How and when to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge – CNET

Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Edge will be ready for purchase soon.

Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung just took the wraps off its brand new Galaxy smartphones. The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge feature improved cameras, faster performance and longer battery life, among a myriad of other features. The highlight, however, has got to be the return of a microSD card slot and IP68 water-resistant rating, both of which were favorite features that didn’t make it into the Galaxy S6.

The Galaxy S7 is equipped with a 5.1-inch display touting a 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution and a 12-megapixel camera. The phone is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB of RAM and comes with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, along with a 3,000 mAh battery (a big step up from the 2,550 mAh of the Galaxy S6). The Galaxy S7 Edge adds adds a larger 5.5-inch display with curved edges and 3,600mAh battery.

This year there’s an added incentive to preorder the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. Samsung will offer its Gear VR headset, which usually costs $100, for free for users who preorder either device. To sweeten the deal, Samsung will also be throwing in six virtual reality games with the headset. The offer is valid with a two-year contract, a device installment plan, a leasing plan or when you purchase the phone outright at full retail price.

Up close with the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge’s…

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Interested in picking up a new Samsung smartphone? Here’s what you need to know.

When and where

The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will be available on Friday, March 11, with preorders set to begin on Tuesday, February 23.

Samsung Galaxy S7 pricing (32GB model)

$23.17/month
$695
$27.09/month
$25.99/month
$199
$650
$27.92/month
$670
$28/month
$199
$672
$28/month
$199
$672

* Sprint’s “Galaxy Forever” plan allows users to lease the Galaxy S7 and upgrade to a new Samsung Galaxy smartphone after 12 months.

** T-Mobile is offering customers who preorder the Galaxy S7 a free year of Netflix.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge pricing (32GB model)

$26.50/month
$795
$31.25/month
$30.50/month
$299
$750
$32.50/month
$780
$28/month
$299
$792
$32.50/month
$299
$780

* Sprint’s “Galaxy Forever” plan allows users to lease the Galaxy S7 Edge and upgrade to a new Samsung Galaxy smartphone after 12 months.

** T-Mobile is offering customers who preorder the Galaxy S7 Edge a free year of Netflix.

Best Buy

You can check out both devices in Best Buy stores nationwide starting on February 24. The retailer is offering customers who preorder either device a free 64GB microSD card (in addition to the Gear VR headset). The Galaxy S7 will be available for $199 with a two-year contract for Verizon and Sprint customers, while the Galaxy S7 Edge will cost $299 with a two-year agreement.

Storage options

You can purchase the Galaxy S7 in Black Onyx or Gold Platinum. The Galaxy S7 Edge will also be available in Silver Titanium. Samsung announced that the phone will come in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB models. At this time, however, U.S. carriers haven’t released pricing or release information for the larger capacity models.

Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are equipped with a microSD card slot, which lets you add up to an additional 200GB of storage for a relatively low price.

Editors’ note: This article will be updated as more pricing information and promotions become available.