Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: galaxies apart?

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Design

The Galaxy S5 has been the subject of more criticism for its design than almost any other Android phone. Even other manufacturers were taking jabs at it. The main reason? Its rear cover looks ugly.

What's more, the S5 has a chrome-effect plastic rim surrounding the device, and it's not pretty. The S5 was a misfire for Samsung and a let down for an expensive flagship phone (particularly in light of metal-clad iPhones).

Samsung made improvements with the Galaxy S6, but it still had it's problems (like its protruding camera sensor). But now the Galaxy S7 is here, and it's delicious. The design doesn’t stray far from the formula – a glance at the front of the phones reveals many similarities – however, the S7 is housed in glass and metal.

Not only does this look and feel better, but it features a pleasingly curved rear; comparing the feel of a squared-off phone like the Nextbit Robin to the rounded Galaxy S7 highlights how comfortable it truly is.

The S5 isn't particularly uncomfortable to hold, but a rubberized, dimpled back does not compare to the smooth, curvy Galaxy S7.

Both S7 and S5 house a microSD card slot, though the S7's does not take full advantage of Marshmallow. Still, the microSD cards work the same in both devices, and the Galaxy S7 has even better water-resistance capabilities (IP68 certified for dust and water compared to the IP67 S5). 

In many ways, the S7 only provides fractional differences. The S5 rear is curved, it's just not as pronounced. The camera and button placements are very similar.

Despite the subtlety in the distinction, though, the Galaxy S7 is the clear winner in design and it only took me a moment to notice this when I held both. The S7 is more luxurious and more comfortable, like a designer lounge chair compared to a piano stool. 

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Display

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a Full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) display while the Galaxy S7 has a QHD (2560 x 1440) display resolution, but the difference is in the details: the advantage of the S7 is best observed when viewing high-resolution media.

However, you will notice some differences elsewhere. One advantage that is immediately apparent is the side bezels of these phones. The Galaxy S7’s are far slimmer, almost half the size of the S5's. The Galaxy S7 display is also more sturdy, guarded by a layer of Gorilla Glass 4, compared to the Gorilla Glass 3 on the Galaxy S5.

As for color representation, there is a lot of pink in the S7 display, but that's also what gives the phone its warmth. At a 45 degree angle, that pink is cut right out and you get a much bluer tint, while the S5 retains better retains its color.

Regardless, the S7 is brighter than the S5, it can really blast out big colors. But the difference is in the margins and a side-by-side viewing of most day-to-day smartphone elements, like messaging apps or websites, look much the same on both phones.

The Galaxy S7 does have the 'advantage' of always-on display capabilities. This means that it can be used to permanently show device information like time, date and notifications with only a minor hit to battery life.

For me, this took some getting used to and more often than not it was a distraction. It’s divisive, it's not an essential feature, it can be turned off, you decide if it's worth it.

Overall, the Galaxy S7 display is a little warmer and brighter, and because of the higher pixel count, better suited for VR. But if you want a far better display, this shouldn’t be the main reason you choose the S7 – the S5 still holds up.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Software and performance

Soon enough the Galaxy S5 will have Android Marshmallow, but for now it's still on Android Lollipop. The Galaxy S7 arrives with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which includes some nice additions, especially in the battery and games departments, but the majority of these will be available to S5 owners too. 

Performance on the S7 is superior to the S5. It has a faster processor – a Snapdragon 820 or equally powerful Exynos 8890, depending on your region – which is optimized for even simple tasks, not just demanding games. Basic navigation of the interface is smoother on the S7 and it's backed up by 4 GB of RAM.

The S5 features a Snapdragon 801 and 2 GB of RAM combo. The Galaxy S5 isn't behaving like your old Windows XP laptop, it's still running fine on Android Lollipop, but it's certainly inferior in software and performance compared to more modern flagships. 

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Audio

The S5’s speaker is rear-mounted and easily covered. The S7’s is on the bottom, which is a better placement, and also sounds cleaner and less tinny. Neither produce standout audio quality, though.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Camera

The Galaxy S7 camera is 12 MP with f/1.7 aperture, optical image stabilization and dual pixel technology. The Galaxy S5's is 16 MP, with f/2.2 aperture. 

Like the Galaxy S5's display, its camera has also held up well in the last two years. You can check the galleries in the full reviews to see a bigger selection of shots, but below is a slice of what they both offer. 

The Galaxy S5 photo is always on top, followed by the Galaxy S7. I took them in automatic mode with HDR off and dropped the S7 resolution down to 9.1 MP to fit a 16:9 aspect ratio (except for the selfie, taken at the 5 MP maximum at 4:3). The S5 shots were taken in 16 MP at 16:9 and the selfie at the 2.1 MP maximum.

What does this tell us? The takeaway message is that the Galaxy S7 camera is discernibly stronger in most scenarios, and actually one of the finest cameras I've ever tested. 

There's no area where it is inferior compared to the S5, and most of the Android competition. It's capable of performing whatever you throw at it.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Battery

The Galaxy S5 battery life began relatively strong and then Lollipop hit and there were a few months where complaints about it were rife. It seems to be all straightened out now, and the S5 battery life remains strong. That being said, the Galaxy S7 seems to be even better. 

Although in the past week since we received our review model we’ve have only been able to run it down to 0% battery a handful of times, it has so far been the better battery performer, helped along by its impressive fast charging capabilities.

During this test, I was able to pump 23 percent juice into the S7 in just 15 minutes of fast charging. It's a load speed that the Galaxy S5 just can't compete with. The S7's battery may not be removable, but with Doze and fast-charging, maybe it’s not a feature that’s so necessary anymore.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Specs

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: Price and conclusion

The Galaxy S7 starts at around US$699 for the 32 GB version, but if you're really fast, you can get a free Gear VR headset with it. The Galaxy S5 is currently sitting off contract on Amazon for between US$350 and US$375. 

Now, I don’t just want to shower the Korean smartphone giant with needless praise just because a new phone is here and it’s better than a two-year-old phone. It’s better, of course it’s better. But is it your only upgrade choice if you’re a Galaxy S5 owner?

It’s not your only choice, but it is your best choice if you fit into one of several categories. If you like the Samsung Galaxy S look, this is the best it’s ever been. If you like Samsung's software (TouchWiz), this is the best it's ever been. If you like Samsung's Super AMOLED displays... you get the picture.

Basically, if you like the Galaxy S5 and just want to know if the Galaxy S7 is a safe upgrade, then yes, it is. It's the more advanced version of that device you love, with little in the way of cut corners.

It's also, as it happens, one of the best phones currently available on Android and I'd have no qualms recommending it to anybody looking for a new phone in its price range.

Galaxy S5 owners: is the Galaxy S7 tempting you or are you eyeing another Android device? Reach out to me on Twitter (@scottadamgordon) or leave your thoughts in the comments.