Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new curved LG G Flex 2 goes up against the all metal Huawei Ascend Mate 7. Both devices have nothing to apologize for in the looks department – the G Flex 2 has its curved body, battery and display and the Ascend Mate 7 has its small bezels and metal backing – giving both devices a solid build and a premium look.
These two devices do have a few things in common – they both are considered a large, or phablet style smartphone. They both use an Octa-Core processor and 2GB of RAM with 16GB of internal storage, although both models include a microSD care slot to add additional storage. Both devices also have a 13MP sensor for the main camera and the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, a speaker on the back panel and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer.
Please take a look over the detailed Specifications Comparison below and spot the differences. After that, we will look at each individual device and point out their pros and cons in our quest to pick a winner in this comparison.
LG G Flex 2
When LG introduced us to the first LG G Flex, it was met with mixed emotions and at that time was compared to the Samsung Galaxy Round. The G Flex was curved from top to bottom while the Galaxy Round curved from left to right. Neither device and their curves were completely understood by the public. Samsung’s Galaxy Round never left the Asian market, but LG released theirs in select markets and the users in the US seemed to covet the device with its curved back, battery and display. The LG G Flex 2 is a true upgrade from the first device, in terms of display quality and specifications.
LG shortened the 6-inch display on the original G Flex to 5.5-inches, which seems to make the device easier to hold and store in your pocket. Most importantly, LG went from a meager HD display resolution to a FHD resolution giving the new G Flex 2, 1920 x 1080 pixels and 403 pixels-per-inch (PPI)…better than the 6-inch 368 PPI on the Ascend Mate 7. LG also put in the most advanced 64-bit processor that Qualcomm produces, the Snapdragon 810 octa-core clocked at 2GHz and 1.5GHz – a bit of a jump from the Kirin octa-core in the Mate 7. They both use 2GB of RAM and both devices offer 16GB of internal storage, however, both devices have a microSD card slot to increase that storage – theoretically to 2TB in the G Flex 2 and 64GB in the Mate 7.
The cameras use the same sensor size at 13MP – the G Flex 2 adds their Laser autofocus, dual-tone LED Flash and OIS+, whereas the Mate 7 uses the standard autofocus and no OIS or dual flash. The G Flex 2 has a 2.1MP front-facing camera (FFC) and the Mate 7 uses a larger 5MP FFC for selfies and video chatting. The 3000mAh battery of the G Flex 2 cannot compare to the 4100mAh battery in the Mate 7…both are non-removable.
Besides the usual features we listed above, the LG G Flex 2 does add Dolby Mobile for better sound, an FM Stereo Radio, a self-healing back, Quick Charge 2.0 and a built-in IR Blaster. It is running Android 5.0.1 Lollipop from the box with LG’s UI running over top. It will be available on AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular at this point and will cost you approximately $300 on a two-year contract and $650 off-contract. It should be available sometime in February.
Huawei Ascend Mate 7
The Ascend Mate 7 comes with a 6-inch FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 368 PPI – a very good display, but not quite up to the FHD display on the G Flex 2, which is one-half smaller, has OLED technology, and has 403 PPI. The Ascend Mate 7 also uses Huawei’s Hisilicon Kirin 925 octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz (4-cores) and 1.3GHz (4-cores). This is a very good processor, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 in the G Flex 2 has many advanced features that just outclass the Kirin 925. The Ascend Mate 7 uses the same 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, although there is a microSD Card slot to add an additional memory in both devices.
The Ascend Mate 7 has the same size 13MP sensor as the G Flex 2, however, where the Mate 7 has an autofocus and LED flash, the G Flex 2 has their Laser autofocus, dual-tone LED Flash and OIS+. The Ascend Mate 7 does have a rather large 5MP FFC compared to the ‘usual’ 2.1MP found on the G Flex 2 and will allow excellent selfies and video chatting. The battery in the Ascend Mate 7 is a huge 4100mAh and will give you excellent battery life over the 3000mAh battery found on the G Flex 2.
It also comes with a fingerprint scanner, and will work on the GSM and LTE networks of T-Mobile and the HSPA+ on AT&T – but be sure to check the bands in detail before you purchase one. It is running Android 4.4 KitKat with EMUI 3.0 over top and will run you approximately $600.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
I have to go with the LG G Flex 2 as the winner of this comparison. The 5.5-inch display is a little easier to handle and the OLED display technology just has a brighter and more vivid look to it than the LCD technology found on the Ascend Mate 7. The Snapdragon 810 is 64-bit and has more firepower and technology built-in to it than the Kirin processor. The main camera has the built-in OIS+, Laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash. While the 3000mAh battery is smaller than the Mate 7’s huge 4100mAh battery, it should still get you through an entire day. The Quick Charge is a nice feature, as is the self-healing back and IR Blaster. It also comes with the newest Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and its LTE can be used on all US networks. It will run you about $300 for a two-year contract and about $650 off contract.
The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 is an excellent device, and if the curved display of the G Flex 2 does not excite you, the 6-inch Mate 7 should not disappoint you. It is not a ‘cheap Chinese device,’ but a well-made, higher spec’d device that commands a higher price – but it is certainly not worth more than the LG G Flex 2 and what it has to offer.
I believe the LG G Flex 2 is definitely the better buy and the winner of this comparison. Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us hear your choice and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.