Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge: What You Need to Know

The new Galaxy Note 7 was released on August 19th and is one of the best smartphones released in 2016. However, a global recall over the battery exploding has all owners returning their device and potential buyers looking elsewhere. If you’re one of the many wondering what to buy instead, read on for our Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge comparison.

Back in February Samsung announced the Galaxy S7 and a bigger Galaxy S7 Edge offering a 5.5-inch screen. It has plenty to offer, nearly the same specs as the Note 7, and it too is water-resistant. The screen is just a hair smaller than the Note, making it a great alternative.

Read: 5 Best Galaxy Note 7 Alternatives

Comparing the two current Note 7 owners or potential buyers will notice they are very similar. Both phones have a curved display, a similar design, the same specs under the hood and much more. There are a few key differences like the S-Pen stylus, Iris scanner or more storage on the Note 7, but those aren’t deal-breakers for most. Read on for a full breakdown.

Galaxy S7 Edge (left) vs Note 7 (Right)

When the Galaxy S7 Edge was announced with a big 5.5-inch screen many figured Samsung would increase the size of the Note, to separate the two. However, that didn’t end up happening and the end result is two phones that are extremely similar in what they have to offer, but one has a little more, for a higher price tag. It all comes down to how much users want to spend, and if that extra is worth a bigger screen and a few features you may or may not use. The Note 7 has a 5.7-inch display, which is only .2 bigger than the 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 Edge. You’ll barely notice the difference.

Read: Galaxy S7 Edge Review

If you’ve been debating whether or not to get the excellent and highly praised Galaxy S7 Edge, this should be helpful. It’s one of our favorite phones of the year, won an Editors’ Choice Award, and we expected the Note 7 to be even better. It is, too, but sadly a recall is causing problems for buyers which are now looking to the S7 Edge instead.

Below is a slideshow with everything potential buyers need to know about the new Galaxy Note 7, how it compares to the S7 Edge and what makes them different. Spoiler, there isn’t much, and the S7 Edge is a great alternative worth picking up today.

Galaxy S7 Edge vs Note 7: Design

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For those considering one of these two phones, one thing you'll need to keep in mind is the design. These looks nearly identical, but the Galaxy Note 7 actually feels a little better in the hand, and has some nice subtle curves on the front and the back that make it feel incredible thin, lightweight and easy to hold. The S7 Edge has these too, but it has been refined on the Note 7. That means both are premium phones made of all glass and aluminum, with a curved display on front and curved glass around back. The Note 7 is basically a combination of the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S7 Edge. So what makes the Note 7 different in terms of design. Well, it has a bigger 5.7-inch display, but that's only .2-inches bigger. Then there is an S-Pen stylus, a new USB Type-C port for charging and syncing, and an Iris Eye scanner for improved security on top of the fingerprint scanner. Both phones have a stunning design, curved displays, mircro-SD slots to expand storage, and are both IP68 dust and water resistant. Being a little bigger the Note 7 is more squared off, and not as rounded on the edges as the Galaxy S7 Edge, but that doesn't matter too much. Honestly the S7 Edge is easier to hold and use with one hand, so this is mainly a personal preference if anything.

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