Walt Mossberg summarized it best. Beautiful devices spoilt by useless carriers with Verizon leading the way as always.
"I agree that the S7’s have the cleanest software build of any Galaxy I’ve tested, and that Samsung’s TouchWiz interface has been toned down. But there’s still too much duplicate software for my taste. For instance, out of the box, there are still two email apps, two music services, two photo-viewing apps, two messaging apps, and, except on Verizon, two browsers and dueling wireless payment services. (Samsung says Verizon barred including Samsung's browser and Samsung Pay out of the box.) And Verizon builds in a third messaging app.
And, speaking of Verizon, my test unit running on that carrier had a folder with eight of the carrier’s apps in it. The setup process also guided me to using Verizon’s messaging app rather than Samsung’s and a Verizon backup service. It even warned me I might lose important stuff if I didn’t sign up for the Verizon service. At one point, I received a gaudy, jarring full-screen Verizon ad urging me to send retail gift cards via messaging. I also received a notification urging me to let Verizon show me how to speed up visits to its stores.
Samsung said other U.S. carriers are less aggressive than Verizon, and defended the company’s practice of maintaining "close" relations with its carriers. But these kinds of premium devices shouldn’t be vehicles for carrier come-ons. And Samsung says that there isn’t an unlocked S7 model available that lacks carrier software.
Somehow, my iPhones running on Verizon have never had any of this carrier bloatware. Apple seems to be able to maintain good relations with carriers without kowtowing to them. One wonders why Samsung, which is a huge global company, can’t do the same.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/8/11176606/walt-mossberg-samsung-galaxy-s7-smartphone-review
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