8/72
  16/72
  24/72
  32/72
  40/72
  48/72
  56/72
  64/72
  72/72

variant                 LCP no hint  LCP + preload  delta   loadDelay             verdict
Server-rendered <img>   1056         1056           0       164.7 -> 164.2        within noise (runs overlap; widest spread 8)
loading="lazy"          1224         1056           -168    337.7 -> 164.3        separated (no overlap between 1216-1236 and 1056-1060)
CSS background-image    1216         1064           -152    326.5 -> 164.8        separated (no overlap between 1216-1220 and 1060-1072)
Client-rendered <img>   1228         1064           -164    338.5 -> 164.6        separated (no overlap between 1220-1232 and 1064-1072)

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