Samsung Galaxy S7
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until March 2019 · Buy-by March 2017
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy S7 should be supported until around March 2019. Buying it today still gets you about -7.3 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The compact 2016 flagship that brought back waterproofing and microSD — a fan favorite, but unsupported since 2019.
Pros
- Compact 5.1-inch body that's easy to use one-handed
- Restored IP68 water resistance and microSD expansion
- Bright Super AMOLED screen with an always-on display
Cons
- Security updates ended around 2019 — long unsupported
- Dated microUSB port and only 4GB RAM
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 5.1-inch Super AMOLED, 1440x2560 (QHD), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Snapdragon 820 (US) / Exynos 8890 (global) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| front | 5MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired, 9W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 142.4 × 69.6 × 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 152 g |
| Materials | Gorilla Glass 4 front and back, aluminum frame |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow with TouchWiz at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, microUSB, 3.5mm jack, microSD |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy S7 get updates?
The S7 launched on Android 6.0 and received about 2 OS upgrades (to Android 8.0 Oreo) and roughly 3 years of security patches, ending around 2019. It receives no further updates.
Does the Galaxy S7 have water resistance?
Yes. The S7 reintroduced IP68 water and dust resistance, which Samsung had dropped on the previous Galaxy S6.
Is the Galaxy S7 usable in 2026?
Only marginally. It can run basic tasks and many people love its compact size, but with no security support since 2019 and a microUSB port, it is strictly a backup or nostalgia device.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.