Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the LG G Flex 2 goes up against the new LG G4. Both devices are beautiful in their own way and even though they are LG brothers and have a few similarities, they are each unique in their own special way. Each device offers a little something different, but when it comes down to the ‘nitty and gritty’ they are both gorgeous devices and very comfortable to hold in your hand. The G Flex 2 is a curved device with a flexible P-OLED display and a soft, self-healing, back while the G4 is a more traditional design…although slightly curved…with a removable back.
Both the G Flex 2 and the G4 have the same 5.5-inch display size, but not the same resolution. They both use a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, although different models. They both have 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot to add additional storage. Their main cameras, while close to the same size are still somewhat different and their front-facing cameras (FFC) are extremely different. While they each have a 3000mAh battery, the G Flex 2’s is non-removable while the G4’s is removable.
Both devices have the usual suspects and then some – both have Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, are NFC compatible and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer. They also share a built-in IR Blaster, a Stereo FM Radio, Dolby sound enhancements and because of their Qualcomm heritage, include Quick Charge 2.0
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
LG G Flex 2
When LG introduced the original LG G Flex, it was surprisingly embraced by some hard-core LG enthusiasts, but I just could not get my head wrapped around the idea of paying $300 for a device simply because its claim-to-fame was the phone and display were curved and if you pressed the back in with your fingernail, it would ‘self-heal.’ It only had a 720p resolution and 245 pixels-per-inch (PPI), when all other devices were coming in at 1080p and even the LG G3 had 1440p.
LG updated the LG G Flex 2 in all of the spots that I felt it was lacking – the display and device are slightly smaller (5.5-inch vs 6-inch) and is upgraded to at least to a FHD P-OLED display. This gives it a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with a much more acceptable 403 PPI…of course that still pales in comparison to the 5.5-inch QHD display on the LG G4 with 538 PPI. The G Flex 2 also uses the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit processor clocked at 2.0GHz and 1.5GHz while LG chose to bypass the 810 and take a slightly more conservative approach and picked the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor. Both devices come with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and both devices are able to increase their internal storage an additional 128GB.
Both devices sport excellent main cameras – the G Flex 2 uses a 13MP sensor with Laser Autofocus, OIS+ and a Dual-Tone LED flash and a 2.1MP FFC for social selfies and video chatting. The LG G4 uses a new and improved 16MP main camera and a huge 8MP FFC. As I mentioned earlier, both devices even have the same size, 3000mAh, battery…of course the G Flex 2 battery is curved and non-removable while the LG G4’s is removable.
Recapping what these two devices share are Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, are NFC compatible and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer. They also share a built-in IR Blaster, a Stereo FM Radio and Dolby Mobile sound enhancements and because of their Qualcomm heritage, include Quick Charge 2.0. Aside from the obvious curved design, the G Flex 2 also has an improved self-healing back panel.
The LG G Flex 2 is available on AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular, with prices varying greatly – AT&T is high at $300 for a two-year agreement and $700 off-contract. The low price goes to US Cellular of only $50 or $630, with Sprint falling in the middle at $200 or $500. It is running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
LG G4
The LG G4 is slightly larger and LG added a slight curve too, but nothing like the curve of the LG G Flex 2. Along with the improved plastic backing with a ceramic coating that looks metallic-like, you can special order a real leather back with stitching…also in several colors. While the LG G4 does look much the same as last year’s model, at the same time, it does look even more premium.
The LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch QHD LCD Quantum display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 538 PPI, which is certainly a notch above the 403 PPI on the LG G Flex 2’s FHD display of the same size. The G3 already had a QHD display, so it was no surprise that the LG G4 also came with that feature intact. In fact, there were whispers of LG cranking it up a notch to a 4K or Ultra HD (UHD)…but that is for another day. However, LG did improve the display greatly by switching to a new IPS Quantum display technology. LG claims this allows for a 25-percent brighter display with a 50-percent increase in the contrast and 56-percent improvement to the color accuracy…and you can really tell the difference over the LG G3’s rather dull looking display.
LG decided to bypass the Snapdragon 810 they used on the G Flex 2 and instead opted to use the 64-bit 808 hexa-core processor with two cores clocked at 1.82 GHz and four cores clocked at 1.44GHz…slightly below the 810, but it is optimized for the LG G4 and should be kinder to its battery. It is packing 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage as well as having room for expansion via a microUSB card – identical specs of the LG G Flex 2.
LG takes a lot of pride in their cameras and the LG G4 is no exception. It is first rate with a 16MP sensor, laser autofocus, dual-tone LED Flash, a wide f/1.8 aperture and OIS along with an 8MP FFC that should take excellent selfies and provide great video chatting. The LG G Flex 2 has a slightly smaller 13MP sensor for the main camera and a much smaller FFC at 2.1MP. They both use a 3000mAh battery, although the LG G4’s battery is removable.
The LG G4 does offer optional wireless charging and, like the G Flex 2, its controls are easily accessible on the back of the device. It also incorporates some great software features in the camera app and uses knock-knock and split screen multitasking. The LG G4 comes in a variety of colors, both plastic and leather. It too is running the latest Lollipop and will cost you about $200 on a two-year contract and about $600 off-contract.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This was a close decision, but a no-brainer to me – I pick the LG G4 as the winner of this specification comparison. I know there are many loyal G Flex 2 enthusiasts out there, but I just cannot share in your love for a device simply because it is curved. I want a QHD display, a great 64-bit processor (they both fit that description) and a terrific camera – to me, the LG G4 is the one that covers all of my bases.
Yes, they both have good processors, some may argue that the G Flex 2 with its Snapdragon 810 is better than the Snapdragon 808 in the G4, but apparently, LG did not think that way. They both have 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and a way to expand that storage.
However, the LG G4 offers a better display, removable battery, better speaker, and offers several significant improvements in both the main camera and new, large 8MP FFC. Coupled with the fact that the LG G4 is $100 less on a two-contract price on AT&T’s network clearly makes it the winner for me. The LG G Flex 2 offers up some ‘flash’ with its unique curve and self-healing back, while the LG G4 maybe a little more subdued in the looks department, it offers more substance where it matters.
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