You are currently viewing SemiWiki as a guest which gives you limited access to the site. To view blog comments and experience other SemiWiki features you must be a registered member. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
Good for Samsung but I would think their choice could as easily flip to Apple next time (as is the way with Consumer Reports reviews). The factors on which they made the decision are not fundamental differences. They also only look at standalone preferences. A lot of Apple users buy because of compatibility with Apple-centric personal ecosystems (iPad, iMac, etc) or, in some economies, because of the perceived premium brand. Still as I said, good for Samsung.
You're right, the folks at Consumer Reports are fickle people, so they can fall in love with any new technology fashion trend. The real measure of consumer success is total units sold, percentage market share, margins, customer perception and loyalty, etc.
I looked at CR smartphone ratings. I've been reading CR ratings for decades and it's an art to understand what they really mean. In the case of smartphones: They check-rated (and recommended) 33 phones! The Galaxy S7 score is extremely close to the LG G3 (despite a generation and $400 in price difference!) What I think it means:
-CR likes phones with about 5" screens, with 720p or higher resolution
-CR likes a phone to have enough battery life to last a day of typical use
-CR likes a phone to have flagship-like performance, usually meaning an ARM big core (A9/A57/A73) or equivalent. But, it does not have to be this-year's flagship; 2-year ago flagship performance is still recommendation-worthy.
-CR likes 8 megapixels or more camera
I happen to agree completely with the "CR spec". If your phone has the above, you're good. The difference in battery size will matter more than who makes the chip or what node.
Galaxy S7 point difference with iPhone 6s is just 3 points. That indicates a very, very slight preference for the Galaxy, nothing more.
I looked at CR smartphone ratings. I've been reading CR ratings for decades and it's an art to understand what they really mean. In the case of smartphones: They check-rated (and recommended) 33 phones! The Galaxy S7 score is extremely close to the LG G3 (despite a generation and $400 in price difference!) What I think it means:
-CR likes phones with about 5" screens, with 720p or higher resolution
-CR likes a phone to have enough battery life to last a day of typical use
-CR likes a phone to have flagship-like performance, usually meaning an ARM big core (A9/A57/A73) or equivalent. But, it does not have to be this-year's flagship; 2-year ago flagship performance is still recommendation-worthy.
-CR likes 8 megapixels or more camera
I happen to agree completely with the "CR spec". If your phone has the above, you're good. The difference in battery size will matter more than who makes the chip or what node.
Galaxy S7 point difference with iPhone 6s is just 3 points. That indicates a very, very slight preference for the Galaxy, nothing more.
Thanks for the explanation of what goes into the CR rating system on Smart Phones, it makes sense to me that the difference between iPhone and S7 is quite close. Somehow our culture looks at the #1 rating, then ignores all other vendors.
