Get to know the Galaxy S7's Always-On Display A feature we're sure to see more of this year is a display that never truly powers off. Let's take a closer look at Samsung's version.

According to Samsung, the average smartphone owner checks his or her device nearly 150 times a day: A quick press of the power button to view the time here, and double tap not the screen to view notifications there, apparently adds up fast.

Samsung's solution for this obsessive checking and waking our smartphones is through a feature it calls Always-On Display.

As the name implies, Samsung's latest Galaxy devices are equipped with the fancy new feature.

After locking your device, the screen will remain dimly lit. The default setting is to display the current time, with the information moving around on the screen every few seconds. Alerts for missed calls and text messages are also placed on the screen, with a few caveats (more on that in a minute).

The basics

The easiest way to familiarize yourself with the feature is to dive into its settings. On your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, open the Settings app, tap on Display and Wallpaper followed by Always On Display.

At the top of the settings screen, you'll find the option to disable the feature altogether.

Select the Content to show from the list, to display a drop-down menu with three options: Clock, Calendar and Image.

Enlarge Image

Examples of Clock, Calendar and Image options for Samsung's Always-On Display.

If you opted for a clock or calendar, you can then further change the look by tapping on the respective clock or calendar style button. There are a total of eight different clocks, ranging from basic digital and analog clocks to a dual-clock view. Additionally, clock users can set a background image for the clock on the display.

There are two different calendar options, both of which include a digital clock.

Selecting Image turns the feature into a screensaver-like feature you would expect on a computer and not a smartphone. Currently there are three different images included on the S7.

Play around with the various items and background images to find something that works best for you.

Further customization is possible

Samsung's theme store for the Galaxy S7 offers themes that include a custom Always On Display image. Currently, when you open the theme store (Settings > Themes on your S7) the first category are "AOD" themes, which is the acronym for Always-On Demand.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that you can download just the AOD portion of a theme. Instead, you'll need to download and apply the entire theme. Adding to the disappointment is that you can't set an AOD image or clock from one theme while using a different theme.

Notifications

Right now, the only notifications that will appear on the screen seem to be from Samsung's own apps. Missed calls, messages and calendar notifications in particular. Meaning, don't expect to see Gmail or Facebook notifications out of the box, hopefully that's a feature added in a future update.

LG's G5 also offers an always-on display, and it supports all alerts, so one has to think Samsung could as well.

What about battery life?

Part of the magic that makes this feature possible is the type of screen used in the Galaxy S7 (AMOLED) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor. The combination of the two work in tandem to minimize battery usage when the feature is enabled, and should have a minimal impact on overall daily battery life.

Why I'm not buying the Samsung Galaxy S7

Samsung's newest pair of flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge, is a big hit with critics. I suppose the hype is understandable: It has a gorgeous design, a lightning-quick camera and it's water resistant. The S7 Edge even earned CNET's coveted 5-star "spectacular" rating.

But I, for one, am not totally convinced.

Before you bite my head off, know that I'm not the only one. CNET's David Carnoy would be completely sold on the Galaxy S7 if not for the fact that the handset runs Android instead of Apple iOS. As for me, a dedicated Android user, I couldn't care less about iOS. I do, however, still have a few reasons of my own why I'm not gunning for a Galaxy S7 just yet.

There's no removable battery

Ah yes, this old chestnut. Most high-end phones these days have moved away from either expandable storage or a removable battery in favor of a chassis made from a single piece of metal. These are perceived to look sleeker, and help keep the whole design thinner overall. From what we've seen from readers, the idea of having a device without one or two of these features range from no big deal to flat out deal breaker.

Though the battery wirelessly charges, it isn't removable.

Some handsets manage to retain at least one of these features, and the Galaxy S7 has expandable storage (up to 200GB) thanks to its microSD card slot. Unfortunately, its 3,000mAh embedded battery is planted firmly inside the phone and you can't take it out.

That's not to say the Galaxy S7's battery is a slouch. It has wireless charging capabilities and it clocked in one of the longest lab tests results we've measured at 16 hours of continuous video playback. But some people prefer the option to swap out their batteries. Having a spare to swap in and out -- like when it's midday, the power is draining and there's no plug in sight -- is undoubtedly useful. It's also practical to have a fresh new battery up your sleeve when you're a year and some change down the road and the device's battery isn't what it used to be. (It'll be more valuable too when you resell it if you can promise a new battery.)

There are cheaper alternatives

Unlocked and without a carrier subsidy, the Galaxy S7 doesn't come cheap. In the US it costs between $650 and $695, and in the UK and Australia it costs £569 and AU$1,149, respectively. If you're a casual phone user who uses your handset to check email and Facebook, make a few calls and informally take photos here and there, paying that much for the most bleeding-edge mobile processor and camera may be superfluous.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. (And no, the iPhone isn't one of them because it costs just as much if not more, so don't buy it either.) For instance, there's Google's current marquee device, the Nexus 6P, which starts at $499, £449 and AU$889 for the 32GB version. It features a 5.7-inch screen, a 12.3-megapixel camera and a Snapdragon 810 CPU.

The Nexus 6P is an incredibly capable phone and cheaper to boot.

If you're keen on the Galaxy S7's water resistant features, the Sony Xperia Z5 ($499, £379 and AU$849) can survive a dunking too and has a great camera. For US and UK users, there's the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition (or Style as its globally known), which has a 5.7-inch display, a Snapdragon 808 CPU and you can customize its design with wood and leather backings. It currently starts at $299 and £369.

These handsets may not be as powerful or as new as the Galaxy S7, but if you aren't a proverbial mobile power user, like most of us, chances are you won't need all of Samsung's high-end features. Plus, with their fast processors, sharp displays and nimble cameras, these devices are extremely capable -- they may be more affordable but they aren't really considered "compromises."

It won't get software updates as fast as a Nexus

You might have to wait a long time before you can do things like replying to a message from the notification bar (an Android N feature).Google

Speaking of the Nexus 6P, the Galaxy S7 won't receive software updates as fast as Google's branded phones. If you own a Nexus, you'll receive software updates (like the upcoming Google Android N operating system) faster as they roll out directly from Google. With the Galaxy, you'll need to wait longer (sometimes several months) for major updates.

In addition to the 6P, Google has the 5.2-inch Nexus 5X. It has a fingerprint scanner, a Snapdragon 808 processor and a competitively low price. It originally launched with a $379, £339 and AU$479 price tag for the 16GB variant. This is a great value anyway, but for US customers you can currently get it for an even lower price of $199 if you also sign up for Google's Project Fi wireless service.

Hold out to see what the LG G5 has in store

If you're not itching to buy a handset right this instant, it'd be smart to check out LG's own flagship, the G5, before you commit to a purchase. Set to launch in early April, the device has something the Galaxy S7 doesn't: swappable parts. This ability to detach and customize key hardware parts (known as modularity) isn't as robust as Google Project Ara promises to be, but the phone's bottom bezel does pull out to reveal a removable battery. You can also switch out the chin for different accessories like a camera grip and a digital-to-analog converter to improve audio playback.