I've never been so twisted up trying to decide on a new phone.

My S5 is getting long in the tooth and the new company is probably going to find/bust me for having a rooted phone, so it's time for an upgrade. I can keep the S5 around on WiFi only for the few things I really need on there that require root.

Need to upgrade through the corporate plan.

I can get an S7 for $99

I can get an S8 for $249

No real rub there, although it does factor in a little.


S7 Pro's:

  • Slightly shorter than the S8. Nearly identical in size to my S5.
  • 32GB on board (my S5 has only 16GB and it's a constant battle even rooted and with 128GB sd storage)
  • Flatter (not completely as the edges are slightly rounded off) so screen is easier to protect and put glass on
  • Lower Cost


S7 cons:

  • Micro USB - although I've never borked a connector.
  • USB 2.0 (my S5 has 3.0 but that special cable is needed. I usually just pull the SD card and stick it in the computer but adopted storage is going to kill that option. I never really plug it in to sync anything, just that first time 32GB of music download, then that syncs over WiFi.
  • No removable battery


S8 Pro's:

  • Slightly narrower (and will fit better in the wrong size car holders I previously bought)
  • USB-C (Wife just got an S8 FREE upgrade on her Sprint account)
  • 64GB onboard (also has sd support)


S8 cons:

  • The S8 curved screen kinda bugs me and everyone is saying how prone to breakage they are. This is probably the primary feature that's making it tough to decide. As soon as you case it, that curved screen design becomes moot.
  • Screen protection options for both cases and protectors are limited (or very pricey) due to the phone's curved screen zero bezel design.
  • Higher Cost
  • No removable battery



Performance wise, they're close enough. I don't do gaming or watch video on my phone. Basic phone stuff, e-mail, limited texts, music, my Home automation apps, etc.


I do occasionally drop my phone, but I'm not a complete klutz and the Otterbox Commuter and a glass screen protector have always saved me. The only time I've ever cracked a screen was when I rolled over my S4 with a creeper.


I've been looking at screen and case options for two days and am not any closer to a pick than when I started.

Penny for your thoughts...