What was true of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge at its launch in early March remains the case two months later: the Korean giant's new flagship is the best smartphone in the world right now.
The S7 Edge builds on the raw promise of its predecessor, the S6 Edge, delivering a high-end handset with a more luxurious design, larger display, sharper camera and more powerful battery.
The game-changing design of the S6 Edge has been refined even further, with a beautifully curved smooth metal back to accompany the curved edges of the front display. Even this loyal iPhone user has to admit there is no better-designed smartphone in the world.
The S7 Edge sports a 5.5 inch QHD display, a noticeable step up from the S6 Edge’s 5.1 inches (although both handsets are almost the same width), but a little smaller than the 5.7 inches of the S6 Edge+. Videos and images are stunning, with the fantastic contrast and the deep colours we’ve come to expect from Samsung.
With the bigger display comes a larger battery, addressing one of the key shortcomings of the S6 Edge. While its predecessor would often fail to make it through the day, the S7 Edge will happily last more than 24 hours on a single charge, even when you put it through its paces.
Samsung has taken the interesting decision to drop the S7 Edge’s camera resolution to 12MP from the S6 Edge’s 16MP. Despite this, the S7 Edge takes well-balanced, highly detailed pictures and videos in all light conditions, proof once again that megapixels aren’t everything.
The S7 Edge retails from Dh2,799 for a basic 32GB model, Dh200 cheaper than the iPhone 6S Plus but Dh200 more expensive than the (much smaller) iPhone 6S. Not everyone has that sort of budget but if you do, the upgrades in design, battery and camera make the S7 Edge the most compelling smartphone on the market and worth the investment.
And we haven’t touched on the expandable memory and waterproofing yet.
q&a and it comes in ‘pink gold’
John Everington expands on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge’s many attributes:
You mentioned something about expandable memory. Didn’t Samsung have that before?
After dropping the option for the S6 and S6 Edge, Samsung has happily brought back an SD card slot — which doubles as a second SIM card slot – for the S7 and S7 Edge. You can expand the phone’s internal storage from 32GB to up to 200GB. There is also a 64GB version of the S7 Edge, but for some reason it’s not available in the UAE.
And what about the waterproofing? Can I take it on my next scuba diving trip?
It’s actually water resistant rather than fully waterproof, meaning it’s better for pool pics rather than taking pictures of turtles in Fujairah. In my opinion not an essential feature (one that’s been available for years on several Sony devices) but quite fun, and handy for those times when your three-year-old drops your phone down the toilet.
Samsung just announced a rise in profit. Does that mean that the S7 range is selling well?
They would like you to think that, but it’s hard to tell. The S7 range was launched during the first quarter of this year, whereas the S6 range actually went on sale in the second quarter of last year, so it’s not a like-for-like comparison. It will be interesting to see how the second-quarter numbers stack up.
And does it come in pink?
The S7 Edge is available in black, white, gold, silver and yes – “pink gold”.
jeverington@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Poacher
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5