Samsung Galaxy S7 goes official with performance boost and promising new camera

Camera

The new 12-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S7 brings a few important improvements, all helping one single purpose: better low light images.

New 12MP camera captures 95% more light, first Dual Pixel sensor

For Samsung, it is now time to look beyond megapixels: the S7 drops to a 12MP camera (down from 12MP on the S6), but what this does is that individual pixels are now larger, and this brings the advantage of better low light performance. Then, there is the wider, f/1.7 lens (widest ever on a phone) that further helps with light collection. The two combined together allow the new camera in the S7 to capture 95% more light than the S6. Finally, the camera also features optical image stabilziation (OIS), which helps the camera shoot faster, resulting in less blurry images.

Another curious detail is the added support for Dual Pixels. A first in the smartphone world, Dual Pixel is a technology borrowed from dedicated cameras that allows for faster focusing by combining information from two pixels on the camera sensor.

Quite nicely, the 5-megapixel front camera also features an f/1.7 wide-aperture lens.

Always-on Display

Another great trick that Samsung has pulled with the S7 display is Always-on Display. What this does is show you basic information like the time, calendar or notifications, without you having to wake up the phone. And since the S7 Edge has an AMOLED display, only a few pixels light up to show this information, so the battery drain from having Always-on Display is minimal. Additionally, the feature will turn off when you put the phone in your pocket.

Snapdragon 820

30% faster CPU, 60% better graphics

The S7 model will go on sale in the United States with the Snapdragon 820 system chip, Qualcomm's latest and most powerful chip. The processor brings a 30% improvement in CPU performance and up to 60% boost in GPU performance.

Price and release date (limited time bonus: Gear VR!)

Just as expected, the Samsung Galaxy S7 will go on pre-order at 8am EST on February 23rd, while the official release date is set for March 11th.

If you pre-order between February 23rd and March 18th, Samsung is also throwing in a bonus Gear VR headset ($100 value) and a 6-game bundle for VR worth $50.

The S7 will be available on all major US carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular, and it will also be sold in Samsung Experience Shops in Best Buy, Car Toys, Sam's Club, Target and Walmart.

Lastly, Samsung Experience Shops in Best Buy will have the phone for users to take a first look on February 24th, while carriers will have the phone for users to experience starting February 26th.

source: Samsung