LG Optimus G Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Note II
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It is evident from the design and screen size that the LG Optimus G Pro is shooting for Samsung Galaxy Note II's market niche, so a heavyweight fight between the two is warranted from the get-go.
The G Pro so far has been announced in two versions – the 5.5” one for Korea we use for the comparison, and a 5” one for Japan's DoCoMo spring lineup. LG also said it will be arriving to North America in Q2, but didn't specify which exactly screen size will make it.
One of the numerous virtues of the Note II is that it houses a stylus as an alternative input method to take better use of the giant display, while the G Pro doesn't have one. Has LG managed to make it sufficiently tasty to fight on equal footage with the versatile Note II? Read on to find out...
Design
Both phones sport 5.5” displays, but the Optimus G Pro is lighter and more compact than Samsung's wide Note II, thanks to the minimum side bezel. LG has gone with a more narrow, elongated chassis, which is easier for one-handed navigation. If it wasn't for the back Android key that LG slapped on the left, and you almost drop the G Pro each time it has to be used with one hand, that is.
Other than the width, the two phones look almost identical, save for the much narrower home key underneath the G Pro display. They both have faux metal side rims, tactile volume rockers on the left and power/lock keys on the right, and both sport plastic removable back covers, which let you swap the battery, or add extra storage. LG blinged the back a bit more with a pattern on the plastic cover, and a large metal ring around the camera lens, and that's that.
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Front cameras | Android buttons | |
The LG Optimus G Pro (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note II (right) | ||
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Right sides | Left | Bottom |
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Top | Backs | Rear cameras |
The sides of the LG Optimus G Pro (bottom, left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note II (top, right) | ||
Displays
The two 5.5” screens aren't created equal, as the G Pro sports 401ppi density on account of the 1080x1920 pixels of Full HD resolution, whereas the Note II has 720x1280 display with 265ppi. The Full HD resolution in the G Pro looks marginally nicer if you are a screen purist. However, thanks to the large screen size, the Note II also displays fine text (e.g. in the internet browser) well.
The screen technologies are very different, so the IPS-LCD of the G Pro features much more natural, toned down colors than the oversaturated ones reproduced by the Note II, and which ones you like is a matter of taste. The G Pro has a very good contrast rating, which is still no substitute for the deep blacks of the Super AMOLED display, while both technologies sport very good viewing angles.
The Optimus G Pro has a sufficiently bright display for decent outdoor visibility, but the Note II carries the brightest AMOLED Samsung has produced to date, so when we add the low reflectance, things are about equal in the sunlight visibility department.
Fullscreen
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32 Comments
16. amiroo posted on 07 Mar 2013, 11:32 1 3
correct cus copier always miss itselsf..
LG=front(s3)+back(one x) with no innovation..
lg failed 4 me 2.
30. Wiki_jaan posted on 07 Mar 2013, 22:55 0 1
front NOTE2
5. Commentator posted on 07 Mar 2013, 09:45 1 2
Brothers from the same mother and father, but they changed their last name. Seriously, I know people who are twins that look more dissimilar than these two phones do to each other.
24. cretinick posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:10 2 1
The best headline would be "G Pro and Note II: The Clone Wars"
4. _Bone_ posted on 07 Mar 2013, 09:40 9 4
No sylus, no phablet. It's not the size but functionality what makes the category. I would consider buying the 5" variant though, but that'll soon get the SIV as competition.
26. SleepingOz posted on 07 Mar 2013, 15:17 1 1
You're right. Processing power goes to the GPro but it's not enough to compete with the over-all phablet experience provided by Samsung with its GNOTE II.
The GPro is just a normal smartphone with a big screen, one of the best smartphone atm though!
6. TheLolGuy posted on 07 Mar 2013, 09:47 3 2
Although the G Pro did basically take the design from the Note 2 I want to say that they did make some nice personal touches on top of it.
Also, I think LG made a smart move with the Q-Button. I wish more phones (and not just LG) had something like a personalized button with any mapped function you want. And not just 1 button too -- when you want 1-handed operation on bigger phones like this, customizable buttons can really cut down on the finger acrobatics.
7. Diego! posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:02 3 2
So according to this head to head, Galaxy Note II has the victory. The only thing that LG Optimus G Pro wins is in screen resolution and the IR blaster. The pictures and videos on Galaxy Note II were amazing! I can't say the same about LG Optimus G Pro.
Nice try LG, but you need to speed up.
9. Aeires (unregistered) posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:17 5 0
Processor power goes to LG, but both are really good for normal applications.
14. GTR722 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:43 3 2
According to any head to head involving a Samsung phone in this site...G PRO is the better phone in specs. Its funny that in the screen comparo they tried everything to the Note II comes the winner.
8. CreeDiddy posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:10 3 5
Samsung will sue LG. Just watch...
LG is losing the Android race and must make themselves relevant. Why not imitate the real thing...LOL!!!
12. Diego! posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:31 0 0
I think they know that and that's why they bought webOS. Let's hope they release phones with that system too :)
13. procopiojose posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:42 0 0
nah.. apple patented the art of filing law suits on companies they are scared while creating a device that looks exactly their previous product..
15. jfuente11 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 10:44 4 1
I will still prefer the Note II. But the high resolution of Pro is nice.
18. ddxmms posted on 07 Mar 2013, 11:46 0 1
if lg wanted the pro to be rival to the note it could launch it with a stylus support !
20. darac posted on 07 Mar 2013, 12:05 0 2
LG won easily, but damn talk about a cheap looking copy : /
21. Whateverman posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:06 2 0
Why, oh why can't other Android OEMs figure out that many people actually like using their phones in landscape mode more than portrait? If the rest of you OEMs are listening...ADD A LANDSCAPE MODE!!! It's simple, but very appealing to some of us.
23. Berzerk000 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:09 0 1
Oh my, they look like brothers right next to each other.
25. lubba posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:40 0 1
LG looks like the fusion of the One X and Note. What blatant copying company.
28. MrPhilo posted on 07 Mar 2013, 18:31 2 1
Can't believe no-one notice the black border on the LG screen, it so ugly, not really using the whole screen like the Note.
31. maccess posted on 08 Mar 2013, 04:13 0 1
it exist since the optimus 4x.. what a waste of screen space..
38. betoNL posted on 09 Apr 2013, 04:33 0 0
Taking into consideration that the LG OPTIMUS G PRO was launched almost 9 months after the GALAXY NOTE II, I am surprised to see that the Note still got many advantages.
And you didn't even mention all those S-pen capabilities and the better battery performance..
Before spending that much money on the LG, think about the fact that the GNote 3 is just around the corner.
The only way I would replace my beautiful Note II for the LG, is if I would get it for free...
And remember that the real rival is the Galaxy Note 3.
Waiting on that just as a maybe since I am more than satisfied with the GNote2....
39. adrianzka posted on 25 Apr 2013, 08:10 0 0
I think you put the note 2 in power saving mode while performing antutu benchmark. I got about 16500 on my note 2
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