Active Camera Differences: S7 Active Vs Regular S7

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Active are Android-based smartphones manufactured, released, and marketed by Samsung Electronics. The S7 Active features a thicker and more rugged frame, with an increased battery capacity. The camera lens of the S7 Active can be replaced, and the phone can be disassembled by melting the adhesive on the screen with a blow dryer and using a metal spudger to separate the screen from the frame. The S7, on the other hand, has a standard model with a display size of 5.1 inches and an upgraded camera with a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera. The S7 also has a camera lens case accessory that lets you attach two high-quality camera lenses, one wide-angle and one telephoto, for unique shooting possibilities.

Camera lens case

The Samsung Galaxy S7 camera lens case is an accessory that lets you attach two high-quality camera lenses to your phone: a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. The lenses are made of nice glass and sturdy metal, and they screw into a silicone case that goes over your phone, ensuring a perfect fit. The case also has a lip that lets you put your phone face-down on a table without putting pressure on the lens.

The wide-angle lens is about twice the thickness of the Galaxy S7 and lets you fit a huge scene into one snap. There's a slight fisheye effect that gives photos a unique feeling and accentuates the scale and scope of everything in the frame. The telephoto lens is about twice the thickness of the wide-angle lens and lets you take photos from a distance. It takes some finessing to get right, but it can be used to take really unique shots.

The lenses come in a small plastic carrying case that locks them together with lens caps on the end. The whole package can be purchased for about $110.

Camera lens replacement

It is possible to replace the camera lens on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active. However, it is a complex process that requires several tools, including a blow dryer, a metal spudger, tweezers, and various screwdrivers.

Step 1: Disassembly

• Use a blow dryer to melt the adhesive on the screen.
• With a metal spudger, carefully wedge it between the screen and the frame to start separating them. It is easier to do this with more than one metal spudger.
• Slide the metal spudger around the phone at least once, applying heat with the blow dryer to the areas you are currently sliding.
• Once the screen is loosened, lift it up with your hands. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after this step.

Step 2: Remove the Screws and Disconnect the Camera

• Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, remove a single screw and two small plastic covers (one at a time) with tweezers.
• With the same type of screwdriver, remove the eleven screws marked in the image.
• Disconnect the marked pieces and the middle button from the motherboard, using tweezers.
• Pull the mid-frame and battery off of the motherboard with a metal spudger.
• Remove the battery from the mid-frame with a spudger.
• Disconnect the front camera from the battery with tweezers. The connector should unsnap like a Lego piece.

Step 3: Reassembly

To reassemble your device, carefully follow the previous steps in reverse order.

It is important to note that your phone might no longer be watertight after reassembly. Additionally, always ensure to clean your hands before beginning this process to avoid leaving marks on the screen or other internal components.

Camera lens repair

If the camera lens on your Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is damaged, you can replace it yourself. This process will involve disassembling your phone, so proceed with caution and ensure you have the correct tools before you begin.

Tools Required:

• A blow dryer
• Metal spudger
• Phillips #000 screwdriver
• Tweezers

Steps to Replace the Camera Lens:

• Power off your phone and remove the SIM card tray.
• Melt the adhesive under the screen by applying heat with a blow dryer.
• Use a metal spudger to separate the screen from the frame. It is recommended to have more than one metal spudger to make this process easier.
• Lift the screen up with your hands. Be careful as the phone will be hot.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after this step.
• Remove the eleven screws securing the middle frame using the Phillips #000 screwdriver.
• Disconnect the front camera connector from the motherboard using tweezers.
• Remove the middle button and its connection to the motherboard.
• Carefully separate the mid-frame, battery, and motherboard using the metal spudger.
• Remove the battery from the mid-frame.
• Install a new battery and adhesive, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Reassemble the phone by following the above steps in reverse order.

It is important to note that attempting to repair your phone yourself may void the warranty. Additionally, the phone may no longer be watertight after disassembly and reassembly. Always handle electronic components with care and ensure you are grounded to prevent static electricity discharge, which can damage sensitive circuitry.

Camera lens cover

The Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and S7 Active are Android-based smartphones manufactured, released, and marketed by Samsung Electronics. The S7 series serves as the successor to the Galaxy S6, released in 2015. The S7 and S7 Edge were officially unveiled on February 21, 2016, and released in Europe and North America on March 11, 2016. The S7 Active was unveiled on June 4, 2016, and released in the United States on June 10, 2016.

The S7 Active features a thicker and more rugged frame, with an increased battery capacity. The S7 and S7 Edge are the last two phones in the Samsung Galaxy S series to have a physical home button with a front-sided fingerprint sensor. The S7 Active is the last in the Active series to feature three physical buttons with the fingerprint reader embedded home button. The S7 is also the last phone in the Samsung Galaxy S series to be equipped with a MicroUSB-B port, which has since been replaced with USB-C technology.

The S7, S7 Edge, and S7 Active are IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. The devices feature a 1440p Quad HD Super AMOLED display; the S7 and S7 Active both have a 5.1-inch panel, while the S7 Edge uses a larger 5.5-inch panel. The S7 Edge's screen is curved along the side bezels of the device.

The S7, S7 Edge, and S7 Active have larger batteries in comparison to the S6, with 3000 mAh, 3600 mAh, and 4000 mAh capacity, respectively. The devices support AirFuel Inductive and Qi wireless charging standards and Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 with up to 15 watts for wired charging.

The S7 and S7 Edge feature a 12-megapixel (4032×3024) rear-facing camera with "Dual Pixel" image sensor technology for faster autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture lens. The camera has been praised for its excellent low-light performance.

The camera software of the Galaxy S7 has a mode for the manual adjustment of operating parameters, such as exposure, ISO light sensitivity, white balance, and exposure value. Parameters can also be set for video recording, however, the ISO light sensitivity and exposure settings are locked during video recording.

If the camera lens cover of your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge is shattered or damaged, it is possible to replace it. The replacement process involves removing the old adhesive and cleaning any glass shards before applying the new lens cover with its own adhesive ring. It is important to ensure that all shards are removed and the area is clean to prevent stress points that could crack the new cover. The camera assembly should float within its frame due to the image stabilization feature. The thin glass cover is essential for the proper functioning of the autofocus system.

Camera lens assembly

The camera lens assembly is an important component of the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and S7 Active smartphones. It consists of the camera lens and the surrounding bezel, which are installed on the rear case of the phone. The lens assembly plays a crucial role in the phone's camera functionality and image quality.

The camera lens is a vital component that focuses light onto the image sensor, capturing the image that you see. It is designed to work in conjunction with the camera's autofocus system and image stabilisation features. The lens cover, while seemingly insignificant, also plays an essential role in the optics of the camera. Its presence is necessary for the camera to focus properly, and it also serves as a dust and scratch protection for the lens.

When replacing a broken camera lens, there are two options: replacing just the lens glass or replacing the entire lens assembly. Replacing only the glass lens is a faster fix that requires less disassembly. However, it carries a higher risk of small pieces of glass falling into the camera. On the other hand, replacing the entire lens assembly involves removing the back panel and is less likely to damage the camera. This procedure includes replacing both the glass lens and the camera bezel, and it will require new adhesive to reinstall the rear case.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge feature a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with "Dual Pixel" image sensor technology, an f/1.7 aperture lens, and optical image stabilisation. The S7 Active, designed with a thicker and more rugged frame, shares similar camera specifications with its counterparts but offers increased battery capacity.

Additionally, Samsung offers a camera lens case as an accessory for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. This case allows users to attach two high-quality lenses: a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. These lenses expand the creative possibilities for photographers, offering unique shooting options and enhancing the phone's built-in camera capabilities.

Frequently asked questions