Skip to main content

Let the Games begin: Samsung unveils Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Edition

Best Buy now selling just 2,016 Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Edition smartphones

To commemorate the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Samsung has taken the wraps off a special edition of the Galaxy S7 Edge.

The Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Games Limited Edition more or less looks the same as the regular variant, except the speaker grill at the top is yellow, and so is the trim around the home button. The power button is red, the volume rocker buttons are green, and the outline around the camera and flash are blue — the four colors represent the Olympic rings, and the fifth color, black, is reserved for the rest of the smartphone.

Recommended Videos

Speaking of rings, the official Olympic Games logo rests on the back of the S7 Edge special edition — it’s blue, and it also notes Samsung as a “Worldwide Partner” below it.

This smartphone variant is designed for the Rio games and, as such, the Korean giant is offering 12,500 of these Olympic-branded devices to Rio 2016 Olympians. Thankfully, you’ll still be able to buy it — but only if you’re in the U.S. And you’ll have to act quickly — only 2,016 units of the Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Edition were to be available when the device hits Best Buy store shelves Monday. Each will cost $850.

Samsung-Galaxy-S7-Edge-Olympic-Edition_08
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In addition to showing off the Olympic colors and logo on the exterior, the special edition S7 Edge will also display the Olympic Rings “in the phone’s user interface in the home and lock screens, as well as the message, dial, and contact screens, and notification bar.” A Samsung spokesperson tells Digital Trends that since it’s all a theme, it can easily be turned off and you can uninstall the Olympic apps if you want.

You’ll also find official Olympic apps pre-installed, as well as Rio 2016-themed wallpapers. Overall, after getting our hands on it we can say the Olympic Edition of the S7 Edge is drop-dead gorgeous.

Samsung has been heavily involved with the Olympics since the ’90s, and its current sponsorship deal lasts until 2020, ensuring its brand has a strong presence and its products are used by the International Olympics Committee. The Olympic Edition of the Galaxy S7 Edge isn’t the first specially branded phone from Samsung, either. The tradition stretches back to 2014, when athletes taking part in the Games received a special Galaxy Note 3.

The Games begin August 5.

Originally published on July 16, 2016. Updated on 07-18-2016 by Kyle Wiggers: Added pricing and availability information. 

Julian Chokkattu
Former Mobile and Wearables Editor
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more…
5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
A person taking the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge out of a pocket.

It's an undeniable fact that smartphones have gotten larger and larger over the years. Samsung is trying to turn back the years with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a smartphone that embraces everything we love about modern phones, but tries to make it just that little bit more svelte. The result is a phone that's just 5.9mm thick, making other flagships look like lumbering brutes.

The Galaxy S25 Edge's slimness is going to mean compromises, of course — chiefly, the battery size is smaller than its competitors, and while the build is thinner, there's a worry that could make the phone easier to damage. All of this is pure supposition until we get chance to review the phone, of course, and if you're considering buying the S25 Edge, we'd recommend waiting until our final review until you make a decision. But that doesn't change the fact that there are a number of strong smartphones out there that can do the S25 Edge's job well, and sometimes, better. Here are five phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge is already being tipped to replace a key sibling next year
Galaxy S25 Edge in all three colors

Much of the talk this week is about Samsung’s all-new Galaxy S25 Edge. However, attention will soon turn to next year’s Galaxy S26 lineup. The Elec says that the 2026 lineup will look slightly different from the more recent ones, and here’s how.

Samsung reportedly plans to replace its Plus smartphone variant with an Edge model next year. Historically, Plus sales have lagged behind those of Ultra and standard models, so this would make sense.

Read more
These are the Galaxy S25 Edge colors and this is the one to buy
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge showing the color options.

Thin is officially IN, and Samsung has laid a marker with the new Galaxy S25 Edge. At just 5.8 mm thick, it’s the thinnest modern smartphone, and at 163 grams, it’s lighter than all the best phones you can buy right now.

Andy Boxall went hands-on with the Galaxy S25 Edge and is smitten. If that’s also you, you may wonder which colors it’s available in and which one to buy. Fear not — I also went hands-on, and here’s a more thorough look at all the different Galaxy S25 Edge colors and which one you should buy.

Read more