Does the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge come with an IR blaster?

Posted by on Feb 23, 2016 in Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge
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If you are looking for the answer to the above question, prepare to be disappointed. Samsung has not included an IR blaster on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. 

IR blaster on a smartphone allows you to control any device around you that can be controlled using a remote. This means that on a phone with an IR blaster, you can control the TVs, ACs, music systems and other such devices around you.

Want a confirmation? Have a look at the image below.

Samsung Galaxy S7

The hole at the far left is for the microphone, while the hole nearest in the picture is for the microSD and nanoSIM card slots.

Samsung had removed the IR blaster on the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ last year itself, so its omission on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge should not really be surprising.

The Korean company did not announce why it has removed the IR blasters — despite its usefulness — from its latest flagship Galaxy devices, but my theory is that the company noticed that not many consumers were using it. Sure, power users love having an IR blaster on their device, but the average joe out there has likely never used this feature on their phone.

Thus, Samsung decided it would be wise to drop this feature from their flagship phones for 2016 and reduce its BOM (bills of materials) slightly.

Oh, and if a phone with an IR blaster is an absolute must for you, have a look at the LG G5.

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[Image Credit PhoneArena]

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  • neiliewheeliebin

    Thankyou for confirming this,even though it is annoying

  • Rohan Bacon

    I only wish an IR Blaster would be on the Note 6. I love my Note 4 and would never buy the lame Note 5, an absolute downgrade from the N4. For me it is all about functionality and I use the IR daily for multiple devices. I don’t want a fancy breakable back, let’s face it, when do you see a phone without a cover…… absolute waste of resources, I’m sure the IR Blaster is a lot cheaper and at least that is useful. The only time I look at the back of my phone is when I rip the cover off to remove the SDcard. I feel there is nowhere to go to move forward……….

    • Jason Pope

      agreed on all counts. I also have an N4 and use the IR blaster. big mistake.. 1 step forward 1 step back.. cannot imagine it costs much money or board space for the blaster.. why remove? We are already paying close to 1000usd for these high end phones taking away features that have been staples have already proved bad business with the expandable storage..

  • The KING

    No IR blaster really sucks donkeyballs. I used it all the time! Bought the S7 Edge thinking it would be on it. Sold my Note 4 already too 🙁

    • Myrick

      I did the same thing. Went & bought the S7 expecting it to have the same features of my note 4 & sadly I can’t use the new phone as a remote. I realized this right after I sold my note 4

      • The KING

        Same with me! I guess I will have to actually find the remotes and watch TV fairly with others from now on, haha

        • Eddie

          You can buy an external IR blaster if that’s important for you, like a Prontu for example.

      • Samsung should just put a HD Digital TV receiver chip in ALL their phones.

    • Daniel Lafond

      I have stopped using the IR Blaster since I have my Logitech Harmony Hub with the App for my Samsung Galaxy. Much more powerfull. You can control your TV and audio system from anywhere you have access to your home Wifi. The only time I used the IR blaster was when at the restaurant or at a friend house to trick them in controlling their TV set.

    • a man

      Same here. Got the S7 Active and couldn’t get my remote apps to work on my television.

  • Ahmed

    Deal breaker for me that’s why I am getting The LG G5

  • soadyp

    I went from s5 to s7. Wondering why my remote App stopped. Bad news for me

  • Simon Holmes-Dawson

    Guess I’ll be keeping my note 3 on as a universal remote

  • andyj

    Who told them this?? We survive TV with ch7 PBS and chromecast…..now my new models arriving this week S7 and tab A don’t have an IR blaster!! You have 3 options ONLY, Samsung…1) find a way to update 2) make an adapter like you did for S5 3) RECALL YOUR PRODUCTS AND PUT IT IN FOR FREE
    How do YOU think chromecast functions????
    Totally furious 1000 $ later!
    This is NOT acceptable
    Andyj

    • a man

      Chromecast functions via WiFi network, so you should be OK, there.

  • bigbird

    hate it when they remove features. I’m struggling with waterproof vs non-removable battery. I wish I could update my S5!

  • Roy

    I’m so upset about this. I’m irate about it. I just upgraded my phone to the s7 edge tonight and I realized my favorite feature was gone. I’m livid about this. So I just spent ~$200 so I can get rid of my favorite feature. Thanks samsung. Why don’t you at least advertise that you are getting rid of the IR blaster so people can know not to get your “streamlined” phone?

    I used to lay in bed, turn on my television, cast my video to my television and then browse my apps all from my phone. Now I’m basically going to have to find my damned remote which I haven’t used in a year and fumble with that thing every time.

    I can’t even tell you how many times it was helpful to have a universal remote in your pocket that can control any television.

    I’m seriously considering just biting the bullet and downgrading back. What a terrible thing to hide from your loyal customers.

  • Piter

    1. You’re using IR Blaster and you’re calling yourself a power user? It’s 2016, use WiFi. Don’t have WiFi on your TV or audio system? Then you’re not a power user
    2. Good solution for “power users” : Get a Next Generation Remote Control (Bluetooth + IR) and you’ll be happy
    I don’t wanna to be rude but we can’t be power users unless we use the last technology.

    • Paul Wynter

      u are an arrogant idiot, people want to control devices that do not have wifi in them like the majority of AIR CONDITIONERS (I use 14 and only three are wifi enabled) you are rude and here’s rudeness back and your comment “get an xyz” is an indication of how stupid you are, yeah “go and buy something else” spend more money!

      • Muchati Bhuu

        He is very rude. I have wifi on my tv but I still need the remote control fairly frequently. Still irritated that such a high end phone does not have IR

  • shacowned

    Deal breaker. No ir.blaster = garbage. A few $ more, for something SO useful. How much $ goes into the bloatware¿ Thank you!! Iwas considering upgrading from my s4 it is about time. With no reason other than personal desire. Would but just for flare, but not w.o the ir buster

  • Ziad Audi

    I was going to bring the s7 for my fiancee as birthday gift but since she use too much the IR feature in here samsung s4 i m confused and i might go for another phone with IR feature ( maybe lg g5 )

    • Adam S

      Get the S6 or S6 edge.. it has it.. and its a great phone

    • Hi Ziad, not sure if it’s too late but see my comment above. I don’t think downgrading the system is worth it to bring back IR.

  • abhilash

    I never used ir blaster,its easy to use remote,in android display should be on all the time,you cannot use without watching you display on android.my s4mini has ir blaster used once in 3years when my tv remote is broken.i have s4mini to use ir blaster in emergency conditions.so i upgraded to S7edge.i happy with s7edge. only drawback is s7edge is a costly phone with missing reature

  • a man

    I honestly used mine. All the time? No. But it got used. Oh, well, Peel Smart Remote turned to trash as I got the S7 Active, so it doesn’t matter anymore, anyways.

    Still, though, I love the phone. I wish they kept the IR blaster in it.

  • Andre Arsenault

    FAWK!!! My Note 7 had the ir blaster, I was wondering why the edge wasn’t working.

  • Bogeybum

    Yep, this is annoying as I didn’t know it before getting my S7 Edge this week and I used my previous phone as a TV remote as the original TV remote broke. Not a deal breaker though.

  • Samsung should NOT drop features that make their phones better than an Apple.

    If I wanted an overpriced rectangle of glass, I would buy an Apple.

    Samsung MUST put MORE great hardware features into their phones in order to grow, or at least keep current sales.

    BEST Features of Samsung Hardware:
    256 GB MicroSIM slots
    IR Blaster
    Removable Battery
    Water Proof
    FM Radio SAVES bandwidth $$$

    SAMSUNG Should add:
    TV Reception (digital TV audio and visual)
    more pulse, O2, step counting health features.
    360 degree 4K camera in the upper right corner of the phone.

    DO NOT FOLLOW.

    TAKE THE LEAD !