Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new LG V10 flagship goes up against the new entry-level OnePlus X. Can this entry-level OnePlus X compete against one of the most advanced devices in any area except price? Both devices are have a real premium look and feel to them – that is one area that OnePlus is fanatic about – the OnePlus X has a baked ceramic shell and the LG V10 is sculptured out of stainless steel with a silicone backing that adds both grip and protection from falls. These comparisons are all about specifications and in that department, even a OnePlus lover will have to concede to the LG V10, but what about the $425 difference in price…is the LG V10 worth the extra money? Let’s take a look and see just what these two devices have in common, and then we will delve into more detail.
The LG V10 and OnePlus X do not have very many common factors, in fact, their displays are different in dimensions, screen size, type and resolution. While they both use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, one is 32-bit and four cores and one is 64-bit and six cores. They both have a microSD card slot to expand their internal memory and they have most of the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.1 on the LG V10 vs v4.0 on the OnePlus X), GPS, FM radio and a microUSB v2.0 port for charging and data transfer.
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 V10
The LG G series has always ruled as LG’s flagship device, but their new device, dubbed the LG V10, is the temporary flagship for now. It’s real beauty that it is sculptured from stainless steel and silicone, secondly it has two 5MP FFCs, and lastly, it has a small, independent display sitting ‘above’ the 5.7-inch main display, which can be on even when the main display is off. Let’s take a closer look at the new LG V10 and see just how it stacks up against the entry-level OnePlus X.
Like the Galaxy S6/Note Edge that sport two displays – the main one and then the separate display off to the right – the LG V10 has two displays. The main display is a 5.7-inch IPS Quantum QHD with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 515 PPI, along with a 1040 x 160 pixel display that ‘sits’ above the main display at the top. This secondary display can be on while the main display is off and has a number of purposes – it can show notifications, the weather, the time/date, app shortcuts and more. This goes up against the 5.0-inch FHD AMOLED display of the OnePlus X. LG chose the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.44 GHz and dual cores clocked at 1.82 GHz for the brains of the LG V10. The OnePlus X uses an older 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor. The V10 is packing 4GB of RAM versus the OnePlus X with 3GB of RAM. The LG V10 has only one option – 64GB of internal memory, but has a microSD card slot to expand another 200GB. The OnePlus X gives you one 16GB option with room to expand.
The main camera area on the LG V10 belongs to the LG G4’s camera heritage and is one of the best smartphone shooters around – 16MP sensor with laser autofocus, a large f/1.8 aperture, OIS and an LED flash. The LG V10 uses a dual 5MP FFC to add a wider field and more depth to the traditional selfie or video chat. The OnePlus X use a 13MP sensor on its main camera has a large, single 8MP FFC. The V10 uses a removable 3000mAh battery and with a fast charge option while the OnePlus has a smaller 2525mAh non-removable battery.
Unlike the OnePlus X, the LG V10 wisely includes a fingerprint sensor with the NFC that will allow the V10 to approve mobile payments, once the V10 gets its Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. It has a built-in IR Blaster, Quick Charge and a replaceable battery. The LG V10 has a speaker on the bottom of the device and includes Hi-Fi circuitry for improved sound through the headphones. The available colors are Space Black, Luxe White, Modern Beige, Ocean Blue and Opal Blue. It is available on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and priced approximately $650 – $700, although Verizon is offering $100 off, making their price $575.
OnePlus X
OnePlus announced the new OnePlus X just after their new “flagship killer” the OnePlus 2 came out. While many considered it to be an entry-midrange device, it seems that OnePlus wanted a true entry-level device in the sub-$250 category and for the price, it does offer great value. It sports a nice FHD display, a decent camera, 3GB of RAM, although no NFC. It has a great build quality and premium look and feel for a $250 device.
The OnePlus X sports a 5.0-inch AMOLED FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 PPI versus the 5.7-inch QHD display on the LG V10 with 515 PPI, as well as the secondary display. OnePlus went back on the shelf and picked the 32-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz that goes up against the LG V10’s 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor clocked at 1.82GHz. The OnePlus X has one option when it comes to RAM/Memory – 3GB/16GB. The LG V10 has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of memory and both come with a microSD card slot for expansion.
The camera in the OnePlus X retains their 13MP sensor as the previous model, adds phase detection autofocus and LED flash. For the FFC, OnePlus included a large 8MP camera for selfies or video chatting. This goes up against one of the best smartphone cameras available – a 16MP main camera and a duo 5MP FFC. The OnePlus X uses a 2525 mAh non-removable battery that goes up against the removable 3000 mAh battery in the LG V10, which also has a quick charge option.
The OnePlus X runs OnePlus’ own OS called OxygenOS 2.0 over Android Lollipop 5.1. LTE works on several bands on AT&T and T-Mobile. The OnePlus X will cost you $249 for the 16GB model and comes in Onyx, Ceramic, Champagne.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Okay, I am not trying to flip-flop on specifications versus value, and I know that the OnePlus X offers a great value, but there is no way – in good conscience – I can select the OnePlus X over the LG V10, so I am declaring the LG V10 as the clear winner in this specification shootout.
The OnePlus X may be the best sub $250 smartphone on the market – it offers a premium build, FHD display, 3GB of RAM, memory expansion and a somewhat decent camera. If you are not interested in the leading edge technology, making mobile payments, using a fingerprint scanner and taking the best pictures then the OnePlus X may be all of the phone you need – buy it and enjoy your bargain.
However, if you like stainless steel an interesting display technology, larger display, a QHD display, 4GB of RAM, fingerprint sensor, NFC compatible for mobile payments, one of the best cameras on a smartphone, IR Blaster, Quick Charge, Hi-Fi sound, dual FFC and removable battery – then the LG V10 is exactly what you want. Sure, it comes with a price, but when you want the best, you have to pay for it.
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