Best smartphones 2016

11 best smartphones 2016: our pick of the very best phones

Best smartphone - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Curving into the future with impressive specs

1. Premium design
2. Great camera
3. Fingerprint magnet
4. Cartoonish UI

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is so close to being the best smartphone in the world right now. It boasts the brilliant dual curved display, with the screen bending around on both sides so it looks like no other phone ever made (apart from the S6 Edge last year). Yep, this futuristic smartphone is a looker, and it'll have your friends begging for a chance to play with it.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review

That combined with industry leading power, an amazing display, decent battery life, an excellent camera and amazing performance make it not only the best-looking smartphone, but one of the top two smartphones in the universe.

The other best smartphone - iPhone 6S Plus

Apple's second big screen phone is a stunner

1. Gorgeous phablet design
2. Biggest iPhone ever
3. Not as good as it could be
4. Could be too big for some

Here we have the iPhone 6S Plus - probably the best-looking phablet around. Some feel its sheer size does make it tricky to hold, but there's no denying Apple's beautiful 5.5-incher is a winner. If you're an iPhone user and you fancy picking up a much bigger phone, this could be for you. We're expecting a new iPhone later this year - don't forget to check out all the latest iPhone 7 rumours.

Best premium smartphone - Samsung Galaxy S7

A brilliant phone that shows Samsung still has what it takes

1. Great camera
2. Strong design
3. Doesn’t ‘stand out’ design-wise
4. Cartoonish UI

We can't tell you how close it is between the Galaxy S7, iPhone 6S Plus and S7 Edge for the title of 'best smartphone in the world.' All three are beautiful but the curved screen just won out for us. But this is still great.

Whether it's the improved camera, the metal-and-glass chassis, the oodles of power involved (from Samsung’s own octa-core Exynos chipset) or just the fact that the TouchWiz software it runs on top of Android looks less childish these days, Samsung's got a lot right here and this is a brilliant phone.

Best small smartphone - iPhone SE

A 4-inch wonder with flagship slaying specs

1. Small but with top specs
2. Great battery life
3. Boxy design
4. 16GB storage base model

Notice how all of these smartphones have 5+ inch screens? What if you have small hands? You can’t reach all four corners of the screen. It’s a problem not many of us face, but the truth is -- some people just prefer smaller phones but don’t want to sacrifice high-end specs. The iPhone SE is for you. With a 4-inch screen and guts which match the iPhone 6S, including the 12MP rear camera, 2GB RAM, Apple Pay, Retina display, and Apple A9 chipset, this thing is a little pocket rocket.

There are a few drawbacks - the design isn’t beautifully curvaceous like the iPhone 6S (the SE is based on the iPhone 5), the front-facing camera has fewer megapixels, and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is older and therefore slower. The best thing about it? Despite its range-topping specs, the iPhone SE is also one of the cheapest smartphones Apple has ever released. What’s not to love?

Best smartphone for pure Android - Nexus 6P

Huawei takes over the Nexus responsibilities

1. All metal design
2. Fingerprint scanner
3. Still pretty big
4. No wireless charger

One of the new Nexus phones is made by Huawei and includes a 5.7-inch 2K display, 2GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset inside. The battery life is very impressive for a phone this size but sadly there’s no wireless camera. The camera offers a 12MP sensor and there’s a fingerprint sensor on the back for the very first time.

The design is especially lovely this year with a metal back and a rounder design than before - but it may prove too big for some.

Best smartphone with removable battery - LG G5

LG's best ever phone has a modular design

1. Innovative
2. Interesting dual camera
3. Not a luxe as rivals
4. Accessories are a gimmick

This phone is aimed at those who want a truly innovative, gadgety smartphone, and while it doesn't look as special as the Galaxy S7 Edge, it does have a kick-ass unique feature. This phone, you see, has a modular design, letting you add optional attachments (such as a camera grip or high-res audio). It's also the only flagship smartphone in 2016 which lets you swap the battery. Sure, it doesn't feel as premium as the Samsung or iPhone, but if you want to make a geeky statement, this is the phone for you.

With leading specs, an excellent screen and the latest version of Android, this is definitely LG's best smartphone ever and comes highly recommended.

Best smartphone for 4K - Sony Z5 Premium

Here's the first ever phone with a 4K display

1. Great camera
2. Waterproof
3. Battery life is bad
4. Sometimes overheats

Sony has just made the world's first ever 4K smartphone, but we're not exactly sure if it's necessary yet. It’s a huge 5.5-inch screen with a huge 806 pixels-per-inch as well so is perfect for any phablet lovers out there.There’s a new fingerprint sensor running along the side of the phone that works perfectly and then there's a great 23MP camera on the back of the phone.

The battery life may not be perfect, but this is one of the best phones if you love to have the newest tech first.

Best smartphone for music - HTC 10

Boomsound sounds supreme

1. Great battery life and camera
2. Amazing sound and software
3. Chunky
4. Uninspired design

The HTC 10 is a phone that takes the design heritage, DNA and all the other good bits of last year’s One M9 and, well, does them again, but better. It’s again shown the rest of the competition how to make a premium smartphone, and its camera, battery life and performance is right up there too. HTC has really worked on the criticisms of the previous generation devices, and created their best ever flagship smartphone.

It would have been nice to see HTC really push the boat out in terms of design, but the minimal tweaks they've made to stock Android are amazing, making this one of our favourite smartphones in 2016.

Best battery life smartphone - Huawei Mate 8

A stellar phablet with solid specs and a wallet-friendly price

1. Outstanding battery life
2. Fingerprint sensor and large display
3. Crap UI
4. Misses the mark on design

If your budget can’t quite stretch to a snazzy California or South Korean-designed smartphone, you may wish to consider a Chinese brand instead. The Huawei Mate 8 is the best smartphone to hail from the People’s Republic. It has a great 6-inch display, and brilliant battery life thanks to the large 4,000 mAh unit. It’s not without its flaws though, the Emotion UI isn’t great, and the design just isn’t as sleek as its rivals.

Best durable smartphone - Motorola Moto X Force

Always dropping your phone? The Force is for you

1. Unbreakable screen
2. Close to stock Android
3. Noticeably plastic screen
4. Poor speaker

The Moto X Force is a refreshing phone - rather than trying to be elegant and premium - it’s durable and will survive a beating. That’s mainly down to the screen, which features a thick, toughened outer layer which won’t break - not matter how hard you try. The casing is also pretty rugged, our favourite finish being the ‘Ballistic Nylon’ back. The specs are pretty powerful, and the battery life is also impressive.

Android is left close to stock which is also good news. It’s not as cutting edge as Samsung’s or Apple’s latest efforts, but it’s a great all-rounder

Best alternative brand - OnePlus 3

Unbelievable spec for an impossible price

1. Low price for great spec
2. Premium build
3. No MicroSD

Looking to upset dominance by the big brands is OnePlus, who took the mobile world by storm in 2014 with one goal, to be the flagship killer. With their third smartphone, imaginatively titled the OnePlus 3, has finally achieved that goal. With a price tag of £329, you’ll get all the mod-cons of much more expensive handsets, including an HD screen, fingerprint sensor, a decent camera and powerful specs. And, whereas previous OnePlus phones lacked finesse - the OnePlus 3 has a genuine premium feel and the software is rock solid.

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Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: full comparative

After the introduction of Galaxy S6 edge that we call revolution and design revelation last year, Samsung finally decided to put the cover in 2016 with his successor looming as Galaxy S7 edge.For the occasion, no denying that Samsung has been working hard and to get in margin with rivals and user feedback that complained about this and that. Today, we decided to lay the foundations for a comparative test which therefore opposed the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge against the Galaxy S6 edge!

What benefits has the Galaxy S7 edge vis-à-vis the S6 edge?

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: design and finish

Formalizing its Galaxy S6 and S6 edge in 2015, Samsung unveiled a major revival design, but have however not had time to bring him all the usual features both popular with users. Following a full year of questioning, Samsung has finally questioned by listening to community feedback by introducing an S7 Galaxy and Galaxy S7 edge that blur (almost) all the faults of the past generation, but this is the last named of interest here with a very well finished design.

Behold, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (left) alongside the Galaxy S6 edge (right).

To have taken over the Galaxy S6 edge several times, this smartphone has always seemed harsh in its design to too strict lines. With the Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung has really worked this into more rounded glasses so that they better take their seat in the palm of the hand. That said, I still some vis-à-vis the concerns of this elevation appears to be a danger in the event of shocks. Although we are dealing with glass Gorilla Glass protection 4 that improve much resistance, will not put you in the head they are unbreakable since a bad fall or bad luck is quickly arrived.

The Galaxy S6 edge over the Galaxy S7 edge.

After a comparison there, you may be pleased to learn that Samsung has been working on the edges of the Galaxy S7 edge finally part that wants now less sharp than the original Galaxy S6 edge. Moreover, it also seems that the metal frame is better with a more polished look, in addition to enjoying the IP68 certification back! Clearly, the Galaxy S7 edge, like the Galaxy S7 first name also is water resistant. Thus, it is possible to make him take a bath for 30 minutes up to one meter deep without any problem logically. If it is water resistant, you will then ask where are the caches to cover the micro-USB port and micro audio jack. I will answer that they have been waterproofed, eliminating the need to install caches. A strong argument that the Galaxy S6 / edge / more lost by the introduction of this new design policy in 2015. Now Samsung has no real excuses, and even reinstalled a micro-SD card reader - up to 200GB - to the delight of users.

At its head, the Galaxy S7 edge is similar to the Galaxy S6 edge.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: screen quality

Very surprised we were vis-a-vis the size of the screen! For those who already know the product the Galaxy S7 edge, then you are not foreign to the fact that S7 edge of the screen diagonal won no less than 0.4 inch on paper, and the difference is quite mad in reality. On the one hand, it is rather a good point that responds to users who find that the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is too large. With the S7 edge, Samsung set a balance and meet the people who want a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches, where the Galaxy S6 edge will stop at 5.1 inches. The Galaxy S6 edge being too close to the S6, this explains why Samsung has expanded screen size. Ultimately, it is likely that Samsung sells Galaxy S7 More edge with a 6-inch screen in late 2016. In addition, the features of the S7 edge of the screen are identical to S6 edge.

Although the size differs 0.4 inches between the two models, the Galaxy S7 edge thus has much the same features as the screen of its predecessor that is the Galaxy S6 edge. To be more talking, we find a 5.5-inch screen that uses Super AMOLED technology and displays a Quad-definition HD / 2K. With numbers, it always gives us 1440 by 2560 pixels.However, since the screen loses pixels is larger than a Galaxy S6 edge, where they are more condensed. Clearly, the S7 edge has approximately 534 pixels per inch, unlike the Galaxy S6 edge which displays about 577 dots per inch. As for protection, glasses that are installed at the front and rear have not changed and are always based on the fourth generation of Gorilla Glass Corning. More clear is 85% chance more impact resistant than about a meter away from a surface, in difference to a traditional glass or 45% more than a Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: software interface

With the Galaxy S6 edge, it is already possible to enjoy some additional features introduced by this curved screen on either side, like new Galaxy S7 edge. With these side screens, you can display the time and date permanently or for a period of time, but also allow the side screen to play a particular color to receiving a notification when it's lying on The belly. A simple way to address the lack of warning LED on the rear of the unit. At the same time, it is not very common to find a back to notification LED mobile nowadays. In my memories, the only brand to have it really was LG with its Optimus G Pro, G2 and G Pro 2. At the time, I felt myself to lug with a garland in the pocket, a little as this bright fashion shoes, but it was fun and not very consumer in the end. To return to the heart of the matter, it is also possible to install and interact with practical widgets from these curved screens. Widgets that you can create yourself as Samsung opened its development kit (SDK) to the famous 'edge Panel' there is a month of that

In addition to the suite of features usually offered by the TouchWiz UX interface, Samsung also migrate its Galaxy S7 edge to the same version of Android the Galaxy S6 edge. So he finds himself installed with Android version 6.0.1 Marshmallow purchase. Rather a good point that will reassure some, although the official announcement of a new version of Android is not to be excluded for the Google I / O that will take place a little after mid-May 2016. Yes, the famous version of Android N . do not worry, we certainly will not matter in the final version, but a Developer Preview - as in 2014 and 2015 - that changes from month to month and until finding a point of stability to be launched in the final version of Nexus and adopted by the brand and other independent developers. As for the fluidity of the interface, harmonization between the hardware and the software has proved instructive in our grip, but remember that these are test models. All this will be checked during a real test in writing to determine its true performance. The side of the Galaxy S6 edge, I never really had to complain of its reactivity, except the Flipboard side drawer makes slow moving.Good news, the new version of Marshmallow Galaxy S6 / S7 edge now allows the user to remove. To do this, simply pinch the screen with two fingers and disable unwanted page.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: camera

In 2016, Samsung continues to go upmarket, while others are still struggling to catch up. In terms of the image, Samsung understands the need to work twice as hard and even triple with its Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. That's why they left typing in the latest Sony sensor models to unearth an Exmor RS IMX260. Although the photos produced by the 12 megapixel sensor of the Galaxy S7 edge display a definition narrower than the 16-megapixel Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung has introduced in consideration the Dual Pixel Sensor technology. With this, the photo sensor Galaxy S7 edge (Galaxy S7 and at the same time) now has the ability to capture 100% of the pixels in the phase detection, unlike other sensors, such as the S6 edge besides, who only capture 5% of the pixels in the same detection. Clearly, the S7 edge produces smaller pictures, but better quality. How? Worked with more pixels and optimized hardware and software part, photos are more mixed and lighted. I do not really talk knowingly as I prefer to wait for tests before saying anything. That said, the real advantage of this sensor is to eliminate any delay in taking pictures in low light.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge : performances

Like last year with the S6 edge, the Galaxy S7 2016 is limited to an edge Exynos processor for the European model, although the version of Snapdragon was also findable in France. Although this is not a Snapdragon 820, the Exynos 8890 (his full name) already seems to promise a bright future, including the graphics, with its Mali-T880MP12, is advertised as 60% more efficient than the Exynos 7420 with a graphics chip Mali-T720MP8. Rummaging in the details, the deduction is easy to do after finding that the graphics chip S6 edge (Exynos) Table 210 gigaflops, where the edge of the S7 rises to 285 gigaflops.

As for responsiveness, optimization between software and hardware part seems already operated together. Again, I prefer to avoid asking too hasty opinion since we are never safe from a bad surprise. That said, I leave confident, especially after noting the presence of 4GB RAM clocked at 1866 MHz LPDDR4. We already felt in navigation, mobile is a remarkable fluidity and multitasking is really mate. No more little annoying slowdowns ... with all this under the hood, the Galaxy S7 edge has no more excuses!

Although there is no USB Type-C or removable battery, the South Korean pioneer is still addicted to a new madness.This is not the first to do so far away, but know that the Galaxy S7 edge, like the Galaxy S7 (again), is the first Samsung Android announced to the market with a liquid cooling system, also known as the famous name "watercooling". More explicitly, this cooling system is mainly used to optimize performance when overheated helping to heat dissipation of the processor, graphics chip and RAM, among other things. Besides that, the Galaxy S6 edge must seem obsolete, but know that it also enjoys a very good optimization.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: battery / autonomy

At a time when we already know that the Galaxy S6 edge product autonomy that takes about a day away from the electrical outlet, it is not impossible that the Galaxy S7 exceeds the edge by typing a day and a half or more. In addition to enjoying the fast charging (Quick Charge 3.0, or 83% of battery in 30 minutes) and wireless charging Qi, S7 edge sees the capacity of its battery earn 1000 mAh difference to that of the Galaxy S6 edge. If you intended to replace your S6 edge by S7 edge, you would pass a battery of 2600 mAh to 3600 mAh, but it should not be forgotten that the screen illuminated surface is wider and therefore more energy. Anyway, it's a great feat as that of the S6 Edge Plus, 5.7 inches, is only 3000 mAh.

Besides the usual energy modes, the Galaxy S7 edge has a dedicated mode for players that can reduce energy consumption when they play with practical options. Not forgetting the Active On Display function for displaying quick information by lighting a few pixels of the screen, while keeping the rest of the display is off. A good feature which consumption was reduced close to zero threshold, depending on the brand. I will avoid venturing too far in this test since a true party will be much more revealing.

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge: Specifications

	SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 EDGE	SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE
SYSTEM	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (with TouchWiz interface house)	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (with TouchWiz UX interface house)
SCREEN	Super AMOLED 5.5 inch Quad-HD / 2K (1440 x 2560 pixels) ~ 534 ppi 76.1% of the working front by the screen display Protection: yes type Gorilla Glass 4	Super AMOLED 5.1 inch Quad-HD / 2K (1440 x 2560 pixels) ~ 577 ppi 70.7% of the working front by the screen display Protection: yes type Gorilla Glass 4
PROCESSOR	Exynos 8890 8-core processors divided into 2 x4 Samsung Exynos 2.3GHz M1 @ x4 ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.6GHz (engraved in 14 nanometers)	Samsung Exynos 7420 8-core processors divided into 2 x4 Cortex-A57 @ 2.1GHz x4 Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz (engraved in 14 nanometers)
GRAPHICS CHIP	ARM Mali-T880MP12 @ 700 MHz (up to 285.6 gigaflops)	ARM Mali-T760 MP8 @ 772 MHz (up to 210 gigaflops)
RAM MEMORY	4 GB (in LPDDR4 @ 1866 MHz)	3 GB (in LPPDR4 @ 1600MHz)
INTERNAL MEMORY	32 GB, 64 GB (microSD reader: Yes)	32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (microSD reader: no)
DRUMS	3600 mAh (non-removable)	2600 mAh (non-removable)
CAMERA	Rear: 12 Megapixel (f / 1.7, optical stabilization, software autofocus, focus manual, Dual Pixel Sensor, etc.) before 5 megapixel (f / 1.7)	rear: 16 megapixel (f / 1.9 autofocus software, face detection, stabilization Optical (OIS), etc.) before 5 megapixel (f / 1.9)
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi (Dual-Band) a/b/g/n/ac/ad, GPS (A-GPS) + GLONASS + Beidou, Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, LE, apt-x), LTE 4G (Tri-Band) cat.9 jusqu'à 450 Mbit/s	Wi-Fi (Dual-Band) a/b/g/n/ac, GPS (A-GPS) + GLONASS + Beidou, Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP, LE, apt-x), LTE 4G (Tri-Band) cat.6 jusqu'à 300 Mbit/s
DIMENSIONS	150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm	142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
WEIGHT	157 grams	132 grams
THE	0.26 W / kg (head) 0.51 W / kg (body)	0.33 W / kg (head) 0.59 W / kg (body)
TYPE OF SIM	nano-SIM (x1)	nano-SIM (x1)
PARTICULARITIES	- Fingerprint Scanner - "Always On Display"; which keeps the screen on all the time - Quick Charge 2.0: 60% power in 30 minutes - liquid cooling system - micro-SD memory to drive (200 GB) - Wireless Charging Qi (native) - Sensor heart rate - water resistance (IP68 or protection against dust and increased resistance to water with possibility of immersion up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes)	- Fingerprint Scanner - Quick Charge 2.0 ~ 1:15 to 100% - Wireless Charging Qi (native) - Heart rate sensor
PRICE	from 799 euros, for the first model + Gear VR offered for preorder	about 550 euros in 32GB

Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S6 edge : conclusion

By choosing the Galaxy S7 edge, you can enjoy all the latest advanced technologies of the moment, in addition to the assurance of the mobile premium and durable design; these metal edges and its IP68 certification which protects against dust and water, in particular. In addition, the Galaxy S6 5.1 inch edge will continue to attract smaller screen lovers who ultimately did not need more, but the Galaxy S7 edge takes advantage with its micro-SD card reader large users. If you do not experience the utility, the Galaxy S6 edge is so perfect for you. The other big advantage is none other than the battery of S7 edge that wins not less than 1000 mAh difference to that of the Galaxy S6 edge first name.Ultimately, it is the budget that guide in buying a mobile. The Galaxy S7 edge is announced at 799 euros against 550 euros for the current Galaxy S6 edge. However, it is not to exclude a price drop S6 edge in the coming days.

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LG G5 Review

LG G5 Review: Design & That "Modular" Aspect

I first saw the LG G5 at MWC 2016. First impressions were very good, but this was before I had seen the Galaxy S7 and HTC 10 — and Huawei P9, for that matter. A couple of months later, my opinion is much the same: this is a great-looking phone.

• Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
• Weight: 159g
• Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi)
• Battery: 2,800mAh (removable)

But I can see why some reviewers aren’t falling head over heels for it. The overall design itself is fairly unassuming. It isn’t showy, or fancy or all that eye-catching. But it is very well put together, excellently proportioned and it really does feel great in the hand.

I prefer the look of the Galaxy S7 EDGE — its stunning — but the LG G5 is a better proportioned phone in my opinion. The weight, the smooth edges and the thickness are all 100% on point. Constructed from magnesium and finished with a gorgeous matte after touch, the LG G5 is also premium as hell. The matte finish also aids grip too, which is a nice bonus, and the end result doesn’t look too dissimilar to Google’s Nexus 6P

The G5 weighs 159g and measures in at 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm, making it both smaller and lighter than its predecessor. The battery is a removable 2800mAh, which you access, along with the SD card, via the modular component at the bottom of the device. The LG G5 ships with 4GB of RAM and comes with 32GB of storage, but you will be able to supplement this with SD cards (up to 2TB).

Oddly, the LG G5 -- like the Samsung Galaxy S7 -- does not support Android’s adaptive storage feature, which essentially forces the phone OS to view external storage the same as internal storage. Samsung said the reason it excluded support for adaptive storage was because the feature wiped an SD card’s contents if removed incorrectly, and that was a risk it wasn’t willing to leave on the table -- not when its customers’ content is so important. I imagine LG will be taking a similar stance.

As previously mentioned, the LG G5 has a modular component located on the bottom of the device’s chassis. This is the G5’s big USP. Inside, you get access to the G5’s removable battery. This is the dull stuff, though, because the really interesting part is the fact that you can attach accessories to the phone -- accessories like a Bang & Olufsen DAC for superior music quality or LG Cam Plus, which adds 1100mAh battery and hardware controls (hardware key, a video button, zoom controls) to the G5’s camera.

LG is betting big on this for 2016, but whether the gamble pays off remains to be seen. The B&O DAC is very decent, though the volume is a bit low, and the camera attachment is kind of useful, though more from a battery perspective. In practice, though, the modular component of the G5 is VERY clunky to operate; you also have to restart the phone every time you do it as the battery comes out. Plus, if I’m completely honest, none of the launch mods that came with it really floated my boat.

I wanted to LOVE the B&O DAC, but the volume was just way too low. HTC has now usurped LG in this regard too by adding HD audio as standard to its HTC 10. The G5 will be judged on how well people adapt to this aspect of the phone and how much hardware accessory developers pick it up and run with it; this is what the phone is kind of all about, but after all, if no-one makes modules, it's kind of redundant. And while it does have potential, the whole thing does feel a little like a beta test phase, something that may be more refined on the LG G6, for example.

You can read a more detailed breakdown of LG’s Friends in our dedicated review of the LG Cam Plus and the B&O-built Hi-Fi Plus module. 

What kind of stuff will we see launched in the coming months? The sky’s the limit, really. Game controllers, photography accessories -- you name it. Personally, I think this is one of the coolest thing to happen to phones in a long time. But whether this aspect takes off will be VERY dependent on how well the G5 sells. No one is going to bother making modular accessories for a phone that tens of millions of people aren’t using.

LG G5 Review: Display Technology & Performance

If you’re buying a top flight Android phone in 2016 you are not going to be disappointed by the display. All major players in the space now use QHD resolution and the results are utterly stunning, especially if you’re coming from an iPhone 6/iPhone 6s with a 720p panel inside it. This is just the way it is in the Android space.

Some panels are better than others, though. Samsung’s OLED setup inside its Galaxy S7 is a masterfully crafted piece of technology. So much so we put together a bespoke feature all about it — A Closer Look At The Samsung Galaxy S7’s Amazing Display. But whether you’re using the HTC 10, Galaxy S7 or LG G5 they all have one thing in common: bright, detailed displays that really pack a punch.

As it currently stands, the Galaxy S7 has the best display on market. However, for the layman, this isn’t really that much of a big deal and the reason for this is because most of what these panels are graded on in reviews is just BIG TALK, a means of comparing the wares of different manufacturers, and will largely go unnoticed in the hands of the general consumer. I’m talking about things like nits, contrast ratio, depth of blacks, etc. Technical stuff, basically. The type of thing you don’t talk about on a first date.

Like its forefather, the LG G5 features a QHD panel. But unlike the LG G4, the panel on this phone is slightly smaller at 5.3in and, in my opinion, all the better for it. LG opted for an IPS panel for the G5 and at 1440 x 2536 pixels (QHD) it is RAZOR sharp. Blacks are void-like and it performs admirably well in glaring direct sunlight as well as locking down 97.1% of the sRGB colour space when switched on.

Videos. Text. Web pages. eBooks — everything looks sublime on the G5’s panel. But in today’s Android market, where QHD is the norm, anything less than excellent would actually be news worthy. Display technology, like processors, has now levelled-out pretty much across the board, so when you attempt to discuss differences between, say, the HTC 10 and LG G5, the actual, visible differences are negligible.

In fact, the only major phone maker dragging its heels in this regard is Apple. The iPhone 6s and iPhone SE use 720p display resolutions, a resolution you now only find on budget Android phones.

The LG G5 uses an ALWAYS ON panel as well, meaning you always have the time and notifications displaying on the screen — even when the phone is locked. This isn’t a new feature on phones by any stretch of the imagination but it is nice to finally see it gaining more mainstream support on big handsets like the Galaxy S7 and LG G5. And best of all this feature only costs 0.8% of your battery per hour.

LG G5 Review: Hardware & Specs

Like most high-end Android releases in 2016, the LG G5 rocks Qualcomm’s brand new and superbly powerful Snapdragon 820 mobile processor. Alongside this you have 4GB of RAM. Combined this creates a story we’re all very familiar with now by now — power, speed and buttery smooth animations across the board.

For the sake of brevity and to make reading this a little less dull, I’ve listed the core specs for the handset below, so we can talk more generally about how the LG G5 performs in day to day scenarios:

LG G5 Specs & Hardware

• Android 6.0 Marshmallow with UX 5.0
• 5.3in Quad HD IPS screen (1440x2560, 554ppi)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, quad-core
• 4GB RAM
• 32 storage
• Micro-SD card slot (up to 200GB)
• Dual-rear cameras (16Mp 78 degree and 8Mp 135 degree) with OIS and laser auto focus
• 8Mp front camera
• 11ac dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC, Infrared, fingerprint scanner
• Cat 9 4G LTE
• USB Type-C
• 2800mAh removable battery
• 149x74x7.7mm, 159g

Smartphones in 2016 are sort of like 600bhp sports cars. They’re super powerful, largely over-specced for what you’re going to be doing with them and completely amazing in every regard. And while most people don’t really need all this processing grunt for what they do day to day on a handset, modern chipsets are about a lot more than just making things tick along smoothly.

Imaging. 4K video. Fast 4G connectivity — all these things are handled by the 820. And after Qualcomm’s disastrous 2015, I am very pleased to report the company is definitely back on form with the Snapdragon 820 — this thing is impossibly good. Every handset I’ve tested this year which runs on this new chipset is noticeably faster than last year’s model, and these handsets do a lot more as well, mostly in the imaging department, and still manage to be more power efficient.

That’s called a BIG WIN for Qualcomm. But we’re the real beneficiaries because these new Android phones are some of the most interesting and feature-packed devices to ever appear on market. They do more do more and run cooler. They’re more powerful than ever but kinder to your battery. The camera technology is mind-blowing, yet handled with ease. All of these things are huge boons for consumers. And after the cheese sandwich that was 2015’s phone space, 2016 couldn’t have started better.

I’ve been using the G5 now for a couple of weeks. It flies. Nothing lags, not even things like video-editing on the fly slow it down. I am constantly impressed by how easily this handset handles everything I throw at it; nothing seems to phase the Snapdragon 820. Nothing. And the battery just keeps on going and going and going.

Compared to my daily driver — an iPhone 6 Plus — the LG G5 feels like a phone from a parallel dimension where smartphones became a reality five years before they did here. Benchmarks paint a similar picture too, as you’d imagine. Below are three tests I did which pit the LG G5 against the LG G3, LG G4, for comparison’s sake, and also the Galaxy S7, HTC 10 and iPhone 6s Plus. As you can see the performance uplift is around double across the board.

Bottomline? If you held off updating your Android phone last year and are looking at either the LG G5, Samsung Galaxy S7 or HTC 10, you, sir or madam, are in for a MASSIVE treat. These new Android handsets are some of the most interesting the mobile space has seen in as long as I can remember. So much so, I think 2016 will be looked back upon as the year smartphones got interesting again. I cannot get enough of these phones.

LG G5 Review: Imaging Technology & Camera Performance

Camera Specs: 16-megapixel & 8-megapixel, f/1.8 & f/2.4 lens, OIS, laser autofocus; 8MP front-facing setup; 4K video recording

Alongside the modular aspect, the LG G5’s camera is where the company once again tries to do something very original by packing in a dual-camera setup which features one 16MP sensor with a 75º field of view alongside an 8MP sensor with a massive 175º field of view lens — and, yes, that is wider than your own eyeballs can see.

The idea here is to provide a DSLR-type experience on your phone, just without all the heavy lens, weight and cost. And it works very well too. The first time you boot up the wide-angle lens you will be astonished by just how much it manages to fit into the frame. You do lose some detail, however, as this lens is on an 8MP setup.

But for when you’re capturing the interior of some monstrous structure, a group of people or a lovely sunset on a beach you will be glad that you brought the LG G5 with you. Interestingly, this type of camera technology is expected to appear aboard certain models of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7. The wide-angle lens is also great for video, as it captures everything your eyes perceive, allowing for more natural-looking video.

> Wide Angle Image Below

To switch between the two cameras, you simply tap an icon at the top of the camera UI. The UI itself is nicely designed and easy to operate; it also features a bunch of useful features like the ability to shot in RAW and “Manual” mode which gives you full control over things like white balance, ISO, focussing and pretty much anything else you fancy tinkering with. The camera is fully featured, even by today’s standards, simple enough to use, even for beginners, and all of this comes together to enable really great results in most settings and environments.

In terms of performance, the G5 is very, very competent. In well lit environments images look great and are easily comparable to what I’ve seen from the Galaxy S7 and HTC 10. In lowlight it does lose a bit of ground to the Galaxy S7. There is noticeable grain in images and things appear washed out — you also lose a lot of detail when using the wide-angle lens, but that’s a given as it’s only an 8MP setup. HDR helps a lot in this regard, as you can see below, as it boosts the colour and detail, bringing the G5’s 16MP sensor well in line with the current best shooters on market.

> HDR Above; Normal Below

OIS and LG’s laser-guided autofocus are still present and accounted for and image quality, for the most part, is a big step up from last year’s model. I really love using the wide-angle lens for video and images, and very much like the fact that LG allows you complete control over everything inside manual mode. The ability to export photos in RAW format is also another huge boon for photography buffs.

LG G5 Review: Battery Performance

Oddly, LG opted for a smaller battery inside the G5 than last year’s flagship — 2800mAh vs 3000mAh. The reason behind this is likely to do with the design of the LG G5’s modular aspect. That, or LG was confident it could improve battery performance using a smaller cell. The 2800mAh cell is removable too, so you can hot swap it for a spare just as you could aboard the Galaxy S5.

With respect to performance, the LG G5 is excellent. It lasts all day with heavy usage and, thanks to QuickCharge, can be topped up rapidly if needed. New features inside Android Marshmallow like Doze also help with overall efficiency and this in turn means better overall battery performance. Middling to light use of the G5 mean the handset can easily traverse a couple of days.

For most, though, you’re looking at a solid day’s worth of power from a single charge — 7am to 9pm, basically. If you’re off out after work and know you’ll be using the phone, say, for photos and video, which tax the battery rather heavily, then you will definitely want to re-juice it at lunchtime. You will have to cough up for a QuickCharge-supported charger, though, as LG only includes a USB Type C cable in the G5’s box, the tight buggers!

LG G5 Review: Verdict

The moment I saw the LG G5 at MWC 2016 I knew it was something special. And not just because of its modular aspect, although that was certainly an eye-catching feature. No, for the most part I like what LG stands for, what it’s all about — pushing the boundaries.

The company isn’t afraid to try something completely left field when all those around it are playing it safe. LG wants to be different. It wants to stand out from the crowd and with the LG G5 I believe the company has 100% achieved this. The modular thing was a huge gamble to undertake in a market where phone sales are largely going one way — downwards.

This took balls. The modular aspect isn’t perfect, either. I’ve yet to try any module that actually works as well as I’d imagined, but I respect LG for having the tenacity to push ahead with a new technology when everybody else in the space is happy to play keeping up with the Jones’.

The camera is excellent also. Ditto overall performance and battery life. I also like the way the handset looks and feels. So even if the modular aspect is still something of an unknown, it doesn’t really matter because the LG G5 excels in all other areas as well, making it a unique, all-round solid handset from one of the most exciting consumer technology brands on the face of the planet.

A lot of people seem non-plussed by the G5; some even claim it looks boring and lacks the charm of last year’s model. I 100% disagree with this sentiment — the G5 is a vastly superior device to what came before. It has enough new features, attributes and quirks to really stand out from the crowd in 2016 and for me is one of the most interesting releases in recent times.

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