Samsung Galaxy S7 Available For Pre-Order Feb. 21
The Samsung Galaxy S7 will beat the iPhone 7 to the market, with pre-orders available as soon as February 21, according to Yibada.
The pre-order date falls on the same day that Samsung has invited the media to an event expected to be the product launch for the Samsung Galaxy S7, the site reports.
In addition to the solid date of pre-orders, Yibada said it is expected that the product will only be in en route to customers as early as March 11.
“The pre-order period is a strong proof that the new flagship will ship on March 11. Once again, this is quite early for the company’s usual April event, as rumored earlier. Perhaps Samsung is avoiding heavy traffic with Apple’s March event that why they opted to launch the device this month and plans to ship it on March.”
With the product launch expected February 21 (which is only days away), what should consumers expect from the new units? Leaked images on Tech Radar show a device that has edges very similar to the iPhone 6, though the backside and camera seem to stay inline with previous Samsung Galaxy models.
“So what else do we know about the Galaxy S7 Edge? We’re expecting 4GB of RAM, Android 6.0 Marshmallow and the Exynos 8890 chipset to be powering everything under the hood of the 5.7-inch 2016 flagship from Samsung,” Radar reported, making the devices both visually appealing (according to the leaked photos) and internally powerful.
Some might wonder why the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge would need such strong internals. The answer is because the smartphones are expected to launch with virtual reality equipment. This would be the first time such technology was distributed to the masses, and would be a game changer in the virtual reality industry. Alphr said the virtual reality equipment would be pushed out on the larger devices.
“Overall, it’s a smart move by the company. The imminent launch of the Oculus Rift has whipped VR hype into something of a frenzy, but many people wont yet be ready to dish out £500 for a premium headset. Enter Gear VR and Galaxy S7 – an affordable VR stopgap tied to a very desirable phone. Saving £80 on the headset is a canny way to encourage preorders that stands to benefit both Samsung and the consumer.”
The news of Samsung Galaxy S7’s release later this month with shipping expected in mid-March is a blow to Apple, which was expected to announce the new iPad Air 3, an Apple Watch 2, and a new iPhone 7 at an event in March. A release of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are unlikely until September, 2016, according to reports.
“The source allegedly said that the reason not to launch the S7 Edge+ is down to ‘a backlash from loyal Note fans.’ It is unclear whether this means the Galaxy S7 Edge+ will be cancelled outright, or whether it just won’t come to the UK in 2016.”
The Note, Alphr said, will continue to be the largest smartphone available in the British market.
Will you be pre-ordering a new Samsung Galaxy S7, or will you stay with the Samsung Galaxy S6 (or the Note)? We want to hear your thoughts. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
[Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Samsung]
