Introduction
We have a good one for you today – the new Google Pixel 2 takes on the LG G6. The LG G6 was released back in March of this year, but it is still LG’s main flagship as the new LG V30 is geared toward a difference audience – although the lines between the two models are becoming a little blurred. The Pixel 2 and the LG G6 both have wider top and bottom bezels, but the Pixel 2 looks more dated with its very large bezels. The LG G6 is more stylish and modern looking. Does the newer Pixel 2 have the specs to outdo the LG G6, or does the LG G6 with its looks and dual cameras overcome the Pixel 2? These questions and more are what we hope to answer during this comparison. Before we look at each individual device, let’s take a look at what they have in common.
Even though the LG G6 has been on the market for months, these two devices do have many things in common. Both displays use an Always-On feature for notifications. The Pixel 2 and LG G6 pack a Snapdragon processor and the Adreno GPU, but use different models. They both pack 4GB of DDR4 RAM. Both come with a 64GB model, although the LG G6 has 32GB as standard – the Pixel 2 also offers a 128GB model, but no expansion, while the LG G6 has expandable memory. They both have a non-removable battery with fast charging capabilities, although the LG G6 adds wireless charging as well. Both have a rear mounted fingerprint sensor, BT 5.0, USB Type-C port, water-resistance, and use Google Assistant as their form of person assistant.
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. 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
Google Pixel 2
The Google Pixel 2 lineup is a step above the original Pixel introduced last year, although the Pixel 2 that we are looking at in this comparison looks a little dated with its large bezels at a time when most smartphones are going bezel-less. While Google’s Nexus/Pixel line has been criticized for no frills, the Pixel 2 does use the best processor/GPU out there, and has switched to the AMOLED display technology but keeps the older 16:9 aspect ratio. It also incorporates an Active Edge that lets the user launch Google Assistant without a voice command or silence an incoming phone call. Google Lens is another feature that can identify details about photos – what kind of flower, movie details from a post, etc. Pricing is also a consideration – with the standard 64GB, it will cost you $650. Verizon is once again the exclusive dealer of the Pixel 2 phones although you can still buy them unlocked to work on any US carrier.
The Google Pixel 2 sports a 5-inch FHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 1960 x 1080 pixels and 441 pixels-per-inch (PPI). Google kept the 16:9 aspect ratio on the Pixel 2 and uses the Always-On display feature for notifications. This helps save battery life by not having to turn-on the main display unless you want to read more about the notifications. The new Pixel 2 models use the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core processor clocked at 2.35GHz and an Adreno 540 GPU for the graphic demands. The Pixel 2 has no expandable memory but there are two variations – one packs 64GB and another packs 128GB. Both models use 4GB of DDR4 RAM.
The original Google Pixel line had an excellent camera – the highest rated in a mobile device – and the new Pixel 2 models keep up that tradition. They use a single camera with 12MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.8, both EIS and OIS, laser and PDAF, and a dual-tone flash. The front-facing camera (FFC), used for selfies or video chatting, is an 8MP with fixed focus and an f/2.4 aperture. The small, non-removable, 2,700 mAh battery will still make it through the day. When you do need to charge the battery, fast charging is available.
The Google Pixel 2 is a phone for the Google purist and other than looks, it should compete nicely with other flagships – its biggest drawbacks are a small display and the lack of expandable memory. One other thing to worry about is availability, which has always been a problem with Google’s devices. It has a great camera area that is one of the best on the market. Its Camera Lens and Active Edge are nice features. While it does not have Hi-Res Audio, it does have stereo speakers on the front but no 3.5mm headphone jack. Google finally added water resistance this year, but only IP67, not the IP68 found on other flagships. Of course, the Pixel 2 is running Android 8.0 (Oreo) out-of-the-box and will receive the fastest updates of new Android upgrades. Google Assistant is also on-board. The Pixel 2 measures 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm, and weighs in at 143 grams. It is available in three colors – Just Black, Clearly White, and Kinda Blue. The Pixel 2 will cost about $650 with 64GB of storage and is available at the Google Store, Best Buy and as an exclusive through Verizon.
LG G6
LG is not a company that shies away from innovative ideas as witnessed with last years’ LG G5 and its modular design. What seemed like such a great idea did not go over well with the public, and resulted in poor sales. Like ‘turning-on-a-dime’ LG went to a new sleek, all glass design and did away with the LG G5’s metal and modular body. This allowed the LG G6 to include an IP68 certification and wireless charging, but took away the removable battery, which LG helped by increasing the battery size from 2,800 mAh to 3,300 mAh. LG increased the display size from 5.3-inches to 5.7-inches and gave it an 18:9 screen ratio for a better entertainment experience and easier multitasking. LG improved the camera area and kept the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device. Let’s see if those improvements are enough to beat out the new Pixel 2.
The LG G6 sports a 5.7-inch IPS LCD QHD+ display and includes the ‘always on’ feature and a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels that works out to 564 PPI. LG moved to an 18:9 screen ratio that gives the LG G6 a slightly taller and narrower display that is Dolby Vision/HDR10 compliant. This combination gives you a more realistic view when watching movies. Its sizing also allows for two perfect squares that makes multitasking a breeze. LG decided not to wait for the newer Snapdragon 835 and went with the 2016 Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor. It has dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and another dual-core clocked at 2.35GHz. That is paired with the impressive Adreno 530 GPU for graphics. The G6 packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB/64GB of internal memory that is expandable to 2TB via a microUSB card.
The LG G6 comes with dual cameras that operate independently from one another. The primary 13MP sensor uses an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS, and dual-tone LED flash. The additional camera is a 13MP ultra wide-angle 125-degree sensor that has a fixed focus and a smaller f/2.4 aperture. For normal picture taking, the LG G6 will use the primary 13MP shooter; however, if the user wants a wider group shot or a landscape setting they can use the 13MP ultra wide-angle lens. LG used a 5MP FFC with an f/2.4 aperture for selfies and video chatting. LG increased the battery size from 2800mAh to a 3300mAh with Quick Charge 3.0 and now offers standard wireless charging.
While LG originally kept the fingerprint sensor on the back of the LG G5 due to its modular design, the LG G6 has the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device due to the small bezels. The LG G6’s fingerprint sensor also acts as an on/off switch as it did on the LG G5. The LG G6 did away with its IR Blaster, but the FM radio is still around for certain market areas. The LG G6 was the first non-Google smartphone to include Google Assistant built into the device. 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 US carriers for about $670 for the 32GB model.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
This was a tough decision – the Pixel 2 does have better specs, but has a smaller display by today’s standards, and the looks of a 2015 smartphone with its large bezels. Pricing is about the same with the LG G6 costing a mere $20 more. Diehard Nexus/Pixel fans will immediately choose the Pixel 2 as the winner. However, LG fans will embrace The G6’s sleeker design, QHD display, and dual cameras.
The Pixel 2 does have the smaller display and only using a Full HD resolution, but it is using the AMOLED technology over the older IPS LCD technology of the LG G6. They both use an Always On display. The Pixel 2 also has the newer SD835, which means faster and more efficient operation. It also packs a newer Adreno 540 GPU for better graphics and let us not forget that it is running Android 8.0 Oreo.
The LG G6 is a nicer looking device, but with older technology. It does offer memory expansion, a larger battery, wireless charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, IP68 rather than the IP67 found on the Pixel 2, a dual camera setup, and is MIL-STD-810G certified.
Based on the better processor/GPU, camera, and the newest 8.0 Oreo, we are picking the Google Pixel 2 as the winner of this comparison.
Buy The Google Pixel 2Buy The LG G6