Samsung's new devices get top ratings

Number seven seems lucky for Samsung as its latest smartphones Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have been named the best and second best respectively by Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports found the devices to have great cameras, excellent battery life, super-fast processors, and very high resolution screens.
It says the expandable storage and water-resistance features also helped the phones gain their top ratings, partially because they make the other parts of the phone stand out even more. The phone can record video in 4K, or Ultra-HD. Those files are huge in size, which makes it important to have a microSD slot for memory cards.
Battery life lasted more than 24 hours of simulated talk time, which is more than twice the iPhone 6S. The speakers on the S7 and S7 edge produce loud and crisp volume. Screens are easier to read in bright light because of the phones' high resolution displays.
"When Samsung ditched water-resistance and a microSD slot for last year's Galaxy S6 models, the phones lost important advantages the older S5 phones had enjoyed. Those weren't the only problems the Galaxy S6 models encountered: Our testers found that battery life wasn't as good as it had been on the previous models. Camera performance was just good," the report says.
Those shortcomings cost the Galaxies points in Consumer Reports ratings, even though the new phones boasted sleek glass-and-aluminum cases and added convenient wireless and quick-charging options. "But that's all in the past. The new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge bring back water-resistance and expandable memory. They earn excellent battery life scores, and turn in top-notch performance in other areas. These new models aren't just Samsung's best smartphones, but, perhaps, the best smartphones. And they now sit atop our ratings," the report said.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge arrived to power retailers in the UAE earlier this month and are getting good response. The pre-booking campaign, which was run for a couple of days in February for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge soon after its global launch in Barcelona, Spain, attracted 10,000 bookings in Dubai, according to industry sources. Earlier this month, the new devices were made available in the UAE. The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are priced Dh2,499 and Dh2,799 respectively.
Samsung is market leader in terms of volume in the UAE and iPhone ranked second by value. The second positions in terms of volume moves around between Huawei and Lenovo. Created for today's consumer lifestyle, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge lead the industry with a refined design,more advanced camera, streamlined software functionality and unparalleled connectivity to a galaxy of products, services, and experiences.
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com