Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5 – which is best?

Performance

Processor: In the UK, the Galaxy S7 has one of Samsung’s custom-made octa-core 2.3GHz Exynos 8890 chipsets along with 4GB of RAM. Samsung says this is 30% faster than the S6’s octa-core 2.1GHz Exynos 7420 processor, and the results of our benchmarks certainly showed a huge amount of improvement. For instance, in Geekbench 3, the S7 scored an impressive 2,115 in the single core test and a massive 6,437 in the multicore test.

The G5 also has 4GB of RAM, but combines it with Qualcomm’s new quad-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 820 processors instead. In the single core Geekbench 3 test, the G5 pulled ahead, scoring 2,325, but its multicore result of 5,422 fell behind, which isn’t surprising given the S7 has four more cores.

However, while the S7 might be more efficient at handling high-intensity tasks, the G5’s GPU proved to be the more capable smartphone for playing games. In the offscreen Manhattan 3.0 test in GFX Bench GL, for example, the G5 produced an incredible 2,844 frames, which equates to roughly 46fps. By comparison, the S7 only managed 2,236 frames, which works out at just 38fps.   

They’re both still incredibly powerful for what’s currently available on the Google Play Store, but you’ll get better results on the G5 than you would on the S7.

Storage: The Galaxy S7 and LG G5 both come in 32GB variations, but the S7 is also available with 64GB of default storage. However, when each one has a microSD card slot, paying more for extra default storage seems like a bit of a waste of money – unless you carry an entire laptop’s worth of files round on your phone, of course.

Battery Life: The S7 has a slightly bigger 3,000mAh battery than the G5, which only has 2,800mAh to play with, but the results of our battery life test were as different as night and day. With the screen set to our usual brightness of 170cd/m2, the S7 stormed out in front with a massive 17h 48m, beating the G5’s 11h 10m by more than six whole hours.

However, when you take into account that you can simply slot in another battery on the G5, you could theoretically get 22h 20m of video playback out of it if necessary, which is arguably more useful if you don’t mind carrying another battery with you.

Conclusion: This one is harder to call. The S7 has more stamina and faster CPU speeds under load, but the G5 is better for games, low-level tasks and has the handy ability of being able to swap in another battery. What’s more important to you will likely come down to your own individual priorities, so we’re calling this one a draw. 

Camera

Both handsets have compelling camera arguments this year. The Galaxy S7 has gone with a new sensor, reducing the number of megapixels to 12 (still more than enough) but boosting the size of each pixel to give better low-light performance. It’s also improved the amount of light hitting the sensor with a brighter f/1.7 aperture. Focus is also improved thanks to a dual-pixel design, with fast phase-detect autofocus across the whole sensor.

LG meanwhile has included two cameras on its new phone. There’s a typical 16-megapixel sensor, but there’s also an 8-megapixel 135-degree wide angle camera beside it for shooting bigger group shots and wider vistas. 

As for which one is better, though, both have their own merits and failings. To get the best out of the G5, for instance, you really need to have HDR enabled, as the shots I took without HDR were just a touch dark and dingy compared to those on the S7. This isn’t much of a problem, but the S7 does produce slightly better shots without the extra help.

^ The S7 overexposes the sky quite a lot here, but colours are bright and accurate and there’s a good level of contrast available

^ The LG G5, on the other hand, isn’t quite so blown out, but the overall image is a fraction cooler

^ The S7 produces better shots with HDR switched on, but the sky is still overexposed in some places

^ The G5, meanwhile, really comes into its own with HDR enabled, as you get the full array of cloud detail as well as brighter, punchier colours

However, the G5’s wide-angle camera can make for some pretty entertaining shots for more creative types. It really widens the scope for what you can fit in the frame, and it works with third party apps like Twitter, too, which opens up plenty of opportunities that the S7 just can’t offer.

^ With LG’s wide-angle camera enabled, you can pack in a lot more than the standard 16-megapixel sensor

Both were brilliant to use indoors as well. The S7 was able to take low light shots at marginally faster shutter speeds, but the shots I took on the G5 were just as punchy and eye-popping as the S7’s.

^ The S7 (above) is a little warmer than the G5 (below), but both are exceptionally good indoor shots for a smartphone camera 

Conclusion: Both phones have equally good cameras, but the G5 has the added benefit of its wide angle lens as well. You wouldn’t be disappointed with either camera for everyday shots, but for those that like to have a bit more fun with their photos, the G5 is probably the better choice.  

Price and Conclusion

When both smartphones have so much going for them, you can see why we ended up giving both of them Best Buy awards. The G5 isn’t quite as attractive as the S7, but it is more practical and the ability to slot in new batteries once the main one has died is a very handy extra.

The S7, meanwhile, comes out on top for its display and battery life, but the G5 has better gaming credentials. Their respective cameras are also both neck-and-neck when it comes to overall picture quality, so which you go for will ultimately come down to what your main priorities are.

There’s not even much distinction to be made on price either, as both phone cost roughly the same on contract. The G5 is marginally cheaper SIM-free at £500 over the S7’s £569, but you’re still looking at around £40-per-month if you don’t have the cash to buy them outright.  

For me, I’d rather go with the LG G5, as I not only prefer LG’s UX Android interface over Samsung’s TouchWiz, but I also find the G5 easier and more comfortable to hold. On balance, it also feels just as quick as the S7, and its fun camera provides just that little bit of extra flexibility. However, for those who’d rather turn heads with their smartphone, the S7 is the clear choice.