Watch the Samsung Galaxy S7 camera go head-to-head with the iPhone 6S Plus [VIDEO]

Well ahead of its official March 11th launch date, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has already begun landing on some people’s doorsteps (the ones that pre-ordered it anyway). But apparently YouTubers like SuperSaf have gotten their hands on the device even earlier than that and are wasting no time in pitting the S7 up against the latest crop of iPhones.

Given its size, the new Galaxy S7 directly competes with the smaller sized iPhone 6S but because the camera hardware is actually the same as the larger-sized Galaxy S7 Edge, Safwan also pits the regular S7 against the iPhone 6S Plus. This should give us a better idea of what an S7 Edge match up would look like and help address complaints that the phones weren’t evenly matched (the iPhone 6S Plus features OIS and boasts slightly better image quality over the regular sized 6S). You know, just to cover all the bases.

While we don’t want to spoil anything, the end result is, like most Android flagships these days, the Galaxy S7 mops the floor with Apple’s latest and greatest. Check out the video for yourself and let us know what you think.

Android N could bring redesigned notification shade and quick settings panel

While most of have only recently begun settling in with Android 6.0 Marshmallow on our devices, Android N looms near. In fact, we can expect to see our first official look at what the Android team has cooked up during this year’s Google I/O, taking place on May 18th – 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater. If you were hoping for a sneak peek, a new leak could be giving us an early look at some of the UI changes we can expect.

Using a handful of mockups, the folks at Android Police show us what Google could be planning for Android’s trademark notification shade and quick settings panels. Going for more of a Samsung-type feel, a few of the most commonly used quick settings will now appear at the top of the notification shade, removing the need to swipe twice to access things like WiFi, Bluetooth, or the flashlight. Of course, you can still swipe down twice to access all the others, with the new quick settings panel now paginated, allowing you to swipe left to access even more controls.

As for notifications, it seems Google could be toying around with the idea of removing the card UI we have no, going with instead a list and smaller, less prominent app icons. It’s an interesting look, one that almost feels like a throw back to early versions of Android. It may look a little less Material, but overall it seems cleaner and less cluttered. Still aren’t sure how we feel about it yet. What do you guys think?

LG thinks the LG G5 is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7, but do you?

No company is going to say their smartphone isn’t the best thing to hit the planet since it was discovered bacon was edible, so it comes as no surprise that LG is sending out material to show why their phone — the LG G5 (hands-on) — is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge (both of which were announced this past Sunday).

The graphic you see above goes over some of the features the LG G5 has and compares them to the Samsung Galaxy S7 (check out our hands-on look). Anyone taking a quick look at the photo will immediately peg LG the winner, but we should always look to our own judgment to decide which phone is best.

Just for funsies, let’s run down the list and see if there’s merit to any of it:
Modular Design: Fair point. The LG G5 can do some very cool stuff. Modular accessories like the camera grip and hi-fidelity audio do add additional important features. Win.
Removable Battery: Another fair point, though this will be up to the user to decide whether it’s important. For yours truly, it isn’t.
16MP rear camera: This is where things get iffy. Megapixels alone don’t count. Yes, the LG G5’s 16 megapixels are more than Samsung, but there are many other important factors to camera quality.
Always-on display: Both devices have them, and LG wasn’t afraid to point it out. Good on them.
5.3-inch display: LG gave themselves the win on this one, but some people (again, yours truly) actually prefer small displays. Toss-up.
Daylight mode: A fancy way to say “auto-brightness.” LG’s display can go a fair bit brighter than most others’, though, so we’ll let them slide with this one.
IP68 and Water Resistance: LG had to throw Samsung a freebie to give off the illusion that they’re being fair.
MicroSD slot: Again, can’t knock Samsung for the lack of expandable storage this year.

Of course, LG left many other things out like wireless charging, Samsung Pay and a heart-rate sensor, all things which they can’t hold a candle to. They did also leave out the fact that the LG G5 has USB Type-C while the Galaxy S7 is still stuck on microUSB 2.0, so we’ll give them that.

At the end of the day, the “best” smartphone is whichever smartphone works best for you. We could make as many comparisons, lists and reviews as we want, but if there’s one aspect of an otherwise “perfect” phone breaking the experience for you, you should try to find the one that fits you best regardless of what anyone thinks. That in mind, would you agree with LG or do you think they’re stretching a bit here? Sound off in the comments below!

Android N could completely change how the Settings menu looks

With Google IO 2016 just a few months away, rumors about the next version of Android have been flying around like crazy. A couple of the rumors have indicated major changes to core Android features, such as the removal of the app drawer. The next big change could be found in the Settings menu.

Google may have accidentally shared screenshots of the Settings in Android N. Yesterday, the Android Developer Blog posted about the Android Support Library 23.2. Unless you’re a developer, this is not a terribly exciting post. However, the screenshots towards the bottom of the page show a hamburger menu icon in the Settings. Presumably, tapping the hamburger icon will open a slide-out drawer with the different Settings sections.

Currently, the Settings menu is organized into sections on a single page. It can be a little cumbersome to scroll through the long page looking for a specific setting. A hamburger menu would make it much easier to navigate, and it would match the UI that a lot of Android apps already use. We would be able to quickly jump into the desired section of the Settings.

How do you feel about this new menu in the Settings? It seems that Google is rethinking how certain parts of Android work. We’re not sure how we feel about the app drawer going away, but taking a look at things that have been the same for a long time is a good practice.

[via Android Police]

Watch the Galaxy S7 destroy the iPhone 6S in a low light camera shoot out [VIDEO]

While some could argue that there isn’t a huge difference between the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S7 and its older sibling — last year’s Galaxy S6 — it’s hard to argue that the latest iteration in Samsung’s Galaxy S lineup didn’t receive a significant upgrade in the camera department. Tackling the 2 biggest challenges modern smartphone cameras face, Samsung was able to build a camera that, not only takes a better photo in low light, but can focus faster in these normally challenging situations as well.


They did this by using a larger f1.7 aperture lens and something they’re calling a “Dual Pixel” system. With a new Sony IMX260 camera sensor that captures more light by using larger 1.4μm pixels (at the cost of less megapixels), Samsung says the Galaxy S7 is capable of capturing 95% more light than the IMX240 sensor found in the Galaxy S6. The Galaxy S7 camera also uses all of the 12 million pixels to act as focus pixels, a feature you typically only find in full-sized DSLRs (phase detection auto focus). The end result is faster, more accurate auto-focus — 3 times faster than on the Galaxy S6 — and exceptional low light picture quality.

Still don’t believe the hype? Located in Samsung’s huge MWC 2016 booth, the Korean manufacturer showcased the new low light capabilities of the Galaxy S7 by allowing us to see it for ourselves. They did this in a dark room that was so dimly lit, we had trouble seeing anything in there with our own eyes. See what happens when the Samsung Galaxy S7 goes up against last year’s Galaxy S6, and the Apple iPhone 6S in a lighting situation you’d have to be crazy to even attempt to shoot with a smartphone. We think the results speak for themselves.

(VIDEO) Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge official Spec and First Look

The   Samsung Galaxy S7 is official, and you’re probably wondering about the raw specs under the hood. Here’s a full look at what makes the new 2016 smartphone from Samsung tick.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Specs

• Software: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
• Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, 152g
• Processor: Quad-core 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz processor
• Memory: 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 32GB internal storage, External microSD card (up to 200GB) support (sold separately)
• Display: 5.1” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560×1440 (577ppi)
• Camera: Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP with OIS (F1.7); Front: 5MP (F1.7)
• Battery: 3,000mAh, Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging (wireless charging pad sold separately)
• Connectivity: NFC, MST, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MU-MIMO, Bluetooth® v4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
• Other Features: Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM, IP68
• Colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge graduates from the 2015 option of being a normal-sized phone to a new phablet option for those who want something bigger. Beyond that, it’s the same phone as the Samsung Galaxy S7 under-the-hood and enjoys all the same specs and features. Here’s a full rundown of everything that was put inside.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Specs

• Software: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
• Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm, 157g
• Processor: Quad-core 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz processor
• Memory: 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 32GB internal storage, External microSD card (up to 200GB) support (sold separately)
• Display: 5.5” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560×1440 (534ppi)
• Camera: Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP with OIS (F1.7); Front: 5MP (F1.7)
• Battery: 3,600mAh, Fast Charging, Fast Wireless Charging (wireless charging pad sold separately)
• Connectivity: NFC, MST, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MU-MIMO, Bluetooth® v4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
• Other Features: Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM, IP68
• Colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium

LG G5 is official (VIDEO)

We already knew that LG would announce the LG G5, and they just did, showing an incredibly cool modular device allows for a removable battery on a unibody design. But that’s just where it starts.

Some of what LG announced include:
LG CAM Plus
LG Hi-Fi Plus
LG 360 VR
LG 360 Cam
LG Rolling Bot

And it didn’t even end there. Catch it all in the press release below while we get hands-on photos and videos to bring you very soon!

Press release:

BARCELONA, Feb. 21, 2016 ― LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its highly anticipated LG G5 smartphone, a brand new design with not only a sleek, metal uni-body featuring a Slide-outBattery and a Modular Type design that gives a greater smartphone experience. Complete with LG Friends, a collection of companion devices, the G5 can be transformed into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more.

Encased in a sleek metal aluminum body and Slide-out Battery to easily swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in seconds, the LG G5 surpasses the visual experience of its predecessor, the LG G4.

First, the G5’s 135-degree wide angle lens lets you choose between standard or wide angle lens to get more in the shot. Second, the Always-on Display makes notifications just a glance away with the time, date and more available anytime without waking the G5. Third, the 3D Arc Glass featured in the smartphone’s 5.3-inch display creates a gentle curve and a smooth colorful metal surfacethrough an advanced microdizing process which takes anodized aluminum to a whole new level.

Furthermore, the insulative antenna is invisibly integrated into the body without disrupting the seamless look of the metal uni-body. LG designers took the metal body concept one step further by adding a Shiny Cut edge for added contrast and a more comfortable grip.

LG’s First Modular Type Smartphone

LG’s innovative Modular Type design gives the LG G5 the ability to transform into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more all while keeping its traditional removable battery in a full metal uni-body design for the first time ever.

LG CAM Plus

The LG CAM Plus is a versatile camera module that can be attached through the battery slot to deliver a comfortable grip and convenient control of a standalone camera. The LG CAM Plus provides physical buttons for power, shutter, record, zoom, LED indicator and comfortable grip. It also offers intuitive auto focus and exposure lock, features usually found on standalone digital cameras. When attached to the LG G5, it provides an additional battery capacity of 1,200mAh to allow for longer shooting times for more fun and enjoyment.

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY

The LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY is an innovative portable Hi-Fi DAC audio player developedin collaboration with B&O PLAY to meet the needs of those who seek to enjoy top-notch sounds that have traditionally only been available through high-end audio devices. LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY stands out for its simple yet elegant Scandinavian design as well as premium sound technology. In addition to the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC upsampling technology first introduced on the LGV10, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY also supports 32-bit 384KHz high-definition audio playback.LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY can be used either as a module with the LG G5 or as a separate Hi-Fi DAC by connecting to any smartphone or PC.

Extreme Wide Angle Lens and Advanced UX

Reflecting LG’s longstanding reputation as a leader in smartphone cameras, the LG G5 has two cameras on the rear: one with a standard 78-degree lens and another with a 135-degree wide anglelens, the widest available in any smartphone. The 135-degree lens on the LG G5 offers a viewingangle that is approximately 1.7 times wider than those of existing smartphone cameras and 15degrees wider than the human eye’s field of view. The wide angle lens makes it easier for users to capture more landscape, taller buildings or larger groups without having to position oneself further from the subject.

The LG G5 features a collection of powerful photo effects including Pop-out Picture, Film Effect and Auto Shot. Pop-out Picture combines images taken by the standard and wide angle lens to create a picture-in-a-frame effect. Film Effect can apply nine different film emulators to an imagewhile Auto Shot is an enhanced camera UX which automatically captures the perfect selfie shotwhen a face is recognized.

Always-on Display for Enhanced Convenience

The 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum display on the LG G5 offers an Always-on feature, the first on a main smartphone display. The concept of the Always-on Display was first introduced in theLG V10 as the Second Screen and now that feature has evolved on to the main display to show thetime and date continuously even when the G5 is in sleep mode. This means that you can always see the time at a glance, even during important meetings or when your hands are full.

To minimize power consumption, LG redesigned the display driver IC memory and powermanagement function so that the display’s backlight only illuminates one small part of the overall display. Thanks to this technology, the Always-on Display requires only 0.8 percent of the battery’s full capacity per hour to operate. With consumers turning on their smartphones up to 150 times a day mostly to just check the time, the G5’s Always-on Display will make a notable difference in the life of the battery over the course of the day.

Another advanced display feature in the LG G5 is Daylight Mode, which gives the G5 exceptional outdoor visibility beyond that of current auto brightness technology. Daylight Mode detects surrounding light conditions and instantaneously increases or decreses the brightness of the display, up to 850 nits. Even before your eyes have adjusted to the different lighting conditions, the G5 will be ready.

Diverse Range of Companion Devices

With the G5, LG is introducing a paradigm-shifting smartphone ecosystem ― the LG Playground. With this, LG aims to strengthen the ties with its partners and introduce various devices andsupporting programs to fully maximize the LG Playground.

As part of the ecosystem, LG is introducing a wide range of companion devices, aptly called LG Friends, to deliver fun while providing a new mobile experience far beyond traditional smartphone boundaries.

LG 360 VR

The LG 360 VR is a VR goggle that can be connected with the G5 via a dedicated cable and works exclusively with the G5 to simulate a 130-inch TV viewed from two meters away. It has a stylish design that is foldable so that users can easily carry and watch VR content anytime, anywhere.Unlike other VR devices that require a smartphones to be inserted in the device, the LG 360 VR weighs only 118g (4.16 ounces) and is just one-third as heavy as competing VR goggles while delivering a resolution of 639 ppi. The device is compatible with 360-degree images and videos captured with LG 360 CAM as well as all Google Cardboard content.

LG 360 CAM

The LG 360 CAM is a compact 360-degree angle camera equipped with two 13MP 200-degreewide angle cameras, 1,200mAh battery and 4GB internal memory, which can be supplemented by a microSD card. The LG 360 CAM can be easily connected to the LG G5 allowing users to create 360-degree content. The LG 360 CAM provides 2K video and 5.1 surround channel recording on three microphones to help users effortlessly create high-quality 360-degree contents. Thanks to the partnership with Google, images taken with the 360 CAM can be uploaded to Google Street View and YouTube360, adding the fun of sharing creative contents with others. The images will also be available to view on the LG 360 VR or other smartphones or devices that are capable of 360-degree content.

LG Rolling Bot

The LG Rolling Bot is a companion device that rolls like a ball while capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera. Not just a toy, the LG Rolling Bot can be used as a monitoring system for the home, pet care companion as well as a remote controller for compatible home appliances. With an IP camera connectable via Wi-Fi, users can remotely monitor the interior oftheir homes with the LG G5 via live streaming.

LG Tone PlatinumTM

The LG TONE PlatinumTM (model HBS-1100), the latest in the LG TONE Series, is a Bluetooth headset that has earned the Harman Kardon? Platinum grade for its superior sound quality. With aBalanced Armature design for minimum distortion, LG Tone PlatinumTM delivers exceptionally sharp and clean sound. What’s more, it is the world’s first Bluetooth headset equipped with aptX™HDcodec, delivering lossless 24-bit audio for sound that is unrivaled in a wireless device.

H3 by B&O PLAY

H3 by B&O PLAY is a set of high-end earphones that is compatible with the high-quality sound of the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY. Designed for audiophiles as well as anyone who considersaudio performance a top-priority in a smartphone, H3 by B&O PLAY works with all Androidsmartphones.

LG Smart Controller

The LG Smart Controller allows users to easily control certain drones. With the LG Smart Controller, users can check the video stream from the drone through the LG G5 in real time andcontrol the unmanned aircraft with the LG Smart Controller joystick.

LG Friends Manager

Only available in the LG G5, Friends Manager is the hub application that allows the G5 to connect with LG Friends with minimal fuss and effort. LG Friends Manager automatically detects nearbyLG Friends and connects quickly and easily in three simple steps, eliminating much of the hassle of pairing devices.

More Performance, More Efficiency

The LG G5 offers many other innovations designed to revolutionize today’s mobile lifestyle, such as:

Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 820 Processor

The LG G5 is equipped with the powerful yet energy-efficient Snapdragon 820 processor whichoffers advanced features such as 64-bit performance, Adreno 530 graphics and lower-power Qualcomm? HexagonTM DSP as well as Qualcomm Spectra™ 14-bit dual image signal processors (ISPs) designed to deliver high resolution DSLR-quality images and additional power savings. The Snapdragon 820 processor also has an integrated X12 LTE modem that supports Category 12 download speeds of up to 600 Mbps and LTE Category 13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

Compared to the previous generation Snapdragon processor, Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced CPU architecture offers double the speed and power savings. Adreno 530 graphics demonstrate up to 40 percent faster graphics performance and up to 40 percent more power efficiency compared to the previous generation. The Snapdragon 820 processor also supports 4K capture and playback at four times more than the resolution of 1080p, enabling users to watch and capture their daily moments in stunning detail and clarity. The processor is also optimized for VR, generating quality pixels and life-like colors to deliver the ultimate VR experience to G5 users.

aptX™ HD: 24-bit Hi-Fi Wireless Audio

The LG G5 is equipped with aptX HD, an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit sound over Bluetooth, delivering rich and clear sound over wireless connections without any loss. When paired with the LG TONE Platinum, users can experience superb quality Hi-Fi audio that sounds amazingly close to the original source.

Qualcomm? Quick Charge™ 3.0

The LG G5 offers Quick Charge 3.0 for incredibly fast charging. By employing an intelligent algorithm, Quick Charge 3.0 is 27 percent faster and 45 percent more efficient than the previous generation.

Low Power Location Estimation (LPLE) Technology

The LG G5 has excellent battery life, thanks to the Low Power Location Estimation technology. This solution enhances the battery efficiency by as much as 41.9 percent by improving the power consumption related to location-based apps.

“The new LG G5 will encourage owners to rediscover the true joy of a mobile life,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G5 and LG Friends are the result of many experts inside LG asking themselves if it was still possible to be innovativeand unique in the smartphone space. I think once customers spend a little time with the LG G5, their answer will be a resounding yes.”

Key Specifications:*

• Chipset: Qualcomm?Snapdragon™ 820 Processor
• Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi)
• Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)
• Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP / Front: 8MP
• Battery: 2,800mAh (removable)
• OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
• Weight: 159g
• Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type-C / NFC / Bluetooth 4.2
• Colors: Silver / Titan / Gold / Pink