Samsung Galaxy S7 Features And Specs Leaked, What Major Improvements We Can Expect

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have been out for a while now, and it’s only right for consumers to catch a glimpse of a successor smartphone soon. Samsung recently rolled out the new Android version, 6.0 (Marshmallow), which brought a host of new changes to their Galaxy phones (among other Samsung devices), including better integration with Google Now as well as a number of visual and security updates. There was also the Samsung S6 Edge, which changed the way users look at notifications on their phone. Could we potentially see a Samsung S7 Edge in the near future? Let’s take a look.

It appears Samsung will be offering more flexibility than ever with the Galaxy S7, which will come in a variety of models. Forbes.com discovered the names of these models through a reliable site for Samsung-related leaks; the models are rumored to be called the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7+, Galaxy S7 Edge, and Galaxy S7 Edge+. Just as Apple is doing with the next generation of iPhones, Samsung is going to be offering different-sized Galaxy S7 phones. One rumor speculates that we could see a 5.2, as well as a 5.8 inch screen, for Samsung Galaxy S7 when the phone is released (likely this coming February or March).

There have also been whispers that the new Galaxy will come with Force Touch, a feature that allows the phone to respond differently based on how much pressure is put on the screen (no, it’s not a Jedi skill, despite the name). For one thing, this could make the S7’s fingerprint sensor more accurate, and it could also make phone-based pay systems like Android Pay more accurate and easier to use.

It’s likely Android Marshmallow will be on the new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, and this will give Samsung users access to a variety of upgrades. For one thing, S7 and S7 Edge phones running Android M will look totally different. Whereas a Galaxy running Android Lollipop (Version 5) would experience a brighter theme, Android M boasts a darker theme that makes text appear much sharper than its predecessor.

In addition to OS changes, the Galaxy S7 may be going through hardware changes, as well. With almost every new Galaxy, there seems to be an improvement to the camera, and Samsung‘s tradition doesn’t end with the S7 and S7 Edge. DigitalTrends noted that the megapixel count might drop from the Galaxy S6 to Galaxy S7 (S7 having only 12 megapixels to the S6’s 16), but new technology such as a wider sensor could allow the camera to capture more light and have more accurate auto-focus.

If this is true, Samsung may have actually outdone the iPhone in terms of camera features. Still, if you’re looking for higher megapixels (i.e. better-looking pictures), iPhone may be the way to go on this one. As of now, the price of a Galaxy S7 checks out at $700 USD, while the Galaxy S7 Edge will cost $800 USD, putting both phones closer to the retail cost of an iPhone. In the past, Samsung’s phones set users back only about $500 USD for the Galaxy S5, but the price usually goes down if you’re already in or looking to start a new 2-year contract with phone carriers.

As you can see above, Samsung reinvented the way consumers think about notifications with the Galaxy S6 Edge, which displays alerts on the far edge of the phone. It’s likely the Galaxy S7 Edge and Edge+ will feature this option as well given their names, and they may even have offer new, innovative features we haven’t seen yet in Samsung’s flagship phones. Let us know what you think of Android M so far and if you’re planning to snag an S7 Edge or Edge Plus when they come out later this year.

[Image Via Flickr.com]