14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung continues working on the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones. In fact, if we are to believe the latest reports, Samsung might upgrade its flagships directly to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.
One of the important new features included in the highly-anticipated update could be an exclusive feature only available on the now defunct Galaxy Note 7.
The feature is called “Secure Folder” and hasn't been included on any other Samsung smartphone aside from the recalled Note 7.
According to a new report, Samsung is considering the addition of “Secure Folder” on the Galaxy S7 edge and, possibly, on the Galaxy S7 as well.
The South Korean company states that it will “consider to support Secure Folder for the OS upgrade device (Nougat) as a downloadable service. I will be available in Galaxy apps later on.” The handset maker also mentions that the exact availability time has not been decided yet.
So, while Secure Folder won't come with Android 7.1.1 Nougat when Samsung releases it, the update will at least make the Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy S7 compatible with the new feature, which will be available for download via Galaxy apps at some point.
But what exactly is “Secure Folder?” This feature that was introduced by Samsung along with the Galaxy Note 7 a few months ago, allows users to store personal files in a place that's not visible to everyone.
The Secure Folder can store images, videos, PDFs, as well as documents and other files. In order to access the files stored in this folder, one would have to authenticate via iris or fingerprint.
Obviously, since the Galaxy S7/S7 edge phones don't come with an iris recognition sensor, the fingerprint sensor will remain the only option for authentication when accessing the Secure Folder.
Samsung is expected to release the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update for the Galaxy S7/S7 edge sometime in early 2017.