Introduction
Do you have a good one for you today – the new Motorola Moto X Pure Edition goes up against a fan favorite…the LG G4. Both of these devices are very similar in size and execution – both are customizable to an extent, especially the Moto X with Moto Maker. Either one of these devices would make you an excellent smartphone, but which one will rise to the top to be the winner of this comparison?
The new Moto X and LG G4 are very similar in technical specs as well as physical size. They both use QHD displays that are only .2-inch difference in size. They even use the same 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and expandable internal memory. Camera areas are excellent in both devices, including the front-facing camera FFC. They even have the same 3000mAh battery size, although the battery in the LG G4 is removable.
They both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFS, a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer and both have a quick charge feature.
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
LG G4
Just as the Moto X Pure Edition is an update of the old Moto X 2014, so it is with the new LG G4 – an evolution of last year’s popular LG G3 and in doing so, the G4 is improved everywhere the original was lacking. The device is slightly larger and they added a slight curve to the entire device…not near the curve of the LG G Flex 2, just enough to make it a pleasure to hold in your hand. Along with the improved ceramic-coated metallic plastic backing making it easier to grip, you can use a real leather back in one of several colors…complete with stitching.
The QHD display on the G3 was impressive – however, it was rather dull looking. LG greatly improved the display on the LG G4 by switching to a new IPS Quantum display technology. LG claims this improvement creates a 25-percent brighter display with a 50-percent increase in the contrast and 56-percent improvement to the color accuracy. It really does outshine the dull LG G3 display. The new LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch QHD LCD Quantum display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 538 pixels-per-inch (PPI)…this compares to the QHD display and 520 PPI found on the Moto X.
LG probably made a smart decision when they decided to pass on the Snapdragon 810 that they used in their LG G Flex 2 and instead opted to use the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor in the G4. Optimized by LG and Qualcomm for the LG G4 it should offer the user a dependable experience and be easier on its battery. Surprisingly, Motorola decided to use the exact same processor in the Moto X. The LG G4 and the Moto X are both packing 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, although the Moto X is also available in 16GB or 64GB. Both devices also have room for expansion via a microUSB card.
The LG G4 has a first-rate camera area with a 16MP sensor, laser autofocus, dual-tone LED Flash, a wide f/1.8 aperture and OIS for their main camera. LG also included a huge 8MP FFC with the f/1.8 aperture that should take excellent selfies and provide great video chatting. The Moto X has a huge 21MP main camera and a 5MP FFC – it does lack the laser autofocus of the G4, but uses its own fast, phase-detection autofocus. The G4 uses a 3000mAh removable battery, compared to the non-removable 3000mAh on the Moto X – both batteries should easily get you through a day.
The LG G4 does offer optional wireless charging, FM Stereo radio, a built-in IR Blaster and comes with controls that are easily accessible on the back of the device. It also incorporates some great software features in the camera app and on the device itself. The LG G4 is available in a variety of colors in both the standard ceramic-coated plastic back or real leather. It is running the latest Lollipop, will cost you about $200 on a two-year contract and about $550 off contact, and is available on all major US carriers.
Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
Once again, Motorola has redefined their flagship device for 2015. They are calling it the Moto X Pure Edition (in the US) and the Moto X Style (outside the US). Improvements can be found in just about every area of its design. They are many ways to customize and personalize the look of the new Moto X – colored backings, casings and even the wood backings – and you can still use Moto Maker to further customize the look. It is a larger device, but still retains the full-metal frame and curved backing making it comfortable to hold.
On the Moto X Pure Edition (Style), Motorola abandoned the AMOLED display and went with the IPS LCD technology. It is 5.7-inches with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 520 PPI, while the LG G4 uses the same QHD display technology (as they did on their LG G3) in a 5.5-inch display with 538 PPI. Motorola went back to Qualcomm and put in their 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hex-core processor with one quad-core clocked at 1.44GHz and the other dual-core clocked at 1.8GHz…and the same processor used in the LG G4. The Pure Edition comes with 3GB of RAM and either 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot to expand. The LG G4 also has 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and room to expand.
Motorola smartphones are not known for their camera prowess, but they went all out to compete in the flagship camera department by using a 21MP sensor in the new Moto X. The camera is complete with quick, phase detection autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and uses a f/2.0 aperture. The Moto X even includes a 5MP FFC with an f/2.0 aperture and a wide-angle lens for great selfies and video chatting. This goes up against a 16MP main camera and a huge 8MP FFC in the LG G4, which is one of the top-rated cameras found on a smartphone. The Pure Edition and the LG G4 come with a large 3000mAh battery – a non-removable battery in the Moto X and a removable one in the LG G4. The Moto X can use Motorola’s Turbo Charger for a very quick charge.
The Moto X Pure Edition includes front-facing stereo speakers with Smartboost for a great new sound…their version of HTC’s ‘BoomSound?’ Motorola also includes the IP52 water repellency in the Moto X. The Pure Edition is a device that is unlocked and can be used on all major networks – they call this “carrier freedom.” Using the pure Android experience – currently 5.1.1 Lollipop – you can be assured of getting the fastest updates. Motorola has given it a starting price of $399.99 and it will be available this fall.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
The Motorola Moto X Pure Edition and the LG G4 are terrific devices – either one of them will serve you very well as a daily driver. Both devices are beautiful and of premium quality…the LG G4 offers several colorful backs as well as a premium leather backing and with Moto Maker you can truly customize your Moto X to reflect your personality. Both devices have a beautiful QHD display, the same processor, same amount of RAM, internal memory and the option to expand that memory. They both have great cameras and even use the same size battery…so how do we pick a winner?
I choose the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition as the winner of this competition, not because it out-specs the LG G4, but because of its design, waterproofing, better sound, turbo charger, pure vanilla Android and its faster upgrades…not to mention its pricing, unlocked status – one device can be used on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint. Motorola has, once again, raised the bar for us to grab.
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