Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new LG G6 takes on the popular OnePlus 3T. The completely redesigned LG G6 with its all-glass body goes head-to-head with the updated OnePlus 3T. While LG did a revamp on the old metal bodied, modular LG G5 to come up with the more modern looking LG G6, OnePlus took their popular OnePlus 3 model and updated the processor, battery, and added a scratch-resistant lens cover to introduce us to the OnePlus 3T. The LG G6 will work on all major US networks, but the OnePlus 3T will only work on AT&T and T-Mobile in the US for 4G LTE. Let’s look at just what these two devices have in common, if anything, and then we will take a closer look at each one in hopes that we can determine a winner of this comparison.
The LG G6 and the OnePlus 3T have a few things in common. The displays of the two devices are 0.2-inch different in size, but the larger G6 is slightly smaller in physical size, but weighs in at 5 grams heavier than the OnePlus 3T. The displays use a different technology, the different resolutions, and different Gorilla Glass for protection. They use the same Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor and the same Adreno 530 GPU for graphics. They pack different amounts of RAM – 6GB in the OnePlus 3T and 4GB in the LG G6 – different amounts of internal storage, but only the LG G6 has the means to expand its memory via a microSD card. The primary camera areas and the front-facing camera (FFC) areas could not be more different – the LG G6 uses dual 13MP cameras, and the OnePlus 3T uses one 16MP sensor – but both take great pictures. The FCC on the LG G6 uses a 5MP while the OnePlus 3T uses another 16MP sensor. Both have a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as NFC for authorizing mobile payments, including Android Pay. They both use a non-removable battery, and both have rapid charge capabilities. They come with the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and the newer reversible Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
Please take a thoughtful 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 G6
Redesigned with new materials, new display, to its looks, the new LG G6 looks and acts nothing like the old LG G5 that it replaces. Unfortunately, that leaves many LG G5 owners out in the cold without any new modules that support the G5 design. The LG G6 uses an all-new glass design with smaller bezels and rids itself of the unpopular painted metal and modular body form of the G5. The new sealed design allowed the G6 to gain an IP68 certification, but did away with one of LG’s most sought after features – the removable battery, which are becoming fewer and fewer. To help compensate for this, LG increased the battery size and now includes standard wireless charging. LG increased the display from 5.3-inches to 5.7-inches and gave it an 18:9 screen ratio that makes it slightly taller and narrower. LG continued with dual cameras but changed their megapixels. Let’s see if LG did enough to their LG G6 and see just how it stacks up to the OnePlus 3T.
LG did some upgrading on the G6’s IPS LCD QHD+ display by increasing it to 5.7-inch and giving it a new 18:9 screen ratio. This ratio causes the display to be slightly taller and narrower, but allows more display in a smaller area. LG included the ‘always on’ feature that not only saves battery life, but also makes glancing at notifications much easier and quicker. The resolution comes in at 2880 x 1440 pixels with an impressive 564 pixels-per-inch (PPI) and is now Dolby Vision/HDR10 compliant. This ratio gives the viewer a more natural theater-like experience when watching movies and it allows two perfect squares for on-screen multi-tasking. LG decided to use the SD821 quad-core processor over the newest SD835 octa-core processor, causing many to question LG’s judgement – however, with the SD835’s availability issues, it may turn out to be smart move. It has dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and another dual-core clocked at 2.35GHz. The LG G6 packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal memory that is expandable to 2TB via a microUSB card.
You can see a growing trend toward a dual-camera design – something that LG has embraced for a while – one just has to look at the LG V10, V20, G5, and now the G6. The LG G6 uses dual 13MP sensor cameras for both the primary and secondary camera. The LG G6’s primary shooter comes with all of the technology, such as an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS, and dual-tone LED flash. Called the primary camera for a reason, this is the camera the G6 will use for regular picture taking. The second 13MP camera comes with an ultra-wide-angle lens for capturing a wider group shot or a landscape picture and has a fixed focus with a smaller f/2.4 aperture. LG decreased the FCC from an 8MP to a 5MP sensor and gave it an f/2.4 aperture for selfies and video chatting, which is unusual as more smartphones are increasing their FFC size as the importance of social media climbs. LG did take away the removable battery, but increased the size from 2800mAh to a 3300mAh, added Quick Charge 3.0, and standard wireless charging.
LG kept the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device, which was an easy decision due to the small bezels, and it still acts as the on/off switch. LG deleted another of its perennial favorites with the G6, the IR Blaster, but kept the FM radio around in certain markets. The LG G6 is also the first non-Google smartphone to include Google Assistant onboard so you can use your LG G6 to communicate with Google’s growing ecosystem that includes Google Home and Chromecast. The LG G6 measures 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm, weighs in at 163 grams and comes in Mystic White, Astro Black, or Ice Platinum. The device is available on all the leading carriers for about $700 for the 32GB model.
OnePlus 3T
OnePlus had a good thing going with their OnePlus 3, but rather than wait until 2017 to come out with a new model, OP updated it with a Snapdragon 821 and a larger battery and started selling it as the OnePlus 3T. The two devices were physically identical looking except for a subtle color change to a Gunmetal color. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 821 is 10-percent faster than the Snapdragon 820, so the OP3T gained some speed. OnePlus also improved the battery size from 3000mAh to 3400mAh and added a scratch-resistant lens cover over the primary camera. The OnePlus 3T offers no expandable memory so you have to settle for the base 64GB model or a 128GB model. The OnePlus 3T is an all-metal device that has excellent build quality, decent specs, and a decent price but how does it hold up to the more expensive LG G6 that uses the same processor and GPU?
OnePlus does not like to use QHD displays on its devices so the OnePlus 3T comes with their familiar FHD display, but they went with a new Optic AMOLED technology in the 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a respectable 401 PPI. The OnePlus 3T includes the Snapdragon 821 with the same dual cores as the 820 clocked at 1.6GHz and another at 2.35GHz and running the same Adreno 530 GPU as the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 3T is one of the first smartphones to use a full 6GB of DDR4 RAM – nobody is sure exactly how OP manages 6GB, but they own the bragging rights. There is a full 64GB of the faster UFS 2.0 internal storage with no available expansion, but you can now order a model with 128GB of internal memory.
The OnePlus 3 already had an excellent camera so OP just kept it on the OnePlus 3T but it now includes a more scratch-resistant sapphire covered lens. The camera includes PDAF, an LED Flash, a decent f/2.0 aperture, and OIS for stability. OP increased the already large 8MP FFC camera to a huge 16MP with a f/2.0 aperture to take great selfies and for video chatting. The OnePlus 3T includes a larger 3400mAh non-removable battery that includes OnePlus’ Dash Charge that will give you up to a 60-percent charge in only 30 minutes.
OnePlus was a small company that had a few hits and misses when it came to designing a ‘complete’ smartphone, but the OnePlus 3T is OnePlus’ best effort to date. This time they included both a fingerprint sensor and NFC chip on their OnePlus 3T, allowing the user to make mobile payments as well as use Android Pay. If the OP3T would only work on Verizon and Sprint, more users could and would enjoy the OnePlus experience. It runs mostly stock Android 7.0 Nougat (upgraded) with OnePlus’ OS called OxygenOS on top. The OnePlus 3T measures 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.35mm and weighs in at 158 grams. It will cost you about $440 USD for the 6GB/64GB model and about $480 for the 6GB/128GB model, and there is a choice of Gunmetal, Soft Gold, or a newer Midnight Black color.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
Okay, the LG G6 is pictured above because it is certainly has more features than the OnePlus 3T, but the OP3T is right on the G6’s tail because of the value it offers. For about $250 less than the LG G6, the OP3T offers the same processor, the same GPU, and 2GB more RAM. The OP3T is a solid device, that takes great photos and is an excellent performer if you are on AT&T or T-Mobile networks and you may be perfectly happy living with the OP3T, and save yourself some money.
However, when it comes to features and availability, the LG G6 has to take the upper hand in this specification comparison. For starters, it has the looks of a more modern smartphone with its 18:9 ratio display along with slim bezels, and its QHD+ display resolution. The G6 also uses an always-on display technology and is Dolby Vision/HDR10 compliant. The LG G6 offers expandable memory, dual cameras, Hi-Res Audio, wireless charging, is IP68 certified, and it can be used on all major US carriers. These reasons are why the LG G6 is picked as the winner of this comparison.