Samsung's Upcoming Galaxy S7 Rumored to Feature Water Resistant Design, Pressure-Sensitive Screen

Tuesday February 16, 2016 2:28 pm PST by Juli Clover
Samsung is expected to unveil its newest smartphones at Mobile World Congress on February 21, and ahead of their debut date, several leaks have hinted at the specs we can expect to see in the flagship devices of Apple's main competitor.

Like Apple, and continuing with its own trend of dual releases, Samsung will unveil two new smartphones: the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge with a curved display. Both devices look similar to the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, as seen in a render created by noted leaker @evleaks. The Galaxy S7 Edge will be larger, measuring in at 5.5 inches, the same size as the iPhone 6s Plus.

samsungrenderings
Samsung is expected to be adding a pressure-sensitive display, which would perhaps mimic some of the 3D Touch features available in the iPhone 6s, allowing it to respond to a new range of pressure-based gestures.

A microsite and video for the Galaxy S7 published this afternoon points towards improved water resistance and wireless charging, two features that are also rumored for Apple's iPhone 7. Samsung has long offered wireless charging through the Qi system, which uses a charging pad. Apple is rumored to be considering wireless charging in the iPhone 7, but it may not be ready until 2017 because Apple wants to use long-range charging that eschews a mat.


Samsung's Galaxy S5 was IP67 water resistant, a feature that didn't make it into the flagship Galaxy S6 but is expected to be included in the Galaxy S7. Rumors have also suggested the iPhone 7 will include improved water resistance.

While not expected to gain dual cameras like the iPhone 7 Plus, the Galaxy S7 is rumored to be gaining an improved camera that will offer better performance in lowlight photography. iPhone 7 design rumors have indicated the device may not feature a rear-protruding camera, and the Galaxy S7 design is also expected to do away with the rear camera bulge featured in the Galaxy S6.

Other rumors for the Galaxy S7 include improved battery life, the re-adoption of the micro SD card slot (in the S7, not the Edge) that was removed in the Galaxy S6, and a USB-C port for faster charging.

Samsung's newest devices will be unveiled next week, coming several months ahead of Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, its 2016 flagship devices. Apple will, however, be unveiling a new iPhone in the next month, introducing the 4-inch iPhone 5se at a March event.

Tag: Samsung
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bushido
51 months ago
say what u want at least Samsung figured out how to properly take advantage of the screen without any redic huge bezels
Rating: 25 Votes
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HangmanSwingset
51 months ago
GS5: *adds water resistant design*
"We listen to customers!"

GS6: *removes water resistance, removable battery, and SD card support*
"We listen to customers!"

GS7: *re-adds water resistant design and SD card support*
"We listen to customers!"
Rating: 23 Votes
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brendu
51 months ago
So here's the thing. I hope it does have a pressure sensitive screen. I hope it works exactly like the 6s. Developers need more phones with this technology for it to be worth their time developing for it. Right now 3D Touch needs to be utilized more and the only way I see that happening is if more phones also adopt it and developers have more reason to get creative and use it.
Rating: 22 Votes
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Mackinjosh
51 months ago

They won't be final specs until the iPhone 7 features are known.....

Yeah, because Apple was first with wireless charging, quick charging, water proofing, micro SD expansion etc etc. Oh right, they weren't. LOL.
Rating: 21 Votes
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jontech
51 months ago
They won't be final specs until the iPhone 7 features are known.....
Rating: 21 Votes
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samcraig
51 months ago
Oh the hate is strong with some of you. We're seeing the natural evolution of technology. Not copying. If you're going to point your finger at Samsung, you might as well point your finger at Apple too. But why bother. Buy the device that you want. No one is forcing you to do otherwise.
Rating: 18 Votes
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Kevin2055
51 months ago
Oops, how could they forget to remove the 3.5mm jack ?
Rating: 15 Votes
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mi7chy
51 months ago

Shameless as always, not only did they steal iPhone's existing flagship feature, they even stole the features RUMORED for the next iPhone.


Apple shamelessly copied force touch from BlackBerry though and phablet from Samsung otherwise iPhones would still be 3.5".
Rating: 11 Votes
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samcraig
51 months ago

You do know force touch works differently then the bb storm, right? Also, phablets are not an invention. Apple copied phablets because the market wanted bigger iPhones, and this is what crippled samsung in the first place.


You realize that Samsung is improving their waterproofing because that's what the market wants. And that they are doing a pressure sensitive screen (if they even are - this is a rumor after all) because the market wants that too. See what I did there?
Rating: 11 Votes
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bpeeps
51 months ago

man are these ugly..

Optometrist alert. These are Samsung's best looking phones to date. And much nicer in feel, looks, and quality than the iPhone 6/S versions. The Galaxy screen alone looks fantastic, and blows the iPhone out of the water.
Rating: 11 Votes

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