Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new LG G Flex 2 goes up against the new Google Nexus 6. Even though different manufacturers – LG and Motorola – make these devices, they do have a few similarities that we can shout out about. The displays are only one-half inch different and they both use the OLED display technology. Both devices have 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage – with the G Flex 2 you can add a microSD card for additional storage and with the Nexus 6 you can order a 64GB model, but there is no expansion beyond that, as Google wants you to use the cloud to store your data.
The main cameras have almost identical specifications – 13MP sensor, OIS, Autofocus, and dual-tone flash. The G Flex 2 has a superior Laser Autofocus for quicker focus times and the Nexus 6 has its flash designed into a ring around the camera lens, rather than off to the side. The front-facing cameras (FFC) are almost identical – 2.1MP on the G Flex 2 and 2MP on the Nexus 6. Both batteries top the 3000mAh size with the G Flex 2 hitting it the nail on the head and the Nexus 6 ups the size to 3220mAh, although both devices will easily get it through a day of usage and both devices have a Quick Charge for the batteries, courtesy of the Snapdragon processors.
Both devices also have the usual Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC capability and a microUSB connector for charging or data transfer. Both devices are also running the newest Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Please take a close look at the detailed Specification chart below and really dig down to see exactly where these two devices differ. After that, we will look at each individual smartphone and pick out some pros and cons in our search to justify the winner of this comparison.
Specifications
LG G Flex 2
The original LG G Flex was received with mixed emotions – some users raved about it while others just could not see what all of the commotion was about a 720p-curved display with 245 pixels-per-inch (PPI). The newest rendition, the LG G Flex 2, shows that LG listened to its critics and upgraded the device in all of the right places, including the display, which is now shrunken from 6-inches to a more mainstream 5.5-inch size and jumped the resolution from HD to FHD. This gives the G Flex 2 a much more acceptable 1920 x 1080 pixels with 403 PPI.
One of the privileges of being the newest device is that the manufacturers can put in the latest and greatest tech. LG chose to use the newest 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, clocked at 2.0GHz and 1.5GHz – finally we have a 64-bit processor to run the new 64-bit Android 5.0 Lollipop. Both devices have 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage with the LG G Flex 2 able to increase that storage to a theoretical 2TB via microSD card.
We mentioned the how similar the cameras are on these two devices – the G Flex 2 has Laser Auto focus and the Nexus 6 has a flash ring that encompasses the lens and the FFCs are about identical. Suffice it to say that both devices will take great pictures. The G Flex 2 does have the smaller 3000mAh battery, but it will certainly get you through the day.
As far as extra features the G Flex 2 possesses over the Nexus 6 – it does have the curved back and display and the back panel is LG’s ‘self-healing’ material that will help hide scratches over time. It also has Dolby Mobile to help with its sound on the back-facing speaker, an IR Blaster and a FM Stereo Radio. While it is running the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop, it does have a light skin from LG called Optimus UI. It will be available from AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular for approximately $300 on a two-year contract or about $650 off-contract.
Google Nexus 6
The new Nexus 6 was a real shock to Nexus fans – never has Google been so wild when it comes to their Nexus smartphone. It is built by Motorola – a great choice – so it has its roots in a favorite of ours, the Moto X. Think of a Moto X on steroids and you pretty much have the Nexus 6. It is bigger and more improved in every way – starting with its huge 6-inch Quad HD (QHD) AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 493 PPI and it still maintains the Moto X’s shapely curved back…but straight display.
The Nexus 6 had the best processor at the time of its design – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, a 32-bit quad-core processor clocked at 2.7GHz. It’s a terrific processor and also used in the new Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge and Droid Turbo, but does not have the 64-bit features of the Snapdragon 810. Both the G Flex 2 and Nexus 6 have the same 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage as standard, although the Nexus 6 can be ordered with 64GB of storage, there is no room for expansion as in the G Flex 2.
As we discussed earlier, the cameras are almost the same and both will take great pictures and video. The Nexus 6 uses a unique dual-tone flash ring around the 13MP lens and has autofocus and OIS…it does not have the faster Laser Autofocus of the G Flex 2. The Nexus uses a huge 3220mAh battery to make sure you will get through the entire day without having to charge…but when you do you will be able to use Motorola’s Turbo Charger that comes with the Nexus 6 and get up to a 60-percent charge in only 15 minutes.
As far as extras go, the Nexus 6 enjoys dual front-facing stereo speakers, a full metal frame, water resistant nano-coating, built-in wireless charging and shares the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop, completely unskinned with the fastest upgrades available. It is available on all major US Carriers for $249 on a two-year contract or $649 off-contract in the Google Play Store.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This was really a tough pick for me, but I am going with the Nexus 6 as the winner of this phone comparison. If you want a curved display, the Snapdragon 810 and a microSD card, then go with the LG G Flex 2. The curved display means nothing to me, and while I want the 64-bit processing of the 810, I can hold out another year…the part that hurts for me is giving up the microSD card for expansion – I like my data on my device, not in the cloud where someone can easily hack it. I like the 6-inch AMOLED display of the Nexus 6, the flash ring, the larger battery, the dual front-facing stereo speakers, the water resistance, the fact that the Turbo Charger is much quicker, the built-in wireless charging and most of all – knowing that I will receive the fastest Android updates. The slightly cheaper price doesn’t hurt either or its availability on all major US networks.
The LG G Flex 2 is a great device and you certainly could not go wrong in choosing it over the Nexus 6 – please hook up with us on our Google+ Page and let us know which device you would pick and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.