Samsung S7 - Upgrade or not?

Craig@AUDI · 29-04-2019, 11:38 AM

Hi all,

I've got a S7 now and I was seriously looking at the new S10's as the battery life on the S7 wasn't what it used to be...been crappy for the last 6-12 months or so.

Then lo and behold there was a new software upgrade (been a few this year already, as well as last year) and it's back to normal life battery life again!

Not sure if the Samsung update fixed it, or an app updated itself?

Worth upgrading still or not that big a difference to bother?

Thinking the S10e is good enough or maybe S10 as optical 2x zoom.

Thoughts?

CB

Citroënbender · 29-04-2019, 11:55 AM

How much for a genuine replacement battery?

I expect four years usable life from a smartphone before processor speed or OS support become issues, allowing one battery change in that period and accepting that with the first (when aged) battery, charging will be more frequent and I may need to plan a little more in respect of this. It seems to be a viable ownership model, on the cusp of its ninth contract year.

(Laughing at the timing, I’m about to recontract too.)

Vesper Martini · 29-04-2019, 12:06 PM

If its only battery life, you can get a replacement battery off ebay for $15. easy to change.

I have an S7 and the camera still kicks butt on the current Apples

Citroënbender · 29-04-2019, 01:19 PM

Apples have cores, not butts. ;-)

ebv8 · 29-04-2019, 02:02 PM

i still have my S7 and was going to keep long term but it fell off my motorbike and cracked the screen, i still use it as i don't want to pay $1200 for a new phone or pay $75+ a month when i'm paying $25 for way more data than i can use.
S7 was a ripper, I still use my S5 for a smart remote at home and it doesn't miss a beat

whynot · 29-04-2019, 02:08 PM

I dropped my S7 and cracked the screen. (This was before Samsung had fixed price screen replacements).

I bought a S8 as a replacement and I am somewhat disappointed. I miss the home button of the S7 and the soft keys on the S8 drive me nuts. While the S8 is a good phone, I would prefer the S7.

As an aside, I gave the damaged S7 to a daughter who had her phone stolen. It is still chugging away, 18 months after I cracked the screen.

Craig@AUDI · 29-04-2019, 02:08 PM

Well that's the thing, since the software update it's been spot on again.

Currently at 71%, previous software would be around 30-35% by now.

I was all ready to upgrade and it's behaving itself again...lol

Mind you the S10 looks tasty!

burnz · 29-04-2019, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@CumberlandFord

Hi all,

I've got a S7 now and I was seriously looking at the new S10's as the battery life on the S7 wasn't what it used to be...been crappy for the last 6-12 months or so.

Then lo and behold there was a new software upgrade (been a few this year already, as well as last year) and it's back to normal life battery life again!

Not sure if the Samsung update fixed it, or an app updated itself?

Worth upgrading still or not that big a difference to bother?

Thinking the S10e is good enough or maybe S10 as optical 2x zoom.

Thoughts?

CB

S8 user here, it's a keeper..
Telstra offer me S10+ upgrade for $100 as it's needed for 5th gen network rollout..

no thanks.

lucas2 · 29-04-2019, 03:47 PM

I have an S9+ and the camera is so far ahead of where my S7 is. The phone itself is also much faster. I'm glad I upgraded. If it's for basic use then the S7 is still a good phone.

**kcodezd** · 29-04-2019, 04:01 PM

I too am using an S7. Every now and then the battery usage seems high, then all of a sudden all good again ??? I’m keeping mine going for now for the higher data, less cost of a new plan scenario. Best thing I ever did was buy a good case for it, I think I paid a 100 or close too it, but has paid for itself about 100 times. Not once have I cracked a screen. Touch wood.

**DJR-351** · 29-04-2019, 04:30 PM

I'm still using the s5

Citroënbender · 29-04-2019, 07:11 PM

Doesn't the S7 firmware/OS let you see what apps are drawing battery, and the proportion of total drain? Curious; I don't have a Samsung but assumed that sort of stuff was pretty universal by now.

.:4:. · 29-04-2019, 07:36 PM

I went from an s5 (the battery was shagged) to my current s8. Initially the battery was probably a bit better then the s5 when it was still good but i have a ****er samsung watches (i didnt pay for it, i had expiring vouchers) and i find that handy for screening calls when im up ladders so i dont drop the phone like i have done before, or reading the subject of emails in meetings. The biggest thing i noticed was by leapfrogging a few generations of phones, the performance differences were noticable. Now i carry 2 phones, one is a work phone. Didnt notice much from going iphone 4 to iphone 4s to iphone 5s, yet had i gone straight from 4 to 5s it may have been more noticeable, that was a few years back, i have some samsung potato for a work phone but it does the job. But back to battery life, i think is more common place these days to have a cord in the car and a few chargers kicking around at home so the best part of a day using the thing heaps is sort of normal. So going s7 to s10, the speed of which it computes will be the biggest thing you notice. I bought my mum an s7 last year, not because im the good and good looking son, just because i was getting sick of hearing her complain about how crap the phones she would buy are then boast about how cheap they were. Now she loves it because it does normal stuff non crap phones do. Comparing that to the s8, size is the main difference, really the s8 isnt astoundingly better. But again, jumping a few generations will make a marked difference. The wireless transfer of your stuff to the new phone should you choose to is painless. Took me 8 minutes from s5 to s8.

Craig@AUDI · 30-04-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Doesn't the S7 firmware/OS let you see what apps are drawing battery, and the proportion of total drain? Curious; I don't have a Samsung but assumed that sort of stuff was pretty universal by now.

It does if it's a standard app but some system items are bundled so hard to tell.

Craig@AUDI · 30-04-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

I'm still using the s5

The father in law has my old S5

Citroënbender · 30-04-2019, 10:35 AM

You know you want the dual camera S10, and temptation will prevail.

Craig@AUDI · 30-04-2019, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You know you want the dual camera S10, and temptation will prevail.

The S10e has a larger screen but same foot print as the S7 so that'd be plenty for lil ol me, but the S10 with the 2x optical is handy for pics...I just hate the rounded off screen but I guess a UAG hard case will hide it pretty much.

Fairlane 500 · 30-04-2019, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

I'm still using the s5

Me too, mine still looks & works like new!

We have not even got decent 4G coverage around here
so I am certainly not getting excited about upgrading for a 5G phone.

Vesper Martini · 30-04-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

I'm still using the s5

I really liked my S5 it used a different Andriod OS, but the Battery was failing and its a work phone so I was due for a replacement.
cameras better on the S7 and its a lot faster otherwise theres not much difference.
I see no reason to upgrade it, especially if you have to pay!

Vesper Martini · 30-04-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@CumberlandFord

The S10e has a larger screen but same foot print as the S7 so that'd be plenty for lil ol me, but the S10 with the 2x optical is handy for pics...I just hate the rounded off screen but I guess a UAG hard case will hide it pretty much.

rounded off screen is the galaxy edge (e) - its been available in the different models they don't fit wallet holders so I opted for the normal shape

**Mechan1k** · 30-04-2019, 03:34 PM

I'll see how my Note 8 goes .... I got it when it forst came out at work (Optus) .... and it's been awesome .... and was a great upgrade over the S6 I had.

My kids use my old S6 .... luckily it's in a gel cover though .... but it's still going strong as well ... and my kids thrash that as well.

I'll be keeping my note 8 for as long as possible if i can

Nu66et · 30-04-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

rounded off screen is the galaxy edge (e) - its been available in the different models they don't fit wallet holders so I opted for the normal shape

They've all had Edge screens since the S8. One big reason why I didn't replace my Samsung with another. My Defender case only had raised edges on the top and bottom.

Citroënbender · 30-04-2019, 07:15 PM

Looks like you can get the S10+ for $82.50/mth with Woolies/Telstra.

https://www.whistleout.com.au/Mobile...nd-Galaxy-S10e

Just to help you choose.

Adamz Ghia · 30-04-2019, 09:51 PM

Short of going for the best of the best with an iPhone XS Max, go an S10+. I’m an Apple bloke, but the S10+ is a seriously good phone and the best Android you can get. It nearly made me jump ship.

Citroënbender · 30-04-2019, 09:53 PM

Have you an XS? I've been tempted.

Adamz Ghia · 01-05-2019, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Have you an XS? I've been tempted.

I have an Xs Max, great phone. Love the battery life on it.

Citroënbender · 01-05-2019, 07:31 PM

I nearly picked up an XS today! The T-shop bloke was so rude, seriously rude, that I walked out and he lost a $2900 contract.

I want Craig yielding to his temptation and buying that full fat Galaxy S10+ while he can bask in the glow of being an early adopter...

Sabantien · 01-05-2019, 07:34 PM

I've been considering the same thing. I use my phone more than my SLR these days, and it does take great photos, but it's also why i'm tempted to upgrade the s7 to an s10.

But my S7 is also paid off, and i'm enjoying having smaller bills.
I figure until it dies properly i'll hang onto the s7, or at least wait until the 10s drop in price.

Citroënbender · 01-05-2019, 07:48 PM

That's sort of been my model; two indulgent years, two leaner years.

But I can't see the S10 going down much in price; there is no incentive while other competing phones (in the public's mind) are also very dear. Another good thing about being an early adopter is the possibility of an upgrade without penalty if there's a major flaw discovered, like the self-combusting phones a few years back.

ronwest · 02-05-2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

I'm still using the s5

I use a S5 for work texts (ie ppl can text me for appointments or whatever).
Have it setup with tasker to return a "text only" if they try to call it.

If you're not into the latest bells and whistles the S5 is perfectly fine.

Am just now in the process of swapping to my wife's prev S7. First thing I did was to disable everything I don't need, which is most of it, add tasker and I'll be done.

If the S7 lasts as long as the S5 I'll be a happy chappy.