The wait is finally over. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is finally upon us, in stores and already going head-to-head with the likes of the iPhone 6S, newly unveiled LG G5, and its own sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, for the best smartphone crown.

As the 4,728 pre-release leaks and rumours suggested, the S7 is more of an iterative update than an out-and-out revolution. It's still got plenty of new features to get you excited and itching for an early update though. With a newly waterproof body, faster processor and the return of microSD storage expansion landing alongside an improved, low-light specialising camera, it's a device that's ruling the roost ahead of the late summer's expected iPhone 7 launch.

Best Samsung Galaxy S7 deals: Where to buy the new iPhone 6S rival

With the Galaxy S7 now available in stores, here's everything you need to know about one of the most exciting products of the year.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Release Date: The wait is over

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After ushering the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge into the realms of reality at MWC 2016 in late February, Sammy rushed the phone to retailers, with the S7 release date seeing the high-end handset hit sellers on March 11.

Those who pre-ordered their device by March 5 saw it land even earlier too, with early adopters seeing the handset land on their doorsteps on March 8 - three days before it's available to the masses. It wasn't have alone either. Galaxy S7 pre-orders were rewarded with a free Gear VR headset - double win.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Design: Familiarly fantastic

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If you liked the look of the S6, you're going to love the S7's new body. Not much has changed, but the few small tweaks add up to make a massive difference. Retaining the same 5.1-inch form factor as its predecessor, the Galaxy S7 features a slightly tapered back that slopes down from the sides.

This breaks up the blocky design, and gives it a more comfortable feel. The S6's nipple-esque protruding rear camera has been removed too, with the S7's camera now sitting flush with the back of the device. Well, almost.

Theres are just mere canapés to the key design change main course though. The big change is that the S7 is now fully waterproof. Not just drizzle friendly, but properly, waterproof to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes. This is without adding ugly port or rubber edges too. Now you can spill a drink or subject your phone to accidental flushes without worry.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Specs: Giving a big middle finger to iPhone owners

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The Samsung Galaxy S7's specs improvements only further enhance Sammy's already immense flagship phone. A new processor ups overall power by 30% while 4G of RAM means things will continue to run smoothly even if you're a multitasking master.

Battery life has been improved too. Significantly, the S6's indifferent 2,550mAh battery has been subbed out for a new 3,000mAh offering. There's now enough juice to watch an entire series of Game of Thrones in HD before needing to make a trip back to the mains.

That's not where the specs improvements end either. Giving a solid two fingers to storage locked iPhone owners, the Galaxy S7 builds on its 32GB of internals with microSD storage up to 200GB - huzzah.

But, as is always the case, users will not have access to 100% of that on-board storage since Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS, the TouchWiz user interface, and Sammy's own brand apps and services take up just over 8GB of memory, leaving you with 26GB free out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Camera: Less megapixels, better picture

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The Samsung Galaxy S7 camera has dropped from last year's 16-megapixel camera to a new 12-meg unit in a bid to improve its after dark imaging abilities. OK, yes, this might sound a bit backwards, but it makes sense - honestly.

Picture quality isn't about the number of pixels, it's about the quality of the pixels, the size of the sensor and the quality of the lens. Here, the S7 has moved to a mew f/1.7 lens and larger pixels. The result, a camera that's able to focus faster and capture better photos when the lights come down.

There's another camera on the front too, the 5-megapixel forward-facing shooter is primed for selfie lovers, with a software-based 'Beauty Mode' letting you touch up your shots so that Instagram thinks you're better looking that you actually are.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Price: It doesn't come cheap

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SIM-free Samsung Galaxy S7 prices have been confirmed, and this phone's not coming cheap - sad face. Samsung is currently listing the S7 as UK-bound in both black and gold colour schemes. Each one has been handed a lofty - but largely expected - £569 asking price, ouch.

Contract fees aren't looking much better. Some retailers are requiring a a lofty £79.99 up-front handset fee, and that's before you get to the costly monthly fees - ouch.

Samsung Galaxy S7: What the critics are saying

Like the Galaxy S6 before it, Samsung's latest flagships have attracted rave reviews from the tech press. Although some critics were less than convinced by the price tag, the general consensus is that the S7 and its edgy sibling are two of the finest Android devices that money can buy.

And you can find out exactly what they're saying about this so-called 'iPhone killer' in our review round-up.

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