The Canon that can: Canon EOS 80D Review

The Canon EOS 80D is an enthusiast-level DSLR, and the successor to the 70D. It sports a new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor which, like the 70D, offers Canon's Dual Pixel on-sensor phase-detection autofocus system. The 80D also gains a new 45-point hybrid AF system with all of the points being cross-type. This is a step up from the 19-point AF system in the 70D, though not quite at the same level as the 65-point coverage offered by the more professionally-oriented 7D Mark II.

Featuring a body sealed against dust and moisture, the 80D has a polycarbonate exterior and magnesium alloy chassis. It is nearly identical in design to its predecessor, with the majority of controls accessible via the articulating rear touchscreen, as well as via physical control points. Video is a major part of the 80D's total package. While it cannot shoot 4K, it does offer 1080/60p capture and continuous autofocus during video. A headphone socket has been added to compliment its microphone port.

Canon EOS 80D key features:

• 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF
• 45-point AF system with all cross-type points
• 3" 1.04M-dot articulating touchscreen
• 1080/60p video capture
• 7 fps continuous shooting with AF
• Weather-resistant body
• 7560-pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor
• Wi-Fi + NFC

Other improvements come in the form of a new mirror vibration control system (similar to the 5DS and 7D Mark II), which should help reduce the blur-inducing effects of shutter shock. The 80D also gains the same 7560 pixel RGB+IR metering sensor found in the Rebel T6s and T6i, a serious improvement over the 63-zone dual layer sensor found in the 70D. This new sensor gives the camera some degree of human subject awareness for subject tracking through the viewfinder. However, unlike the 7D Mark II, the 80D does not have Canon's 'Intelligent Tracking and Recognition' (iTR) system, which uses the metering sensor along with distance info to subject track.

The new sensor

It's no secret that some Canon shooters have been frustrated as of late, as Sony's sensor technology marches ahead in terms of dynamic range. Fortunately, the 80D marks a significant step forward in Canon's sensor development, offering much better DR than the 70D or 7D Mark II. But the new sensor isn't interesting just because of the pictures it can capture. Dual Pixel AF not only allows for continuous focus during video capture, but during still capture (in live view mode) as well. We first saw this feature in the Rebel T6s and it is exciting to see it now making its way up Canon's food chain to enthusiast-level cameras.

Compared to its siblings

	Canon EOS 80D	Canon EOS 7D Mark II	Canon EOS 70D	Canon EOS 6D
Sensor	24MP APS-C	20.2MP APS-C	20.2MP APS-C	20.2MP full-frame
ISO range	100-16000 (expands to 25600)	100-16000  (expands to 25600)	100-12800  (expands to 25600)	100-25600  (expands to 50-102800)
AF (viewfinder)	45 all cross-type points	65 all cross-type points	19 all cross-type points	11 point, center point is cross-type
AF (Live view/video)	Dual pixel AF	Dual pixel AF	Dual pixel AF	Contrast Detect, Phase Detect (in 'Quick' mode)
Intelligent Tracking and Recognition	No	Yes	No	No
C-AF in live view during still shooting	Yes	No	No	No
AF joystick	No	Yes	No	No
Video capabilities	1080/60p	1080/60p	1080/30p	1080/30p
Burst rate	7 fps	10 fps	7 fps	4.5 fps
LCD spec	3" 1.04M-dot articulating touch LCD	3" 1.04M-dot fixed LCD	3" 1.04M-dot articulating touch LCD	3" 1.04M-dot fixed LCD
Weight	730 g (1.61 lb)	910g (2.0 lb)	755g (1.7 lb)	770 g (1.70 lb)

Aside from the 70D, the closest sibling to the 80D is the more professionally-oriented Canon EOS 7D Mark II. It uses a slightly lower resolution chip and offers less dynamic range than the 80D. While the two share the same basic video specs, the 7D Mark II is better equipped for fast action, thanks to greater AF point coverage, a dedicated AF joystick and the inclusion of Canon iTR, as well as a faster shooting rate. On the other hand, the 80D's touch focus capabilities make it a more appealing choice for video.

Of course the full frame Canon 6D now falls into a similar price class to the both the 80D and 7D Mark II, making it worthy of consideration. Although it's far from new the 6D remains a solid and popular camera despite its comparatively simplistic AF system.

Accessories

The 80D shown with PZ-E1 Power Zoom Adapter connected to the EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM kit zoom. This adapter allows for smooth zooming at variable speeds.

Along with the announcement of the 80D, Canon announced the DM-E1 shotgun microphone (compatible with any camera that has a 1/8" socket). Canon also announced the PZ-E1 Power Zoom Adapter. It can clip onto the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens and control the zoom, with two speed options. The DM-E1 will sell for $250, while the PZ-E1 will run you $150. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get hold of either new accessory in time for this review, but we'll be updating our impressions as soon as we can. 

Pricing and availability

The Canon EOS 80D is available now for a body-only price of $1199/£999/€1199. Kitted with Canon's new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, the 80D will run you $1799. Kitted with the EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, the 80D will run $1349/£1089.

FUJI X70 – LENS REview

Fujifilm X70 review

1 OF 12

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PROS

• Large sensor
• Small size
• Manual control
• stylish body

CONS

• Fixed lens
• Can’t use touchscreen for menu navigation
• No viewfinder

KEY FEATURES

1. 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor
2. 18.5mm f/2.8 lens (28mm in 35mm format)
3. ISO200-6400 (100-51200 expanded)
4. Raw shooting
5. Full manual contro
6. Electronic shutter for speeds up to 1/32000
7. 8fps shooting
8. Tilting 1040k-dot touch-sensitive screen
9. Manufacturer: Fujifilm
10. Review Price: £499.00

FUJIFILM X70 – DESIGN AND HANDLING

• Fuji has made a name for itself with its X series cameras, bringing the firm out of the doldrums of mediocre compact camera production to make it one of the most desired camera brands of the moment.

The X70 takes the design of the X100T and shrinks and tweaks it to make it more pocketable. As a result, it doesn’t quite have the same level of retro appeal as the larger camera, but it remains a sleek device – one that, crucially, is more likely to fit in your pocket.

The camera sports a relatively simple design, but it provides quick access to most of the settings you’re likely to want to use with any frequency. Around the camera’s lens is a dial for changing aperture – something traditionalist photographers will love. However, what they won’t love so much is that, since the lens is fairly flat in order to keep the size compact, it can be quite difficult to get a decent grip on the aperture ring – and harder still to grip the manual focus ring. With practice, you’ll at least become used to its positioning.

Although the X70 is arguably aimed primarily towards enthusiast and more advanced photographers, it still includes an automatic mode that’s activated via a switch on the top of the camera. With this mode, you can let the camera do everything for you and concentrate on composition. To help here, you can switch on the digital horizon level in the main menu to ensure your shots are straight, which is handy.

In order to set the autofocus point, you can use the touch-sensitive screen – a first for an X series compact. Simply tap the area to select the point as necessary. You can also set the camera to take the shot with a press of the screen, or even switch the touch sensitivity off altogether. If you choose to do the latter, you can set the AF point by first pressing the down directional key, and then using the other directional keys to move to the point you want to use.

By pressing a button marked “Q” you’ll be able to access a group of settings without having to go into the main menu. Here you’ll discover settings such as ISO, white balance, film simulation, aspect ratio and more. It’s a shame that you can’t navigate through this menu using the touchscreen; instead you need to use the physical keys, which although simple can take some time.

On the top of the camera sit a couple of dials that enthusiasts will appreciate, along with the aperture dial around the lens. There’s a shutter speed dial, which reaches shutter speeds of 1/4000. You can also set the dial to automatic. If you do this, but alter the aperture, you’re shooting in aperture priority. Alternatively, you can set the aperture dial to automatic, but set the shutter speed and you’ll be shooting in shutter priority.

If you want to use the electronic shutter for even faster shutter speeds than is represented on the dial, then you can use a small switch found on the back of the camera to move past the 1/4000 speed. It’s useful to use very fast speeds when shooting wide apertures in bright light to avoid overexposure. Fast shutter speeds are also good for freezing fast-moving action, such as sports, but this camera isn’t really designed for such tasks.

There are a couple of other notable buttons on the X70. There’s a function button marked Fn, which can be customised to a particular setting of your choosing; by default it provides access to the X70’s Wi-Fi connectivity. Several other buttons on the X70 are also customisable to different functions, which is great news for those who like to work in a particular way.

Buy Now: Fujifilm X70 at Amazon.co.uk from £499 | Amazon.com from $699

FUJI X70 – SCREEN

Since this camera lacks a viewfinder (electronic or otherwise), you’ll find yourself relying on the screen entirely to compose your images. Alternatively, you could purchase an optical viewfinder at additional expense to slot into the hotshoe.

The good news is that the screen is pretty decent, resisting reflections well and showing a detailed display of images in playback and the view in front of you. Although a fully articulating screen would have been more useful for portrait images, the fact that this screen tilts to face forward or downward helps to move it out of the way of very bright sunlight – and of course facilitates group shots and selfies.

The inclusion of touch-sensitivity speeds up setting the autofocus point, and it’s also useful for swiping through images in playback. The icing on the cake would have been the ability to use the touchscreen to move through menus – but there’s no such provision on the X70.

Related: Canon G7X Mark II review

FUJI X70 – LENS

The fixed-length lens will put off some folk. However, when you consider that mobile phones don’t have zoom lenses, and they’re obviously very popular, it becomes less of an issue.

The X100T has a 35mm equivalent lens, while the X70’s is 28mm. That makes it a little more usable for landscape-style shots, as you can get more of the scene in frame. Some people will argue that 28mm isn’t good for portraits, but it is possible to achieve decent “environmental”-style portraits with the camera, being careful not to get too close to the subject so as to create a distorted effect.

Having a fixed-length lens is a trade off for the large sensor; remember that the sensor inside this tiny camera is identical to those you’ll find in much larger models – including DSLRs. As such, the 28mm lens here is a good performer, with no visible distortion in the corners of image. As previously mentioned, some people will prefer the slightly longer 35mm length of the X100T, but 28mm is satisfactory for landscapes and still usable as a walk-around length.

Xbox One Elite Controller review

PROS

• Tonnes of customisation options
• Mature, refined design
• Reassuringly heavy

CONS

• Expensive
• Accessories could be more secure in case

WHAT IS THE XBOX ONE ELITE CONTROLLER?

When Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite Controller, with all its knobs, sticks and paddles, at E3 2015, we all gasped, oohed and aahed. It's quite the work of art, with its brushed metal accessories and matte black soft touch finish.

And in reality, the Elite Controller's announcement didn't come as much of a surprise, seeing as the rise of eSports and competitive gaming has been huge.

The new Xbox One Elite Controller is a customisable gamepad that’s quite the upgrade over the regular Wireless Controller. It’s primarily aimed at the seriously competitive gamers, in particular the ones that tend to mod out their pads for the aggressive edge.

But with those customisation options comes a steep price – £129.99. So the question is, is the Xbox One Elite Controller worth it?

Related: Xbox One Elite Controller vs Regular Wireless Controller

XBOX ONE ELITE CONTROLLER – DESIGN

For your £130 investment, you’ll get a wonderful box of tricks. Sliding the lid off the box presents you with the Elite Xbox One Controller in its fabric-covered clam-shell case, which protects it when not in use, but also acts as storage for all the accessories.

By looks alone you could be forgiven for thinking this is a standard Xbox One controller with a lick of paint. But the little moulded rubber holder beneath belies its elite status.

The Elite Xbox One Controller comes with a pair of D-Pads – one a metal version of the regular D-Pad, but the other a faceted metal option – and three analogue stick choices. For the analogue sticks you’re looking at the standard concave diamond grip option, a taller version of these, and a domed set that sit between the two in terms of height.

There are also two sets of paddles that attach to the rear of the controller, and a long, braided micro-USB cable, which is a must-have for those competitive sessions.

All of these sit within the moulded rubber holder with the idea that you can store them securely when not in use, even when travelling around. In practice the spare analogue sticks and cross-style D-Pad all fit in securely, but the faceted D-Pad and the paddles come loose very easily, rattling about in the case.

Related: Xbox One vs PS4

When I first picked up the Elite Controller what was immediately noticeable was the increased weight. Due to its upgraded innards and new metal attachments, the Elite Controller has gained some grams. Microsoft says that with all four paddles attached and the AA batteries inserted – there’s no Play and Charge pack included – the Elite Controller weights 348g (give or take 15g for the different attachment combinations). That’s quite the increase on the 280g regular Wireless controller.

Although the weight is initially very palpable, you quickly become accustomed to the increased mass. In fact, it’s reassuringly heavy. The combination of the new matte rubber finish and the diamonised rubber grip on the underside, you’re looking at a controller that moulds into your hands and stays there – regardless of how sweaty your hands get during extended gaming sessions.

You get so familiar with the weight and feel of the Elite Controller, that the regular one makes feels cheap, rough and thoroughly inferior. Microsoft has ensured that by kitting the Elite Controller out with a mature, understated design. The colourful face buttons and plastic finish have been swapped out for a monochrome colour scheme and metal touches that makes the Elite look like a premium product.

Related: Xbox One vs Xbox 360

The triggers, D-Pads and analogue sticks are all now made from metal for durability; while the actual analogue stick sockets have been enhanced with a reinforced ring to make sure they last longer.

Both the D-Pad and analogue sticks are interchangeable, with the current option attached by magnets. While you’re playing, they feel safe and secure, but if you want to change them out for a new version, it’s quick and simple to do.

The only issue with the magnetic attachments that I had was with the rear paddles. The Elite Controller can support up to four rear paddles, which can function as a duplicate of any of the buttons on the pad you want. Or, you can go without them entirely: the make-up of the Elite Controller is up to you.

But these can be easily caught and dislodged as you pick up the controller. It’s a particular pain at first, when you’re getting used to have those extra appendages, but you will get used to it eventually.

I’m just worried what would happen if you lost one of these accessories, as it doesn’t seem like Microsoft will let you to replace them individually at this stage.

Related: Best Xbox One Games 2015

Around the back of the Elite Controller above the slots for these paddles is a green switch on either side. These are associated with the new and improved Hair-Trigger Locks on the triggers. If you push the green switches down (and they operate independently), they’ll physically limit the travel of each trigger. In practice that means you’ll be able to aim and reload faster in shooting games, or whatever you use your triggers for. That’s going to be a massive boon for professional players where every second counts.

Other improvements on the Elite Controller include a standard 3.5mm headphone jack at the base rather than the irritating proprietary port on the regular controller. Next to that is a legacy connection for purpose built headsets.

You’ll also find that the Xbox One Elite Controller has some rather lovely shoulder buttons. Gone are the overly-loud clicky bumpers of the original controller, with the Elite instead offering a quieter, more even response wherever you press them.

Related: Xbox One HDD Upgrade – How to upgrade your Xbox One storage

XBOX ONE ELITE CONTROLLER – XBOX ACCESSORIES APP

But what takes this enhanced Elite Controller even further is the Xbox Accessories app. Available on Windows 10 and Xbox One, the Xbox Accessories app makes sure that the customisation options don’t stop with the hardware.

The app gives you the option to rebind the functionality of every button, trigger and bumper on the Elite Controller (aside from the menu and options buttons). You now have complete control over how your gamepad works, without being confined to customisation on a game-by-game basis if you don’t want to be.

The Xbox One Elite Controller can store two button mapping configurations at once. The controller lets you switch between them using the slider underneath the options and menu buttons. You can store even more configurations in the Xbox Accessories app and load them onto the controller as and when you need them.

Related: Best Xbox Live Games 2015

There are a few pre-made options in the app too, for games such as Halo 5, the Gear of War: Ultimate Collection, new racer Forza 6 and even the classic Sunset Overdrive. Microsoft promises that there are a tonne more en-route too.

They’re great for those among us who find the thought of remapping every single button totally daunting – and trust me I did at first.

The app also goes beyond basic button-mapping too. There’s individual adjustments for analogue stick sensitivity that manage the distance the sticks need to travel before they react as in-game movements. These include: delay (slow start), aggressive (fast start), instant, smooth and default.

You can also adjust the sensitivity and dead zone of the triggers. The app even lets you turn down the haptic feedback and adjust the brightness of the Xbox light. For those among you that like things a certain way, the Elite Controller also lets you swap the sticks over, permanently invert the right or left stick’s Y-axis or swap the triggers around.

Related: Xbox One backwards compatibility – Can I play Xbox 360 games on my Xbox One?

XBOX ONE ELITE CONTROLLER – PERFORMANCE

In practice, for me the customisation started slowly. I began by adding two paddles for Rise of the Tomb Raider – one for sprinting and the other to initialise the Survival Sense.

But the more I used the Elite Controller across a number of games, the more time I spent tweaking and analysing my button mapping.

Take Forza 6 for example – a game where the back paddles really come into their own. Suddenly you’ve got the manual car controls at the press of a finger, which is especially handy because I don’t really want to fork out for a racing wheel that’ll clutter up my home. Instead, I’ve got the Elite Controller to provide me with more of an authentic racing experience, while still providing me with an excellent gamepad for other games.

Elsewhere, I started using one of the Halo 5 presets to make commanding Team Osiris much easier, as suddenly I’m not having to reach down for the D-Pad anymore, but toggling commands using the back paddles.

If you’re a fighting game addict, then the faceted D-Pad will also be a huge success. Although I’m using it because I prefer the feel of it under the thumb and the general look, I’m assured that it makes it a lot easier to pull combos in titles like Mortal Kombat X and co.

Related: Xbox One tips, tricks and secret features

SHOULD I BUY THE XBOX ONE ELITE CONTROLLER?

Although I’m totally addicted to the Xbox One Elite Controller now I’ve used it – God forbid I’m forced to go back to the regular one at this stage – my recommendation comes with some caveats.

If you’re looking to spend £130 on a controller, you need to seriously think about how much you play on your Xbox One and what games you’re playing because it is around £90 more than a regular controller.

However, for your £130 investment you will get the ultimate customisable controller that will no doubt last the entire lifespan of your console – and possibly longer.

VERDICT

The Xbox One Elite Controller really is the one controller to rule them all, with its mature aesthetics, strong customisation options and durability. You might just want to wait for a price drop before you buy.

LG G5 review

PROS

• Lovely screen
• Great wide-angle camera
• USB-C fast charging

CONS

• Dodgy build quality
• Software is on the ugly side
• Expensive modules

KEY FEATURES

• 5.3-inch IPS QHD screen
• Snapdragon 820 processor & 4GB RAM
• 32GB onboard storage and microSD slot
• 2,800mAh battery
• USB Type-C v3.0 port
• Fingerprint sensor
• 16-megapixel rear camera & 8-megapixel front camera
• Additional 8-megapixel wide-angle rear camera
• LG UX 5.0 on Android Marshmallow
• Manufacturer: LG
• Review Price: £529.00

WHAT IS THE LG G5?

There was lot of hype surrounding LG’s quirky modular G5, but it didn’t last all that long. The visions of this Project Ara like device with a wide selection of add-ons that you switch at will hasn’t really happened, leaving us with a good phone that fails to stand out.

LG also probably didn’t count on other brand’s upping their game. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is fantastic, as is the HTC 10, and there’s even budget offerings like theOnePlus 3.

The lack of interesting modules has really hurt the LG G5, and it’s no longer the only modular phone on the market. Moto has the Moto Z and it’s already got a better selection of add-ons. There’s also the LG V20 coming soon, and it’ll be the first phone to run Android Nougat.

LG G5 – DESIGN AND MODULES

Metal body, removable battery, modular system, rear fingerprint sensor, sloped top, 159g

In pictures the LG G5 looks curvy and sleek, but pick up the smartphone and it feels oddly hollow.

LG played up its switch from the plastic body of the LG G4 to a metal one on the G5. However, in the hand the G5 really doesn’t feel like any other metal phone I’ve come across. the handset has an odd finish that feels much more like plastic than the advertised “microdized” metal. I do like the slightly sloping top, though, but it's the only feature that sets it apart.

Related: LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7

The G5's design is very clean too, with only a single volume clicker and SIM-tray present on either side. The volume control suffers from having a very shallow push, but it's usable nonetheless. While LG has ditched the volume keys on the rear, the lock switch remains in the slightly unorthodox position just below the camera sensors.

In my opinion it's far better to have all the buttons in the same spot, be it on the back or sides of a phone. Positioned as they are, I’m forced to move my hands around the G5 more than normal just to reach everything.

Related: LG G5 vs LG G4

The standby switch now also houses a fingerprint scanner – something I consider a must for any 2016 flagship. V10 aside, for which there's been no UK launch, this is the first phone from LG to use a fingerprint scanner.

I'm pleased to report that it does a superb job – it’s fast and accurate. In addition, you don’t even have to press down to unlock the phone; simply glide your digit across and it’ll bypass the lockscreen completely.

As with all back-mounted scanners I’ve tried, it can sometimes go off randomly in my pocket. On more than a few occasions I’d pull it out of my pocket to be met with a message reporting "too many incorrect attempts, fingerprint blocked". But I guess this is a side-effect of it being so sensitive. The scanner itself is also quite small, which might be issue if you have large fingers.

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The LG G5’s modular system is its stand-out feature. Now, it isn’t quite at Google Project Ara levels of customisability – so you won’t be switching out the RAM or CPU – but it’s clever and unique nevertheless.

It works like this. Along the side of the handset there sits an almost indistinguishable button set just almost flush to the body. Press this in with the tip of your nail and the bottom chin of the phone will pop out; pull it off and out comes the battery.

The battery comes apart from the bottom unit – which can feel like you’re breaking the device – and then you can attach it to other modules, or "Friends" as LG calls them. At launch, there are two modules available and neither are going to be a draw in themselves to sell the phone.

The camera grip adds a touch more battery, a separate shutter button for both photos and video, and a jog dial for zoom. The second module is a DAC powered by some B&O tech. The DAC gives you 32-bit audio and an extra headphone jack.

Related: 5 modules for the LG G5 we'd love to see

I find myself wishing that LG had started off with slightly more enticing accessories. The DAC is a nice idea – I’m all for ways to improve smartphone audio – but the camera grip doesn’t actually make the camera any better; it just makes the shooting process "easier". I also don’t like the fact it encourages people to use digital zoom – photo tech that universally produces terrible photos on all the smartphones I’ve tested, including the G5.

These two modules are also much pricier than I'd anticipated. The B&O DAC costs £150, while the camera grip will set you back £79. Problems will also likely arise when you’re ready to upgrade to the LG G6 – will the new device support the same modules? I'm not convinced.

LG is encouraging third parties to make their own Friends, so hopefully they’ll be a few more to choose from in the coming months. However, if the LG G5 fails to sell in large enough numbers then maybe there won't be much incentive to build a costly module.

The modular system also hampers the build quality of the device. Both parts of the phone don’t quite fit flush together; there’s an ever-so-slight gap between the two. It’s minimal, but wide enough that I can see light filtering through.

LG G5 – SCREEN

5.3-inch, IPS LCD, quad-HD display with always-on mode

LG’s past few flagship devices have benefited from impressive displays.

While they can't be described as perfect, they’ve always adopted new tech and utilised it well. LG was one of the first manufacturers to really bring quad-HD, 2,560 x 1,440 panels to the mainstream, for example, and since the G3 it has gone from strength to strength.

I’m happy to say that the display on the LG G5 is the best yet – even though on the surface it appears that not a whole lot has changed.

LG hasn't made the switch to a 4K display; it remains quad-HD. Although in my opinion this isn't a bad thing – quad-HD is the highest resolution a phone needs to be unless it will be used for VR. The display on the G5 remains a IPS LCD panel too, rather than the AMOLED panels favoured by Samsung and Google.

The biggest change here is that the screen is actually marginally smaller than before – 5.3-inches as opposed to 5.5-inches. But the number of pixels remain the same; they're simply crammed into a smaller surface area.

The display is ridiculously sharp, far more true-to-life and softer than the Galaxy S7 display. This isn't necessarily a positive, though – it’s all down to personal taste, with some preferring accurate colours over vibrancy. Viewing angles are on point.

LG has also improved the brightness of the screen, not that the G4 suffered much in this area. At its highest, it's at 900 nits, but there will be few instances in which it will need to be set so high. Around 50% is right, or you can opt for auto-brightness.

I'm not a fan of auto-brightness on Android devices, and it's no different here. It’s too obvious, results in a stuttering motion and is rarely accurate in its judgements.

Related: Android N hands-on

The G5 display's black level – an area in which many IPS displays struggle – is solid. While not as deep as those on the Samsung Galaxy S7, blacks on the LG G5 are suitably inky and deep, and mean the display has a great contrast ratio.

Just like the Samsung Galaxy S7, the LG G5 has an "always-on" display mode, so the time and your notifications remain visible even when the phone is locked.

LG’s implementation is much better than that of Samsung in just about every way. It uses less battery, about 12% a day (8am to midnight) as opposed to the Galaxy S7’s 15%. The LG G5’s always-on screen also displays all your notifications, including those from WhatsApp and Gmail. This makes it far more useful than the S7, which pushes alerts from only a limited selection of apps.

The display on the G5 is less customisable, however, and since it isn’t AMOLED, it lights up every pixel rather than just the clock. This means it’s far more noticeable, and more distracting, in low light.