Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – a cult favorite, the LG G Flex 2 goes up against the new and rugged, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active. These devices could not be more different from one another with the sleek, curved G Flex 2 forming an easy to hold device and a concaved curved (top-to-bottom) display, perfect for viewing videos or movies. The S6 Active is a more straightforward smartphone with great specifications and a rugged plastic ‘casing’ in camo blue, white or gray to withstand drops and water…among other elements of nature. The G Flex 2 will look at home in your jeans, suit or the boardroom, whereas the S6 Active is definitely better suited for the outdoors sort of person and will look at home in a knapsack, around a campfire or with Rambo. Both devices offer great specs, but where you are going to use your device makes all the difference in the world.
Both devices are about the same physical size with the G Flex 2 coming in just a tad larger. The G Flex 2 and S6 Active also share a 64-bit octa-core processor, although different manufacturers and different technologies. They both have 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, but different technologies – the G Flex 2 has a microSD slot to expand that internal memory…the S6 Active has no options. The main cameras are fairly comparable with the G Flex 2 coming in at 13MP and the S6 Active at 16MP, each enjoying their own special traits. They both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFC, a microUSB port for charging, a built-in IR Blaster and each has their own fast charge options for the battery…both are non-removable.
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
Smartphones | SpecOut
LG G Flex 2
Last year, when LG first introduced the original LG G Flex, some LG enthusiasts embraced it and were wowed by the curved design and display and a ‘self-healing’ back. It only had a 720p display resolution and 245 pixels-per-inch (PPI), when all other devices used a 1080p and even the LG G3 had 1440p, however, LG upgraded the G Flex 2 it in all the right places.
The display and device are slightly smaller than last year’s G Flex (5.5-inch vs 6-inch)…making it much more manageable and easier to pocket the device. LG upgraded the display to a more reasonable Full HD P-OLED display, giving it a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with an acceptable 403 pixels-per-inch (PPI)…this is no match for the QHD display and 576 PPI on the S6 Active. The G Flex 2 also uses the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit processor with four cores clocked at 2.0GHz and four cores clocked at 1.5GHz. This goes up against the new Exynos 64-bit 7420 octa-core processor clocked at 2.1GHz. The G Flex 2 comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory, the same as found in the S6 Active – however, the S6-Active uses the newer DDR4 RAM and faster UFS 2.0 internal Flash memory. The G Flex 2 has a microSD card to expand the internal memory and there is no expansion beyond the 32GB in the S6 Active.
The main camera in 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 S6 Active has a 16MP main camera and a much larger 5MP FFC. The G Flex 2 has a smaller 3000mAh, battery…of course the G Flex 2 battery is curved and non-removable while the S6 Active has a 3500mAh non-removable battery. Both devices have a quick charge feature.
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 middle price goes to US Cellular of only $50 or $630, with Sprint falling in at $200 or $450. It is running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
The Galaxy S6 Active is a rugged version of the beautiful Galaxy S6. Its protective covering will safeguard your device from drops and most outside damage – and comes in three colors, camo blue, camo white and camo gray. Most of the technology of the S6 made its way to the S6 Active, but there are a few changes – gone is the fingerprint sensor and capacitive buttons, which are replaced by three mechanical physical buttons. There are some added benefits as well, such as IP68 certification for dust and water resistance and also adds a MIL-STD-910G certification, which means it is resistant to salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and is thermal shock resistant. Samsung added an extra programmable button on the left side just above the volume rocker that defaults to the Samsung Activity app, but you could reset it to be a camera button or to perform one of many other duties. The Activity app is a collection of apps that would interest a camper or hiker and it immediately brings up a menu with a flashlight button, the weather, compass and other features an outdoors person might need to use.
The Galaxy S6 Active has the same display of the normal Galaxy S6, a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and about 576 PPI – this compares to the 5.5-inch FHD P-OLED display with 403 PPI on the G Flex 2. The S6 Active uses the same processor in the Galaxy S6 – a 64-bit Exynos 7420 processor…the first one to use 14nm technology. It is an octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.5GHz and four cores clocked at 2.1GHz. This is more technology than found in the G Flex 2’s Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor. They both have 3GB of RAM, but the S6 Active uses the faster DDR4 RAM and they both have 32GB of internal memory, although the S6 Active uses a new and faster UFS 2.0 flash memory. The Galaxy S6 Active comes with only one 32GB internal memory option. The G Flex 2 comes with 32GB of memory, but has room for expansion.
The Galaxy S6 Active comes with a 16MP main camera with autofocus, LED flash, real-time HDR, f/1.9 aperture and OIS…it has one of the best cameras found on a current smartphone. It also has a 5MP FFC with wide angle and f/1.9 aperture and Live HDR for great group selfies and video chats. This compares to a 13MP main camera and a small 2.1MP FFC on the G Flex 2. The Galaxy S6 Active carries a huge 3500mAh battery, replacing the smaller 2550mAh battery found in the Galaxy S6, and should last into a second day of heavy usage. The G Flex 2 has a smaller 3000mAh battery, but it will get you easily through a day. Both devices have non-removable batteries and offer a fast charge option.
Other things that the Galaxy S6 Active has the G Flex 2 does not, would be the heart rate sensor, the oxygen saturation sensor and built-in wireless charging for both Qi and PMA standards. The price is the same as the regular Galaxy S6, so if you want this rugged device, it will cost you about $200 on a two-year contract or about $700 off-contract.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This was another tough one, but I am leaning toward the LG G Flex 2 as the winner – only because it would probably satisfy more uses as an everyday driver. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is definitely the higher tech device with more features, but unless you are into ‘roughing it,’ in which case the S6 Active should be your choice…then the G Flex 2 would be a better looking everyday driver. But, if you are into camo, the you may love sporting the S6 Active around town.
The S6 Active has a better display arguably the better processor with 14nm technology, faster DDR4 RAM and the faster UFS 2.0 Flash Memory – the reason for the lack of a microSD Card. It has a bigger battery, and more advanced camera area, IP68 certified and MIL-STD-810G certified and built-in wireless charging. The insides are beautiful, but the outside is not for everybody’s taste.
The LG G Flex 2 may not have the technical specs of the S6 Activity, but it has an outer beauty – the curved body and display – that is very attractive. The self-healing back works quite well and feels great in your hand. It also has a built-in FM Stereo Radio that the S6 Active lacks. It is a great all around device and if the ruggedness of the S6 Active is not important to you, you will be very happy with the LG G Flex 2.
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