Skip to main content
The VergeThe Verge logo.The Verge homepage
The VergeThe Verge logo.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs. LG G5: two of 2016’s biggest phones face off

The two Korean giants have made this year's Mobile World Congress a memorable one

Share this story

Samsung's two new smartphones and LG's one phone with a clique of Friends accessories have stirred up most of the hype and excitement around Mobile World Congress this year. It's actually been a terrific show for improved industrial design from all manufacturers, and we've seen more interesting concepts and ideas than usual this year. Still, the biggest interest has been reserved for the two giant chaebols from Korea. Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are the latest iterations of the most successful line of Android smartphones to date, while LG's G5 is a massive leap forward and a legitimate attempt at dethroning Samsung's incumbency. It's an exciting prospect to look forward to for the next few months: two truly compelling, truly high-end smartphone propositions that are different in substantial ways and offer users meaningful differences in experience.

For the specifics on both companies' newly announced products, check out our comprehensive previews of the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 and Edge. We've compared the two photographically below, but ultimately it will be up to you to decide which company's approach you like more. Fans of the Nexus 6P's aluminum unibody and rear-mounted fingerprint sensor will find the G5 more their style. Anyone that values water resistance and larger batteries will feel more attracted by the Galaxy S7. Both smartphone lines offer microSD storage expansion, fast processors, tons of RAM, and gorgeous displays with always-on functionality. Samsung's design is that little bit more refined and pleasant to hold, and the 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 Edge is scarcely any larger than the 5.3-inch LG G5. Then again, LG touts a USB-C port, two rear cameras rather than one (adding an 8-megapixel ultrawide-angle option), and the potential for the G5 to grow and do more with attachable modules like a camera grip and an audio enhancement part.

Now is an extremely fun time to be in the market for a new smartphone and these two new Android flagships are setting a fine example for everyone to follow in the year ahead.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge vs. LG G5 hands-on photos

1/15

More from this stream Mobile World Congress 2016: the biggest news in mobile from Barcelona

See all 31 stories