review leeco Le2

LeEco held a massive event in Beijing, China, to make few new product announcements. They touched upon a lot of different topics, including television sets and a particularly ambitious project involving making an electric car in cooperation with Aston Martin. However, the meat and potatoes of the event were the three new phones being launched, the Le 2, the Le 2 Pro, and the Le Max 2. The 2 in the name makes it clear that these are successors to LeEco's current line of smartphones, the Le 1s, and the Le Max. As such, they aren't dramatically different and represent a spec refresh for the most part. The Le 2 and Le 2 Pro are the cheaper models. The biggest difference between the two is the chipset; the cheaper Le 2 has the MediaTek Helio X20 with 3GB RAM whereas the Le 2 Pro has the MediaTek Helio X25 and comes with 4GB RAM. Visually, the two phones are practically identical. The only difference is that the Le 2 has a thin body colored bezel along the side of the display but on the Le 2 Pro it has been painted black to make it look like the display flows over the side. In reality, both phones have sizable bezels that become visible once the display is on but maintain the zero bezel illusion as long as the display remains off.

The hardware on both devices is solidly built and feels remarkably premium in hand. The design is very similar to the Le 1s; the three phones look identical from the front, except maybe the Le 2 Pro that has the black borders. On the back, the camera module is slightly raised and placed in the center whereas it was flush and in the corner on the 1s. The fingerprint sensor is right below and now squarish instead of a circle. Both the phones run LeEco's EUI, which again looks identical to the one on the older 1s, even though it now runs on the newer Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath. In our limited time with the phone the performance was good, and there were no signs of lag or stuttering. There's also the Le Max 2, which is the real deal and LeEco's new flagship. Except you probably wouldn't know it just by looking at it, because it, again, looks pretty much identical to the other two LeEco phones announced at the event. The Le Max 2 runs on the Snapdragon 820. The phone comes in multiple memory configurations, which go up to 64GB storage and a massive 6GB RAM. The Max 2 has a bigger 5.7-inch that has a resolution of 1440x2560px. It also packs in a 21 megapixel Sony IMX230 sensor and is the first phone in the world to have the Qualcomm Snapdragon Sense ID biometric fingerprint scanner. The software is once again EUI, but this time, it is running on top of Android 6.0.1. You would be hard-pressed to spot the difference to the UI on the other two phones or even the older LeEco phones for that matter. The consistency across devices is admirable, and you can download themes if you want to customize the UI. Performance during our hands-on was great, and the phone felt fast and responsive.

One thing, in particular, to note about all three of these devices is that they all lack traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. It's not because these are particularly thin devices but LeEco has decided to take the bold decision to route all audio through the USB Type-C connector at the bottom. To achieve this, LeEco is using a technology called CDLA (Continual Digital Lossless Audio) to output sound through USB, and they claim improved audio quality over the standard analog headphone output. The company announced two products, an in-ear headset and an over the ear pair of headphones, both with a Type-C connector, and eventually, you will be able to get more headphones with this connector. Unfortunately, it also means you can't use any of your existing headphones with the phones.

Review: THL T6C 3G Smartphone with 5-inch Display for RM320

THL T6C is one of the budget smartphones for people who need more than a feature phone without breaking their bank. Read on for my THL T6c smartphone review to learn more about its specs, performance, and price.

Who is THL? Have not heard about THL? It is okay, neither I know about the brand when I was contacted by DD4.com in the end of 2015. Apparently, THL (Technology, Happy, Life — technology-based happy life) is an established smartphone brand in China with over 300 brand experience stores in 2012. It is founded by Shenzhen Hongjiayuan Communication Technology Co., Ltd in 2008. Design In the white package box, you get a THL T6C smartphone, a quick start guide, microUSB cable, USB power adapter, and a back cover phone case.

My review unit is White colour, Black colour is also available. The smartphone has curved edges at the top and bottom. Chrome lines at the left and right sides. The power button at the right side and volume rocker at the opposite are transparent buttons. Both microUSB port and headphone jack are located at the top. 3 permanent non-back-lit capacitive buttons (options, home, back) at the front bottom. The protruding rear camera has single LED flash. The rear bottom is a row of speaker grills. The patterned rear cover improves grip, reduce oily finger prints. Open up the rear cover to reveal the 1900mAh removable lithium-ion battery and dual sim slot with microSD memory card slot. Overall, THL T6C design is simple and nothing too fancy (chrome line and transparent buttons). The build does not feel cheap or frangible.

THL T6C front THL T6C has a 5-inch IPS 5-point multi-touch display with FWVGA 854×480 pixels resolution (16:9 aspect ratio). It is bright and vibrant, the viewing angle is good. You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range.You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range. You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range. Software THL T6C stock ROM runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with an active wireless update (latest update version on January 16th, 2016). The skin applies material design and cheerful icons. I am impressed that it does not pre-installed useless 3rd party bloatware. Only total 26 apps in app drawer consist of basic Android apps and Google apps. *thumb up* Plus, THL smartphone has an “App Permission Manager” allows you to monitor each app’s permission and block as you wish. Performance THL T6C is powered by a Mediatek MT6580 quad-core 1.3Ghz processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, supporting microSD memory card up to 32GB. The usable free storage out of the box is 5GB. In AnTuTu Benchmark v6.0.1 test, the budget smartphone scored 18,688 and failed in 3D test. Yes, it is very far far behind the top smartphones that scored over 70,000 points. THL T6C ain’t your top performance phone. In my real-life test, it is okay for most people’s daily phone usage. No problem for web browsing, watching online video and playing a game (Temple Run 2). The mono speaker has high volume output but lost in details. The WiFi reception is kind of weaker than my other smart devices. By the way, T6C is a 3G smartphone with Dual SIM Dual Standby mode. Camera THL T6C has 5MP auto-focus rear camera and 0.3MP front camera. The cameras’ performance is disappointing. Photos are blur and lost of details as if it is over post-processing to reduce noises. Check out the original photos below: (full-size image available)

THL T6C Specification CPU: Mediatek MTK6580 Quad-core 1.3GHz processor RAM: 1GB Storage: 8GB (support up to 32GB microSD memory card) Display: 5-inch (854×480 pixels), IPS Battery: 1900mAh Camera: 5MP (rear) with LED flash , 0.3MP (front) Standby: 2 SIM 2 Standby Data Transfer: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA, HSPA+ Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, micro USB, audio jack Dimensions: 143.9 x 71.6 x 8.2 mm Weight: 123 g Competition THL T6C competitions with similar specs and price range are: LEAGOO Alfa 6 — Mediatek MTK6580 Quad-core 1.3GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 4.5-inch IPS display, 1600mAh battery, 5MP/2MP cameras ASUS Zenfone C — Intel Z2520 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (support 64GB microSD card), 4.5-inch TFT display, 5MP/0.3MP cameras Conclusion THL T6C is an affordable Android smartphone that works for most people. I like its clean custom ROM and app permission manager. Performance is okay with a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM. The camera quality is disappointed. I do not understand why the rear camera has to be protruding, it is not super-resolution nor optical zoom. THL T6C is selling on DD4.com for USD$74.99 (~RM320).

LG G5 review

Update: Our LG G5 review now includes additional speed, battery life and camera tests in three separate comparison videos you'll want to watch below. The LG G5 is a massive change of pace for the South Korean firm. It's done away with the cheap plastic and confusing leather finishes of the LG G4 in favor of a full metal body, while keeping fan-favorite features like a removable battery and microSD card. Buy LG G5 (32GB) at Amazon for $489.99 That's a big deal, because Samsung disappointed a vocal minority when it ditched its swappable battery and expandable storage hallmarks for the Galaxy S6, although it realized the errors of its way as it reinstated microSD support in the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge a year later. The LG G5 may not be as ornate as Samsung's glass-and-metal-fused phone, or Apple's aluminum iPhone 6S, but it's a step in the right direction after the questionably styled G4. LG G5 tips and tricks Not only does it include perks for power users, LG's changed the way we access the battery with a cartridge-like input so you don't have to remove the back cover. This 'magic slot' is located in the bottom frame of the phone and doubles as an accessory port. Add-ons so far include a battery grip with physical camera controls and a Hi-Fi audio module.

You don't really need either of these accessories to enjoy the camera or audio, though. LG G5 has a dual-camera setup on the back, with one lens that provides extra-wide photos. The front is highlighted by an always-on, 5.3-inch display. It never goes to sleep, with the time, date and notification icons visible when the phone is off. When it comes to price, you're looking at around US$650 (£500, AU$890) SIM-free for the LG G5, which puts it slightly below the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 6S - although they're all pretty much in the same ball park. There are lots of parts to the LG G5 - but do they all add up to make a best phones contender? Let's explore, as I put it through the in-depth review process. The LG G5 looks and feels completely different to the G4, and that's thanks to the all-metal body that rightfully kicks the plastic to the curb. It feels suitably smooth, although the G5 struggles to feel as premium the likes of the iPhone 6S or Samsung Galaxy S7. That's thanks to a relatively thick layer of primer-paint mix which LG has used to the color the G5. Initially I thought the G5 felt more like plastic, and it can be deceiving, but the sturdy aluminum frame becomes more apparent the more you use it. This doesn't mean the G5 feels cheap, far from it in fact, but the finish doesn't sing in your hand. The slender metallic rim which rounds round the edges of the handset on the rear adds an extra layer of class, but it also feels a little sharp. It's not as cutting on my final unit compared to the pre-production model I had, but it's not exactly smooth.

Unlike Apple's handset the LG G5 won't be notorious for antenna lines. It doesn't have any of those unsightly bands, instead relying on Micro-Dizing to cover up antenna slits. This allows you to enjoy color of the device, and in the G5's case you get a choice of four: silver, titan (grey), pink and gold. The pre-production handset I used was pink, and the color is rather muted. It's not as dazzling as Apple's rose gold, but at the same time it seems a little apologetic. The hue will likely appeal to some, but for me it doesn't really work. The final review unit I received came sported the silver paint, and it's more agreeable to the eye. Another big difference between the design of the LG G5 and its predecessor is the fact that the curved design has been ditched. Gone is the bananaphone style of the LG G4 and its even curvier cousin, the LG G Flex 2, and in returns the flat frontage which is the norm in the mobile market. I say flat - it's almost there, but LG couldn't help itself, with the G5's front sloping away from you at the top and bottom. It's a slightly odd finish which offers little in the way of aesthetic grace or practical use. LG's reason for the switch is simple - consumers preferred the flat designs of rival handsets over its own curved offerings. And I'd agree. The LG G5 feels more balanced in the hand and it's easier to slip into a pocket. Downsized from a 5.5-inch screen on the G4 to 5.3 inches and roughly the same amount of bezel, the LG G5 feels light at 159g and easy to hold in one hand measuring 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm. I can reach apps across the entire display without resorting to using two hands, which ties into LG's goal of making the phone all about ease of use and something to recommend to mom and dad. This does, of course, depend on your palm size as those with smaller hands will still find the G5 a bit of a beast. In fact the G5 is almost identical in size to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which despite having a larger 5.5-inch display has managed to keep excess to a minimum. LG G5's volume rocker has shifted to the left side of the frame, ending the company's opinion-dividing practice of having the buttons flank the power button on back. While I got used to that quirky rear-facing volume keys and clean edges on the G2, G3 and G4, LG's signature feature was a flaw for many. I'm relatively indifferent about the new side volume rocker, however it does make changing volume much easier when it's lying on a desk. Sadly, that same ease of use can't be said for the fingerprint scanner. The still-back-facing power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor on the G5, and while it's better than the questionable experimentation on the LG V10, it's still too small. Like the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, it can light up the phone and unlock the screen quickly without you having to press the button. There's no two-step process, as it was on the press-in-and-hold-hold-hold LG V10. The gentle volcanic protrusion it rests on also makes it relatively easy to find, but a slightly larger landing pad would have been nice. The real Achilles heal is realized when you place the G5 on a surface. I tend to have my phone sitting on my desk at work, and if I want to unlock the phone to read a message I'm forced to either tap in my code - ugh, slow - or pick it up and place my finger on the reader. With the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 6S, their front mounted finger scanners allow me to unlock far more easily. Even the Sony Xperia Z5's side mounted effort is better in this respect. Sticking with the rear of the G5 and it's the area where most are likely to decide whether they love or hate the look of the phone. The protruding power key sits below a far larger raised area which house the G5's dual camera lenses as well as the LED flash and laser auto focus. It's a sizable presence, and to some it may look like the phone has sprung a couple of nasty growths. On the other hand the protrusions are minimal and if you opt for the darker titan (grey) model they seem less obvious. Something I'm not really a fan of is the headphone jack and speaker placement. Headphones plug into the top, unless you have the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC module that is, as that adds a second headphone jack to the bottom. Odd.

Worse, the speaker is on the bottom. I was really hoping that the LG G5 would upgrade to a pair of front-facing speakers for stereo sound without resorting to headphones. Not this time around. LG has redesigned its bottom port, however. It uses a USB-C connection, which means all of your micro USB cables are useless. The advantage? It's reversible, unlike all other USB forms. That's a huge win for anyone taking advantage of that always-on display and plugging in their phone in the dark. Just be prepared to carry around both cables, as micro USB is probably going to be used by every other gadget and accessory you own for the next few years.

HTC 10 review

HTC 10 update 09/05/2016: HTC’s released and update intended to fixed a number of our issues with the 10’s camera. It fixes an annoying bug in the camera app that meant the HTC 10 would regularly throw up alerts telling you to stop blocking the laser autofocus, even when your hand was nowhere near the sensor. After a solid day testing the HTC 10 with the update installed, the bug appears to be fixed, meaning avid selfie takers and mobile photographers should be able to snap away interruption free. The Ultrapixel camera tech’s tendency to take in too much light is still a problem, however. The fix is part of a wider update designed to fix other minor bugs and generally improve the HTC 10 camera’s performance. According to HTC’s patch notice the Auto HD mode has been fine tuned to increase the sharpness of photos shot in difficult lighting conditions. Trusted’s Reviews Editor Alastair Stevenson will be taking the camera out for spin these evening to see how the updated HTC 10 camera performs in low light. Check back later for his findings. In the meantime you can find our original HTC 10 review below. WHAT IS THE HTC 10? 2016 has been a fine year for smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5 and Huawei P9 have all been excellent devices and now it’s the turn of HTC. After a poor 2015 – both the One A9 and Desire 530 disappointed – I can safely say the Taiwanese company is back. The HTC 10 is a fantastic device. Probably the best HTC has ever crafted. It combines a lovely build with a strong set of software features to create one of the best Android experiences out there. All that I can say is that the iPhone 7 better be something very special to match the Android big-boys this year. HTC 10 – DESIGN While the HTC 10 takes the brand’s flagship smartphone in a new design direction, it’s still very familiar. The front is stripped from the One A9, and the back is a tweaked and tuned version of the rear casing from the One M9. It’s far from original and looking at it face-on you’d be forgiven for confusing it with an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S7, but for me it’s the perfect mix of style and substance.

First off, this phone is clearly made from metal – and proud of it. The back is cool to the touch, with an elegant curve that helps it sit comfortably in your hand. This curve flows into some heavily chamfered edges that add a bit of much-needed flair. It's a divisive design choice, though. I really like them as they give your fingers somewhere to sit, but the some of the TrustedReviews team were less impressed, claiming they’re far too shiny. Related: HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7

The camera sensor sits bang in the centre, and while it doesn’t have what I'd consider a ‘hump’, it does jut out ever so slightly. Alongside it is an LED flash and a space for the laser autofocus system. Like any metal phone, the sleek design is broken up by two bands of antenna lines that run around the top and bottom. These don’t stand out anywhere near as much as they do on the iPhone and they feel like part of the design, rather than something that has to be there. Along the side you’ve got the usual combination of a volume rocker and sleep/wake button, the latter of which is bevelled and easily identifiable even when the phone is in your pocket. Most other phones have switched to a single tray that houses both the Nano SIM tray and a microSD card, but the HTC 10 still has one tray on each side. I’d like to see this combined to makes things sleeker, but it makes little difference in reality. Related: Best smartphone Flip the phone over and the HTC 10 is one of the cleanest devices around. HTC has even removed its brand logo – a minimal change that makes a big difference. Compared to last year’s One M9 flagship, there are a couple of major differences here. There’s now a capacitive home key sitting below the display that isn’t so much of a button but a touchpad. Like pretty much every worthwhile Android phone this year it features a fingerprint scanner inside, but coming from the Galaxy S7 it feels strange not to get get that satisfying ‘click’ when I press down. HTC has also switched to capacitive Back and Recent Apps keys, as opposed to on-screen versions, and these sit either side of the home button. It’s all down to personal preference whether you prefer physical or virtual buttons, but it does free up that extra bit of screen real estate.

Whereas LG took plenty of risks with its funky modular design of the G5, HTC has played it relatively safe here. That’s not a dig, though. In fact I'd say the HTC 10 is my favourite phone of the year so far when it comes to the overall look and feel. It almost matches the Galaxy S7 for size, though it’s marginally taller and noticeably weightier. It feels reassuringly expensive and solid, which is something I just can’t say about the LG G5. It’s the precision, though, that wins it for HTC. Everything is symmetrical, with the headphone jack, camera sensor and USB-C port on the bottom, all in line with each other. I would have preferred to see that headphone port on the bottom, but that’s just a minor quibble. Considering its history, it’s no surprise that HTC has designed a stunning looking phone. It hasn’t taken risks and opted for something more ‘out there’, but it still has charm and is an absolute pleasure to use. HTC 10 – SCREEN HTC has updated just about every part of the One M9 for its successor, and the display is no exception. It’s grown slightly to 5.2-inches, but the bigger upgrade is the resolution. It’s much more pixel dense now, thanks to the 2560 x 1440 quad-HD resolution, and it covers 99.9% of the sRGB colour gamut. It’s a mightily impressive panel, though as it's LCD – 5th-generation LCD, to be precise – it does lack a little of the vibrancy of Samsung’s Super AMOLED screen. It’s not far off, and it’s hard to notice unless you have both phones sat next to each other. It’s a lovely display to look at. Colours are punchy and bright, without being oversaturated, and they’re accurate too. The wide colour gamut is great for watching video as it was originally intended and accurately editing snaps, making this a strong media machine. There is a slight pinkish tinge to the display when it’s tilted to the side and this dampens viewing angles, but it’s not a deal-breaker. Viewing angles are still great and reflections are kept to a minimum, but colours are skewed ever so slightly when you’re not looking directly at it. I had a similar issue with the Galaxy S7 Edge, so it’s certainly not a problem exclusive to HTC’s displays. The HTC 10 is missing a feature both the LG G5 and Galaxy S7 tout, which is an Always-On mode. This clever method of displaying your most recent notifications when the display is seemingly off is far from essential, but it’s a useful extra that I’ve grown to like after using those two phones. LG managed it with an LCD screen, so I’m not sure why HTC hasn’t tried anything similar. What it does offer over its rivals is improved brightness. Well, in certain situations. In regular use, the maximum brightness on the HTC 10 is much brighter than that of the LG G5 and Galaxy S7, though it doesn’t feature the trick used by those two where it can boost brightness even more in direct sunlight. Still, the HTC 10 is perfectly usable outdoors.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review

Update: New Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phones as of January 2016 fix the jammed S-Pen problems, and there are rumors about a UK launch date. This review has been revised to reflect these changes. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is a phone that's either a game changer or deal breaker for longtime fans of the Android phablet, now that it has a premium look and feel. Buy Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (64GB) at Amazon for $379.99 Its 5.7-inch display, super-fast processor, improved camera and S Pen stylus are joined by a new, glass-and-metal design that reflects the solid construction of the Samsung Galaxy S6. That makes it a huge leap over last year's Galaxy Note 4, which backed the phone in cheap, textured plastic. Samsung's build quality is fit to compete with the aluminum iPhone 6S Plus, Huawei Mate 8 and Nexus 6P.

All of this comes at a cost, however. There's no microSD card slot for expandable storage or removable battery to swap out, like on the Note 4, LG G4, and very likely the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy S7, and the new sealed-shut glass design is slippery. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is among the best phones in the world, but it isn't for everyone who can't grip a two-handed phone, or its compromises in the name of style. The Note 5 may not be for everyone simply because it's currently only available in the US and Canada in the Western world. It launched in the US on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular on August 21, 2015. It hasn't come to the UK or the rest of Europe, but new rumors suggest it'll launch in February, with my guess being whenever Android 6.0 Marshmallow is ready for the phone. Samsung has focused on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ in the UK. For now, anyone outside of North America who wants a new phone with a stylus is out of luck. Its price remains competitive, even with its fancy new design. It now costs $149 through a two-year contract on Verizon and Sprint after launching at $249 in the US. AT&T Next plans start at $24.67 a month, while the full retail Note 5 price is $696 via Verizon. It'll likely cost £600 in the UK, the same as the Note 4 price.

Gone is the faux leather back that was made of plastic but felt more like cheap snakeskin. It's been replaced by a glass sheet that's infused into a metal frame, just like on the Galaxy S6. At 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm, the Note 5 dimensions are certainly bigger than Samsung's 5.1-inch flagship, but it's actually a hair smaller and noticeably thinner than the Note 4. It's lighter too, at 171g, shedding 5g, even with its metal-and-glass construction. Its back glass also curves inward on the right and left sides. This smaller footprint and curved back made it easier to hold in my palm, despite its phablet size. Glass does make gripping this 5.7-inch phone more of a challenge, breakable and a fingerprint magnet compared to its faux leather predecessor. There's less traction, but it's nowhere near as slippery as a super smooth aluminum iPhone 6S with rounded corners. Cases will help with the grip and prevent my overarching palm from interfering with the touchscreen, due to its ultra-thin bezel. This happens more often as bezels wane, phone sizes increase and my hands get fat. But I don't suggest Samsung's default case offering. I know from my time with the Galaxy S6 – its slick plastic makes the phone even more slippery.

The Galaxy Note 5 colors include Sapphire Black, White Pearl and, as of November, Gold Platinum in select sizes in the US. Options for Titanium Silver are offered elsewhere. The aluminum frame is silver in all cases, with a color-matching power button on the right and volume rocker on the left. These buttons are thin, but feel strong when pressed and, importantly, are situated in the upper portion of the frame, exactly where my fingers clutch the phone. PRICES - SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 5:

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review

WHAT IS THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 EDGE? The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is the brother to the regular Galaxy S7. It’s bigger, has a longer lasting battery and is probably the best looking phone I have ever held. In terms of design, it's right up there with the HTC 10. Samsung’s transformation in the mobile space is quite remarkable. To go from the very poor Galaxy S5 to this in just two years is exceptional. This is a real do it all phone. It’s water resistant, boasts wireless charging, an eye-catching curved display and top-of-the-line specs. The result is a fantastic, so close to perfect device that will prove tough to beat. There's big competition coming, I expect, from the Apple iPhone 7, but I'd stick my head out and say nothing this year will be quite as eye-catching as the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

Design hasn't always been Samsung's strong suit. Just two years ago, Samsung released the Galaxy S5. The handset was the most powerful phone available at the time, but it wasn’t a looker. Last year’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge signalled a much needed change for Samsung, and the change is only more obvious with the S7 Edge. On the surface, the S7 Edge looks just like its predecessor. A metal rim is sandwiched between two slabs of Gorilla Glass 4, with a lock switch on one side and separated volume keys on the other. The back is almost completely clean, with a now flush camera sensor, heart rate monitor and a Samsung logo. Along the top is the repositioned sim-tray, which now pops in a microSD slot too, plus a microphone. The bottom houses the headphone jack (this should always be on the bottom, can other manufacturers please take note), another microphone, a tiny and frankly disappointing speaker, plus a microUSB port for charging. Rumours suggested Samsung was going to make the switch to the new, reversible USB–C connector that’s already being used on the Nexus 6P, OnePlus 2 and LG G5, but it hasn’t panned out that way. This isn’t really a bad thing, in fact USB–C is more of a hindrance than a help at the minute. Especially as it means getting rid of all those microUSB cables you’ve accumulated over the years. The front is almost as clean as the back, and features an elongated home button set under the display, plus another Samsung logo – does it really need two?. Unlike the HTC One A9, the front control is a physical button, not a capacitive pad. The front button houses the Galaxy S7 Edge's fingerprint sensor, which is just as fast as all the others on the market now. Samsung has once again decided not to use on-screen buttons, so glowing ‘back’ and ‘multitasking’ keys light up when needed. Ditching virtual buttons gives you more screen space, but this phone could be even more compact if Samsung went down that route. Samsung's also redesigned the Galaxy S7 Edge's camera module. Unlike the S6's, the S7 Edge's module sits flat on the phone's back. This might sound like a small change, but it makes a big difference. I can now tap out a text with the phone flat on my desk without it jumping and rocking from side to side.

But, the biggest change between the S6 Edge from last year and the Galaxy S7 Edge is the size. Instead of simply keeping both the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge the same, with just the Edge sides to differentiate them, Samsung has positioned the Edge as the ‘higher-end’ device, pushing up the screen size from 5.1-inches to 5.5-inches. When I first heard Samsung made this changed, I was a little annoyed. There was something unique about having a fully-powered phone with a screen that was on the small and compact side. It’s a rarity these days. Pick up the S7 Edge though, and you might have to double to check the spec-sheet, surely this phone doesn’t have the same size screen as the iPhone 6S Plus? Yet it does. Somehow Samsung has managed to cram a large screen into the body of a much smaller phone. Next to the iPhone 6S Plus, the S7 Edge is narrower, shorter and much lighter. I can even use it comfortably in one hand, stretching my thumb from one corner to the other without too much trouble. There’s something else the size increase helps too: those gorgeous, sloping curved edges. The Galaxy S7 Edge is the fourth Samsung phone to use this design trait, but it’s the best implementation I've seen yet.

The S6 Edge was difficult to hold for an extended period, while the Galaxy S6 Edge+ was simply too big. The Galaxy S7 Edge, though, is just right. There’s enough space between where the curved screens stops and the back starts to grip, while the newly curved back – reminiscent of the Galaxy Note 5 – slips nicely into my palms. In short, it feels great to hold and it’s an impressive feat by the Samsung design team that these slight changes have made such a big overall difference. Just like the microSD slot, Samsung has brought back another fan favourite from the Galaxy S5; an IP68 rating for water-resistance. While this is by no means a vital feature, it’s admirable that it has been added without any noticeable loss to the design. There are no flaps covering the ports, no added thickness and no extra space between the display and glass. What does an IP68 rating mean? Well, you’ll be able to dunk the Galaxy S7 Edge into one meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damaging the phone. Basically, you can use it in the rain without issue and even watch some YouTube in the bath without worrying about an accidental slip. Not that I did that, honest.

If the design of the S7 Edge is stunning, then the same word can be used to describe the display. Not a whole lot has changed from the outgoing flagships, but this still holds up as the best screen on a smartphone for a number of reasons. First up is the sheer amount of detail here. Samsung didn’t try and go all-out with a 4K display, but really when quad-HD (that’s 2560 x 1440) looks this good I don’t think there’s much of a need for more pixels. Maybe it would help make VR even better with the Gear VR headset, but that’ll probably come next year. Everything from images to films to games look beautiful, with pixels completely invisible to the naked eye. The 534ppi (pixels per inch) density beats the iPhone 6S Plus and means the S7 Edge easily outmuscles Apple’s phablet in the display department. Samsung has stuck with its Super AMOLED tech for the Galaxy S7 Edge and that’s not really a surprise. AMOLED screens are much more vibrant than the LCD counterparts. Oversaturation isn’t as much of a problem as it was on older Samsung phones, and personally I like a bit more ‘oomph’ to my colours. But for those that like a cooler look there are options to tone things down. AMOLED displays are also much better at showing off blacks than LCDs. Instead of looking slightly grey, the blacks here are inky deep. You’ll easily notice this when watching media and it’s hard going back to an LCD afterwards. Now, there are a few niggles I have with the display on the Galaxy S7 Edge. There’s a really strong blue tinge on the two edge sides, especially when viewing content with white background. In both Twitter and Gmail I can pick this out and while it won’t come across in pictures, it’s annoying. Viewing angles also aren’t the best. But, that’s really one of the sacrifices you get when you don’t use an IPS LCD panel. Tilt the phone to an angle and the sides become bright white, but the rest of it looks like it’s masked in a grey fog.

The new ‘Always-on Display’ mode, is also cool but needs some work. The Always-on tech takes advantage of the fact AMOLED screens don't need to light up the whole display all the time and can instead select individual pixels to charge. This means the S7 Edge can still show the time, date and a couple of bits of other information on the lock-screen when the phone is off without eating through too much battery. Samsung says having the ‘Always-on display’ switched on will only use up an extra 1% of battery per hour and those claims stand true during my testing. Samsung also says you should save battery because you don’t unlock the phone as much with Always-on activated, but I disagree with this. Yes, the Always-on mode shows the time, but it will only alert you to notifications from Samsung’s default apps like Messages, Mail and Phone. Use WhatsApp? Or Gmail? Tough, these won’t show up. I’d also like a bit more control over the mode. You can’t alter the brightness, which causes some problems when you’re in a darker room, and aside from choosing whether or not you want a calendar showing, there isn’t much customisation allowed. It’s a nice start and a feature that has potential to be very useful, but it needs work.

Samsung Galaxy S7 review

When I first picked up the Samsung Galaxy S7 I was underwhelmed. Was it simply going to be a minor update to the S6? After a few hours of use though I was won over. And even weeks later I’m still so impressed at how Samsung has made loads of minor changes that add up to create a fantastic phone. HTC might have made wholesale changes with the HTC 10 and LG went all modular for the LG G5, but the Galaxy S7 stands atop the Android pile. It looks sleeker than the iPhone 6S, has a better camera than the Nexus 6P and boasts a screen that leaves all the competition in the dust. It’s the most complete phone I’ve ever used.

After the massive, and much needed, change in design direction Samsung took with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in 2015, all rumours pointed to things staying pretty much the same for the Galaxy S7. Well, it’s not like Apple, HTC or Sony make drastic changes to their industrial design every year. And that’s exactly the case here. Place the Galaxy S7 next to the S6 and you’d be hard pushed to instantly pick which one is which. Frankly, this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The S6 was already one of the best-looking phones around, and the Galaxy S7 follows suit. Both the front and back are covered in Gorilla Glass 4, while a metal rim snakes in between. Two volume buttons sit on one side, with a lock/standby switch on the other. It’s a clean look, with the back free from any markings aside from a Samsung logo. The camera lens now sits just about flush with the glass body too. This might seem a small change, but it makes a big difference. I can now tap out an email with the phone flat on my desk without it jumping and rocking from side to side. Related: Best smartphone 2016 There is one notable design change on the back – the sides now curve ever so slightly, just like they did on the larger Galaxy Note 5, and it makes a huge change to how the Galaxy S7 feels. While the S6 felt harsh and rigid, the Galaxy S7 slips softly into my palm. It’s so much more ergonomic and makes picking it up off a flat surface much easier. And the way the sides almost melt into the glass just looks damn cool. Good job, Samsung. It’s an absolute fingerprint magnet, though. After a few minutes of use, the entire back becomes a grubby mess that needs wiping down with a microfibre cloth. Along the top is the Nano SIM tray, which now holds a microSD slot, plus a microphone. The bottom houses the headphone socket, another microphone, a speaker and a micro USB port for charging.

That speaker is one of the few missteps on this phone. It’s downward-facing, gets easily blocked by my hands when playing a game and it sounds tinny and distorted at high volume. I guess front-facing speakers weren’t included so the screen surround could be kept minimal, but it’s still a disappointment when a speaker sounds this bad. It had been suggested that Samsung would make a big switch to the new, reversible USB-C connector that’s already being used on the Nexus 6P, OnePlus 2 and LG G5, but it hasn’t. To be honest, USB–C is more of a hindrance than a help at the minute. You can’t use any of the cables you’ve picked up over the years and it doesn’t necessarily mean faster charging. It does mean the S7 isn’t quite so future proof, though. The front again has a clean look about it. The elongated home button still sits under the display, and it still juts out ever so slightly, rather than being concave like the iPhone’s. For me, this is a plus – it feels better pressing the Galaxy S7’s home button than the iPhone 6S’s – but a couple of the TrustedReviews team think otherwise. They’re wrong, of course, but it’s interesting how such a small design choice can split people. Housed inside the home button is a really fast and accurate fingerprint sensor that matches the iPhone 6S’s for speed, but it’s marginally slower than the Nexus 6P’s. That difference is minimal, though, and something you would only notice if you had the two side by side. It’s clear from the Galaxy S7 that Samsung is listening to customer feedback and bringing back favoured features from the Galaxy back catalogue. MicroSD expansion is one, and IP68 water resistance is another. The latter is by no means a vital feature, yet it’s impressive that it’s been added without any forced changes to the design. There are no flaps, there’s no added thickness and no extra space between the display and glass. What does an IP68 rating mean? Well, you’ll be able to dunk the Galaxy S7 into 1m of water for up to 30 minutes without damaging the phone. Or, if you’re like Lil’ Wayne, you can douse it in multiple bottles of champagne. Obviously. It’s become a cliche that phones get thinner and thinner each year, but that isn’t the case with the S7. It’s marginally thicker than its predecessor and has a nice weight to it. It feels dense and expensive, though not as delicate as you’d expect from a phone with glass on the front and back. I dropped it about four foot onto a hard floor and it survived without any problems. Samsung has stuck with the same 5.1-inch display, there’s the Galaxy S7 Edge if you want something bigger, and it’s refreshing to have a flagship phone that feels this compact and easy to hold. It’s roughly the same size as the iPhone 6S, which only has a 4.7-inch screen, and much smaller than top-end devices from LG, Huawei and Google. Coming from using the S7 Edge, I was initially a little underwhelmed by the Galaxy S7. It didn’t quite have that wow factor its curvier sibling does. But after a while it became my favourite phone to use on a daily basis. It feels great, is the perfect size and doesn’t make any sacrifices – aside from maybe the speakers – to get there.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 – DISPLAY Close to perfection. That’s the best way to describe the display on Samsung’s Galaxy S7. Not much has really changed from the outgoing S6, but this still holds up as the best screen on a smartphone. It’s still a 5.1-inch QHD panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, and just like every Galaxy flagship so far, it uses Samsung’s Super AMOLED tech, rather than the more common LCD. AMOLED displays are a lot better at showing off blacks than LCDs. Instead of looking slightly grey and washed out, the blacks here are inky deep. Some say AMOLED screens produce colours that are too oversaturated, so reds will look way brighter than they should, but that isn’t much of an issue here. And if you really prefer things toned down, there’s a picture setting for that. Having so many pixels jammed into a relatively small space means you can’t really spot one pixel from another, and that sharpness makes everything from gaming to watching YouTube an absolute pleasure. Play a round of Alto’s Adventure or Monument Valley on this display and you’ll instantly be drawn in by the crisp details and vivid colour reproduction.

I wouldn’t normally watch a film on a screen this size, but the panel here is so gorgeous that I can’t help getting lost in it. The one thing that has changed this time around is the addition of a new ‘Always-on’ display. Due to the way AMOLED screens work, they don’t need to light up the whole display all of the time. They can select individual pixels and just show them, keeping everything else off. So, when the Galaxy S7 is locked it can still show the time, date and a couple of bits of other information on the screen without eating through too much battery. It’s a nice touch, and great for quickly checking the time when the phone is resting on your desk or a bedside table. But it’s a good software update or two short of being really useful. First off, it’ll only show notifications from a few apps – it’s currently limited to Samsung’s own Messages, Email and Phone. If you, like me, regularly use WhatsApp, Gmail and Facebook Messenger, none of these will appear. That’s a shame, and makes the notification side of things a lot less useful. I’d also like a lot more control over the mode. There’s no setting to alter the brightness, which causes some problems when you’re in a darker room, and aside from choosing whether or not you want a calendar showing, there’s no customisation allowed.

It uses extra battery too. About 1-2% per hour, so 15% or so per day. It’s just about worth it, but it could be so much better. My only gripe with the display on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is that, in sunny conditions, it can be quite hard to read – certainly more so than the LCD panel on the iPhone 6S. Even with the brightness jacked all the way up, you’ll have to tilt the screen or find some shade to stop yourself squinting at it. Thankfully, unlike the Galaxy S7 Edge, it has great viewing angles and doesn’t suffer from white backgrounds getting tinged with blue.