SALT LAKE CITY — Android phones collectively have long outsold the iPhone, but only Samsung’s Galaxy model can compete head to head, in terms of annual sales, by itself. In recent years Samsung has expanded the Galaxy line to include the Active, Note and Edge. In doing so, Samsung has reached just about every phone user possible.

The new Galaxy S7 Edge is truly one of the most capable phones on the planet. First and foremost, Samsung realized the error of its ways when it removed expandable memory and a removable battery from last year’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.

Samsung has at least partially atoned as the battery is still locked in place. Inside the SIM tray, however, fans will be thrilled to see room for an SD card. Apple has never strived for value when building the popular iPhone, but Samsung is smart to retain a clear advantage by not forcing customers to pay too much for more onboard storage, ala the company in Cupertino, California.

Overall Grade: A-

Fit and Finish

For years, Galaxy models weren’t exactly pretty. The aluminum-bodied phones of today are gorgeous, as long as you like the glossy finish. That finish is a fingerprint magnet and some will find the glossy appearance cheap looking compared to a matte or brushed finish.

The phone has a sleek and polished look that, when combined with the full curved edge screen, is a unique sight to behold. Assuming you can get past the fingerprints and, no doubt, makeup that will forever reappear. No matter how many times you wipe it clean.

The button placement is traditional with volume and home/power buttons on opposing sides of the phone. Samsung keeps the speaker, charging port and headphone jack on the bottom edge of the phone.

The phone feels substantial, yet thin and light. The curved edges of the screen blend seamlessly and provide for a larger screen overall than the standard S7. It is possible, though, to inadvertently access the Edge features when holding the phone — a minor annoyance that likely lessons with continual use and an adjusted grip.

Screen

The screen, of course, is what sets the Edge apart from other phones. The recent LG V10 includes a notification area at the top of the screen that is separate from normal screen functions. The Edge has the ability to provide for notifications, app and widget shortcuts, and clock and alarm functions as a separate slice of screen, but can also accommodate full wrap-around screen use for videos, for example.

Because the screen is slightly larger, at 5.5-inches, than the standard S7 screen, the pixel density is poorer. This is not something the typical user will ever notice. The Quad HD super AMOLED display used by Samsung is arguably the best in the business.

Samsung’s heritage as a top flight television manufacturer shows in its phone displays. They are bright and vibrant with excellent color contrast. It will appear favorably next to any competing device.

With the S7 Edge the screen really is the big selling point, combined with a larger battery than the S7. In my experience, the only hesitation with the Edge functions is that you can try to do too much with it.

Samsung has allowed, this year, for a greater number of shortcuts on the Edge display. There can be a point where finding the one you want is no quicker than going back to the home screen. Much improved this year are the ways with which you can interact with the Edge. When a notification comes, simply swiping the Edge toward the middle of the phone will open the app associated with the notification.

Camera

Samsung has always been a leader in smartphone camera technology and the S7 Edge is no exception. The 12MP rear camera has what Samsung calls Dual Pixel technology and a claimed "widest aperture available" in a phone. This translates, in part, to wonderful low light pictures. It is better than the competing LG G5, for example.

Low light video was also clear and sharp, relatively speaking. The autofocus used by the rear camera is very fast. It was rare that I could not get the camera open and ready to shoot in as much time as needed. There is almost no camera lag, including opening the camera itself from the home screen.

Whether it’s the quality of the front facing camera or the contrast between it and the quality of the rear facing camera, selfies lacked the same vividness as pictures taken with the rear camera. They seemed oddly flat.

One very nifty new feature of the panorama mode is that photos taken this way can be converted into a stitched, moving slideshow. Frame by frame, the panorama can be broken down into its many parts. This function, along with any video playback, is most impressive when viewed with the full Edge screen.

Samsung’s cameras are still tough to beat.

Performance and intangibles

As mentioned previously, Samsung addressed at least part of past grievances owners have had. Bringing back expandable memory will make many very happy.

Samsung has often been criticized, fairly, for tampering most with the Android operating system and including the most brand-specific “bloatware” of any phone manufacturer. As Samsung has reduced the burden of bloatware, with the past two Galaxy models, performance has noticeably improved.

The S7 Edge is as fast and smooth a device as you’ll use. It is difficult, honestly, for any Android device to seem as smooth as the iPhone 6S. There is simply too much going on at any one time, compared to iOS, for the software to seem entirely able.

The two best features of the S7 Edge, in terms of daily use, are the battery and the charger. The Edge has a very large 3600 mAh battery, larger than the standard S7. Samsung’s fast charger is the best feature no one talks about. I’ve used mine even on non-Samsung devices. You can easily achieve 60 percent battery life, from zero, in about twenty minutes.

With the optional Qi wireless charging pad (retail $59.99), fast charging technology can be available anytime, anywhere. Battery life comparisons between smartphone models are difficult considering real world use. The Edge will easily achieve a full day of use and the fast charger makes already good battery life a non-issue.

Last, but certainly not least, the S7 Edge is certified IP68 water resistant. This means not only is a splash or rainfall not a concern, but the phone can be dunked for thirty minutes in up to 5 feet of water. While not necessarily recommended, I’ve seen some impressive photos taken with Galaxy devices while under water. I ran the phone under a faucet while taking a call on speaker and, aside from the noise on the other end, the phone didn’t skip a beat.

Personally, I’ve never understood phones being used in such a way as to get dropped in toilets. I’ve never seen a 5-foot deep toilet, either.

Specs

Display: 5.5” Quad HD superAMOLED

Camera: 12MP dual pixel rear; 5MP front

Storage: 32GB onboard, expandable to 200GB

OS: Android 6.0

Battery: 3600 mAh

Water Resistant: IP68 rating, up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes

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