Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the popular LG G4 goes up against the new LG Nexus 5X. Can these two devices from the same company really be that much different from one another? The successful LG G4 is their flagship device even though it shares the same processor with the Nexus 5X. The LG G4 is definitely a more premium looking and feeling smartphone, but is it worth the extra money it will set you back. Let’s take a look at what these two devices have in common before we look at their differences.
The LG G4 and LG Nexus 5X are physically very close in size with the G4 being slightly larger and 19 grams heavier. The displays are very close in size – 5.5-inches on the G4 and 5.2-inch on the Nexus 5X – although they are different resolutions. These two devices use the same 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor. They also have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (v4.1 in the LG G4 and v4.2 on the Nexus 5X), GPS, NFC, a microUSB port (v2.0 on the LG G4 and Type-C on the Nexus 5X) and they both have fast charge batteries.
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
The LG G4’s predecessor was a great device and the LG G3 was the first mass-produced smartphone with a QHD display, but it definitely needed improvements. The LG G4 is slightly larger, but includes a slight curve to the entire device…just enough to make it a pleasure to hold in your hand. The LG G3 used a plastic back with a metallic-like coating – LG improved the ceramic-coated metallic plastic backing on the LG G4, making it easier to grip and added an optional genuine leather back in one of several colors…complete with stitching.
The LG G3 was certainly the first smartphone with the QHD display – statistically impressive, but in reality, it was rather dull looking. LG made an extra effort on improving 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. 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 FHD LCD display and 424 PPI found on the Nexus 5X.
LG jumped on the chance to use the new Snapdragon 810 in their LG G Flex 2, but then decided to pass on it for the LG G4. They stayed with Qualcomm, but chose their 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor in the G4, with a quad-core clocked at 1.44GHz and a dual-core clocked at 1.82GHz and LG decided to use the same processor in the Nexus 5X. The LG G4 is packing 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and the Nexus 5X uses 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory. The LG G4 has room for expansion via a microUSB card and the Nexus 5X does not.
The LG G4 has a top-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 Nexus 5X has a 12.3MP main camera with all of the amenities and a 5MP FFC. The G4 uses a 3000mAh removable battery, compared to the non-removable 2700mAh on the Nexus 5X and both batteries should get you through a day. They both offer a quick charge feature and the LG G4 offers an optional wireless charger.
The LG G4 does offer a couple of things the Nexus 5X does not have – an FM Stereo radio, a built-in IR Blaster, optional wireless charging and it 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 either the standard ceramic-coated plastic back or genuine leather backing. It is running the latest Lollipop, will cost you about $600+ off contract, and is available on all major US carriers.
LG Nexus 5X
This Nexus rodeo is certainly not LG’s first time – back in 2012, LG built the Nexus 4 and in 2013 the made the Nexus 5. Last year, Motorola built a huge 6-inch Nexus 6, which was too large by most user’s standards, as was the price. Google decided to ask them back to make the mid-range Nexus 5X and LG was happy to oblige. With a 5.2-inch display, it makes the Nexus 5X a great size and costing only $379, a great price. However, with a low price, LG had to use a polycarbonate build that is rugged, but not very premium feeling.
The Nexus 5X sports a 5.2-inch FHD LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 PPI. This goes up against the 5.5-inch QHD LCD display on the LG G4, with the nod going to the G4. The LG G4 and the Nexus 5X both use the Qualcomm 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.44GHz and two cores clocked at 1.82GHz. The Nexus 5X packs 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory with no expansion available. The LG G4 comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and a microSD card to expand that an additional 128GB.
The Nexus 5X uses a Sony IMX377 sensor – 12.3MP main camera with laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash, with no OIS. It has a large 5MP FFC for selfies and video chats. This goes up against one of the top-rated cameras on the LG G4 – 16MP main camera and a very large 8MP FFC. The Nexus 5X has a smaller 2700mAh non-removable battery, and the LG G4 has a larger 3000mAh removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day – both have quick charge capabilities.
The LG Nexus 5X has a few items that the LG G4 is lacking – the most important feature would be the fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as making mobile purchases. It will also be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow – the newest Android OS. With Marshmallow, you will be able to use the fingerprint sensor to authorize payments. The Nexus 5X also uses the newer microUSB Type-C reversible connector. The colors available are Carbon, Quartz and Ice. It costs $379 for the 16GB model and $429 for the 32GB variant.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This is really a tough decision – the LG G4 is certainly technically superior. It has the better display, 1GB more RAM, expandable memory, a better camera, an IR Blaster, optional wireless charging and a larger and removable battery. On the other hand, the Nexus 5X has a fingerprint sensor and will be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow with no UI overlay and it will receive the fastest updates available. And then there is the issue of cost – the 32GB Nexus 5X will cost you $429, while the LG G4 will cost about $600.
While I think the Nexus 5X is a great mid-range device and I like that it has a fingerprint sensor and will come running Marshmallow, but for $180 more we can get a flagship device with a QHD display, more RAM, more memory as well as expandable, a better camera and software and a removable battery – the Nexus 5X is a nice device, but I think the LG G4 has more to offer and better specs and that is why I am naming it the winner in this comparison.
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