Buy an S7 edge or wait for the S8?
Discussion
I'd wait now...probably only be a month or so before the S8 is released.
I bought an S7 Edge early Dec through necessity (don't ask), replacing an S5. It was a massive jump up. But an S8 is unlikely to be less so.
Ref SIM free, I've bought my phones that way for years but this time didn't - the deals available on contract made SIM free far less sensible than it used to be...worth checking unless you have a killer feature on your current contract that you absolutely must keep.
I bought an S7 Edge early Dec through necessity (don't ask), replacing an S5. It was a massive jump up. But an S8 is unlikely to be less so.
Ref SIM free, I've bought my phones that way for years but this time didn't - the deals available on contract made SIM free far less sensible than it used to be...worth checking unless you have a killer feature on your current contract that you absolutely must keep.
TotalControl said:
Like above, I'd wait. I've been using an Elephone P9000 for the last 5 months hoping that the next wave of smartphones is what I'm after. S8 looks like a good bet with its minimal bezel design. When released, I reckon it'll quickly make the S7 look dated with its large bezels.
S7 Edge? Large bezels? Ho ho hooooo.Currently class leading in this respect I think. Top could be a tad slimmer. Bottom not so much if you still want a physical home button (which is handy).
The other challenge with these phones are the cases...I have as minimalistic one as I can get on the phone and it still adds more "border" than the bezel at the sides.
I have an S7 Edge and while I'm happy with it the curved screen is a IMO a PITA it looks nicer than the regular S7 but I think in use it's not as good as a standard flat screen. Give one a good try and a store before you chose either way. Without a case I find people accidentally touch the sides of the screen meaning you either click links or miss type.
Murph7355 said:
TotalControl said:
Like above, I'd wait. I've been using an Elephone P9000 for the last 5 months hoping that the next wave of smartphones is what I'm after. S8 looks like a good bet with its minimal bezel design. When released, I reckon it'll quickly make the S7 look dated with its large bezels.
S7 Edge? Large bezels? Ho ho hooooo.Currently class leading in this respect I think. Top could be a tad slimmer. Bottom not so much if you still want a physical home button (which is handy).
The other challenge with these phones are the cases...I have as minimalistic one as I can get on the phone and it still adds more "border" than the bezel at the sides.
I would always wait when its this near. I bought the S6 Edge round about September 2015. I knew the new model would be around 6 months away and I noticed how S5 had dropped at that point.
It could depend on if you need/ want to sell your existing phone to offset cost of new one I suppose. Obviously trade in of old phone will be less in few months.
But generally I would just wait. You might want to see if any "issues" arise this time round.
It could depend on if you need/ want to sell your existing phone to offset cost of new one I suppose. Obviously trade in of old phone will be less in few months.
But generally I would just wait. You might want to see if any "issues" arise this time round.
The question is do you want a new phone now or later? I'm not one for changing for the sake of it and buy phones when I need them so in this case I'd have the S7. Why wait, the jump isn't going to be particularly noticeable in real use. I'm still on my trusty S6 and cant see me changing anytime soon. I was tempted by an S7 with the SD card slot reinstated, but as I bought the 64Gb S6, I don't need it.
TotalControl said:
Notice how I never mentioned the edge. ...
I did...but the OP specifically noted "S7 edge" or S8 (widely touted as only having an edge type screen in two sizes when it's released) 
TotalControl said:
.. But the top and bottom are called bezels too, right.
They are. But I thought I covered those...still no bigger than anyone else's. Looking at my S7 Edge Samsung could easily do away with around 50% (4mm) of the top one I reckon. If they keep a physical button, they could possibly lose 1-2mm...but IMO they would harm usability.I also agree with the poster above that notes the edge screen can be a pita at times - the places your fingers grip being mostly "active". I still wouldn't want to go back to a std screen though. The S7 Edge looks fantastic and is great in use. If only manufacturers could come up with genuinely scratch proof surfaces for the front and rear...and idiot proof ones so you can drop them every so often
Agreed. I mentioned the S7 as rumours state there will only be edge variants of both S8s.
Top and bottom bezels being too large has been something that has put me off a fair amount of phones in the past though, but I haven't had an opportunity to use the S7 edge as of yet so don't know how frustrating the side swipes from the edge are.
Top and bottom bezels being too large has been something that has put me off a fair amount of phones in the past though, but I haven't had an opportunity to use the S7 edge as of yet so don't know how frustrating the side swipes from the edge are.
The S8 will be released in a month, but probably won't go on sale for another month after that.
I was in this situation last year, i thought that the best thing to do would be to wait for the S7 to launch and get an S6 cheap, except as soon as the S7 was launched the best S6 deals disappeared, and had not come back by the time the S7 went on sale, so i ended up getting the S7 because the best deals for an S6 were not much cheaper.
I was in this situation last year, i thought that the best thing to do would be to wait for the S7 to launch and get an S6 cheap, except as soon as the S7 was launched the best S6 deals disappeared, and had not come back by the time the S7 went on sale, so i ended up getting the S7 because the best deals for an S6 were not much cheaper.
TotalControl said:
Agreed. I mentioned the S7 as rumours state there will only be edge variants of both S8s.
Top and bottom bezels being too large has been something that has put me off a fair amount of phones in the past though, but I haven't had an opportunity to use the S7 edge as of yet so don't know how frustrating the side swipes from the edge are.
They're not that bad....just every now and then you open something unintended or open the edge apps thing (which can be disabled).Top and bottom bezels being too large has been something that has put me off a fair amount of phones in the past though, but I haven't had an opportunity to use the S7 edge as of yet so don't know how frustrating the side swipes from the edge are.
The phone itself is superb. Only upgrading every other year at most helps keep it all interesting.
I've had an S6 Edge plus for a year or so and I don't get the edges (it was a promo phone so I didn't spec it, I was just extremely happy to have something top end as a freebie.
As a device I really like it (well made, fast, fabulous display, great as a browser, e-reader, Google Maps client, phone, camera etc etc)........ but.......edges?.........why? I mean I can just click the button if I want to see my notifications. Also, to my eyes anyway, the design looks a bit odd.
I had a look at the BIL's S7 the other day and that looked perfect like the perfect design to me.
If you can get a regular S8 I'd go for that personally.
As a device I really like it (well made, fast, fabulous display, great as a browser, e-reader, Google Maps client, phone, camera etc etc)........ but.......edges?.........why? I mean I can just click the button if I want to see my notifications. Also, to my eyes anyway, the design looks a bit odd.
I had a look at the BIL's S7 the other day and that looked perfect like the perfect design to me.
If you can get a regular S8 I'd go for that personally.
.....And the Register have mauled it, which isn't like them in fairness.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/05/17/samsung_g...
Some of the ergonomic issues are Plus only but some of the software and forced tech look horrific.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/05/17/samsung_g...
Some of the ergonomic issues are Plus only but some of the software and forced tech look horrific.
That review just hammers more nails into an S8 shaped coffin for me.
I use the fingerprint sensor on my S6 and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the sensor position on the S8 would drive me nuts.
Also, stuff like editing themes etc requiring online connection (if I understood the Reg's review) - dafuq?!
Add in size increase between the S8 & the S7 and it becomes a complete non-starter for me. Which is somewhat annoying!
Bixby, regardless of it's efficiency, isn't a selling point for me - no AI assistant is.
I was curious about the HTC U11 as well but turns out that's not floating my boat either. So it's either an S7 for me, or wait to see what the new Pixel is like.
Damn! Nerdy first world problems
I use the fingerprint sensor on my S6 and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the sensor position on the S8 would drive me nuts.
Also, stuff like editing themes etc requiring online connection (if I understood the Reg's review) - dafuq?!
Add in size increase between the S8 & the S7 and it becomes a complete non-starter for me. Which is somewhat annoying!
Bixby, regardless of it's efficiency, isn't a selling point for me - no AI assistant is.
I was curious about the HTC U11 as well but turns out that's not floating my boat either. So it's either an S7 for me, or wait to see what the new Pixel is like.
Damn! Nerdy first world problems
I was waiting for the S8. Then I had a go with one......and then bought a OnePlus 3T 128Gb Midnight Black for half the price. A mate of mine bought a pre-launch S8 and sold it within 3 days, he disliked it that much (and went back to a S7E).
It's a very flawed phone and the pretty screen isn't enough to save it.
OnePlus 3T vs Pixel XL vs S8 vs iPhone 7+ vs LG G6 speed test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4JucpvbJM
Galaxy S8 vs 7 Plus vs LG G6 vs Pixel vs 3T camera test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGB-ZQntToI
And remember when comparing the 3T with the others - it's ~half their price...
It's a very flawed phone and the pretty screen isn't enough to save it.
TheJimi said:
I was curious about the HTC U11 as well but turns out that's not floating my boat either. So it's either an S7 for me, or wait to see what the new Pixel is like.
I also looked at the Pixel XL 128Gb and considered the U11 too. Check out OnePlus - especially with the 5 due shortly.OnePlus 3T vs Pixel XL vs S8 vs iPhone 7+ vs LG G6 speed test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4JucpvbJM
Galaxy S8 vs 7 Plus vs LG G6 vs Pixel vs 3T camera test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGB-ZQntToI
And remember when comparing the 3T with the others - it's ~half their price...
Edited by Funk on Monday 22 May 21:47
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