Galaxy Note 7 or Galaxy S7 Edge: Which Samsung Handset Is Best for You

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge in many ways. Here are some of the most interesting features of both.

The Galaxy Note 7 uses a stylus known as the S Pen. At its official unveiling in New York City Aug. 2, Samsung said the new S Pen comes with a smaller tip to allow for greater precision when writing on the screen. Samsung also has improved its pressure accuracy and said the accessory has been waterproofed.

Like the Galaxy Note 7, the Galaxy S7 Edge is water- and dust-resistant. The device, in fact, comes with a rating of IP68, which means it can withstand heavy debris and water infiltration without much trouble. That’s not to say the Galaxy S7 Edge should be used underwater for extended periods, but if it’s dunked for a bit, don’t worry—it should hold up just fine.

As several earlier rumors have suggested, Samsung has bundled an iris scanner with the Galaxy Note 7. That means users will be able to scan their eyes to unlock the device, access apps, secure emails and much more. The iris scanner is a relatively new technology, but some believe it eventually could replace traditional fingerprint sensors.

In addition to the iris scanner, the Galaxy Note 7 comes with a fingerprint sensor for use with Samsung Pay. On the Galaxy S7, users will find only a fingerprint sensor to unlock apps, use Samsung Pay and perform other tasks. While that might seem like a liability, it’s important to note that iris scanners aren’t yet proven, so a thumb scan might still be a user’s best option.

The Galaxy Note 7 comes with a screen featuring two curved edges. Those edges not only make the screen larger—it measures 5.7 inches diagonally—but they also add important features. With the dual edge, users can access notifications and contacts and see what’s happening on their devices with a quick glance. It’s a feature popularized in the Galaxy S7 Edge that could be equally effective in the Galaxy Note 7.

The Galaxy S7 Edge has a nearly identical screen to the Note 7. The Edge’s display has dual curves on either side where users can access notifications, email and other content. However, the Galaxy S7 Edge’s screen measures 5.5 inches, making it slightly smaller than the one found in the Galaxy Note 7.

Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will launch with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. However, Samsung said it will offer Android 7.0 Nougat when that operating system launches at some point later this year. In a world where Android devices are not updated to new operating system versions nearly enough, that’s nice to hear.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge will ship with 32GB of onboard storage, although actual available storage will be a bit less after the operating system is installed. While 32GB might not seem like much, Samsung noted the Galaxy S7 will feature support for a microSD card with up to 200GB of storage capacity.

Samsung said Galaxy Note 7 will be available on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile networks when it launches Aug. 19. The vendor also said it expects to offer an unlocked version in the future, though it hasn’t said exactly when that might happen. Pricing hasn’t been fully announced as of this writing, though some companies including T-Mobile are offering specials with a purchase.

Samsung has been quick to tout the appeal of the battery built into its Galaxy S7 Edge. The smartphone can last up to 15 hours when users are constantly browsing the internet on LTE and up to 66 hours when listening to music. It features a whopping 36 hours of talk time over 3G CDMA. While results may vary, those are impressive figures, nonetheless.