Richard Goodwin 21/02/2017 - 10:53am

How much have Android phones changed in the past five years? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest releases from recent history

Few things move as fast as the mobile space. In the space of five years things inside the phone markets have changed dramatically. Brands have risen and fallen. Billions of dollars have been spent. And hundreds of millions of handsets have been sold.

Android is always where the good stuff happens, as Google’s hardware partners attempt to outdo one another in a never-ending, year-round game of keeping up with the Jones’.

With MWC 2017 just around the corner, we figured it’d be a great time to look back and see how far we’ve come since 2012. The team picked out a bunch of Android’s biggest brands in order to see how flagships from 2012 compared to flagships in 2016.

We’re looking at overall design, specs and hardware. Most of the biggest changes, however, is how the handsets look – they’re so much bigger these days. Bigger and slimmer and more aesthetically pleasing.

Enjoy!

Samsung – Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 EDGE

Samsung Galaxy S3 Key Specs

  • Display: 4.8in 1080p 
  • Dimensions: 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm
  • CPU: Samsung Exynos 4 Quad 4412
  • RAM: 1GB 
  • Camera: 8MP Autofocus, CMOS image sensor, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)
  • Battery: 2100 mAh

Samsung Galaxy S7 EDGE Key Specs

  • Display: 5.5in QHD AMOLED 
  • Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm
  • CPU: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)
  • RAM: 4GB 
  • Camera: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash
  • Battery: 3600 mAh

HTC – HTC One X vs HTC 10


HTC One X Key Specs

  • Display: 4.7in LCD2 720x1080
  • Dimensions: 134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm
  • CPU: Nvidia Tegra 3
  • RAM: 1GB 
  • Camera: 8 MP, autofocus, LED flash
  • Battery: 1800 mAh battery

HTC 10 Key Specs

  • Display: 5.2in LCD5 QHD 
  • Dimensions: 145.9 x 71.9 x 9 mm
  • CPU: Snapdragon 820 (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Camera: 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, OIS, laser autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
  • Battery: 3000 mAh battery

LG – LG Optimus G vs LG G5


LG Optimus G Key Specs

  • Display: 4.7in True HD-IPS + LCD 768 x 1280 pixels
  • Dimensions: 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.5 mm
  • CPU: Snapdragon S4 Pro
  • RAM: 2GB 
  • Camera: 13 MP/8 MP (market dependent), autofocus, LED flash
  • Battery: 2100 mAh

LG G5 Key Specs:

  • Display: 5.3in IPS LCD QHD 
  • Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm
  • CPU: Snapdragon 820
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Camera: Dual 16 MP (29mm, f/1.8) + 8 MP (12mm, f/2.4), laser autofocus, OIS (3-axis), LED flash
  • Battery: 2800 mAh

Huawei – Huawei D Quad vs Huawei P9


Huawei D Quad Key Specs:

  • Display: 4.5in IPS+ 720x1080p
  • Dimensions: 129 x 64.9 x 8.9 mm
  • CPU: Huawei K3V2
  • RAM: 1GB 
  • Camera: 8 MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
  • Battery: 1800 mAh

Huawei P9 Key Specs

  • Display: 5.2in IPS-NEO LCD 1080p 
  • Dimensions: 145 x 70.9 x 7 mm
  • CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 955
  • RAM: 3GB/4GB
  • Camera: Dual 12 MP, f/2.2, 27 mm, Leica optics, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
  • Battery: 3000 mAh

Motorola – Moto Z vs Motorola DROID Razr

Moto Z Key Specs:

  • Display: 5.5in AMOLED QHD
  • Dimensions: 155.9 x 75.8 x 7 mm
  • CPU: Snapdragon 820
  • RAM: 4GB 
  • Camera: 21 MP, f/1.8, laser & phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
  • Battery: 3500 mAh

Motorola DROID RAZR Key Specs:

  • Display: 4.7in Super AMOLED 720x1080p
  • Dimensions: 131.9 x 67.9 x 9.3 mm
  • CPU: Snapdragon S4 Plus
  • RAM: 1GB
  • Camera: 8 MP, autofocus, LED flash
  • Battery: 3300 mAh