I never expected to write a less than excellent review of any Norelco shaver, and I am extremely disappointed to be required to do so at this time.
I have been using Norelco rotary shavers for approximately 25 - 30 years. Once you try a Norelco rotary shaver you become a lifelong Norelco user. The two fundamental reasons are 1) Norelco rotary shavers give the closest, cleanest, quickest and most comfortable shaves, and 2) Norelco rotary shavers are typically extremely durable and reliable, and have exceptional longevity.
The Norelco Model S7783/84 – 7500 Series is a new, mid-tier shaver. It has Norelco’s newer body configuration with a slender, non-contoured handle and a separate three head shaving unit gimbal mounted above. I have been using a 9-10 year old Norelco 8240XL shaver, which has the older, original “hockey stick” Norelco body shape with the shaving unit integral to the handle. The S7783 has a textured rubber gripping surface on two sides, but I find that the older style, traditional Norelco shape provides a more comfortable and more natural grip. Additionally, the traditional shape Norelco accommodates a higher grip on the shaver, allowing a natural grip around the shaving heads, providing better control and more comfortable operation.
The Norelco S7783 package includes the shaver, a travel case, Quick-Clean Pod with fluid cartridge, corded wall charger (charging port on bottom of the shaver handle), a small cleaning brush and User’s Manual.
Notably absent is the plastic Protection Cap which is typically included for covering and protecting the shaving heads. Each of the five Norelco shavers that I have owned, have included both a travel case and a protection cap, which is clearly an inexpensive item, but which serves an important purpose.
The S7783 may be used for wet or dry shaving. I have never wet shaved with an electric shaver, nor do I intend to. Among the reasons for abandoning blade razors and shaving cream decades ago, was the convenience and comfort of dry, electric shaving.
Because it may be used for wet shaving, the S7783 is restricted to battery use, only. If the battery fully discharges during a shave, it cannot be plugged in with the charger to finish the shave. The quick charge capability allows a single (appx. 3-4 minute) shave after 5 minutes of charging. If hurried, that additional 5 minute wait for battery charging may be inconvenient.
Norelco claims that a full, one hour charge of the Li-ion battery provides 60 minutes of shaving.
The S7783 incorporates “Sense-IQ” “smart” features. The S7783 microprocessor is supposed to adjust motor speed based on the load on the motor. It monitors the battery state of charge and also interacts with an accelerometer for interfacing with the Norelco GroomTribe phone app. It also controls the LED icons on the shaver handle and connects with smartphones via Bluetooth.
After fully charging the battery, I installed the Android version of Norelco’s GroomTribe app. The app requires creation of a Norelco web account and password. Next is Bluetooth pairing. The shaver can only be paired to one phone at any time. Once paired, the product registration process for warranty is initiated.
The app identified the shaver as a “7000 Series” shaver, but the correct model number (S7783/84) is not in the app’s product table. GroomTribe misidentified and registered the shaver as an S7940/84. The search feature in the app fails to find any other 7000 series models. Moments after registration, the app installed a firmware update on the shaver.
There is no way to determine if the firmware update was correct for the S7783 model, or if it was really for the firmware for the S7940 model which the app misidentified. GroomTribe cannot display the Firmware Version installed on the shaver for verification that the correct firmware was installed. If the incorrect firmware, for the incorrect S7940 model was installed by Norelco’s smartphone app and servers, this S7783 shaver is potentially corrupted.
Norelco Support was immediately contacted, but was unable to resolve the issue, and escalated the matter with a promised response in 3-5 business days.
Norelco Support has still not provided a resolution after 11 calendar days (6 business days) and numerous follow-up telephone calls to them.
The foregoing issues with the possibly incorrect firmware being downloaded to the shaver by the Norelco app, coupled with the Norelco Customer Service / Technical Support delays, is the primary basis that I cannot recommend this shaver model, unless and until those issues are definitively resolved.
There is no synchronization of information between the app and the web portal, other than the login credentials.
GroomTribe monitors three metrics and uses two of them to provide shaving advice. GroomTribe reports the remaining battery capacity of the shaver. This is important, since having the shaver battery die during a shave results in at least 5 minutes of delay waiting for enough recharge to resume shaving.
GroomTribe monitors the duration of each shave, defining a maximum interval of 4 minutes. Shaves exceeding 4 minutes result in a notification to “watch your time”.
GroomTribe, using the shaver’s accelerometer, monitors the shaving motion and reports both in the app and with an LED icon on the shaver handle. A near continuous circular pattern elicits a good report from the app, coupled with a green LED icon of approval on the shaver. Failure to meet GroomTribe’s threshold for sufficient circular motion results in a message on the app and a red LED icon of disapproval on the shaver.
The app can be used in the live, guided shave mode, or can sync stored data from the shaver
I have never timed shaving. The shaving patterns and techniques that I have employed for decades always results in excellent, clean shaves irrespective of which Norelco model I am using.
Other than for determining percentage of battery remaining, I found the GroomTribe app to be of no value. In fact, given the problem with misidentifying the shaver model and possibly installing the wrong firmware, I am compelled to conclude that the app is problematic.
The S7783 has some notable physical differences from my other Norelco shavers. First, the three rotary shaving heads are mounted in large, blue pentagonal shaped “Comfort Glide Rings”, described as having a “special protective coating with skin gliding properties”. I found that the large pentagonal rings actually created additional drag (friction) during shaving, due to their large surface area and high friction coefficient. Additionally, the large margins between the shaving heads and the edges made it more challenging to trim close to my moustache, sideburns and lips.
The overall dimensions of the shaving unit, and the spacing of the shaving heads are larger.
The S7783 shaving heads are 4mm from the edge of the Comfort Glide Rings on the narrow sides and 6mm on the wide side.
The traditional 8240XL shaving heads are only 2mm from the edge, facilitating easier shaving close to moustaches, sideburns, etc..
The S7783 shaving heads are separated by 8mm, with the overall distance between the outer edges of adjacent shaving heads being 50mm. This wide separation results in one shaving head intermittently, but frequently not being in contact with skin while shaving, leaving only two heads in skin contact.
The 8240XL shaving heads are separated by only 4mm, with the overall cross section being 46mm. All three shaving heads maintain good skin contact while shaving.
Another significant difference is that the shaving heads of the S7783 are not “floating heads” which allows each of the shaving heads to move independently in any direction and angle, therefore maintaining skin contact and comfort. All of my Norelco shavers have had Norelco’s floating head system, and its absence is notable.
The shaving heads of the S7783 are mounted in a fixed, near flush position in the “Comfort Glide Rings”. Those rings pivot on one axis to help conform to facial shape characteristics. However, floating shaving heads allow superior continuous contact, conformance to facial contours, improved comfort, efficiency and speed. This important, desirable feature is included on even more basic, less expensive models
Norelco lists that the S7783 has 45 blades. More blades result in faster shaving. However, there is only a single shaving track, rather than three shaving tracks as are provided on some other models, including my older shaver. Norelco asserts that three shaving tracks offers “50% more shaving surface for a fast, close shave”. Additionally, the S7783 shaving heads are not “Lift and Cut” blades.
The S7783 has a pop-up trimmer which works well for sideburns, moustaches, beards and hairline trimming.
The hinged shaving unit opens easily for cleaning. I have yet to utilize the cleaning pod, however it appears that it will be a convenient way to accomplish thorough cleaning and blade lubrication.
The S7783 is manufactured in the Netherlands.
This new Norelco S7783/84 shaver provides clean, close shaves. I find it to be less accommodating to facial contours as a result of the distance between the shaving heads, coupled with the lack of floating heads.
Although the S7783/84 does not include several preferred, desirable Norelco features, it is still a competent shaver. Based on the problems with the Norelco app potentially installing the incorrect firmware, which still remains unresolved by Norelco Customer – Technical Support, I cannot in good conscience recommend the Norelco S7783/84 shaver.
