Samsung just announced the Galaxy Note 7, so let’s see how it compares to the last Note and Samsung’s recent S7 and S7 Edge!
Here’s a table of specs to get us started, summarising the main differences.
| Galaxy Note 7 | Galaxy S7 Edge | Galaxy S7 | Galaxy Note 5 | |
| Display | 5.7-inch curved edge 1440p |
5.5-inch curved edge 1440p |
5.1-inch 1440p |
5.7-inch 1440p |
| CPU | Exynos 8890 Octa 2.3GHz / 1.6GHz |
Exynos 8890 Octa 2.3GHz / 1.6GHz |
Exynos 8890 Octa 2.3GHz / 1.6GHz |
Exynos 7420 Octa 2.1GHz / 1.5GHz |
| Memory | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB + micro SD | 32GB + micro SD | 32GB + micro SD | 32GB |
| Rear Cam | 12MP 1.4 µm pixel size |
12MP 1.4 µm pixel size |
12MP 1.4 µm pixel size |
16MP 1.12 µm pixel size |
| Front Cam | 5MP | 5MP | 5MP | 5MP |
| Battery | 3500 mAh | 3600mAh 98hr rating |
3000mAh 80h rating |
3000mAh 85hr rating |
| Connector | USB-C | Micro USB | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions & Weight |
153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm 169 grams |
150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm 157 grams |
142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm 152 grams |
153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm 171 grams |
| Software | Android 6.0 M (7.0 upgrade promised) |
Android 6.0 M | Android 6.0 M | Android 6.0 M |
Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 Edge vs Galaxy S7
Largely the same platform, but there are some new features
There are fewer differences between the Note 7 and Samsung’s S7 and S7 Edge than you’d perhaps expect. In many key metrics — screen resolution, RAM, front and rear cameras, water resistance — they’re identical. The battery is only a bit larger than that of the S7 Edge, and given the higher energy consumption of the larger display, should work out to having roughly the same battery life.
The biggest change is probably the connector, with Samsung finally ditching Micro USB for USB-C. Almost all other Android flagships have embraced the new port, and now Samsung has done so as well. That necessitates a new design for their smartphone-compatible Gear VR headset, which was also announced at today’s event. You may need to buy a few new accessories, but the faster speeds, better charging and reversible connectors should make USB-C a logical upgrade.
The Note 7 will also have twice the storage space of the Note 5, starting at 64GB for the entry level device instead of 32GB. 128GB and 256GB models will also be available, but expect these to be rarities. A Micro SD card slot is also included, so you should be able to get up to 500GB of total space if you get the highest capacity Note 7 and one of the biggest available Micro SD cards.
Finally, the new phone will (soon) come with the latest version of Android, 7.0 Nougat. This version is one of the bigger Android upgrades we’ve seen in recent years, with ‘Doze on the go’ for better standby battery life, a new notifications area, and a multi-window feature (although this has been on Galaxy devices for some time). Of course, Samsung have also introduced their own features and changes; read more about the Note 7’s features here.
Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy Note 5
A wholesale upgrade: speedier, more features & a better camera
When it comes to looking at the new Note against the old, there are quite a few more changes. This will be the first Note with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, for example, and of course also the first with a USB-C connector — although the Note 3 did come with the first USB 3.0 connector on a smartphone back in 2013. It also comes with an iris scanner, allowing you to log into your phone just by looking at it.
Probably the most noticeable difference will be the Dual Pixel camera, which moves to Samsung’s new platform of smaller megapixel counts but higher pixels. That makes for smaller photos overall, but allows the camera to work better in low light. This is backed up by optical image stabilisation, faster focusing times (thanks to the aforementioned ‘dual pixels’) and a brighter f/1.7 lens. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were lauded for their cameras upon release, and that same winning formula now makes it to the Note series.
So the Note 7 is a nice upgrade over the Note 5; it’s faster and has more storage space as standard, even if the rumoured 6GB of RAM didn’t make it this time around. The phone also boasts improved cameras, convenient USB-C charging and a water-resistant design.
Samsung’s infographic
Here’s Samsung’s take on the comparison:
What happened to the Note 6?
There is no Note 6. Samsung skipped the number in order to align its products: now there’s a Note 7, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, all in the same generation. They’ll go up against the iPhone 7 later this year, too.
Wrapping up
Thanks for checking out this analysis! If you have any questions or comments, please leave ’em below.