Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – we are comparing the LG G4 to the new and improved LG G5. Everybody thought the original LG G4 was made out of metal, hysteria brought on from the HTC M7, but it turned out to be plastic with a paint job designed to look like metal. Still, it was a much more refined design than the LG G3 it was replacing, especially in its display area. It looks like we will see even more refinements with the new LG G5 including an actual metal body this time around with a different twist on its design. Both devices have many specifications in common and we will discuss them in this section – the specifications are so new that there may be some discrepancies on the specification section in the drop down as they try to update them as soon as possible.
Both the LG G4 and the new LG G5 are almost the same physical dimensions and weight, even though the display on the LG G5 is slightly smaller. Both use the same IPS LCD technology and the same QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Both use a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but different models and both pack 32GB of internal storage with room to expand via a microSD card. The LG G4 and G5 both use a 16MP sensor for the main camera, but the LG G5 adds an 8MP for special effects and they both come with an 8MP for their front-facing camera (FFC). They both have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.1 on the G4 and v4.2 on the G5), GPS, NFC and a microUSB port (v2.0 on the G4 and Type-C on the G5). They both come with a built-in IR Blaster, removable batteries and a quick charge option.
Specifications
LG G4
The LG G4 was definitely an upgrade over the G3 in terms of a better display and a slight curve to the entire device that gave it a nice feel in the hand. It just had a slightly better look and feel to it than its predecessor did. It also has a completely different look and feel to it successor, the LG G5. The display on the LG G4 is a larger QHD 5.5-inch with 538 pixels-per-inch than the 5.3-inch QHD display on the LG G5 with 554 PPI.
The G4 used a 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four-cores clocked at 1.44 GHz and two-cores clocked at 1.82 GHz and an Adreno 418 GPU. This goes up against the 64-bit Snapdragon 820 octa-core and Adreno 530 GPU for outstanding graphics. The LG G4 comes with 3GB of RAM, the LG G5 comes with 4GB of faster DDR4 RAM, both come with 32GB of internal storage, and both offer expansion via a microSD card.
The LG G4 has one of the best cameras found on a smartphone and the LG G5 promises even more. The 16MP with an f/1.8 aperture, laser autofocus, LED flash and OIS on the G4 is outstanding, but the LG G5 adds another 8MP lens for even more excitement. Both devices sport a 5MP FFC for selfies and video chatting. Both devices offer a removable battery – the G4 has a slightly larger 3,000 mAh while the LG G5 has a smaller 2,800 mAh battery. The G4 has the plastic snap off back and the metal G5 accomplishes the task via a ‘pull-out’ phone bottom. Both devices offer the 3.0 quick charge option.
The LG G4 included an FM stereo radio and used the older microUSB v2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It has no fingerprint sensor, but does have the on/off and volume switches on the back of the device – these were moved on the new LG G5. It measures 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8 mm and weighs in at 155 grams. You can pick one up at most carriers in the US for about $450.
LG G5
The LG G5 is one of the most anticipated devices so far in 2015 – and not afraid to change up the design and materials. It will be interesting to see just how the public reacts to LG’s new direction, but at least they kept the removable battery and the expandable internal storage. The new LG G5 is now made out of metal, but has a removable ‘chin’ to access the battery and gone is the slight curve to the entire phone. You can plugin a camera grip for a more comfortable way to take pictures and add an additional battery if you are willing to put up with the large ‘lump’ at the bottom of the device.
The LG G5 sports a new, smaller and ‘always-on’ 5.3-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 554 PPI protected by Gorilla Glass 4, opposed to the 5.5-inch QHD display in the LG G4. The brains come from the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with 4GB of faster DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal memory, expandable to 200GB via a microUSB card. These are all better than the LG G4 that used the Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor, 3GB of slower DDR3 RAM and expansion to 128GB. The GPU improves from an Adreno 418 to the newest Adreno 530.
The LG G5 upped the camera area from a 16MP sensor on the G4 to a 16MP and another 8MP for dual cameras and new software. The LG G5 retains the 8MP FFC from the G4 for selfies and video chatting. Besides the LG G5’s display dropping slightly in size, the battery also dropped to 2,800 mAh from the 3,000 mAh found on the LG G4 – most likely to accommodate the ‘chin’ that slides out and its other accessories that the ‘chin’ can receive.
The LG G5 adds a fingerprint sensor on the back where the G4’s rear buttons were before and acts as the on/off button by pushing in. It also uses the newer Type-C reversible USB connector for charging and data transfer. It measures 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs in at 159 grams – only 4 grams more than the LG G4. It should be available in April, with Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and Best Buy already announcing they will carry the LG G5.
Summary
The thought process that went into the design of the LG G5 is something that Samsung should have done with the Galaxy S6 series last year and the Galaxy S7 series this year – think, before you design. It will be interesting to see how the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge do in sales, but so far, it looks like LG has nailed it in the innovation department with their new LG G5. We will soon see the critics and users take on the LG G5 – will they love it and will they find the modules useful or will they turn out to be nothing more than gimmicks.
The LG G5 is nothing like the previous LG G4 and this can be a good thing by bringing aboard new customers while not alienating the existing ones. The LG G5 certainly is technically superior to the LG G4 in every way – display, processor, memory and fingerprint sensor.