iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7

It doesn't take a genius to figure out, with just a cursory glance, who the two key players in the mobile industry are; Apple and Samsung. It's been the case for quite some time, though many thought, rather sensibly, that based on Samsung's declining performance in the last two years the firm's heyday was over, Apple was coming out on top, and some other usurper would emerge to take the top spot in the Android space. Not so, it seems. Apple is far from out for the count, but it's true that times are changing for the company after the poorest performing quarter since anyone can remember in Q1 2016. During that same quarter, Samsung has managed to reclaim its former glory and pull itself out of a slump, with the firm selling Galaxy S7 handsets like hotcakes, pleasing analysts and shareholders no end. So we have returned, more or less, to the status quo of the major opponents being Samsung and Apple, the balance has shifted ever so slightly, but crucially these two are the ones to watch.

The duo have had an interesting history and a complex relationship though, it isn't as simple as just being sworn enemies. On the one hand, there's been plenty of animosity, Samsung and Apple are the two nearest and most direct rivals in the mobile space, and Samsung is Apple's biggest threat from the world of Android. The pair have had plenty of legal battles across the globe usually focusing on key smartphone features, technologies or design styles. Both players have claimed, won, and lost, variously about a range of issues, each has alleged the other has stolen ideas and concepts, sometimes the courts have upheld these allegations, and sometimes not. There's also been a lot of tit-for-tat one-upmanship in terms of key services and features, for example, Apple launches Apple Pay, then Samsung launches Samsung Pay; there are numerous similar examples over the years going both ways in terms of who came first.

But then on the other hand, Samsung is in partnership with Apple in some very important ways; it has had a major part in designing and manufacturing the majority of Apple's A-series processor chips for both its iPhone handsets and iPad tablets, and in the future it is expected that Apple will adopt Super AMOLED display technology for its iPhone handsets and is seriously considering hiring Samsung to produce these new panels. That's because Samsung is currently pretty much king of Super AMOLED displays, and they are the best displays on the market.

Samsung really brought its A-Game with the unveiling of the Galaxy S7 series (the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge) at MWC 2016 in February, by all accounts pre-order figures are through the roof and it's proving a very popular set of handsets with consumers. It probably has something to do with combining the amazing premium design of the Galaxy S6 series with re-introducing much-missed features such as microSD support and waterproofing.

Apple also upped the ante a bit with the iPhone 6s launch. Apple's "s" series devices are usually considered incremental, and we typically see the solid number models (iPhone 5, iPhone 6 etc.) making the big, bold changes and introducing cutting-edge new features. While that formula was broadly true of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, Apple did pull one or two extra punches which we wouldn't normally expect to see on an "incremental" model; things like the 3D Touch pressure-sensitive display panel, and yet more noteworthy camera tweaks.

But which is the more compelling device?

iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Specs

Here’s the specs for the iPhone 6s:

• Display: 4.7-inch display with a 1334x750-pixel resolution at 326ppi, 3DTouch enabled
• Dimensions: 138.3mm  x 67.1 mm x 7.1 mm
• Weight: 143 grams
• Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Processors: A9 chip with 64-bit architecture and M9 motion coprocessor
• Front camera: 5 MP
• Rear camera: 12 MP photos. ƒ/2.2 aperture. 4k video
• Battery: 1715 mAh
• Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold, or Rose Gold

And here’s the specs for the Galaxy S7:

• Display: 5.1-inch display with a 2560×1440-pixel resolution at 577pp
• Dimensions: 142.4mm  x 69.6 mm x 7.9 mm
• Weight: 152 grams
• Storage: 32 or 64, plus support for microSD cards up to 200GB
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Processors: Samsung Exynos 8890
• Front camera: 5 MP
• Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.7 aperture, 4K video
• Battery life: 3000 mAh
• Colors: Dark Grey or Gold

Let’s just start by saying that Samsung got storage right with the S7. First, it starts at 32GB (and comes in a 64GB version too). Second, it’s expandable by another 200GBs thanks to its new microSD card slot. That compares to the iPhone 6s’ PATHETIC 16GB entry option. Although I do like that the iPhone 6s offers a 128GB option as well, which the S7 does not. Samsung also got the RAM right, doubling what the 6s has with 4GB total.

As for processors, the raw specs don’t tell an easy story. The iPhone gets that INSANELY powerful A9 chip, while the S7 gets Samsung’s own Exynos 8890. Of course, as Apple knows, raw specs don’t solely make a fast phone. It also depends how the software can utilize the RAM and processors. So we’re very interested in seeing real world benchmark tests between the two devices.

Early reports indicate Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset is something of a monster. After a dismal year in 2015, the biggest Q in tech has come out guns blazing in 2016 with the 820 and the return of its own, custom KRYO cores -- the Snapdragon used ARM ones. 

Generally speaking, the Galaxy S7 has vastly superior specs to the iPhone 6s. But this was always going to be the case and no where is it more obvious than in the iPhone 6s' 750p display, which just isn't really good enough these days. Why no 1080p panel in the 6s, Apple? The short answer: the iPhone 7. 

iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Design & Build

The S7 — as with the iPhone 6s — kept, mostly, the same look as its predecessor. Both feature metal bodies with glass screens. You get twice as many color options with the iPhone, however. One thing Samsung did manage to do though is reduce the size of the camera bump on the S7.

Samsung also was able to make the S7 IP68 dust and water proof—something the iPhone 6s is not. You can actually submerge the S7 for up to 20 minutes and it will work just fine when you take it out. The iPhone 6s isn’t waterproof, but it’s rumored the iPhone 7 could be—and it may even go further: allowing you to use the phone’s display with wet fingers.

As for size and weight the iPhone is still the thinner and lighter phone coming in at 7.1mm thin versus the S7’s 7.9mm thickness and 143 vs 152 grams.

iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Display and Battery

As for displays, the S7 features a larger one at 5.1 inches versus the iPhone 6s’ 4.7 inch display. However, size isn’t the only difference. The S7 kills the iPhone in screen resolution. It features a 2560×1440 pixel display at 577 dpi versus the iPhone 6s’ 1334x750 pixel resolution at 326ppi. That being said, the S7 doesn’t have any kind of pressure-sensitive 3D Touch display like the 6s does.

But when we get to battery, the S7’s 3000 mAh battery trounces the iPhone’s 1715 mAh pack. However—just as with RAM and processors—how long a phone’s battery lasts has as much to do with the size of the pack as it does with how well the software works to conserve power.

iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Cameras

We’ve already said Samsung was able to reduce the camera bump on the back of the S7 thanks to its new lens, but besides that, just based on specs, it looks like the cameras on each device are the same. Both have 5MP front and 12MP rear cameras. However, the S7 features a f/1.7 aperture versus the iPhone 6s’ f/2.2 aperture. This means the S7 can take much better night shots. So it wins, hands down. It’s also been reported that the S7’s camera finishes focusing in on a subject before the iPhone 6s’ camera is even close to doing so.

iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Verdict

It goes without saying now that our phone choices are usually dictated by the software ecosystem we like best: Android or iOS. As with last time when I compared their previous flagships I don’t think the changes Samsung has made to the S7 series will be enough to make iPhone fans switch, but they again have definitely lit a fire under Apple’s ass to improve the hardware specs and add new features (like waterproofing) inside the iPhone 7. 

Apple has made a lot of money peddling old hardware, souped up inside nice looking phones. You can't get away with this in the Android space. Well, you could, but you'd be releasing sub-£150 phones. The Galaxy S7 is much superior to the iPhone 6s. It beats it in almost every regard. But as we all know: iPhone users are different to Android users; they aren't fussed about QHD panels and 4GB of RAM inside their phones. 

There is an element of this with Samsung's Galaxy S7 handset as well; sort of like it feels it did enough with the Galaxy S6 and now all it has to do is incremental refinements to certain specs and hardware and this is fine for a flagship handset in 2016. Personally, I don't think it's enough. Not with the LG G5 and certainly not with the iPhone 7 on the radar a bit farther down the line. 

Samsung needed the S7 to be a great converter, a phone that'd suck in iPhone users left, right and centre. But instead it came to the table with a handset that looks and feels like last year's flagship. For me, if I was in the market for an Android handset in 2016 I would be looking at either the LG G5 or waiting to see what Google's 2016 Nexus phones are like. 

That’s not to say the iPhone 6s is better than the Galaxy S7; it really isn’t — the Galaxy S7 surpasses it in almost every regard. I guess I’m just disappointed because it looks very similar to last year’s model and that sort of detracts from the excitement of testing a new phone out, sort of like if all the new clothes you bought looked the same.

I like both phones, for instance, but neither release, for me, was as exciting as last year’s models. This is mostly down to both the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6 introducing big industrial design changes, but also because it is nice to see how the two biggest phone makers in the world approach big changes to user experience.

     Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7

It used to be that the first major event in the mobile industry calendar coincided pretty neatly with the beginning of the year - CES in January. However, in the last few years major mobile makers have left this massive conference to be dominated by other types of consumer electronics, instead focusing their attention on Mobile World Congress which takes place towards the end of February and into the beginning of March. This year was no exception, but it was quite a launchpad for some major devices, as both Samsung and LG unveiled some phenomenal flagships just a day ahead of the expo kick-off, with the Galaxy S7 series (Galaxy S7 AND Galaxy S7 edge) and the LG G5.

At the time this trio of premium-grade devices had only each other and Apple's iPhone 6s series (launched the previous September) to compete with. Against the LG G5's dual-camera design, removable battery cell and modular component features, the Samsung Galaxy S7 packed the BEST display on the market and a waterproof bodyshell.

But we're now in May 2016, with the imminent arrival of a new crop of devices from Motorola, OnePlus, and even Google on the not-too-distant horizon. In the meantime we have seen a pretty capable offering from HTC in the HTC 10, but a somewhat surprising heavy-hitter came from Chinese firm Huawei; unwrapping the Huawei P9 and Huawei P9 Plus. Like the LG G5, this duo is fitted with a dual-camera sensor, but this one is fancy in its own way and what's more was co-developed by Leica. Combined with a premium metal build in a sleek bodyshell, and together with the firm's impressive Kirin processor, there's plenty here for Samsung to take seriously.

But just how does the Huawei P9 compare to the Samsung Galaxy S7? We take a look to find out...

Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Specs

Here’s the specs for the Huawei P9:

• Display: 5.2in display with a 1920×1080-pixel resolution at 423ppi
• Dimensions: 145mm  x 70.9 mm x 6.95 mm
• Weight: 144 grams
• Storage: 32 or 64, plus support for microSD cards up to 128GB
• Memory: 3 or 4 GB RAM
• Processors: Kirin 955 2.5GHz 64-bit ARM-based processor
• Front camera: 8 MP with laser auto focus
• Rear camera: Dual 12 MP with laser auto focus
• Battery life: 3000 mAh
• Colors: Rose Gold, Prestige Gold, Titanium Grey and Mystic Silver

And here’s the specs for the Galaxy S7:

• Display: 5.1in display with a 2560×1440-pixel resolution at 577ppi
• Dimensions: 142.4mm  x 69.6 mm x 7.9 mm
• Weight: 152 grams
• Storage: 32 or 64, plus support for microSD cards up to 200GB
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Processors: Samsung Exynos 8890
• Front camera: 5 MP
• Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.7 aperture, 4K video
• Battery life: 3000 mAh
• Colors: Dark Grey or Gold

Both phones come in two storage options—32GB and 64GB. All seems even, so far, right? Not so fast. Though each phone also supports storage expansion via the microSD card slot, the S7 accepts cards up to 200GB in size. The P9 only accepts cards up to 128GB. So, technically, the S7 is capable of more storage.

When it comes to RAM, 4GB is what you get with the S7, no matter what storage size you buy. However, with the P9 if you want 4GB of RAM you need to shell out for the 64GB storage model. The 32GB P9 only comes with 3GB of RAM. As for processors, the P9 features Huawei’s new Kirin 64-bit processor, which is 100% faster than the processor in the P8. As for the S7, you get Samsung’s Exynos 8890 chipset. Which is better? IN all the real world tests I’ve seen they’re about equal.

When it comes to battery, both phones sport 3000 mAh batteries, so expect virtually the same battery life for each device.

Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Design & Build

I’m a big fan of the P9 with its precision-engineered aluminum and ceramic body and its good selection of color options. In truth, however, it’s really hard to compare the body designed of flagships nowadays as most feature all-metal or aluminum bodies, as the S7 does as well.

What is a bit of a surprise is the P9 is actually 1mm thinner than the S7. That’s surprising because the P9 has the physically larger display. But I guess Huawei used the extra surface area to flatten out the internals.

Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Display

We come to the first HUGE difference between the two when we talk displays. Yes, the Huawei P9 has the larger 5.2in display—that’s versus the 5.1in display on the Galaxy S7—but its resolution pales in comparison to the S7’s display specs.

The P9 features a 1920×1080 at 423ppi. That’s decent, sure. But when you consider the S7 packs in a 2560×1440 Quad HD Super AMOLED display at 577ppi, well, the contest is over. The S7 hands down has the better display.

Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Cameras

But the P9 strikes back in a BIG WAY when you get to the camera department. The P9 features a dual-camera Leica lens in its rear camera. That’s right, there are TWO 12MP cameras on the back, leading to pictures that approach DSLR quality. The S7 features a 12MP camera as well, but it’s only a single lens camera. No question about it, you will get MUCH better pics using the P9’s camera.

As for front facing cameras, the P9 beats the S7 there too. The P9 has an 8MP front lens, while the S7 is stuck with a 5MP front camera.

Huawei P9 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Verdict

Yeeesh! This is a very VERY tough call. In many ways the Galaxy S7 wins: it’s got better storage options thanks to the 200GB microSD card support, it’s got a MUCH better display, and it offers 4GB of RAM no matter which storage size you use. But the P9 is incredibly compelling thanks to its new dual lens camera system. You pics will be better than ever thanks to the P9’s camera.

So which to choose? My advice is if gaming and everyday app-usage is the most important thing to you in a phone, opt for the Galaxy S7 over the P9. However, if picture taking is something you primarily use your smartphone for, grab the P9. Pics don’t get better than that (without a DSLR)

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          Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5

It's been quite an exciting year so far, from the outset 2016 has seen some really rather fantastic handsets launched and the vast majority have been part of the Android space. We've now seen the HTC 10 and the Huawei P9 (together with the Huawei P9 Plus) emerge as seriously compelling contenders, but things kicked off quite impressively at MWC in late February when both Samsung and LG unveiled their respective flagships. On the very same day, February 21, mere hours before the expo began, LG unwrapped the LG G5 with its modular base compartment, premium metal build, and a dual-sensor camera; while Samsung took the wraps off both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, fashioned from metal and glass, with waterproof construction and the best display technology on the market.

Of course the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge pack a lot of the same tech, hardware and features, but they're not completely identical; the Galaxy S7 edge is a bit larger with a curved edge display, and it packs a slightly bigger battery cell too. Here we'll be focusing on the regular Galaxy S7 though.

The LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 are arguably two of the biggest Android handsets of the year. As of April 4, reports have emerged from analysts in Asia who estimate Samsung has shipped as many as 10 million Galaxy S7 series handsets during March, the one month period since the phone launched onto the market. These are just estimates, of course, and Samsung is yet to release sales and shipping figures, and it has not commented on the reports yet either. However, assuming there's some authenticity here, that is an impressive bump up from earlier estimates of 7 million, and much more in-line with Samsung's own predictions from pre-order figures that it will outsell its earlier Galaxy S flagships. Analysts have now raised their 2016 forecasts for Samsung as a result, and the firm's shares have seen a bit of a boost too.

But which of these two handsets is the best? Let’s find out!

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Design & Display

We're getting pretty familiar with this scenario now: most of the rumours for both handsets were pretty much spot on, so design wise there aren't many surprises.

Starting with the Galaxy S7, as per the rumour mill the design is very similar indeed to last year's Galaxy S6, near identical, in fact, with just a few extra subtle curves on the back panel that you might miss if you blink. This is all fine, of course, you won't hear a peep of criticism from me about the aesthetics of the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S7 as I think they're both stellar looking devices with a very interesting shape, as well as being solidly well-made from high-end, premium feel materials; glass and metal. There are some differences though, and they're of the more hidden variety, such as the return of a microSD slot and full IP68 waterproofing. That latter is achieved through coating the components and ports with a protective layer, so there's no need for any of those daft port covers.

The Galaxy S7 is a 5.1in handset with a Super AMOLED display featuring a QHD (2560 x 1440 pixel) resolution at 577ppi. Samsung has also added an "Always On" display feature, allowing the phone to make full use of the ability of OLED tech to selectively power individual pixels to show a limited set of information on-screen. Basically, even when the phone is asleep it can show notifications, a clock, or a calendar in a low-power mode.

All of the above pretty much applies to the Galaxy S7 edge as well, although obviously this model has the curved edge display and design from the Galaxy S6 edge, giving it a slightly different look which is very refined and sleek. The Galaxy S7 edge is larger than its predecessor and its Galaxy S7 stable-mate, however, with a bigger 5.5in display at 534ppi. Samsung has also expanded the edge display screen functionality to allow for more apps, shortcuts and information to be stored and displayed on the edge panel.

The LG G5 is in some ways familiar alongside older LG models like the LG G4, but also quite distinct at the same time. For starters, the whole thing is fabricated from metal - magnesium, to be precise -  which is a first for LG, and almost the entirety of the thing is a sleek unibody design, with some elegant curves and refined angles here and there to spice things up. The only noticable break in the chassis is where the LG G5's mega-party-trick comes into play; a removable modular base segment which allows access to the battery and card slots, but has also been developed with modular accessories in mind. So far, LG has demonstrated some XXL battery packs, a Bang & Olafson audio unit, and a custom camera module with built-in physical keys, but this is open to third-party developers so the possibilities are quite tantalising.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Specs & Hardware

Samsung Galaxy S7:

Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, 152g (Galaxy S7 edge: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, 157g) Display: 5.1in Super AMOLED, QHD 2560x1440 pixels, 577ppi (Galaxy S7 edge: 5.5in, 534ppi)
OS: Android Marshmallow
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820/Samsung Exynos 8890
Memory: 4GB
Storage Options: 32GB/64GB
SD-Support: Yes
Imaging: 12 MP, LED flash, f/1.7 aperture, 1.4um pixels, 100% dual-pixel phase detection
Battery: Non-removable Li-Po 3000mAh battery (Galaxy S7 edge: 3600mAh)

LG G5:

Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm, 159g Display: 5.3in IPS LCD QHD 2560x1440 pixel, 554ppi
OS: Android Marshmallow
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
Memory: 4GB
Storage Options: 32GB
SD-Support: Yes
Imaging: 16MP/8MP dual-camera, OIS, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Battery: Removable Li-Po 2800 mAh battery

Samsung has been a bit irritating this year by "pulling an Apple" on some of the hardware specs, that is to say; not fully disclosing them and instead selectively dropping stats it wants us to hear. The pre-launch rumours told us for some time that with the Galaxy S7 series, just as with previous models, there would be both Qualcomm Snapdragon-based and Samsung Exynos-based processor variants, with 4GB of RAM. Samsung hasn't officially talked about any of that, instead preferring to tell all that CPU performance is 30% faster, while GPU performance is 64% faster. Despite the lack of detail, these assertions, if true, are undoubtedly good news. What's also neat is the addition of a PC-style liquid-cooled heat pipe and heatsink to dissapate heat away from the processor when under heavy workloads. 

Samsung also didn't mention the onboard storage space, although earlier leaks have implied the base model is a 32GB setup. There's also no Type-C USB port, instead you get the old type (not exactly a deal-breaker, mind), but you do get up-to-date 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC, just as you do inside the LG G5. The Galaxy S7 handsets, as expected, don't have removable battery cells, but you do get a fairly hefty 3000mAh inside the S7 and 3600mAh inside the S7 edge.

Meanwhile, LG was pretty upfront about the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC with 4GB of RAM to power things along nicely, putting it on a similar footing to at least one of Samsung's device variants. The battery is smaller than Samsung's, and smaller than rumour implied at only 2800mAh, but you can remove and replace it - so swings and roundabouts.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Camera

Cameras are really getting a makeover in many 2016 handsets and both Samsung and LG have gone to efforts to come up with something interesting.

Samsung has actually reduced its megapixel rating down to a 12MP sensor, but has tweaked things in other areas that count for more - like a world first dual-pixel sensor with 100% phase-detection autofocus, a very wide f/1.7 aperture, and a larger light-absorbing 1.4um pixel size. Reportedly the focus speed, image quality and low-light performance are all pretty special.

LG hasn't exactly slouched either though, with a dual-sensor setup featuring both 16MP 75° wide-angle and 8MP 135° wide-angle cameras on the rear with f/1.8 and f/2.4 apertures respectively, as well as a return of LG's now-familiar laser autofocus, optical stabilisation and 4K video recording. As with previous implementations of dual-cameras the idea here is capturing a LOT of visual data and then allowing plenty of clever post-processing and editing after capture.