A comparison of five iconic smartphones that defined the high-end Android range: HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy S7, Huawei P9, LG G5, and Meizu PRO 6. The goal is to offer a clear and practical vision Consider their strengths and weaknesses to choose wisely based on your priorities for screen, camera, performance, battery life, audio, and extras like water resistance or wireless charging.
Quad HD or Full HD
Does a flagship phone need to have a screen with a resolution Quad HD (2.560 x 1.440)Not necessarily. For many users, the difference compared to Full HD On screens with diagonals around 5–5,5 inches, the difference is subtle, while cost and energy consumption can increase. Within this comparison, HTC 10, LG G5 and Galaxy S7 They opt for QHD panels, while Huawei P9 and Meizu PRO 6 mantienen Full HDwhich helps to contain the price and improve efficiency.
The choice is not just a decision: other factors are involved. panel type (AMOLED, LCD/IPS), color calibration, brightness, and glare reduction. In this generation, Samsung shone with its Super AMOLED for deep blacks and Always On mode, while HTC opted for Super LCD5 with color fidelity Very well done. Huawei and Meizu focused on panels Full HD, well calibrated, sufficient for daily use and even for photography and video, with lower GPU demands.
If you're drawn to larger screens, it's worth remembering the trend of QHD phablets from 5,5 incheswith options for curved panels and minimal bezels that popularized features such as Always On y wireless charging in some models. Although none in this particular group exceeds 5,3 inches, these technologies laid the foundation for subsequent evolution.
Between 5 and 5,5 inches
Interestingly, none of these models go to the extreme of 5,5 inches or go below 5 inches: Galaxy S7 It is the most compact at 5,1″, HTC 10 and Huawei P9 They are located at 5,2″ and LG G5 It goes up to 5,3″. The differences in maneuverability The differences between them are small, and the decision leans more towards ergonomics, glass curvature and front utilization than tenths of an inch.
Those looking for a very different format usually look at phablet-style variants or designs with curved edges that appeared in the same generation with other models. In this comparison, the focus is on the balance between size and usabilitywith compact bodies and good pixel density.
The War of the Chambers
It was the most contested category. Samsung Galaxy S7 y HTC 10 They opted for sensors of 12 MP with large pixel to maximize the entry of light. Samsung popularized this approach Dual Pixel with outstanding speed and reliability, and HTC complemented with OIS yf/1.8 achieving solid low-light performance. In expert reviews of the time, both cameras ranked between the best on the market.
LG G5 innovated with his dual rear cameraOne standard lens and one wide-angle lens for landscapes with extreme perspective, ideal for travel and architecture. Furthermore, its modular ecosystem added a photographic grip with physical controls designed for creators.
Huawei P9 bet on the partnership with Leica and a configuration of dual camera (RGB + monochrome)The monochrome camera captures more light and detail, combining with the color camera to enhance texture and contrast. Pure monochrome mode offers whites and blacks of great character without loss due to digital fading.
Meizu PRO 6 It surprised with its laser focus and striking 10-LED ring flash, useful as fill flash and for close-up scenes with more natural skin tones. Although it didn't reach the photographic peak of the S7 or P9 in night scenes, its approach was creative and useful for portraits and macro photography.
Common extras that marked this generation: 4K recordingOIS in several models, manual modes Advanced features and improvements to the front selfie camera, with wide angle and electronic stabilization.
Design no longer stands out
Design used to be the differentiator. In this new generation, They all offer premium finishes. Galaxy S7 It combined metal and glass with smooth curves; HTC 10 opted for a metal chassis with wide bevels of great presence; Huawei P9 y Meizu PRO 6 they opted for aluminum unibody very polished; The LG G5 dared to use a modular design which, although polarizing, opened the door to functional accessories.
Beyond the material, what truly defines the experience is the ergonomicsthe fingerprint reader's location, button responsiveness, and grip. The aesthetic "leap" was reserved for other models outside this quintet that explored curved screens and smaller frames.
The great absence
El audio He rarely topped technical specifications, and it showed. HTC 10 integrated its renowned bet BoomSound with a Hi-Res profile and a competent DAC, achieving a superior experience with headphones. Meizu PRO 6 He also paid attention to the sound. However, LG G5 delegated his best audio to a B&O module optional, and neither Huawei P9 ni Galaxy S7 They stood out for their speakers, although they offered decent audio.
As a trend at the time, some manufacturers outside this group began to stand out with speakers. front stereos and technologies like Dolby Atmos in multimedia-focused devices. If sound is a priority, it's worth looking at the specifications of DAC, Hi-Res profiles and speaker configuration, not just maximum power.
Tied for performance?
In raw terms, the performance was very even. Exynos 8890 of the Galaxy S7 and Snapdragon 820 (HTC 10, LG G5) dominated in CPU and GPU; Kirin 955 The P9 provided great efficiency and good sustained performance; Helio X25 The PRO 6, with its 10-core architecture, offered balanced multitasking performance. The real differences were seen more in thermal managementstability under load and optimization of each software layer.
For gaming and heavy-duty tasks, the GPUs of the S7 and the models with Snapdragon 820 They offered a slight advantage. In daily use, all performed smoothly. The most decisive factor in the medium term was the system optimization, the type of storage and the update support.
Latest Features
Among the extras that can tip the scales, resistance to water and dust It was a clear differentiator in the Galaxy S7, with high certification. HTC 10 offering splash protectionUseful but below a high IP rating. LG G5, Huawei P9 y Meizu PRO 6 They did not opt ​​for this protection in their standard configurations.
In terms of cargo, everyone incorporated fast chargebut only the Galaxy S7 Anadio wireless charging (Qi and PMA standards). In ports, the transition to USB Type C it began to become widespread: HTC 10, LG G5 and P9 They adopted Type-C, while Galaxy S7 kept up microUSB in that generation.
Other essentials: fingerprint reader Quick, NFC for payments, and Always On modes in some models to check notifications without fully turning on the screen.
Autonomy and design
In drums, the numbers were around 3.000 mAh for HTC 10, Galaxy S7 and Huawei P9, while LG G5 It fell slightly short, although it added a differentiating factor: removable battery. Meizu PRO 6 It opted for a more modest capacity, compensating with fast loading.
Real autonomy depended heavily on chosen panel and the software layer. AMOLED The Always On display is highly optimized for notifications; well-calibrated LCDs also performed well. If battery life is a priority, also consider the SoC's efficiency and the supported fast-charging frequency.
Storage and memory speed
A smartphone isn't just about CPU and GPU. memory speed It makes a difference when opening apps, installing games, or copying large files. In public tests of that generation, LG G5 excelled in deed, Galaxy S7 led in sequential reading, and HTC 10 It showed more modest performance in some random reading tests. These variations illustrate that the Overall performance is the result of the set (storage, CPU/GPU, software) and not just a processor.
Practical tip: prioritize configurations with UFS versus eMMC where possible, and assesses the presence of microSD If you need to expand storage. In this group, practically all except the PRO 6 opted for microSD in some configuration.
—More information at MovilZona
Multimedia and connectivity
In multimedia, the focus was on photo and video, but the experience is completed with screen, audio, connectivity and sensorsThere was widespread support for LTE, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFCThe fingerprint reader became ubiquitous and fast. USB Type C It modernized charging and transfer in three of the five; Samsung, as mentioned, stuck with microUSB in this particular cycle.
In video, the possibility of recording 4K It was already standard in the high-end range, with optical or electronic stabilization in most models. For streaming, the antennas and compatibility with LTE bands Information from your region is crucial if you travel.
Software, experience and support
All the Android models compared came with recent versions for their time and own layers (Sense, TouchWiz, EMUI, etc.). The reality is that the perceived performance It depends on both optimization and hardware: animations, RAM management, and background apps. Generally speaking, these layers evolved into a lighter experience, with useful additions (gestures, saving modes, photographic tools) and less duplication of services.
A valuable point of context: the family Google Pixel It positioned itself as a reference in quick updates and exclusive software features, setting expectations for the rest of the ecosystem. When choosing, consider support history from the manufacturer and safety policies.
price and value
Another key difference was price positioning. Huawei P9 and Meizu PRO 6 They left with more contained tags in their base versions, bringing high-end technologies to a wider audience. HTC 10, LG G5 and Galaxy S7 They positioned themselves in the premium category, justified by top-of-the-line cameras, water resistance (in the case of the S7), and extras such as wireless charging or modules.
If you're looking for quality / price ratioIt's worth focusing on the type of photography you like best (fast and reliable, versatile with a wide angle, or creative monochrome). extras you'll actually use (high IP rating, wireless charging, removable battery, Hi-Res audio) and the cost of the versions with more storageMany users get the best value by choosing the model whose strengths match their daily use.
Market context and popularity
Aggregated data from platforms of benchmarking and analytics Those from that generation showed interesting patterns: Samsung dominated in markets such as United States and Europeespecially with the S7 in its edge variant; in South Korea The struggle was mainly between Samsung and LG; in China and other emerging marketslocal brands such as Xiaomi They captured a large market share due to their aggressive value proposition. These trends help explain why some manufacturers focused more on camera and design, and others in price and efficiency.
The "best" mobile phone doesn't exist in absolute terms; there's only the one that best suits youIf you prioritize low-light photography and durability, Galaxy S7 He was and continues to be a role model for his generation. If you're looking for audio and metallic finish, HTC 10 It shines. If it seduces you photographic versatility, the wide-angle lens of LG G5 It makes a difference. If you value Leica colorimetry and an elegant design, Huawei P9 It fits. And if you want a powerful balance with a competitive price and a creative touch, Meizu PRO 6 it is a solid option.
