Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new LG G6 takes on the most popular model of phone that Motorola has ever sold – the Moto G5 Plus. LG completely redesigned the LG G6 with an all-glass body, 18:9 aspect ratio, and thin bezels all around. The Moto G5 Plus is more or less an updated G series that started out with a 4.5-inch display, grew to a 5.5-inch display, and is now back to a 5.2-inch display with their new Moto Z series looks. Both of these devices will work on all major US networks, but the Moto G5 Plus, the only model coming to the US, does not have an NFC chip. 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. We do realize that the LG G6 is a high-end flagship device and the Moto G5 Plus is more in the mid-range category, it just offers so much for its small price tag, and did so well in our full-review, we just had to see how it compares.
Despite their differences, we can find some common ground between the LG G6 and the Moto G5 Plus. The displays of the two devices are 0.5-inch different in size, but the larger G6 is slightly smaller in physical size, but weighs in at 8 grams heavier than the G5 Plus. Both displays use the same LCD technology, different resolutions, and the same Gorilla Glass 3 for protection. They both use a Snapdragon processor and an Adreno GPU for graphics, just different models. They both pack the same amounts of RAM – 4GB, although there is a 2GB variant of the Moto G5 Plus – the same amounts of internal storage, and both can 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 G5 Plus uses one 12MP sensor. The front facing cameras (FCC) both use a 5MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. Both have a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device, but only the LG G6 has 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 (G6 only), and the newer reversible Type-C port for charging and data transfer on the LG G6, but the older styled microUSB 2.0 on the G5 Plus.
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
LG did a complete makeover of the old LG G5 when it designed the LG G6. Many LG G5 owners are not too happy hearing there will be no new modules that support the G5 design. The LG G6 rid itself of the unpopular painted metal and modular body form of the G5 and introduced us to an all-new glass design with smaller bezels. This new sealed design allowed the G6 to gain an IP68 certification, but did away with one of LG’s most popular features – the removable battery. 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 kept its 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 Moto G5 Plus.
LG made some big changes to the G6’s IPS LCD QHD display by increasing it to 5.7-inch and giving it a new 18:9 screen ratio. This aspect ratio causes the display to be slightly taller and narrower, but allows more display in a smaller area. LG wisely included the ‘always on’ feature that not only saves battery life, but also makes glancing at notifications much easier and quicker. The 18:9 resolution comes in at 2880 x 1440 pixels with 564 pixels-per-inch (PPI) and is also Dolby Vision/HDR10 compliant. This combination gives the viewer a more natural theater-like experience when watching movies and it allows two perfect squares for on-screen multi-tasking. LG chose last year’s Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor over the newest SD835 octa-core processor. 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 microSD card.
LG has embraced the dual camera concept for a while – just 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 lens comes with all of the specifications, such as an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS, dual-tone LED flash and 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 of the family or a landscape picture, but has a fixed focus with a smaller f/2.4 aperture. In a surprise move, LG decreased the FFC from an 8MP to a 5MP sensor and gave it an f/2.4 aperture for selfies and video chatting. 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 already had the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device, so it was easy for LG to make the bezels even smaller. The fingerprint sensor still acts as the on/off switch. LG removed another of its customer favorites on 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.
Moto G5 Plus
Motorola redesigned and updated its most popular device it has ever sold, even topping the wildly popular RAZR design from years ago. The Moto G5 Plus does not look too much different from its predecessor, the G4 Plus. The outside morphed a little to look like the Moto Z series but with a smaller earpiece and a larger rectangular fingerprint sensor – probably to make it easier to swipe left or right on the pad. One the back, the camera looks a lot more like the Z series with a round protruding ring. The 5G Plus uses a new all-metal backing that uses a small amount of plastic to allow the antenna to pass signals through the body. Moto decreased the display from 5.5-inches to 5.2-inches and the camera from 16MP to 12MP, but kept the same 5MP FFC. Let’s see if Moto did enough to their Moto G5 Plus and see just how it stacks up to the LG G6.
Moto decreased the display size on the Moto G5 from 5.5-inches, most likely to distinguish if t from the 5.5-inch displays on its flagship devices. This also gives the G5 Plus’s IPS LCD Full HD display a nice 424 PPI. Moto made a fine choice in using the Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor clocked at 2.0GHz and the Adreno 506 GPU. The processor has plenty of power and speed for the G5 Plus and the Adreno 506 can handle any graphics you throw its way. The Moto G5 Plus packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 64GB of internal memory that is expandable via a microSD card. You can also get a 2GB/32GB variant, but for the extra few dollars, it is money well spent.
The Moto G5 Plus has a 12MP primary camera with a large f/1.7 aperture, autofocus, and dual-tone LCD flash. The FFC is a 5MP sensor with a smaller f/2.2 aperture for selfies and video chatting. Nothing fancy here, but what do you expect from a sub-$250 smartphone – the pictures should make most every day users happy. A 3000mAh battery provides the power and it comes with the Motorola Turbo Charger for quick charges.
Moto kept the fingerprint sensor on the front and made it a little wider. If you swipe you finger on the button to the right it will open up your recent stops, if you swipe to the left, that is your back key and these can be adjusted in the settings. This makes full use of your 5.2-inch display for your viewing pleasure. There is a built-in FM radio, but the US version has no NFC capabilities, which seems rather strange. The Moto G5 Plus measures 150.2 x 74 x 7.7 mm, weighs in at 155 grams, and comes in Lunar Grey and Fine Gold. The device is available for about $229 for the 2GB/32GB model and about $279 for the 4GB/64GB model.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
Okay, I have to pick the LG G6 as the winner of this specification comparison battle – and why shouldn’t it win – it has better specs even if it costs well over double the price of the Moto G5 Plus. However for pure value, if you can live without NFC or mobile payment capabilities, you would be hard pressed not to pick the G5 Plus as the real winner of this comparison.
The LG G6 does have a bigger, always-on, and a QHD display, it has the more advanced processor/GPU combo, a better camera area, a slightly larger battery, wireless charging, NFC, and IP68 certification from water resistance. However for a price tag of $700, it should have better specs than the $279 Moto G5 Plus.
The Moto G5 Plus is a smartphone not to be overlooked – it has optimized software with a very small overlay on pure vanilla Android 7.0 Nougat. It is fast and smooth and its Adreno 507 GPU took anything we could throw at it in our full review. The camera takes very good pictures, it has expandable memory, the Full HD display a 5.2-inches gives it a respectable 424 PPI, and its 3000mAh battery should easily last you a full day. It is a great value for a daily driver, a phone for parents, or for teens – it is a solid device with an even more solid value and therefore is a winner.