Smart Stay: Did you turn it on, and why or why not?

[Marc Lagace]

For those that aren't familiar with Smart Stay, it's the feature on Samsung phones that uses the front-facing camera to detect when you're looking at your phone so your screen never goes dark as long as you're looking at it.

Been reading about this feature on the older Samsung device forums and elsewhere around the internet, and it seems like a divisive feature. It works for some people and they love it, while it's never worked for others. Then there are those concerned with any potential drain on battery life.

What's been your experience so far with the Galaxy S7? Have you tried using it? Why or why not?

 

[sydneycooper1979]

I haven't found it to be super reliable, so I don't use it

 

[Alanhd]

I use it and it works ok and I wear glasses,

 

[jcp007]

I use it and have not had any issues thus far.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[gooner63]

Never worked for me

 

[GadgetGator]

I am using it with very mixed results. I think it works better during the day. In the evening with lower light level in the room it doesn't seem to work much at all. Which unfortunately is when I need it the most.

 

[t11rmh]

Never worked for me on any Samsung phone I've owned that has it. Doesn't work on my Samsung tablets either.

Posted via the Android Central App via a kicking Gold Galaxy S7 Edge.

 

[Llmgtab99]

Ive used it on the S3/S6 edge and now the S7. My 2 LG phones also had a similar function. There are times that it does not work, most notably in bright sunlight. But overall I find it helpful and would miss this feature.

 

[sushiguy732]

It won't take advantage of any of the apps I use so why bother? I am sitting here after 16hr 8min of usage with 30% (approx 7hr) left.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[twebs8]

I find it a very useful feature but it has never worked on the S7. It's annoying that the screen shuts off while in the middle of something. This worked flawlessly on the S3. On the S7 I never ever see the eye icon appear.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

It won't take advantage of any of the apps I use so why bother? I am sitting here after 16hr 8min of usage with 30% (approx 7hr) left.

Posted via the Android Central App

Huh? SmartStay keeps the screen on as long as you're looking at the phone, regardless of what app you're using. It has nothing to do with battery saving.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

I find it a very useful feature but it has never worked on the S7. It's annoying that the screen shuts off while in the middle of something. This worked flawlessly on the S3. On the S7 I never ever see the eye icon appear.

Agreed. Worked great for me on the S3, but hasn't ever worked on my S7. I can have the phone pointed directly at my face in good light and the screen just shuts down.

 

[Llmgtab99]

I mentioned earlier it worked great for me but I take that back. The timeout was set longer by default then I am used to so just assumed. But now I see that it does not appear to work for me at all.

 

[rdandy5875]

I don't need the front camera running all the while the screen is on. 3 minute timeout, smartstay off, I'm good to go...

 

[sushiguy732]

Huh? SmartStay keeps the screen on as long as you're looking at the phone, regardless of what app you're using. It has nothing to do with battery saving.

I was merely talking about the notificatons.

 

[GS5TR]

I always turn it off, just like the other featured options. So much better for your battery life

 

[jcp007]

That's the great thing about it. It's all a matter of personal preference. I love the ability to customize a device for my unique usage and preferences.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Almeuit]

I keep it off.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

I was merely talking about the notificatons.

SmartStay has nothing to do with notifications. Are you confusing it with Always on Display?

 

[monicakm]

The ambient lighting has to be "just" right for Smart Stay to work. I haven't tried it with my new S7. I've had it for over 2 years with my Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 and it was constantly telling me it couldn't detect my eyes (unless I was in a bright room). My timeout is set to 2 mins. Working for me so far. Another feature on my tablet is Smart Scroll. That's cool, but again, the lighting has to be bright enough for the sensor to detect your eyes. If you're reading a webpage, you don't' have to use your finger to scroll the page. It moves with your eyes. Worked 1/2 the time.