Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the newest device from OnePlus, the OnePlus 2, goes up against the newest from LG, The LG V10. Is it possible for the $349 OnePlus 2 to beat out the $575 – $675 powerhouse from LG? Surely, the LG V10 has much more technology baked into it than the OnePlus 2 could ever muster, but what about the incredible $300 difference in price – is there enough extra technology in the LG V10 to support that dollar amount? Both devices have a premium build, look and feel about them – neither one will disappoint in this area. First, we will see what these two devices have in common and then we will look at each individual device to go into more detail.
The OnePlus 2 and LG V10 are approximately the same size, with the LG V10 coming in slightly larger and heavier. Their displays are approximately the same size – 5.5-inches on the OnePlus 2 and 5.7-inches on the LG V10 – the same IPS LCD technology, but different resolutions. Both OnePlus and LG turned to Qualcomm for a 64-bit Snapdragon processor, but each one uses a different model and both devices have 64GB of internal memory and 4GB of RAM. The camera areas are similar in size and both have Laser Autofocus and OIS and both use a 5MP front-facing camera (FFC) with the LG V10 using two of them for added width and depth. These two devices have great built-in sound hardware for listening through headphones. Both have most of the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, fingerprint sensor and a microUSB v2.0 port (Type-C on the OnePlus 2) for charging and data transfer. They both even have a 3000mAh or higher battery, although the LG V10’s is removable.
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
OnePlus 2
OnePlus always impresses us with their build quality it is even more evident in the OnePlus 2 with its solid metal frame and trim. OnePlus is all about building a quality smartphone at a low price and built their “Flagship Killer,” as they like to call the OnePlus 2 at such a low price it is necessary to cut some corners to get that price so low. It is therefore imperative they are careful in their selection of what to leave out of the design. OnePlus still used the same FHD display and the same size camera they did last year, but where they slipped up is when they decided to remove the NFC capabilities. They did add an extra 1GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor and increased the battery size from 3100 mAh to 3300 mAh.
The OnePlus 2 sports a 5.5-inch LTPS LCD FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 401 pixels-per-inch (PPI) versus the 5.7-inch IPS LCD QHD display on the LG V10 with 515 PPI. OnePlus chose the Qualcomm 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor and to keep it cool, they slightly underclocked it to 1.56 GHz and 1.82 GHz. This goes up against a 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor in the LG V10. The OnePlus 2 is currently sold with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of non-expandable storage. The LG V10 packs 4GB of RAM with 64GB of internal storage with room for an extra 200GB via a microSD card.
The camera in the OnePlus 2 uses an improved 13MP sensor from the OnePlus One. They improved it by adding larger pixels, laser autofocus, a dual-tone LED flash, an f/2.0 aperture and OIS – quite an upgrade. This goes up against one of the highest rated cameras on the LG V10 with a 16MP sensor. For the front-facing camera (FFC), the OnePlus 2 uses a 5MP sensor while the LG V10 includes dual 5MP cameras for selfies or video chatting, which allows more depth. The OnePlus 2 increased the non-removable battery size from 3000 mAh to 3300 mAh and it goes up against a slightly smaller, removable 3000mAh battery in the LG V10.
Notes on the OnePlus 2 – it does come with a newer USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer that uses a nice, reversible plug. The fingerprint sensor can unlock the phone, but nothing else…no Android Pay nor mobile purchases because it lacks NFC. It runs OnePlus’ own OS called OxygenOS over stock Android Lollipop 5.1. LTE bands will work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks with the OnePlus 2 and will cost you about $349 (recently reduced from $389) for the 64GB model and there are optional backings you can buy to customize your device – Kevlar, Black Apricot, Bamboo and Rosewood.
LG V10
LG introduced their new ‘flagship,’ the LG V10. It is a compelling smartphone sculptured from stainless steel with a silicone backing. LG gave it two 5MP FFCs and a small, independent display sitting above the 5.7-inch main display, which can operate when the main display is off. Let’s take a closer look at the new $700 LG V10 and see just how it stacks up against the $389 OnePlus 2.
The LG V10 uniquely sports two displays – there is a main display that is a 5.7-inch IPS Quantum QHD with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 515 PPI, but resting above the main display, near the top, is a 1040 x 160 pixel display that is also 515 PIP. The secondary display can be functional while the main display is off to show notifications, the weather, the time/date, app shortcuts and more. This goes up against the 5.5-inch FHD display on the OnePlus 2 with 401 PPI. The LG V10 uses a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core with four cores running at 1.44GHz and two cores running at 1.8GHz. This goes up against the 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor in the OnePlus 2. The LG V10 packs 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage with room to expand an additional 200GB, while the OnePlus packs 4GB of RAM and 64GB with no expandability.
The main camera areas should be competitive with the LG V10 coming out on top based on the LG G4’s camera heritage and out review. The LG V10 uses a 16MP sensor and adds 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. This goes up against an improved 13MP main camera and 5MP FFC on the OnePlus 2. The LG V10 uses a 3000mAh removable battery versus the slightly larger 3300mAh non-removable battery in the OnePlus 2- both should last through an entire day with Quick Charge 2.0 available to the LG V10.
The LG V10 wisely included a fingerprint sensor and NFC that will allow the V10 to make mobile payments. Once updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow the V10 it will be able to make mobile payments using the fingerprint sensor for verification. The LG V10 has a speaker on the bottom of the device and includes Hi-Fi circuitry for improved sound through the headphones. It also has a built-in IR Blaster and FM radio. The available colors are Space Black, Luxe White, Modern Beige, Ocean Blue, Opal Blue. It is available on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and priced approximately $575 – $675.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
When I compared the OnePlus 2 against the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, I actually picked the OnePlus 2 as the winner of the comparison because the Z5 Premium did “not have enough ‘excitement’ to justify its larger price tag.” In this comparison, much like the Z5 Premium, the LG V10 definitely has most of the superior specs, but it also has that ‘excitement’ to justify its extra $300 price tag…I am picking the LG V10 as the winner of this comparison.
The OnePlus 2 gives you a quality build, a decent processor and GPU, 4GB of RAM, a good camera with laser autofocus, dual tone LED flash and OIS, a larger battery and Type-C microUSB connector. It gives you all of this for only $349. However, it also takes away the possibility of ever making a mobile payment or any transfer (no NFC), no way to expand your memory, remove your battery or enjoy a QHD display or have any extra bells or whistles.
The LG V10 has a beautiful all stainless steel body with a nice silicone grip on the backside. It not only gives you a larger QHD display, but it gives you two QHD displays with nifty notifications and such without having to wake up the device. With its great cameras and hi-res photos and videos, the ability to save to a removable memory card is a nice option. The Duo FFCs, while not a necessity by any means, is also a nice available feature to astound your friends with cool selfies. The built-in IR Blaster and FM Radio are nice additions, as is the removable quick charge battery. With NFC available the fast-growing world of mobile payments is literally at you fingertip with the fingerprint sensor. Only you can decide if the LG V10 is worth the extra $300 and worthy of being the winner of this comparison shootout – I have already made my mind up as I shake my head yes.
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