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A walk through Samsung's new Galaxy Labs' selection of experimental features

posted by Chris P. / Mar 30, 2016, 9:31 AM

A walk through Samsung's new Galaxy Labs' selection of experimental features

With the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung mostly focused on improving hardware properties, but it didn't exactly forget about the software side of the equation, either. And while features such as Game Launcher and Always On Display have received sufficient coverage, there's one pocket of functionality that hasn't: the so-called Galaxy Labs.

Interestingly, Galaxy Labs is a sub-menu available in Settings only on Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units sold outside of the United States. The thinking behind this one remains a mystery to us, but we're sure buyers stateside are at the very least curious as to what exactly they're missing out on. In any case, it should be noted that Samsung is clearly treating these as "experimental" features, and users are invited to provide feedback through simple smile/frown emoticons to indicate their satisfaction with the idea behind them.

With this disclaimer out of the way, it's time we dive in and explore the only two features available within Galaxy Labs: app drawer removal, and Quick Call. As you're about to see, the "experimental" tag is no joke, as we couldn't actually get the latter to work no matter how many tries we tried.

Galaxy Labs on the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

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15 Comments

2. tyrionTheWise unregistered

You have the exynos S7 for like 2 weeks now and no battery test yet. The only reason I think worth not publishing it is that it probably beat the iPhone.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 9:43 AM 17

5. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Probably will. iPhone 6S battery sucks. Now the 6S Plus is where it shines.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 9:51 AM 2

9. tyrionTheWise unregistered

I haven't tried that yet, Probably because it costs like 1500$ here, so no one of my friend has it. But the 6S battery drains fast while using it.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 9:59 AM 2

6. xperiaZlover

Posts: 202; Member since: Nov 15, 2015

You are right PA is very biased.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 9:52 AM 3

11. Krstr

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 30, 2016

That's correct. I am really satisfied with battery on exynos version of s7 edge . It is cca 30 to 40 percent better as my previous s6. I can play with the all day long and still got one day usage easily . If you don't use it heavily you can achieve 2 days. Also phone is very snappy. I had every Galaxy since S1 came out and also had note 3,4,5 but every one has more or less lag but this one is finally without lag.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 10:18 AM 3

12. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

100% on the s7 Samsung CPU not lagging at all, very fast

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 10:30 AM 0

13. Zack_2014

Posts: 677; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

CPU doesn't lag, the software does.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 12:05 PM 2

14. Zack_2014

True, I always wanted to see the review of S7 Exynos(Regular) battery review.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 12:06 PM 0

7. xperiaZlover

Good features by samsung.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 9:53 AM 0

8. xperiaZlover

15. Phonehex

Posts: 763; Member since: Feb 16, 2016

I tried the "Quick Call" feature many times , its really bad. Needs a lot of work .

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 1:14 PM 0

16. lakeswolf

Posts: 10; Member since: Feb 22, 2016

I dont think so phone arena is biased, myb its me nly who thnk so ...well i am a samsung fan and i love and enjoy articles of phone arena !!

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 1:25 PM 0

17. .KRATOS.

Posts: 442; Member since: Mar 15, 2013

Why those features didn't find a way on the S6 with the marshmallow update plus the one hand mode n the on screen time

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 1:42 PM 0

18. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

An experimental app that didn't work properly? Well, that is why it's called an "experiment" in the first place. lol. Also the calling feature does work, I think it was your accent. All voice assistants have issues with accents and context.

posted on Mar 30, 2016, 4:02 PM 0

19. TechieXP1969

The downside to having the apps on home screen. When you ahve so many home screen, it actually slows the UI of the device down. This is true of all UI's including and especially this other company I know. I tried this feature and if you push your apps into a folder of the same category, this means less screen draws and the UI will stay fast. I put my most used apps on one screen and then I have only one app tray screen. I havent put all apps on the home screen in ages. I rather they be separate. To me, going to a second screen is equally as fast as clicking the app tray icon.