7 main camera stands out with its dual pixel technology that provides faster focus.

The iPhone 7 also has a 12 MP camera that features a new quad LED flash that’s 50 percent brighter than that of the iPhone 6S. Although the Apple smartphone has a better secondary shooter at 7 MP, the Galaxy S7’s 5 MP selfie snapper can squeeze in more objects with its wider lens.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Battery & Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is backed by a non-removable 3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery that can provide 22 hours of talk time and 62 hours of music play. The iPhone 7 also has the same battery type but only with 1,960 mAh capacity.

According to Trusted Reviews, the Galaxy S7 can last a whole day of regular use, while the iPhone 7 drains itself by night time. The Samsung handset also charges faster than the Apple flagship. The Galaxy S7 is fully charged within 75 minutes, while the iPhone takes an hour and a half to get to 100 percent battery life. The S7 also has wireless charging support which the iPhone 7 lacks.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Price

The iPhone 7’s 32 GB model is currently priced at $1,079 at the online Apple store. The 128 GB variant is available for $1,229 while the 256 GB model is priced at $1,379. The Galaxy S7 is available for $1,149 at the Samsung shop.

There are better deals available out there from other retailers, though. Kogan, for example, offers the iPhone 7’s 32 GB and 128 GB model at $999 and $1,219, respectively. They currently sell the Galaxy S7 at just $749.

Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Verdict

The iPhone 7 and the Galaxy S7 are two of the world’s best handsets. Both are capable and user-friendly. While the Galaxy S7 may have the bigger screen size, better camera and battery, the iPhone 7 boasts of its functional durability, loud speakers and innovative design. Any choice between the two is an excellent choice.