Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
Adreno 530
4 GB / 32 GB
5.1 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S7 Active smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.1 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S7 Active comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) pre-installed. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active / 1

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S7 Active
ModelSM-891A
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.53 oz
Colorscamo green, sandy gold, titanium gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
CPUQuad-core, Dual-core 2.15 GHz Kryo, Dual-core 1.6 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 530

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.1 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

The Galaxy S7 Active's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. The 5.1 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active / 3

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S7 Active has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Galaxy S7 Active (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Galaxy S7 Active offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Galaxy S7 Active supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Galaxy S7 Active smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Galaxy S7 Active has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities.

The Galaxy S7 Active has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Galaxy S7 Active does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 4

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy S7 Active smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Galaxy S7 Active smartphones. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
Add Samsung Galaxy S7 Active to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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