Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the venerable Motorola Moto X goes up against the new powerhouse, the LG G4. Two favorites and loved by many, will square off in today’s challenge of specifications comparison, which the LG G4 should win by a mile, but what about the great value that the Moto X offers. It is selling for as little as $.99 on a two-year contract, which makes it a great buy and everyday driver. How does it compare to the $200 LG G4?
As different as these devices appear, they really do have a few similarities. For starters they are very close to the same physical size, even though we think of the LG G4 as a larger device…their screen size only differs by .3 of an inch! Both are running the latest Lollipop, both use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (albeit, different models) and both offer a 32GB storage option. Both devices have a ‘curve’ about them – the Moto X in the back and the LG G4 slightly curves the entire device – and it adds a certain comfort in holding either device. Both devices also share the added joy of changing backs – real wood or leather on the Moto X and real leather on the LG G4. They both share the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (4.0 in Moto X and 4.1 in LG G4), GPS, are NFC capable, a microUSB port for charging and data transfer and both have access to Quick Charge 2.0 thanks to their Qualcomm heritage.
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.
Specifications
Motorola Moto X
The Motorola Moto X has a great crowd following and rightfully so. The Moto X 2014 is an update of an old ‘friend’ that was improved it in all areas. Motorola chose to make the display larger, but they kept it within that sweet spot many users like at 5.2-inches. The internal specifications were upgraded to the point that it actually deserved the term flagship. Motorola now has a Moto E as their entry-level smartphone, the Moto G as their mid-range device and now a standout flagship to compete against the likes of the Galaxy S’s, LG G series and the HTC One series.
The Moto X comes with a 5.2-inch FHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a very respectable 423 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – not quite up to the QHD display and 538 PPI found on the LG G4. The Moto X used the best processor of its day…the 32-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core clocked at 2.5GHz, but it is just not up to the more powerful 64-bit hexa-core processor used in the LG G4. The Moto X uses only 2GB of RAM versus the 3GB of RAM in the LG G4 – but in all honesty, the way Motorola optimized the Moto X with its processor, 2GB is all you really need. The Moto X offers internal storage of 32GB or 64GB with no room for expansion. The LG G4 has the one option of 32GB, although it does have a microSD card slot for added expansion.
Although Motorola never placed a lot of emphasis on its cameras in the past, they actually included a decent shooter…but not quite up to the caliber of the LG G4. The Moto X uses a 13MP sensor and another Motorola design idea – an ingenious dual-LED Flash Ring that surrounds the lens, along with autofocus…but no OIS. This is going up against the LG G4’s 16MP with laser autofocus, a wide f/1.8 aperture, LED flash and OIS+. The Moto X uses the rather pedestrian 2MP front-facing camera (FFC) for social media selfies and video chatting that has to go up against a new 8MP with f/1.8 aperture on the LG G4. It has a rather small 2300mAh battery compared to the 3000mAh found in the LG G4, but getting through an average day should not be problem. If you find yourself needing to charge up your battery, you have access to the Motorola Turbo Charger (extra purchase) that will give you up to 6 hours of usage with only a 15-minute charge.
The Moto X does have a few things the LG G4 does not have. The Motorola gave the Moto X four microphones for added noise cancelation and a great sound when speaking on the device. It also provides you with dual front-mounted speakers for that in-your-face sound when watching videos, an optional genuine wood backing and nano- coating for water resistance. Motorola also engineered a great new feature called Dynamic Tuning that will automatically switch to the antenna with the best reception. It also sports Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and is now as low as $0 down on a two-year contract and about $500 with no contract.
LG G4
The LG G4 is an update of last year’s popular device, the LG G3 that already had a QHD display, but LG improved it greatly and added more brightness in this rendition. LG made the new device slightly larger and they added a slight curve to the design of the device – nothing like the LG G Flex 2, but just enough to make the G4 a little more comfortable to hold. Along with an improved metallic plastic backing, you can also special order a genuine leather backing complete with real stitching in several colors. The LG G4 does look much like the LG G3, but it also looks 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…a vast improvement over the Moto X’s FHD display with 424 PPI. LG claims their improved display 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 duller display on the LG G3. LG decided to bypass the Snapdragon 810, which they used on their LG G Flex 2, and instead opted for the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor…slightly below the 810, but LG worked with Qualcomm to optimize the 808 for the LG G4 and should be easier on its battery. The G4 is packing 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and room for expansion via a microSD card. The Moto X only has 2GB of RAM and a 32GB or 64GB option with no room for expansion.
LG did not disappoint in the camera department with a 16MP sensor, laser autofocus, dual-tone LED Flash and OIS+ and included a huge 8MP FFC that should take excellent selfies and provide great video chatting. Both cameras use a wider f/1.8 aperture that will allow more light to enter for better low light shots. This compares to the Moto X with a 13MP sensor with no OIS and a small, 2MP FFC. The LG G4 uses a 3000mAh removable battery, compared to the small non-removable 2300mAh battery on the Moto X.
The LG G4 does offer optional wireless charging, controls that are easily accessible on the back of the device, includes a built-in IR Blaster and some terrific software and multitasking capabilities. The LG G4 comes in a variety of colored metallic backs as well as extra cost leather backings. The device will cost you about $200 on a two-year contract or about $650 off-contract.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Okay, the LG G4, without a doubt, has the better specifications all around…that coupled with its reasonable $200 on contract price is why I picked it as the winner of this comparison. However, make no mistake, the Moto X is a winner in its own right – great looks, curved back, great software, early software updates, and a terrific value – so if you are on a strict budget, the Moto X will not disappoint.
The LG G4 just has too much going for it when compared to the Moto X…which it should being that it is a newer device. It has a QHD display versus the FHD on the Moto X, it has a 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with more RAM and a microSD card for memory expansion. It has a much superior camera area – including the main camera, the FFC and the software. It includes an IR Blaster, FM stereo radio, offers optional wireless charging and a larger, removable battery.
You can have it your way here with top specs at a higher price or an excellent smartphone for a bargain – pick what is most important to you.
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