[Note 7 Questions & Answers] chipworkz:
I don't see anything specifically saying that is IS or ISN'T being used by the S7E. Here is a link to the 820 doc created on March 30 2016 that says the S7 & S7E is powered by the 820. It also includes "Qualcomm Aqstic™ audio" even though the Qualcomm Aqstic Blog post didn't come out until June 2nd.

https://www.qualcomm.com/media/documents/files/snapdragon-820-technology-and-traction-presentation-francisco-cheng.pdf

Here is one post that can support that the S7 did NOT use the Aqstic feature.

http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/7557-qualcomm-aqstic-sets-a-new-standard-for-audiophiles/

"It appears the Aqstic is not standard with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. It is a separate feature for the smartphone manufacturer to add. I figure Samsung decided to not implement it in the S7 line so that it could save for the Note 7 I imagine it will later promote."

In the end, I don't really care if the S7 did or did not use it. I as much as anyone hope that the Note7 will have great audio since as I have said, that is my biggest concern with the phone. If it turns out the the Note7 is like the HTC 10 and is indeed the first two phones to use this feature, then my main reason for being apprehensive about getting a locked phone will be gone.

This quote from the above thread could make sense regarding this feature and the comment about the HTC 10 using a discreet DAC and not the built in one on the 820. I don't think HTC would allow Qaulcomm to state that the HTC 10 is using the Aqstic feature if it wasn't.

"Elsewhere read the Aqstic is a discreet chip made by Qualcomm separate from the main SD820, which makes the most sense as it wouldn't be a huge cost burden to Qualcomm making unused chips or unused feature in chips, other than the few manufacturers wishing to have it. This also makes sense when it comes to the HTC 10, since there are people claiming the HTC 10 is using a discreet chip for their audio, not the built-in SD820 audio. Qualcomm has said that the HTC 10 is using Aqstic, so that must be it then."

Based on this, I think it is unlikely that any device before the HTC 10 would have had the Aqstic feature since the trademark wasn't approved until 4-19-16 eventhough it was used in the pdf from 3-30-16. Unless is was being used prior to being publicized of course. :D

https://trademarks.justia.com/867/18/qualcomm-86718551.html

Qualcomm themselves make this whole discussion confusing as far when it was implemented and how many phones have this feature.

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/06/02/qualcomm-aqstic-sets-new-standard-audiophiles

"And there has been no shortage of smartphones featuring Qualcomm Aqstic, including the HTC 10 and Xiaomi Mi5, powered by the Snapdragon 820 processor (check out these awesome reviews)."

Looking at the Mi5 page, I don't see it mention anything about the Aqstic feature either so just because a manufacture doesn't specifically list it, doesn't mean that it is or is not being used.

http://www.mi.com/in/mi5/

Again, none of this really matters since what does matter is how the Note7 audio sounds which we will know here in the next couple of days. Only then will we know if this feature is just marketing hype by Qualcomm and that is why the manufactures themselves aren't saying much about it or not.