More About Samsung Galaxy S7

A seemingly iterative update to an already great phone might seem a bit dull. Can a few alterations here and there really make that much of a difference?

In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S7, it’s a resounding yes. 2015’s Galaxy S6 was ace, but the latest flagship from the Korean company is even better.

It looks sleeker than the iPhone 6S, has a better camera than the Nexus 6P and boasts a screen that leaves all the competition in the dust. It’s the most complete phone I’ve ever used.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 – DESIGN

After the massive, and much needed, change in design direction Samsung took with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in 2015, all rumours pointed to things staying pretty much the same for the Galaxy S7.

Well, it’s not like Apple, HTC or Sony make drastic changes to their industrial design every year.

And that’s exactly the case here. Place the Galaxy S7 next to the S6 and you’d be hard pushed to instantly pick which one is which. Frankly, this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The S6 was already one of the best-looking phones around, and the Galaxy S7 follows suit.

Both the front and back are covered in Gorilla Glass 4, while a metal rim snakes in between. Two volume buttons sit on one side, with a lock/standby switch on the other. It’s a clean look, with the back free from any markings aside from a Samsung logo.

The camera lens now sits just about flush with the glass body too. This might seem a small change, but it makes a big difference. I can now tap out an email with the phone flat on my desk without it jumping and rocking from side to side.

There is one notable design change on the back – the sides now curve ever so slightly, just like they did on the larger Galaxy Note 5, and it makes a huge change to how the Galaxy S7 feels. While the S6 felt harsh and rigid, the Galaxy S7 slips softly into my palm. It’s so much more ergonomic and makes picking it up off a flat surface much easier.

And the way the sides almost melt into the glass just looks damn cool. Good job, Samsung.

It’s an absolute fingerprint magnet, though. After a few minutes of use, the entire back becomes a grubby mess that needs wiping down with a microfibre cloth.

Along the top is the Nano SIM tray, which now holds a microSD slot, plus a microphone. The bottom houses the headphone socket, another microphone, a speaker and a micro USB port for charging.

That speaker is one of the few missteps on this phone. It’s downward-facing, gets easily blocked by my hands when playing a game and it sounds tinny and distorted at high volume. I guess front-facing speakers weren’t included so the screen surround could be kept minimal, but it’s still a disappointment when a speaker sounds this bad.

It had been suggested that Samsung would make a big switch to the new, reversible USB-C connector that’s already being used on the Nexus 6P, OnePlus 2 and LG G5, but it hasn’t.

To be honest, USB–C is more of a hindrance than a help at the minute. You can’t use any of the cables you’ve picked up over the years and it doesn’t necessarily mean faster charging. It does mean the S7 isn’t quite so future proof, though.

The front again has a clean look about it. The elongated home button still sits under the display, and it still juts out ever so slightly, rather than being concave like the iPhone’s. For me, this is a plus – it feels better pressing the Galaxy S7’s home button than the iPhone 6S’s – but a couple of the TrustedReviews team think otherwise. They’re wrong, of course, but it’s interesting how such a small design choice can split people.

Housed inside the home button is a really fast and accurate fingerprint sensor that matches the iPhone 6S’s for speed, but it’s marginally slower than the Nexus 6P’s. That difference is minimal, though, and something you would only notice if you had the two side by side.

It’s clear from the Galaxy S7 that Samsung is listening to customer feedback and bringing back favoured features from the Galaxy back catalogue. MicroSD expansion is one, and IP68 water resistance is another.

The latter is by no means a vital feature, yet it’s impressive that it’s been added without any forced changes to the design. There are no flaps, there’s no added thickness and no extra space between the display and glass.

What does an IP68 rating mean? Well, you’ll be able to dunk the Galaxy S7 into 1m of water for up to 30 minutes without damaging the phone. Or, if you’re like Lil’ Wayne, you can douse it in multiple bottles of champagne. Obviously.

It’s become a cliche that phones get thinner and thinner each year, but that isn’t the case with the S7. It’s marginally thicker than its predecessor and has a nice weight to it. It feels dense and expensive, though not as delicate as you’d expect from a phone with glass on the front and back. I dropped it about four foot onto a hard floor and it survived without any problems.

Samsung has stuck with the same 5.1-inch display, there’s the Galaxy S7 Edge if you want something bigger, and it’s refreshing to have a flagship phone that feels this compact and easy to hold. It’s roughly the same size as the iPhone 6S, which only has a 4.7-inch screen, and much smaller than top-end devices from LG, Huawei and Google.

Coming from using the S7 Edge, I was initially a little underwhelmed by the Galaxy S7. It didn’t quite have that wow factor its curvier sibling does. But after a while it became my favourite phone to use on a daily basis. It feels great, is the perfect size and doesn’t make any sacrifices – aside from maybe the speakers – to get there.

Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-review#8OhDelqzd7UUB3Qs.99

Android Tablet Buying Advice, Cheaper Alternative to An iPad

Android Tablet Buying Advice, Cheaper Alternative to An iPad

By harmen batubara

Android tablets - which run Google's Android operating system - are the biggest competitor to the iPad, and there are a lot of options. Though Google has made Android available to all tablet makers, the most consistent gadgets will be Google's flagship tablet, the Nexus 9. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab line is also very good. These gadgets run the latest versions of the Android operating system, Lollipop, and are the first to receive updates. They can go neck-and-neck with the power, features and usability you'll find on similarly sized iPads, too. In some ways, the Nexus tablets are actually better.

Android was once harder to use because it lacked a centralized content ecosystem like Apple. Thanks to Google Play, however, all the content you need is at your fingertips. In addition to 1+ million apps, Play includes movies, music and e-books. Of course, you can still download content from multiple app stores and even from individual developer websites. This gives you greater freedom in where you get your apps. You can also find apps that give you more control over your tablet than you can with the iPad.

The drawback is that it's easier to download malicious apps. Additionally, not all apps work on all tablet hardware. Your tablet might not have enough power or a non-standard screen size. If you're new to the mobile gadget market, Androids are a good choice if you like to customize. They give the user a little more options when it comes to tinkering with your gadget.

The Android Operating System Android is an operating system that is not unlike Windows or Mac OS. Google created the Android software, and this means that the options are practically limitless. Android runs a number of applications created by Google, and these programs range from e-readers, which puts millions of books at the user's fingertips, to games and productivity programs such as money managing programs.

With a tablet, a casual use accomplishes the same variety of casual tasks that a person can with a personal computer. Android allows these portable devices to do pretty much anything aside from high-end productivity programs, gaming, or extensive audio and video editing. Yet all of these functions perform on a reasonable scale with an Android tablet.

Beginners should remember is that not all Android tablets are equal. Some versions have more sophistication than others. In addition, a tablet with the latest version of Android may perform slower than a tablet with an earlier version, depending on the processing power.

Specifications Android tablets are just like other tablets when it comes to specifications, you simply want to get as much as you can for your money. The key things to look out for are storage space (GBs); screen resolution; memory (RAM); the latest processors; and also how thin and light the device is. If you see a tablet you like, you should check all of these specs against some other tablets in the same price range to make sure you're getting a good deal. Specs, though, will take you only so far. That's why it's crucial to read our reviews to find out if a tablet's screen is good or bad, how long the battery lasts and whether the cameras are any good.

Android Tablets are capable of connecting users to the world in a number of ways. They fit somewhere between a laptop and a smartphone. A tablet computer is more portable than a laptop, as it takes up less space and does not require a keyboard or mouse. It is slightly more sophisticated than a smartphone, although many new phones can compete with tablets in terms of power, function, and portability. The larger screen, however, greatly enhances the experience and allows the otherwise technologically uninitiated navigate more efficiently.

Android tablet are Cheaper With the exception of a few, Android tablets are a cheaper alternative to an iPad. The Android operating system is open source, which means manufacturers can use Google's software for free. This has led to a very healthy battleground, with manufacturers seemingly racing to the lowest price possible. The result of this influx of low cost tablets has led to traditional hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, Acer and Asus struggling to match the success they've experienced in the smartphone market.  The reason for this is because non-traditional technology hardware manufacturers such as Tesco got in on the game and drove down the price in order to get customers to use built-in software that lets them buy content from the brand's own online stores.

The result is that you can buy an Android tablet with remarkable specs and build quality for a budget price. And you'll notice below that some of the tablets in our list aren't particularly new. However, that doesn't mean they're not good or that you shouldn't buy them.

You'll notice we haven't included Amazon tablets here. That's because they're not Android tablets in the true sense. They do run a heavily customised version of Android, but they don't have any Google apps, so you can't buy apps from the Play store, nor use the official YouTube app, Google Maps, Gmail and more.

How To Find The Best Tablet for The Same Price

How To Find The Best Tablet for The Same Price

By Adam Marshall

 Whether you're after a cheap tablet or a large-screen one, this expert guide will help you pick out the ideal tablet for you. Want to choose the best tablet for you? Sign up today for a £1 trial and access all our expert reviews and Best Buys. What is a tablet? Tablets are slim touchscreen computers that work in a similar way to smartphones. Apple iPads are the tablets most people think of first, but various tech manufacturers are competing to produce the best tablet. Samsung, Google, Amazon and Microsoft all have tablets to rival Apple’s.

Tablets tend not to come with keyboards, so they’re not perfect for a full day’s work. But they're portable, turn on quickly and provide instant access to the internet. This makes them ideal for browsing the web, emailing and casual gaming. All tablets can connect to wi-fi and some models also have 3G or 4G mobile internet connectivity. They don't tend to have wired internet connection ports - so you'll need to have access to wireless internet to get the most from your device. See if it’s worth paying extra with our guide to wi-fi or 3G and 4G tablets.

Tablets can do some of the things a phone does, some of the things a laptop does and a few things that only a tablet can do. But can a tablet replace your laptop?

Pros: Tablets combine web browsing, video watching, ebook reading, photography and emailing - and all in a mobile device with the dimensions of a magazine. 

Cons: Chunkier and less mobile than a smartphone, but with less power than a laptop - tablets may give you the worst of both worlds. If you already own both of those other devices, you may consider a tablet an unnecessary luxury. Are cheap tablets worth buying? If a deal seems too good to be true, that's usually because it is. And the same goes for tablets – it's probably best to steer clear if you spot a tablet for less than £100, as poor screens and weak batteries can mean you've wasted your money.

But there are exceptions, and if you take a look through our in-depth reviews there are reasonably priced gems to be found. If you find a bargain with a battery life of around nine hours, a good screen resolution and actual (not just ‘claimed’) memory storage of more than 8GB, then you're off to a good start. If you're hoping for a big-screen model with the latest processor, then you’ll have to spend more.

Pros: Some of the most popular tablets that we've reviewed - including the Tesco Hudl 2 and Google Nexus 7 (2) - can be bought for around the £100 mark.

Cons: If you're hoping for a screen size of more than 8.5 inches, acres of memory space or 4G connectivity so that you can browse the web when you're out and about, you can forget about paying less than £200 To see if they're worth buying, find out whether they make it into our rundown of best cheap tablets under £200.

Small 7-inch tablets Smaller 7-inch tablets are great if you’re on a budget, or if portability is vital. Smaller tablets tend to come with cheaper price tags. If you want a light, easy-to-hold device. 10-inch tablets tend to be heavier, which can make your wrists ache when holding them up to read for more than 10 minutes. You want a portable device.

10-inch tablets are very portable, but they can't fit into small bags or jacket pockets like their 7-inch equivalents can. Pros: If you are looking for a cheap tablet that is good for web browsing and reading ebooks, a smaller tablet could be just the thing – 7-inch tablets tend to be cheaper. Cons: It's not just screen size that 7-inch tablets tend to lack. More often than not, they also have less generous onboard storage, weaker processors and worse batteries.

Large 10-inch tablets If you regularly type documents and emails, or if you watch a lot of films on your tablet, a larger screen will make things easier. Larger tablets tend to offer more storage capacity, such as 32GB and 64GB of storage. This is useful if you want to store films, games and music on your tablet. And they're more likely to have ports such as full USB and mini SD slots too, for transferring files and expanding storage.

Pros: Generally speaking, larger displays are better for video watching and doing work on your tablet. Bigger devices are more likely to have better connectivity too, with some hosting full-sized USB ports.

Cons: If you want a Best Buy 10-inch tablet you'll have to pay around £250 for the cheapest on test, with most premium models costing more than £300. What other tablet features should I consider? Still struggling to make up your mind? We've singled out the key tablet features you need to be aware of when buying your tablet. Tablet storage space Cheaper tablets tend to have 8GB or 16GB built-in, while more expensive tablets offer 32, 64 or even 128GB of space. The storage space is used to store apps, music, videos and photos. As a rough guide, a two-hour HD film uses about 3.6GB and 12 albums of music about 1GB.

The operating system and pre-installed apps take up some of the space. Our tests measure just how much memory is really available, once the OS has been taken into account so you know how much is free for you to use. Many tablets have a memory card slot for expanding the storage of your device. Apple iPads don’t come with a memory card slot.

Alternatively, you can use online cloud storage to store content. Tablet screen quality The best tablet screens show punchy colours and images that look as sharp as on a printed page. The detail of a screen, called the resolution, is measured in pixels. The more pixels, the more detailed the screen should be. A Retina display is a screen technology on the latest iPads.

Apple claims the screen is so sharp that you won't be able to detect the individual pixels - supposedly making it as good a display as the human eye can comprehend. Other manufacturers have begun to fit Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screens to try to match Apple's Retina display. You may see these billed as AMOLED – Active-Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. They tend to produce brighter, smoother images than most LCD technology, but the screens can degrade faster.

Tablet speaker quality All tablets have a built-in speaker or two, but sound quality isn’t always very good, especially on many cheaper models. For short video watching it’s usually fine, but if you want to enjoy sound, plug in a good set of headphones as this will improve sound quality considerably. Tablet camera quality For the odd snapshot, tablets usually produce acceptable pictures. Quality isn’t as good as on a decent compact digital camera, but one advantage tablets have is that the picture you take is available to view and share on the large tablet screen straight away. Most models have a second front-facing camera. These tend to have fewer megapixels, but some are still decent enough for passable Skype or video calls, and selfies.

Tablet apps Short for application, an app is a program that can perform specific tasks. It could be a game, a piece of office software, a news or weather program, a tool to help you find train departure and arrival times, catch up on TV programmes you've missed, or check in on your friends through Facebook. Some apps are pre-installed on a tablet, though you will want to add more. You can browse through and download the ones you're interested in from app libraries online. Many apps are free, others you have to pay a small amount for. Now find the perfect tablet for you by checking out our tablet r

Source : http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/tablets/article/how-to-buy-the-best-tablet - Which?