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HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Which is best for me?

We compare the HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 specs and features to see which looks like the best flagship phone of 2016 so far.

Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 have already launched and so far we’re impressed with the excellent cameras, sharp Quad HD screens and premium designs. But now HTC is about to launch its 2016 flagship phone, the HTC 10, and it’s looking like a seriously strong rival in every way.

Here’s our early specs and features comparison, to see whether Samsung, LG or HTC are more deserving of your cash come upgrade time.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: At a glance

Phone HTC 10 LG G5 Samsung S7
Screen size 5.15-inches 5.3-inches 5.1-inches
Screen resolution 2560×1440 2560×1440 2560×1440
Water resistant? No No Yes
Fingerprint sensor? Yes Yes Yes
Processor Snapdragon 820 Snapdragon 820 Snapdragon 820
Memory 4GB 4GB 4GB
Storage 32GB 32GB 32/64GB
microSD? Yes Yes Yes
Rear camera 12MP 16MP 12MP
Front camera 5MP 8MP 5MP

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Design

HTC, Samsung and LG have all opted for metallic unibody designs for their 2016 flagships, a first for LG who previously constructed their phones from plastic (and leather, in the case of the LG G4).

The HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy S7 look similar to their 2015 counterparts, the One M9 and Galaxy S6, although both new phones have been tweaked to make them even sexier. The HTC 10 does away with those BoomSound front-facing speakers for a more streamlined design. It’s still a chunky and hefty beast however, while the Galaxy S7’s blend of metal and glass is impressively slender in comparison.

The Galaxy S7 is the only water resistant phone here, but all three phones should survive a few knocks and scrapes thanks to their tough exteriors. And the LG G5 has a very unique stand-out feature, namely its modular design, which allows you to plug in extra accessories. So far there are only two modules available; one gives you physical camera controls and the other boosts the G5’s audio capabilities. But LG is sure to release more modules soon, giving the ability to upgrade the G5 when new tech becomes available.

Finally, all three phones pack fingerprint sensors, which makes them more secure and also helps you to quickly unlock your handset.

Read next: Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S6, should I upgrade?

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Screen and media

If you’re after a media machine, then all three handsets will do the job. The G5, HTC 10 and Galaxy S7 all boast Quad HD displays, with a dense 2560×1440 pixel resolution. And with screen sizes in the 5.1-inches to 5.3-inches range, there’s almost no difference in the pixels-per-inch count. That means you’ll enjoy gorgeously sharp visuals, well suited to high-def movies and gaming.

Read next: Hands-on Galaxy S7 Edge review

The S7 and HTC 10 both use AMOLED tech in their displays, which makes for more vibrant images. The LG G5 on the other hand sports an IPS LCD screen, which produces more realistic, accurate colours, although contrast levels aren’t quite as strong.

All three phones here have expandable storage, accepting microSD memory cards, so you can carry around a massive media collection.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Performance and battery life

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 is the chipset of choice for all three phones here, so the G5, S7 and HTC 10 should all perform very strongly during everyday use. You’ll be able to play the latest fast-paced action games and indulge in some intensive media editing on the fly, with no stutter or slowdown.

We haven’t had a chance to test the battery performance of these phones yet, but the LG G5 and HTC 10 boast Quick Charge 3.0 support, so should power up to almost full capacity in just over half an hour. The Galaxy S7 only supports Quick Charge 2.0, which gives you roughly 60% charge in the same time.

The Galaxy S7 uses the old micro USB standard for charging too, while the HTC 10 and LG G5 support the new, faster Type-C USB.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5: Cameras

You can expect all three phones to sport the very best mobile camera tech, although they have their own individual strengths.

The LG G5’s 16-megapixel camera is one of the most intriguing as it sports two lenses; a standard 16-megapixel lens which takes sharp, attractive photos in almost any lighting, plus an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens which can fit a lot more into each shot (perfect for landscape and group snaps). You can swap between the two lenses on the fly with just a tap inside the camera app, depending on the kind of photo you want.

Samsung’s Galaxy S7 opts for a Dual Pixel 12-megapixel lens which boasts strong low-light performance, ideal for night owls who enjoy snapping their mates in bars and clubs. And hopefully the HTC 10’s 12-megapixel camera will put right the disappointment of the One M9’s snapper.

Read next: Hands-on LG G5 camera review

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