Huawei Mate 8 Vs Samsung S7 Edge Looking Back Was The S7 Edge Really Worth The Extra Cash

In 2016, flagship smartphones were entering a golden era of design and performance. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge stood out with its curved display and premium build, while the Huawei Mate 8 offered robust specs and exceptional battery life at a lower price point. At launch, the S7 Edge commanded a significant premium over the Mate 8. But now, with several years of hindsight, it's worth asking: did that extra cost deliver lasting value?

This comparison isn’t just about specs on paper—it’s about real-world usability, longevity, software support, and overall ownership experience. Let’s break down how these two devices aged and whether the S7 Edge’s higher price tag translated into meaningful advantages.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy S7 Edge turned heads with its dual-curved AMOLED display, glass front and back, and metal frame. It felt luxurious in hand and set a new standard for smartphone aesthetics. Its IP68 rating also made it dust- and water-resistant—a rare feature at the time.

In contrast, the Huawei Mate 8 adopted a more conservative design: an aluminum unibody with a flat 6-inch IPS LCD screen. While not as flashy, it offered superior ergonomics for one-handed use and better durability in drops due to its sturdier construction. However, it lacked official water resistance, which limited its appeal in wet conditions.

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, both phones packed powerful hardware for their time. The S7 Edge used either Samsung’s Exynos 8890 or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820, depending on region, paired with 4GB of RAM. The Mate 8 relied exclusively on Huawei’s Kirin 950 chipset with 3GB or 4GB of RAM.

In benchmarks and day-to-day tasks, the S7 Edge had a slight edge in graphics performance and app switching thanks to its optimized software-hardware integration. However, the Kirin 950 proved remarkably efficient, especially in power management, contributing to the Mate 8’s standout battery life.

Camera Performance: Innovation vs Consistency

The S7 Edge introduced Samsung’s revolutionary Dual Pixel sensor, which dramatically improved autofocus speed and low-light performance. Photos were consistently vibrant, sharp, and well-balanced, particularly in challenging lighting. Its f/1.7 aperture gave it one of the best low-light cameras of its generation.

Huawei, still building its camera reputation, leveraged a dual-sensor setup on the Mate 8—16MP color and 2MP monochrome—to enhance detail and dynamic range. While innovative, the implementation wasn’t as refined. Image processing lagged behind Samsung and Apple, especially in HDR and night modes. That said, daylight shots were excellent, and the system laid the groundwork for Huawei’s later dominance in mobile photography.

“Samsung’s focus on sensor technology in the S7 series marked a turning point in smartphone photography.” — David Chen, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechInsight Group

Software Support and Longevity

This is where the gap becomes most apparent. Samsung provided three major Android updates for the S7 Edge (up to Android 8.0 Oreo), along with regular security patches until 2019. While not industry-leading by today’s standards, this was solid for its era.

Huawei, however, struggled with update consistency. The Mate 8 received Android 7.0 Nougat but never officially moved beyond it. EMUI updates were slow and fragmented across regions. By 2018, many Mate 8 users found themselves locked out of newer apps and services requiring modern OS versions.

For long-term usability, the S7 Edge clearly had the upper hand. Even five years after release, some S7 Edge units remained functional for basic tasks, whereas Mate 8 adoption dwindled faster due to software obsolescence.

Real-World Example: Two Users, Five Years Later

Consider two hypothetical users: Alex bought the S7 Edge at $750, while Jordan opted for the Mate 8 at $550. Both used their phones heavily for work and personal life.

By 2019, Alex’s S7 Edge still ran banking apps, messaging platforms, and even light browsing smoothly. Security patches ensured safer transactions. Jordan’s Mate 8, despite lasting longer on a single charge, began crashing on updated apps. WhatsApp eventually dropped support, and Google Play Services became unstable. Jordan had to upgrade earlier than expected, negating much of the initial savings.

In this scenario, the $200 premium paid by Alex extended usable device life by nearly a year—effectively reducing annual ownership cost.

Value Retrospective: Was the S7 Edge Worth the Extra Cost?

To assess true value, consider four factors: build quality, performance, software lifespan, and ecosystem reliability.

• Premium Design: The S7 Edge’s curve screen and glass body weren’t just aesthetic—they influenced future design trends.
• Durability & Protection: IP68 rating meant peace of mind around water, a practical benefit the Mate 8 lacked.
• Software Longevity: Longer update cycle meant fewer compatibility issues and extended usability.
• Resale Value: The S7 Edge retained value better. After two years, used prices were ~40% higher than the Mate 8.

Checklist: Evaluating Smartphone Value Over Time

1. Does the manufacturer commit to at least 3 years of OS updates?
2. Is there official water and dust resistance?
3. How does the device perform in real-world multitasking and aging tests?
4. What is the track record for post-launch software support?
5. Are critical apps (banking, productivity) likely to remain compatible?
6. What is the expected resale value after 18–24 months?

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Huawei Mate 8 have any advantages over the S7 Edge?

Yes. The Mate 8 offered a larger 4,000mAh battery, giving it up to 1.5 days of moderate use—outlasting the S7 Edge’s 3,600mAh cell. It also featured expandable storage and a headphone amplifier for audiophiles. Additionally, its flatter design made screen protectors easier and cheaper to apply.

Why did the S7 Edge receive more software updates?

Samsung had stronger partnerships with Google and prioritized timely updates for its flagship line. At the time, Huawei focused more on hardware innovation than software maintenance, resulting in slower rollouts and shorter support windows.

Can either phone still be used today?

In very limited capacity. Neither supports current versions of major apps like Instagram or Google Maps reliably. They can function as offline media players or emergency devices, but security risks make daily use inadvisable.

Final Verdict

Looking back, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge’s premium price was largely justified. While the Huawei Mate 8 delivered strong hardware and impressive battery life, it fell short in software longevity, update frequency, and ecosystem resilience. The S7 Edge’s superior camera, water resistance, and extended support lifecycle provided tangible benefits that compounded over time.

The extra $200 wasn't just paying for curves and glass—it was investing in a more durable, secure, and future-proof experience. For users who keep phones for two years or more, that investment paid off.

Today’s buyers should take note: short-term savings can lead to early obsolescence. True value lies not in the lowest price, but in sustained performance, consistent updates, and reliable functionality over time.