Samsung Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: Is there a new flagship king?

iPhone 6S vs Galaxy S7: Apple vs Samsung battle it out for mobile domination

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is now on the market, heralding the next round in the ongoing Samsung vs Apple smartphone grudge match.

Now that our review is in, we can confirm that the Galaxy S7 is a serious contender for the top smartphone crown. It might pack a familiar design, but a faster CPU, improved battery, and a stunning-looking camera could well be giving Apple more cold sweats than the FBI.

Of course, it wasn't too long ago that Apple released its iPhone 6S flagship. Many saw that phone as one of Apple's best ever 'S' devices, so it's not like Samsung has the market all sown up right up until the launch of the iPhone 7.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of Samsung's new handset and how it stacks up against Apple's current iPhone.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 VS IPHONE 6S: DESIGN

Samsung Galaxy S7: 7.9mm thick, 152g, metal alloy, glass front and back, IP68 certified, Black/Gold

iPhone 6S: 7.1mm thick, 143g, Series 7000 anodised aluminium back, Space Gray/Silver/Gold/Rose Gold

The Galaxy S6 was the prettiest phone Samsung's ever made by quite some margin. It ditched the horrid plastic backs seen on past Galaxy phones, replacing them with a wonderfully luxurious mix of glass and metal. The design made the Galaxy S6 look and feel premium.

However, its design still didn't completely beat Apple's. While the iPhone 6S's design doesn't radically differ from its predecessor, the iPhone 6, it remains one of, if not the best put together phones on the market. true, it may not be as iconic as the iPhone 4 or iPhone 5, but it's a much more pleasant phone to use day-to-day.

It's curvier and somehow warmer than previous iPhones. What's more, with Apple's use of Series 7000 aluminium, it's also tougher than before.

Related: Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge

However, picking between it and the Galaxy S7 is tricky, as Samsung's made a number of small but important design changes to its latest flagship. The camera sensor bump is gone and Samsung's added a few millimetres to the thickness by adding a slight curvature to the back, reminiscent of the Galaxy Note 5.

This thickening is actually a considerable improvement, making it much more comfortable to hold and less prone to slipping out of your hand. It also means that the Galaxy S7 is a lot easier to pick up from a flat surface, which is an important attribute.

What's more, Samsung somehow managed to make the gorgeous looking Galaxy S7 IP68 certified. This means that, unlike the iPhone 6S, the Galaxy S7 can survive an accidental aquatic encounter unscathed. That this has been achieved with no external signs of 'ruggedisation' - flaps, a thicker display etc. - is impressive.

Samsung's design hasn't really gotten any prettier this year, then, but it has become a lot more practically sound. That's just as important as aesthetic considerations, if not more so, and it's enough to give the Galaxy S7 a win over the iPhone 6S in this area.

Compare now: tariffs and offers at uSwitch for Galaxy S7 | iPhone S6

GALAXY S7 VS IPHONE 6S: DISPLAY

Samsung Galaxy S7: 5.1-inch Super AMOLED, 2,560 x 1,440, 577ppi

iPhone 6S: 4.7-inch IPS LCD, 1334 x 750, 326ppi, 3D Touch

The Samsung Galaxy S7's display is very similar indeed to the S6's. This means that once again it is radically sharper than the iPhone 6S's screen, and once again displays deeper blacks thanks to its Super AMOLED tech.

For those that don't know, AMOLED screens display deeper and richer blacks by electrically charging each individual pixel when generating colours, letting them create blacks simply by turning off the relevant pixels. LCD technology lights up all pixels, even when they're displaying black, making for a slightly washed out grey look. This means that the Galaxy S7, like the S6, has a more vibrant and sharp display than the iPhone 6S.

Of course, some will argue that AMOLED screens tend to be oversaturated, making films and pictures look false and other worldly. But Samsung, as always, offers a number of screen tone options so that you can attain a more naturalistic picture if you so wish.

GALAXY S7 VS IPHONE 6S: PERFORMANCE

Samsung Galaxy S7: Exynos 8890 octa-core/Snapdragon 820 quad-core CPU, Adreno 530/Mali-T880 MP12 GPU, 4GB RAM

iPhone 6S: Apple A9 64-bit dual-core CPU, 2GB RAM

The Galaxy S7 is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 8890 processor in most territories, including here in the UK. Our US cousins get the more general, off-the-shelf (but still highly capable) Snapdragon 820.

Whichever chip you get, it will offer radically better performance than the Galaxy S6. Samsung claims that both will offer 30% better performance than the Galaxy S6's Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core CPU. The phone's also got a memory upgrade, with Samsung having loaded the Galaxy S7 with a staggering 4GB of RAM.

Get a great deal on the Galaxy S6 Edge at Amazon

Our own extensive hands-on time with the Galaxy S7 bears this performance boost out. Games in particular absolutely fly on this phone, whether it's the fast-paced 3D racing thrills of Asphalt or the detailed 2D puzzling of Lara Croft Go.

The iPhone, meanwhile, has the dual-core A9 chip and 2GB of RAM. That combo matched the S6, and even exceeded it in general usage, but Samsung holds the advantage - at least until the iPhone 7 arrives.

Our multicore CPU benchmark tests showed that the Galaxy S7 had a clear lead over the iPhone 6S for high-end tasks

GALAXY S7 VS IPHONE 6S: CAMERA

Samsung Galaxy S7: 12-megapixel, phase detection, Dual Pixels, OIS, f/1.7 lens, 1/2.6" sensor, 1.4 µm pixel, 4K video, 5-megapixel front camera

iPhone 6S: 12-megapixel rear camera, f/2.2 aperture, dual LED flash, 4K video recording, 5-megapixel front camera

The iPhone 6S is no slow poke when it comes to snapping photos. The phone's automatic mode is one of the best we've seen on a smartphone and makes it quicker and easier to take great photos without having to get bogged down in complex settings.

It's only drawback is its lack of optical image stabilisation (OIS), a factor that, combined with its lower f/2.2 aperture meant it struggled to compete with the Galaxy S6 in low light.

The Galaxy S7 widens the gulf in that respect, employing a number of techniques to help boost its low light performance.

For starters Samsung's loaded the Galaxy S7 with a new 12-megapixel sensor - actually less than its predecessor - that's been designed to capture bigger pixels, and as a consequence more light.

iPad Mini 4 review

Often the unloved tablet in Apple’s lineup, the latest mini-iPad is pretty much an iPad Air 2 with a 7.9-inch display.

It probably is what the poorly received iPad Mini 3 should have been, thanks to the improved CPU, 2GB of RAM, laminated display and overall thinner body.

It’s a fantastic little media machine that while pricey, has all the functionality of its bigger brothers. Just in a smaller package.

IPAD MINI 4 – DESIGN

The iPad Mini 4 looks just like the iPad Mini 3 before it, which in turn looked just like the iPad Mini 2. Apple clearly feels it’s reached peak iPad design, and I mostly agree.

Those chamfered edges glisten, the curved sides sit comfortably in your hands, and the flat back helps the device perch, without rocking, on a table. It’s as slippery as ever, though: I often feel a little uneasy when holding the tablet in one hand.

Related: Best Tablets

image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94/000038d28/dca3_orh616w616/mini-10.jpg

Along the side of the iPad Mini 4 is a volume switch, and a lock button sits along the top; Apple has done away with the rotation lock slider of the iPad Mini 3. This is in order to make the device slimmer – 6.1mm as opposed to 7.5mm – and the trade-off is fine by me. It’s lighter, too, by about 30g.

On the bottom you’ll find the precisely machined speaker holes and a Lightning charging port.

The defining feature of the iPad Mini 4, as its name implies, is its size. It’s far more manageable in one hand than the iPad Air 2 or 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and when placed next to the iPad Pro 12.9-inch the difference is almost comical.

image: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94/000038d2a/55d7_orh616w616/mini-12.jpg

In certain situations, I much prefer the compact style. Reading, for instance, is far better on the iPad Mini 4. I can hold up the device comfortably with one hand for extended periods, something that wouldn't be possible with a larger tablet. It also feels more natural to be reading on a device that is the actual size of a paperback book.

The iPad Mini 4 is also the perfect companion when out and about. Pulling it out on the bus, tube or train feels less intrusive to others – especially on jam-packed public transport – than it does with a full-sized tablet, which makes it a great little media machine to always keep around.

However, I don’t find the iPad Mini anywhere near as productive as larger devices. Its smaller display leads to a smaller on-screen keyboard, making typing more difficult and therefore typos more common. The size issue affects third-party keyboard accessories, too, which again makes them far less functional than their larger counterparts.

Related: iOS 9 tips and tricks

IPAD MINI 4 – DISPLAY

Since it was announced months before the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the iPad Mini 4's display doesn’t feature True Tone technology. Still, this is a fine screen – in fact, of all the iPads this is the most pixel-dense panel.

The 2,058 x 1,536 display is the same as both the iPad Air 2 and smaller iPad Pro, but those pixels are packed much tighter together in the 7.9-inch panel as opposed to the 9.7-inch version.

This is also the first iPad Mini display to be laminated, ditching that tiny air-gap that previously sat between the glass and the actual display. Of all the changes in the iPad Mini 4 this is one of my favourites, and you’ll really notice the difference if you’re coming to the iPad Mini 4 from previous generations of iPad. It feels like you’re actually touching the pixels.

Here’s proof that Mark Zuckerberg’s Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn accounts were hacked

Even renowned tech billionaires aren’t immune from hack attacks. Enter Mark Zuckerberg.

Hackers briefly gained access to a number of social media profiles belonging to the CEO of Facebook. According to a new report by Engadget, Zuckerberg’s Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn accounts were compromised and, in some cases, defaced. Facebook’s PR team has since denied that Zuckerberg’s Instagram was accessed, however.

On Twitter, hackers posted as Zuckerberg himself, revealing his password to the CEO’s followers:

13 best Samsung Galaxy S7 cases right now

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is powerful, stylish and has a great camera, but it needs a case. That glass and metal body won't look so nice if you drop it on a concrete floor.

Despite that whole 'tougher' and waterproof thing, most people will still want to wrap up their new S7 in a protective case. These things aren't cheap, after all, and all that glass and metal won't take to kindly to a full-on pavement face plant.

Thankfully, with this being one of the hottest phones of the year, there's already a wide selection of top notch Galaxy S7 cases on the market. We've rounded up a few we particularly like the look of.

A good number of the cases on this list are from Samsung itself. The company has really gone to town this year with a commendable range of cases rather than just endless variations on a theme.

BALLISTIC URBANITE SELECT

Ballistic's cases tend to reinforce the corners of the case with extra padding. Given that these invariably bear the brunt of any droppages, it's a smart idea. The Urbanite also looks distinctly smart, with a funky wood finish.

Price: £29.99

Related: Galaxy S7 vs S7 Edge

SPECK CANDYSHELL

Fancy something a little snazzier to cover your Galaxy S7? Speck's CandyShell range provides a number of lairy (and not-so-lairy) designs to catch the eye. Don't let the flashy looks deceive you though - Speck's cases are grippy, snug, and tough to the tune of a military certification.

Price: £29.99

SPIGEN SLIM ARMOR

We like Spigen's Slim Armor case because it provides rugged protection through a dual-layer design and Air Cushion technology, as well as a raised lip for screen protection. It also throws in a kickstand for hands-free media viewing. Bonus!

Price: £14.99

12 Best Smartphones and Mobile Phones

Our best smartphone round-up includes only the very best mobile phones right now. If you're looking for a new phone then it's in this list somewhere.

2016 is now in full swing, and we've started to see a flood of flagship smartphones hit the shelves. If you're getting ready to upgrade your phone, now is probably the time to do it. Unless you have your eyes set on the upcoming iPhone 7 or OnePlus 3.

Samsung's fantastic Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are strong options, but both the LG G5 and stunning HTC 10 are also worth a look if it's an Android phone you're after. iOS fan? The superb iPhone SE is certainly a good choice.

Of course, we also have the iPhone 7 coming up later this year, which will mean the debut of a totally new iPhone design. Some of the more extreme rumours suggest Apple will ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in favour of audio via the Lightning port, though you should take that with a pinch of salt for now.

If you really can't wait, however, there are still many great phones to choose from. Click here to browse our best smartphone list now, or read on for more more smartphone buying advice.

BEST SMARTPHONE BUYING GUIDE

Not sure where to start in your quest for a new phone? Whether you're seasoned buyer or are looking to buy your first smartphone, here are a few pointers to help you get started.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND ON A NEW SMARTPHONE?

While flagships seem to be getting more expensive by the year, laying your hands on a good smartphone is actually cheaper than ever. By all means splash the cash on a show-stopper like the iPhone 6S or LG G4 if you want to, but bear in mind that some crackers like the the 4G-enabled Motorola Moto E (2015) cost a fraction of the price and are brilliant phones in their own right.

It's also worth considering last year's top phones. The LG G4 and S6 now available for much less and are better than many new mid-range phones.

Related: Best Cheap Mobile Phones

WHAT SIZE SMARTPHONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

Large-screened mobiles are very much in demand these days, with even Apple embracing phablet fever. Phones measuring in at 5.5 inches and above can be considered as such, and are usually blessed with excellent displays that are great for watching videos and playing games on.

Anything between 4.5 and 5.1 inches is more practical for fingers and pockets, while still good for browsing the web, gaming and more. 4-inch smartphones, meanwhile, are ideal for children and users who aren’t fussed about games and videos. If you're unsure what's best for then a 5-inch is a good size for most people.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

You might consider extra features to be like the sprinkles on top of a cake, but they’re far more important than that. Things like microSD card slots, NFC, fingerprint scanners and water-resistance can dramatically affect the overall user experience of a smartphone.

Of all those, fingerprint scanners and NFC are quickly becoming must-have features. Not only does the former add extra security to your phone, the two combined open up the potential for contactless payments. Believe us when we say paying with your phone using your fingerprint is very cool.

Related: Best Mobile Deals: Top Smartphone offers this month

ANDROID VS IPHONE VS WINDOWS: WHICH IS BEST?

The smartphone world is notoriously divisive, with Apple-worshipping ‘fanboys’ on one end of the spectrum and Android-obsessed ‘phandroids’ on the other. The smaller Windows Phone OS has similarly militant supporters who don’t yet have a collective name, and you should ignore all of them.

We’ve explained the main advantages and disadvantages of each of the three main mobile operating systems below.

BUY AN ANDROID SMARTPHONE IF YOU WANT A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS

The Android operating system offers a better balance of variety and affordability than its rivals, due to the sheer diversity of Android smartphone manufacturers. There's a phone to suit any desire or budget and even the flagship ones are often much cheaper than iPhone rivals.

In Google Play, Android has the largest selection of apps and games too, but there’s a lot of rubbish mixed in with the good stuff. Overall, it’s a great operating system and it’s certainly the best option if you’d rather not spend big money on a shiny new smartphone.

Related: Best Android Phones

BUY AN IPHONE IF YOU VALUE SIMPLICITY

iPhones are some of the most expensive smartphones you can buy, and the last-generation iPhone 6 will still set you back a fair amount SIM-free. However, design is always on-point, the apps are great and they're very easy to use.

Apple’s App Store isn’t quite as populated as Google Play, but its restrictions are tighter, meaning that the overall quality of iOS games and apps is higher than what you’ll find on Android.

It’s also a great option if you own other Apple gadgets, like MacBooks and iPads, as the tightly integrated services make life easy.

Is Samsung going to borrow iPhone 7 Plus’s best rumoured feature?

Samsung’s next phablet – be it the Galaxy Note 6 or Note 7 – will feature a dual-lens camera, according to new reports.

The Taiwanese media is reporting that this year’s Galaxy Note 7 (the new rumoured name) will feature a dual-lens camera, as cited by China’s ZOL industry news site. The handset is tipped to arrive in the second half of 2016, which gels with previous rumours.

Samsung has already designed its own dual-lens cameras under Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., a part of Samsung Group. When the news broke back in March, the company reportedly planned to begin mass-manufacturing of the dual-lens module as soon as July this year.

With the Galaxy Note 7 expected to arrive on store shelves in September, the timeline appears to fit. The latest reports suggests that Samsung has in fact decided to feature its own custom-built module.

Such a move wouldn’t be surprising. After all, Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus, also rumoured to launch this September, has been tipped to feature a dual-lens camera. And Huawei recently debuted the technology on its new flagship Huawei P9 smartphone, revealed in April this year

Related: Samsung Galaxy

Dual-lens cameras offer a number of perks compared to conventional single-lens arrangements. These potential improvements include wider angle image capture, better zoom, adjustable post-capture focusing, and improved lighting.

However, Samsung hasn’t confirmed any plans to debut a dual-lens camera in its next smartphone. What’s more, the company is keeping tight-lipped about the prospect of a new Note handset too. As such, take any such report with due caution.