Software: It'southward Yet TouchWiz

No surprises when it comes to software, the Galaxy S7 Border comes loaded out of the box with Android 6.0.ane and February security updates installed, forth with the latest version of Samsung's TouchWiz peel.

TouchWiz on the Galaxy S7, like with previous Galaxy devices, is pretty lackluster. The fashion is like to the S6 and information technology by and large conforms to Google's Material Design, but information technology lacks the professional look that you go from stock Android. I wouldn't get as far to say Samsung's skin is ugly, just I certainly adopt the stock look.

Part of the reason to this is that vanilla Android has far more smooth to it, whether that's in large or small aspects. Samsung often likes to replace icons with text, which is amend for discovery simply looks worse in the long run after y'all become familiar with functions effectually the Bone. Animations are far more basic in TouchWiz nonetheless aren't any faster to brandish, and that leads to a less visually interesting experience.

There are besides some minor aspects that annoy me. Most of Samsung's app icons are heavily rounded squares, while the balance of the Os uses either rectangular or circular design elements, leading to an inconsistent look. Apps in the tray aren't sorted past A-Z by default, and the setting isn't persistent, which makes navigation harder. Most widgets are downright ugly and lack the slick look that's found in other parts of the OS. And for some inexplicable reason, predictive text correction and replacement is disabled by default in the keyboard.

With that said, at that place accept been strides in the correct direction with the Galaxy S7's software stack. Touch tones are finally disabled by default, which is a move that should accept been fabricated generations ago. The set-upward process is as well smoother than before, and the included Smart Switch makes moving from another device reasonably like shooting fish in a barrel.

Many features from previous Samsung devices return on the Galaxy S7 Edge. The power to use two apps on the screen at once is useful for heavy multitaskers (even though it only supports a scattering of apps), and floating window functionality is neat, if a piffling clunky. I-handed manner is likewise available at a triple-tap of the domicile button when enabled, and theming support remains for those who want an piece of cake way to customize the Bone.

Ane of the major new features to the Galaxy S7 I've already talked near earlier (the ever-on brandish), but there'southward another that Samsung is heavily touting: the Game Launcher. For mobile gamers, the set of tools provided past launching games through the Gamer Launcher app is dandy, and it tin really raise your gaming feel.

For starters, the Game Launcher allows you to cap the game'due south functioning for longer bombardment life. Yous take the option to set a 30 FPS cap with a lower resolution to "save power", and if you want to "save maximum power" you tin force the S7 to employ an extremely low resolution: handy for those wanting to game for extended sessions away from a ability point. The ability to mute notifications as well has already been great during gameplay.

Then in that location's the Game Tools, a collection of features you can enable within a game by borer on a small floating circle positioned to i side of the display. Here y'all can practice things like minimize the game to a floating icon, allowing you lot to quickly resume gameplay after yous bank check another app, or lock the recent apps and back buttons.

Mayhap more than critically, the Tools have both screenshot and screen record functionality, the latter of which is awesome for those who want to replay or share moments of gameplay. In my testing, it appears every bit though the screen record feature has nearly no functioning hit even at its maximum capture quality of 1080p, which is an fantabulous result. If anything the performance hit is absorbed into the quality of the recordings, which sometimes don't look the best and can be frame rate limited in loftier performance games.

The Edge screen has been greatly improved in the latest software found on the Galaxy S7 Border. The screen itself is now 2 panels wide, assuasive more apps to exist pinned to the screen's most useful feature: the quick app drawer. I too liked the calendar panel that showed me my upcoming events, which along with the app drawer I used reasonably often.

Of class there are other panels, such equally a location enlightened panel that displays apps well-nigh relevant to where you are, an improved tools panel, a contacts console, and various news, weather and stock panels, but I rarely found myself using them. You tin download other panels besides, though the current selection in the Milky way Apps store isn't cracking.

I'm still not convinced that the physical curved display is really necessary for the Edge panel, and the functionality could exist easily integrated into the standard Galaxy S7 if Samsung really wanted to. All you'd need to do is swipe in from the side of the display similar you lot exercise on the S7 Edge, and you wouldn't lose whatever functionality or usability. However, it is a rare software feature unique to the Border, and that's why I doubt Samsung volition port it to their standard device any time soon.

The other thing worth highlighting about Samsung'southward software implementation is that there are a lot of unnecessary apps bundled on this device. Y'all go a whole folder of Microsoft Apps, some of which like Give-and-take may be useful, too as a stack of Samsung apps. Luckily the less useful Samsung apps are chucked into a folder as to not clog up the app drawer, simply are apps like Gear (most people don't have a Samsung smartwatch) and S Voice (greatly junior to Google Voice Search) really necessary inclusions? And why is there still a Galaxy Apps store when it'due south a pile of garbage compared to the universally-used Google Play Store?

Luckily some of Google's improvements in Android 6.0 remain in Samsung's software, including the new app permissions system and Now on Tap. Notwithstanding, adoptive storage is not supported, so you lot cannot use the Galaxy S7's microSD carte du jour like internal NAND.

It remains unclear how well the Galaxy S7 Edge will be supported in time to come software updates. Samsung has pledged to update their flagship devices every month with security updates, but their rails tape so far hasn't been great. When it comes to new versions of Android, Samsung'southward record is even worse, then we'll look with bated breath for timely updates on the Galaxy S7.