Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the popular LG G5 goes up against the new and improved ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe. Which of these all-metal monsters will win this comparison? Is the LG name and LG G5 worth the extra money? Does ASUS do enough to make the ZenFone 3 Deluxe a contender? These two devices conceived miles apart, do have several things in common that we will look at now. Later, we will look at each device to try to determine a winner of this specification comparison.
The LG G5 and the ZenFone 3 Deluxe share quite a few specs, and even though the Deluxe has 4-tenths of an inch larger display, the physical size is very close with the Deluxe weighing 11 grams more. Both devices use the 64-bit Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor, are packing 4GB of RAM, and both have expandable internal memory. Both have terrific primary cameras and both use an 8MP front-facing camera (FFC) for selfies and video chatting. They both have Hi-Res audio for great listening through your earphones, and they both have Quick Charge 3.0. The usual suspects are there – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, a Type-C 3.0 reversible connector and a fingerprint sensor.
Please take a careful 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 device in greater depth 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 G5
LG likes to try innovative design – just look at the rear-mounted on/off/volume switch – some called it crazy until they tried the combo and loved it. With the LG G5, they are taking a huge chance by using ‘slide-in’ modules, and while the concept is interesting, it opens a whole new set of problems. What if third party vendors do not believe LG can sell this idea, and the modules are not available, or cheap enough in price, or reusable on the next model? LG does deserve kudos for their new design – going from plastic to a metal body they were still able to keep features like memory expansion and a removable battery. Let’s take a closer look at the new LG G5 and see just how the specs and design hold up to the new ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe.
The LG G5 sports a 5.3-inch IPS LCD QHD display and included ‘always-on’ – a feature that should help save battery life. The QHD packs a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, which gives the LG G5 about 554 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) LG chose the best processor on the market – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and another at 2.15GHz. An Adreno 530 GPU provides outstanding graphics no matter what you throw at it. The G5 packs 4GB of fast DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal memory that is expandable to 2TB via a microUSB card.
LG completely reworked their camera area – it comes with the single 16MP sensor, as found on the LG G4, but LG added an 8MP wide-angle sensor for a duo camera, but they work independently from one another. For normal picture taking, the 16MP shooter is used, but for those shots where the user wants to capture more in the photo, the 8MP wide-angle is used. LG did retain the excellent 8MP FFC from the G4 for high-quality selfies and video chatting. LG decreased the battery size to 2800mAh, but retained its ability to be removed – it also has quick charge capabilities so the user should always have the power they need.
LG had to do a little rearranging on the LG G5, and G4 owners will immediately notice the differences. Because of the removable chin, LG could not place the fingerprint sensor on the bottom, front, so the rear controls are gone and replaced by the fingerprint sensor. However, the fingerprint sensor does push in to accommodate the on/off functionality and the volume controls return to the side of the LG G5. The LG G5 does retain its built-in IR Blaster and FM radio. The LG G5 measures 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm, weighs in at 159 grams and comes in Silver, Titan, Gold, and Pink. The LG G5 is available on all the leading US carriers, and it will cost you about $625.
ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe
ASUS came out with their new line of ZenFone 3 devices, and they are very impressive. The ZenFone 3 Deluxe with either 4GB/64GB or 6GB/256GB is the model we will be looking at today. It is the real powerhouse of the group – the ZenFone 3 is the mid-level device and the ZenFone 3 Ultra has lesser specs and a huge display. Looking at the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, it is made entirely from metal – with none of those antenna lines on the back as they are buried in the sides. It is solid with a premium look from every angle, as any flagship device should. Comparing this to the ZenFone 2 models, ASUS changed just about everything with the new design – different outside material, the brand of processor, more RAM, new and faster UFS 2.0 memory, better camera. If I could find fault with them anywhere, it is for sticking with the Full HD (FHD) display.
The ZenFone 3 Deluxe sports a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD always on display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 386 PPI. The newest Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with a dual-core clocked at 1.6GHz and a dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz is the muscle of the ZenFone 3. This processor is paired with an Adreno 530 GPU that will handle the toughest graphics – gaming or otherwise, thrown at it. The ZenFone 3 Deluxe has two versions – a 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB of memory or a 6GB DDR4 model with 256GB of memory. This internal memory is the new UFS 2.0 memory used in the Galaxy S7 series – it is much faster than the older eMMC memory. Both versions have room to expand via a microSD card.
The primary camera has the proper equipment to take some excellent photos – ASUS went with a Sony 23MP sensor in what they call their ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 camera. It comes with a sapphire crystal lens cover, an aperture of f/2.0, dual LED flash, and a 4-axis OIS for even greater stability, and then added 4K video capability. The FFC is an impressive 8MP sensor with an 85-degree wide-angle lens for selfies or video chatting. The ZenFone 3 Deluxe has a 3000mAh non-removable battery, and it utilizes Quick Charge 3.0 technology. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as authorizing mobile payments.
The ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe comes running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with their ZenUI 3.0 running over the top. It measures in at 156.4 x 77.4 x 7.5mm and weighs in at 170 grams. The colors available are Titanium Gray, Glacier Silver, and Sand Gold, and it will cost about $500 for the 4GB/64GB model – no pricing yet on the 6GB/256GB variant, but we expect it to be on the high side.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This comparison has to go to the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe. Other than limited US LTE bands and the FHD display, the Deluxe has the same processor, the same GPU, the same RAM, faster internal memory, expandable memory, and a fingerprint sensor. You get a beautifully designed smartphone, made of metal, top processor specs, and all for $125 cheaper than the LG G5.
True, the LG G5 gives you a smaller QHD display and is usable on all US networks – but you have to ask yourself if you will use the modules, which is the only true advantage the LG G5. Those modules could end up being more a ‘party trick’ than anything actually useful.
The Deluxe also uses the AMOLED technology for more contrasts and richer colors. If you are okay with the Full HD display on the Deluxe and giving up the modularity of the LG G5, then I think you should save yourself some money and pick up a new ZenFone 3 Deluxe.
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