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Samsung·Legacy Flagship · Released Aug 2016

Galaxy Note 7

The recalled 2016 flagship — technically brilliant, infamously flammable.

60/ 100 SpecEagle score
From
$849 (launch)
Color · Black Onyx
Display
5.7" curved Super AMOLED
Chipset
Exynos 8890 / Snapdragon 820
Memory
4 GB · 64 GB
Main cam
12 MP · f/1.7 OIS
Battery
3,500 mAh (recalled)
Weight
169 g
Quick answer

The Galaxy Note 7 is a legacy flagship Samsung smartphone released Aug 2016, with a launch price of $849 (launch). It pairs the Exynos 8890 / Snapdragon 820 with a 5.7" curved Super AMOLED display, a 12 MP · f/1.7 OIS main camera and a 3,500 mAh (recalled) battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 60/100 — The brilliant phone that caught fire. Standout strengths: first mainstream phone with an iris scanner. and ip68 + s pen + usb-c ahead of its time. Main trade-off: globally recalled for battery fires — banned on aircraft.

AI Snapshot

The brilliant phone that caught fire.

Galaxy Note 7 was, on paper, the best phone of 2016 — iris scanner, IP68, S Pen, dual-curved QHD AMOLED. A battery-design flaw caused spontaneous fires, triggering a global recall and permanent discontinuation within two months. It is studied today as the defining case in lithium-battery safety.

Read the full review
Subscores · 0–100
Display88
Camera80
Performance75
Battery30
Build86
Value30
  • First mainstream phone with an iris scanner.
  • IP68 + S Pen + USB-C ahead of its time.
  • Dual-curved QHD Super AMOLED was best-in-class.
  • Dual-pixel f/1.7 camera was a 2016 benchmark.

Full specifications

Type
Dual-curved Super AMOLED, HDR
Size
5.7 inches
Resolution
2,560 × 1,440 px (518 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Main
12 MP dual-pixel, f/1.7, OIS
Selfie
5 MP, f/1.7
Video
4K @ 30 fps

Benchmarks

vs 2025 flagship class average
AnTuTu v10
Δ class avg -88.9%
This
180,000
Class avg
1,620,000
Geekbench 6 Single
Δ class avg -86.9%
This
380
Class avg
2,900
Geekbench 6 Multi
Δ class avg -84.0%
This
1,300
Class avg
8,100
3DMark Solar Bay
Δ class avg -97.6%
This
1.5 fps
Class avg
62.0 fps

How the Galaxy Note 7 compares

Galaxy Note 7iPhone 7 PlusGalaxy A14
SpecEagle score606060
ChipsetExynos 8890 / Snapdragon 820Apple A10 FusionMediatek Helio G80
Display5.7" curved Super AMOLED5.5" LCD 60 Hz6.6" LCD 90 Hz
Main camera12 MP · f/1.7 OIS12 MP · f/1.850 MP · f/1.8
Battery3,500 mAh (recalled)2,900 mAh5,000 mAh
Launch price$849 (launch)$769$199

Frequently asked questions

When was the Galaxy Note 7 released?

The Galaxy Note 7 was released in Aug 2016.

How much does the Galaxy Note 7 cost?

The Galaxy Note 7 launched at $849 (launch) (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).

What is the Galaxy Note 7 screen size and type?

The Galaxy Note 7 has a 5.7" curved Super AMOLED display.

What chipset does the Galaxy Note 7 use?

The Galaxy Note 7 is powered by the Exynos 8890 / Snapdragon 820 chipset.

How much RAM and storage does the Galaxy Note 7 have?

The Galaxy Note 7 ships with 4 GB · 64 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.

What is the Galaxy Note 7 battery capacity?

The Galaxy Note 7 has a 3,500 mAh (recalled) battery.

How fast does the Galaxy Note 7 charge?

The Galaxy Note 7 supports 15 W Adaptive Fast Charge wired charging.

Does the Galaxy Note 7 have wireless charging?

The Galaxy Note 7 supports Yes (Qi/PMA) wireless charging.

What is the Galaxy Note 7 main camera?

The Galaxy Note 7 has a 12 MP · f/1.7 OIS main camera.

Is the Galaxy Note 7 waterproof?

The Galaxy Note 7 is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance.

Does the Galaxy Note 7 have a headphone jack?

The Galaxy Note 7 has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

How much does the Galaxy Note 7 weigh?

The Galaxy Note 7 weighs 169 g.

What colours does the Galaxy Note 7 come in?

The Galaxy Note 7 is available in 4 colours: Black Onyx, Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium.

Is the Galaxy Note 7 worth buying?

Galaxy Note 7 was, on paper, the best phone of 2016 — iris scanner, IP68, S Pen, dual-curved QHD AMOLED. A battery-design flaw caused spontaneous fires, triggering a global recall and permanent discontinuation within two months. It is studied today as the defining case in lithium-battery safety. SpecEagle gives the Galaxy Note 7 an editorial score of 60/100.

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