The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are now year-old phones, but that doesn’t mean they’re not excellent devices. So how do they compare against the newer and perhaps more powerful LG G6? We put all three phones head to head to find out.
Specs
LG G6 |
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| Size | 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9 millimeters (5.86 x 2.83 x 0.31 inches) | 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 millimeters (5.61 x 2.74 x 0.31 inches) | 149 x 72 x 7.62 millimeters (5.85 x 2.85 x 0.30 inches) |
| Weight | 5.75 ounces | 5.36 ounces | 5.54 ounces |
| Screen | 5.7-inch IPS LCD | 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED | Dual-edge, 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2,880 x 1,440 pixels | 2,560 x 1,440 pixels | 2,560×1,440 pixels |
| OS | Android 7.0 Nougat | ||
| Storage | 32/64GB | 32/64GB | 32/64GB |
| SD Card Slot | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NFC support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 | Qualcomm MSM8996, Snapdragon 820 (U.S. Models), Exynos 8890 Octa (International Models) |
Qualcomm MSM8996, Snapdragon 820 (U.S. Models), Exynos 8890 Octa (International Models) |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ |
| Camera | Front 5MP, Rear dual 13MP | Front 5MP, Rear 12MP | Front 5MP, Rear 12MP |
| Video | 2,160p 4K UHD | 2,160p |
2,160p |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.2 | Yes, version 4.2 | Yes, version 4.2 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistant | Yes, IP68 | Yes, IP68 | Yes, IP68 |
| Battery | 3,300mAh | 3,000mAh | 3,600mAh |
| Charger | USB-C | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Quick Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, WPC and PMA | Yes, Qi and PMA | Yes, Qi and PMA |
| Marketplace | Google Play Store | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Color offerings | White, black, platinum | Black, white, gold, silver | Black, white, gold, silver |
| Availability | TBD | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| DT Review | First Take | 4 out of 5 stars | 4 out of 5 stars |
When it comes to specs, these two phones are more alike than we might have wanted. That’s because the LG G6 features a now aging Snapdragon 821, which is only slightly better than the older Snapdragon 820 found in the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. On top of that, all three devices feature a respectable 4GB of
Still, there is something to be said for that slight performance boost the Snapdragon 821 offers over the 820, and it should help the new G6 run that much faster — or stay relevant for slightly longer. Of course, to complicate things, not all Galaxy S7 models feature the Snapdragon 820 — the international model opts for Samsung’s self-built Exynos 8890, instead. In most benchmarks, the 8890 has been found to be slightly more powerful than the Snapdragon 820, though slightly less powerful than the Snapdragon 821 — so the LG G6 still has the edge here.
When it comes to storage, both Galaxy S7 phones offer 32GB and 64GB options, but the G6 only has a 64GB version in some markets. However, all three have a MicroSD card slot, meaning you can expand upon that storage if you so choose.
While the phones are close in performance, the LG G6 has a slight edge.
Winner: LG G6
Design
All things considered, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have a very similar design. They both feature a distinctly “Samsung” look, with a home button/fingerprint sensor combination at the bottom and a centered (and somewhat large) camera module on the back. The S7 Edge does away with convention by including the now-famous edge-style display, which wraps around the front of the phone onto both sides of the device.
The G6, however, is a little different — and definitely more what we would expect in 2017. The phone’s display features rounded corners, which is an interesting and modern-looking touch, but what’s really interesting is that the display covers a hefty 80 percent of the surface area of the front of the phone. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Xiaomi Mi Mix, it does look very nice — and is similar to what we expect from the Galaxy S8. The G6 also features a nice dual-camera module on the back.
In all honestly, the Galaxy S7 models and LG G6 look quite similar. The metal frame on the G6 is thicker and more sturdy, making it feel more solid in your hand. The S7 Edge is perhaps the prettiest one of the three, but the difference isn’t too great. The glass is fragile, too, and tends to attract fingerprints.
The G6’s greatest accomplishment is its small body size — in spite of its big screen. It’s very comfortable to hold, thanks to its compact body that’s nearly all screen.
The Galaxy S7 looks great and the Galaxy S7 Edge is a unique device, but in our view, the LG G6 looks slightly more modern. The G6’s small body and big screen are impressive.
Winner: LG G6
Display
When it comes to raw display specs, the LG G6 features a 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,880, which equates to around 564 pixels per inch. The Galaxy S7 sits at a smaller 5.1-inches, with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560, or a sharper 577 pixels per inch. Last but not least is the Galaxy S7 Edge, which has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560, or 534 pixels per inch.
The G6 has a bigger screen with a unique 18:9 (2:1) ratio. That means you get more screen in a smaller device, but it could also mean your content may not always scale correctly. The Galaxy S7 has a more conventional aspect ratio, and its screen is smaller.
There’s another metric to measure display by, and that’s display type. The LG G6 uses an LCD, while both the Galaxy S7 and S7 Plus use Super AMOLED panels. They both have their pros and cons, but the gist of thing is that AMOLED panels usually produce slightly brighter colors and deeper blacks. They’re also typically less power-hungry, depending on how they’re being used.
The G6’s display is larger, but the Galaxy S7’s is slightly sharper and should look nicer thanks to it being Super AMOLED rather than LCD. Samsung is the winner here.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S7
Battery life and charging
The battery is one of the most feature of phones these days, and that’s unlikely to change in the next few years. The new LG G6 boasts a 3,300mAh battery, which is a decent offering. The Galaxy S7, on the other hand, offers a slightly less high-capacity 3,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy S7 Edge hits a hefty 3,600mAh.
Of course, it’s not all about the battery — it’s also about how fast that battery charges, and here the LG G6 takes the cake. The phone uses Qualcomm’s new Quick Charge 3.0, which is slightly faster than the Quick Charge 2.0 tech in the Galaxy phones and quite a bit more efficient. The U.S. model of the G6 also has wireless charging, as do both Galaxy S7 models.
There are different advantages here — the G6 charges faster, while the Galaxy S7 Edge has a larger battery. We’re calling it a tie.
Winner: LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Camera
Phone cameras are getting better and better, and these three phones are no exception to the rule. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were first launched, they were hailed for their great cameras, especially in low-light situations. Both phones feature a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with a f/1.7 aperture, optical image stabilization, and phase detection autofocus. That’s not a bad offering at all — but the G6 may have them beat.
The LG G6 features a dual-lens camera setup. Both of the sensors are 13-megapixels, but one features a f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, while the other has a f/2.4 aperture. One of the lenses is a wide-angle lens that captures vistas beautifully.
In any case, the G6 should have you covered by most situations — and while the Galaxy S7 was great for its time, the G6 is the winner in this comparison.
The front-facing camera on both phones sit at 5-megapixels and are more than fine for selfie-taking needs, but aren’t going to break any records. The G6’s selfie camera has one advantage, though: A wide-angle mode for group selfies.
Winner: LG G6
Software
The phones all either ship with or can be upgraded to the latest and greatest
For example, the LG G6 is the first non-Google phone to boast Google Assistant, Google’s new digital assistant that has so far been limited to the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL. It is important to note that
There are some pretty big differences between Samsung’s TouchWiz and LG’s GUI. TouchWiz is generally known for including quite a bit of Samsung’s own software, while GUI is a little lighter on what you could call bloatware. GUI takes advantage of the screen’s 18:9 (2:1) aspect ratio with fun design elements that are lovely and symmetric. On top of that, it’s likely that the LG G6 will be supported in updates for longer because it’s newer.
LG is the clear winner.
Winner: LG G6
Durability
At first glance, you might assume that the Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and LG G6 are all just as durable as each other. After all, all three phones feature IP68 certification, meaning that they dust and waterproof for over 1.5 meters for as long as 30 minutes. Sure, you won’t want to swim with them, but if you accidentally drop them in the bath you should be fine.
In reality, however, it’s likely that the LG G6 will last quite a bit longer than its Samsung counterparts. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge feature an all-glass design, which is very prone to breaking. Sure, the LG G6 also has a lot of glass, but the metal frame is thicker and more protective. The G6 features a metal band around the edge and rounded corners which should limit the damage from corner drops, as the impact is more dissipated.
However, we recommend getting a case for any of these phones. Glass is more breakable than metal or plastic, and you’ll pay a fortune to replace any of those panels.
Winner: There are no winners here
Price and availability
The LG G6 starts at $650 in the U.S. — the same price as the iPhone. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have already been available for some time now. You can get the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge from all major carriers, and the same is true of the G6.
Compared to the Galaxy S7, which comes at $672, and the Galaxy S7 Edge, which costs $792, the LG is fairly reasonable. Considering what you get for the money, we’re handing the win to the G6.
Winner: LG G6
Winner: LG G6
All three phones are excellent devices, but there’s a clear winner. While the Samsung Galaxy S7 offers the best display and the Galaxy S7 Edge is at least on-par with battery life and charging, the G6 offers better specs, a better camera, is more durable, and has better software.
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