Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition goes up against the newer LG V10. Both devices are true flagships, although the LG V10 costs close to $200 more than the Moto X (with 64GB) – which one of these two devices can win the shootout in our specification comparison. Both devices are solidly built and are very pleasing to the eye and to the touch – the Moto X is typical Motorola with the curved back and a variety of customizations available, while the LG V10 sports a solid stainless steel body. These two devices have several things in common and we will first look at those features before we look at each individual device in greater detail.
The Moto X Pure Edition and LG V10 do have quite a few things in common and they start with physical size, although the LG V10 adds about 13 grams. They use the same size display with the same QHD resolution and the same IPS LCD technology. Both of these devices even use the exact same 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor and an Adreno 418 GPU for graphics. Both devices offer a 64GB option and both offer internal memory expansion. They both offer a great main camera and both offers a 5MP front-facing camera (FFC) – in fact, the LG V10 has two of them to add greater depth to selfies and video chats. They even have the same size (3000mAh) battery, although the Moto X has a non-removable style. They both come with the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, NFC 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
Moto X Pure Edition
For 2015, Motorola has two names for their flagship – in the US they are calling it the Moto X Pure Edition and outside the US it is called the Moto X Style. Motorola started with last year’s model and improved it in just about every area. Motorola added a larger display, better resolution, improved camera and added a 64-bit processor and more memory. They are many ways to customize and personalize the physical look of the new Moto X. While it is a large device, it retains the full-metal frame and curved backing that make it comfortable to hold.
Motorola went with a large 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 520 PPI, and the LG V10 followed by using the same QHD display technology in a 5.7-inch display with 515 PPI. Motorola decided to stick with Qualcomm and put in their 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with one quad-core clocked at 1.44GHz and the other dual-core clocked at 1.8GHz. Again, LG went with the same 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor in the LG V10. The Moto X comes with 3GB of RAM and 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot to expand. The LG V10 has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage and it can expand up to 200GB.
Motorola, never known for their cameras, started to take them more seriously with last year’s Nexus 6. With the new Moto X, they went the extra mile with a huge 21MP sensor. The camera comes with quick phase detection autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and an 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 one of the best smartphone cameras in the LG V10 with a 16MP main camera and dual 5MP FFC. The Moto X uses a 3000mAh battery, as does the LG V10. The Moto X has a are non-removable battery, but the LG V10’s can be removed and replaced. The Moto X can use Motorola’s Turbo Charger for a very quick charge and the LG V10 has a fast charge option as well.
The Moto X includes front-facing stereo speakers with Smartboost for great sound and includes water repellency in the Moto X with its IP52 rating. The Moto X comes as an unlocked device that can work on all major US networks – you buy it on Moto’s website, customize it with Moto Maker and use it on your network. With almost a pure Android experience – currently 5.1.1 Lollipop, although 6.0 Marshmallow soak tests are being conducted – meaning, that you will receive some of the fastest updates possible. Motorola has given it a starting price of only $399.99 with 16GB and $499.99 with a comparable 64GB of storage.
LG V10
The LG G4 has always been LG’s flagship device, but they recently introduced a new device called the LG V10, that could try to steal that crown away from the G4. It is a beautiful smartphone sculpted from stainless steel. It comes with a silicone backing that acts as a means to protect the device from drops and as a means for gripping the device. 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. It also has two 5MP FFCs to add depth to your selfies. Exactly how the LG V10 will fit within this crowded field of premium devices remains to be seen…will users be thrilled with it or pass it up for the regular LG G4, a Samsung Galaxy S6 or one of the many other flagship devices available? Let’s take a closer look at the new LG V10 and see just how it stacks up against the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition.
The main display on the LG V10 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 top area of the main display and also sports 515 PPI. What is so cool about the secondary display is that it can be ‘on’ while the main display is off. This allows the device to save battery life while showing notifications, the weather, the time/date, app shortcuts and more. This goes up against the 5.7-inch QHD IPS LCD display of the Moto X with 520 PPI. 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 as the brains for the V10. Motorola chose the exact same processor for their Moto X, complete with the same Adreno 418 GPU for graphics. The V10 is packing 4GB of RAM versus the Moto 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 Moto X gives you three options – 16GB, 32GB or 64GB – with expansion up to 128GB.
We already know the LG G4’s camera takes great pictures and the LG V10 uses the same 16MP sensor with laser autofocus, a large f/1.8 aperture, OIS and an LED flash. The Moto X uses a huge 21MP sensor, phase detection autofocus and a dual-tone 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, while the Moto X has the more traditional single 5MP FFC. The LG V10 uses a removable 3000mAh battery, while the Moto X has the same size battery at 3000mAh but it is non-removable – and both have a means for fast charging their batteries.
The LG V10 wisely includes a fingerprint sensor and along with the NFC that will allow the V10 to approve mobile payments, once the V10 gets its Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. 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 now on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and priced approximately $675 – $700.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This is not so cut and dry as the LG V10 picture above might let on – the LG V10 is certainly the more sophisticated of the two devices. Its stainless steel body is a thing of beauty, the dual display is a great idea and another innovation on LG’s part. It does have 4GB of RAM, although 3GB is more than enough for the Moto X running almost pure Android. It also has room for more internal memory expansion, but really, who is ever going to use 200GB? The LG V10 does have a Hi-Fi circuitry for better sound through headphones, although the Moto X has dual front-facing speakers for videos, movies or as a speakerphone. The LG V10 certainly has a better camera area all around with a great main camera and dual 5MP FFC. The LG V10 also has a fingerprint sensor, a built-in IR Blaster and an FM radio – items the Moto X is lacking, as well as the ever popular removable battery.
Now, let’s look at the Moto X’s side to all of this – you may not get a stainless steel exterior, but you have the option to customize your device with Moto Maker. It has plenty of RAM to run almost pure Android and you can look forward to faster upgrades. Other than the cool display on the V10, the Moto X does not come with a fingerprint sensor, which I feel is a huge oversight on Motorola’s part – it just would not have been that difficult to incorporate one into its design.
What this comes down to is that both of these are great devices, but remember the price difference of $200 – $300 more for the LG V10. Only you can determine if the LG V10 is worth that much extra money. Is the LG V10 technically superior? Yes, but only in a few areas – extra display, fingerprint sensor, somewhat better camera area, an IR Blaster and removable battery. The Moto X is water resistant, has better speakers, you can customize it and it will receive software upgrades faster…and save you a wad of money in the process. The LG V10 wins on purely a few specs, but the Moto X wins by virtue of being a better value.
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