My 4 Month Experience with the Galaxy s7 Active

[tjsmith51]

Hello all,

I'm new to these forums but have been browsing the threads since I've bought the Galaxy s7 Active back in early July. The phone has been my daily driver replacing my Galaxy s6 Active which has been passed on to another family member. I use it heavily throughout the day with social media, texts, work calls and heavy browsing and video play. I've used it in the rain, I've dropped it in a large puddle (fully submerged and by accident of course) and it still chugs on no issues. I am never the one to test the phone to its limits, as long as it can handle every day wear and tear and the occasional drop and spill I am quite content.

The only problem I have had is that the screen, over time, has become more susceptible to smudges and oils from my hands. it started off as a small spot where I would normally type (About a month in). I read on these forums that people were having problems with smudges and spots on their screens where some film that prevents smudges seems to be worn off. It bothered me only until the smudge spread across the whole screen and isn't as prominent anymore.

Every once and a while my phone gets very hot, usually after fast charging. I usually let it sit or shut it down to cool off and then use it like normal. I have turned off fast charging capabilities especially when I am charging overnight and only occasionally use it during those random times I run out of battery at the end of the day.

All and all I am very happy with this phone and would recommend it to friends and family as a phone that can take a good beating. It won't win any beauty contests but if you want a more rugged phone that can withstand water, a fall and have the powerhouse of a flagship phone then this, in my opinion, is the only option.

My Phone:
Black/Grey
Not Rooted
Unicorn Supcase (Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5593692 )
120gb Mini SD from SanDisk
Android 6.0.1
Running material design free theme from Theme Store with Google Now Launcher.

 

[jimd1050]

Hello all,

I'm new to these forums but have been browsing the threads since I've bought the Galaxy s7 Active back in early July. The phone has been my daily driver replacing my Galaxy s6 Active which has been passed on to another family member. I use it heavily throughout the day with social media, texts, work calls and heavy browsing and video play. I've used it in the rain, I've dropped it in a large puddle (fully submerged and by accident of course) and it still chugs on no issues. I am never the one to test the phone to its limits, as long as it can handle every day wear and tear and the occasional drop and spill I am quite content.

The only problem I have had is that the screen, over time, has become more susceptible to smudges and oils from my hands. it started off as a small spot where I would normally type (About a month in). I read on these forums that people were having problems with smudges and spots on their screens where some film that prevents smudges seems to be worn off. It bothered me only until the smudge spread across the whole screen and isn't as prominent anymore.

Every once and a while my phone gets very hot, usually after fast charging. I usually let it sit or shut it down to cool off and then use it like normal. I have turned off fast charging capabilities especially when I am charging overnight and only occasionally use it during those random times I run out of battery at the end of the day.

All and all I am very happy with this phone and would recommend it to friends and family as a phone that can take a good beating. It won't win any beauty contests but if you want a more rugged phone that can withstand water, a fall and have the powerhouse of a flagship phone then this, in my opinion, is the only option.

My Phone:
Black/Grey
Not Rooted
Unicorn Supcase (Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5593832 )
120gb Mini SD from SanDisk
Android 6.0.1
Running material design free theme from Theme Store with Google Now Launcher.

Great review TJ - Thank you! I have only had mine for a month. I come from the high end Samsung Note phones to the Active. I've had a Note 4 (Verizon), two Note 5's (one with Verizon and one with AT&T) and a Note 7 followed by a Replacement Note 7. I think the Note 7 was the most technologically enjoyable smartphone I have ever owned and I am still extremely angry at Samsung for the exploding battery issue. It seriously hurt to have to give back that (those) phone(s) as I never has a problem with either of them getting even the slightest bit warm. Anyway, on to the Active - I looked at the S7 Edge and just could not get used to holding the Edge, constantly triggering things with my fingers on the edges. My AT&T Rep said "Hey, have you looked at the S7 Active? You always put your phones in a really rugged case that looks like a construction site phone - check this out! Once I saw the phone, the display, held it in my hand and then saw the size of the battery, I was sold... the hell with the Techno-Geek crap. Just give me a nice phone that works - and this fit the bill perfectly. I love it so far...

I always Fast Charge and haven't had any heat issues though TJ? I also run a SuperShieldz Tempered Glass screen protector on every phone I have ever owned. They don't even usually leave the AT&T Store without one unless they're out of stock. That might have solved your smudge issue. Looks like we're also running the same case - Unicorn Beetle Supcase... that's also what I had the Note 7 in! Ugly Beast but I wanted protection not beauty! Thanks again for the review...

Regards,

Jim D

 

[tjsmith51]

I ended up putting a sticker on the back of my case to make it look less bland. I never really had an issue Fast Charging yet with all I have read I was weary and like to play it safe if I do not need to charge the phone in a rush. It gets warm from time to time. I've never used a screen protector on any of my phones and never really had an issue. The smudge basically has gone, but now the whole screen gets oily unlike when I first purchased it, but that doesn't bother me much now since it is uniform across the whole screen now. It scared me when I read about the random cracks from just sitting in someones pocket. Luckily I have never had that issue...maybe it is the case that helps it.

My first Samsung device was the s6 Active and that was hands down my favorite phone. I only gave it up because a family member needed a phone and I wanted the s7 Active with the fingerprint sensor and...well it was newer. Glad you liked the review and hope your phone brings you as much joy as it brings me.!