LG Optimus G vs Apple iPhone 5
Share:
 |
Design:
Thankfully, these two smartphones exhibit all of the qualities of what it means to be a premium device, which is evidenced by their sturdy constructions and choice of utilizing high-quality materials. However, if we’d have to pick, the iPhone 5’s design is still the more attractive one between the two. For starters, Apple’s pride and joy is not only thinner and lighter, but it’s undoubtedly easier to grasp with a single hand as well. Additionally, the iPhone 5 maintains a very clean appearance at all times, which is attributed to its brushed aluminum casing – whereas with the LG Optimus G, its glass surfaces are more prone to smudges and fingerprints. Regardless, the Optimus G has some nice touches as well, like its Crystal Reflection rear pattern that supplements its overall welcoming design.
Not surprisingly, there are no accidental presses with the iPhone 5’s dedicated home button, but then again, we can still argue for the same with the Optimus G and its trio of capacitive buttons, since they’re spaced far from one another.
 |  |  |
The LG Optimus G (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right) | ||
Touring the sides of each device, we like the distinct feel and responsiveness of each handset’s power button and volume controls, but the iPhone 5’s set are a bit more pronounced. Meanwhile, some of the other commonalities that they share include their 3.5mm headset jacks, microphones, and noise-cancellation mics. Of course, the iPhone 5 resorts to employing Apple’s proprietary Lightning docking port for its data/charging connection – while the Optimus G uses the more favorable microUSB port.
 |  |  |  |
The LG Optimus G (bottom) and the Apple iPhone 5 (top) | |||
On the front, the Optimus G and iPhone 5 are sporting front-facing camera sizes of 1.3-megapixel and 1.2-megapixel respectively. Indeed, it’s not much of a difference there, but in the rear, there’s a big one as the Optimus G is packing an above average 13-mgeapixel camera (8-megapixel one for AT&T), which seems beefier than the 8-megapixel iSight camera on the iPhone 5. Well, both also feature LED flashes and 1080p video recording.
 |  |  |
Front-facing cameras | Backs | Rear cameras |
The LG Optimus G (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right) | ||
Display:
Hands-down folks, these are two of the best displays on the market right now, as they totally win in departments such as detail, color reproduction, and outdoor visibility. On one hand, the LG Optimus G is sporting the significantly larger 4.7-inch WXGA (768 x 1280) HD IPS Plus display, which dwarfs the iPhone 5’s modest 4-inch 640 x 1136 Retina Display, but when it comes down to it, they’re both equally detailed in making out the finest of things. Sure, the iPhone 5 might have the slight edge with its pixel density of 326 ppi, but heck, there’s no downplaying the lovely 320 ppi that LG’s beauty is sporting. And unlike AMOLED screens, they produce very accurate looking colors. Beyond that, they’re both more than visible in outdoor conditions, thanks to their superb viewing angles, but we do notice the iPhone 5’s display being the brighter one.
 |  |  |
Viewing angles | ||
 |  |  |
The LG Optimus G (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right) | ||
Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
Fullscreen
More popular slideshows
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One
26 Mar 2013, 06:51
Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920 and Galaxy S III
12 Apr 2013, 09:14
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5
27 Mar 2013, 09:09
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z
27 Mar 2013, 03:56
Camera comparison: HTC One vs Nokia Lumia 920 vs Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S III vs Sony Xperia Z vs Google Nexus 4
20 Mar 2013, 09:18
Samsung Galaxy S Duos Review
25 Oct 2012, 09:04
Samsung Galaxy S II Plus Review
16 Apr 2013, 09:18
Samsung Galaxy Note II Review
24 Sep 2012, 08:40
Apple iPhone 5 Review
22 Sep 2012, 17:25
Samsung Galaxy Note II Review (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)
24 Oct 2012, 08:00
Share:
LG Optimus G (AT&T & Sprint) Review 
Samsung Galaxy S III mini Review 
Related phones
More content
-
Nokia Lumia 928 vs Apple iPhone 5
-
Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920 and Galaxy S III
-
Screen Comparison: Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5 vs Xperia Z vs One vs Galaxy S III vs Lumia 920
-
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5
-
HTC One vs Apple iPhone 5
-
Camera comparison: HTC One vs Nokia Lumia 920 vs Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S III vs Sony Xperia Z vs Google Nexus 4
40 Comments
6. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:33 20 4
iPhone 5 kinda always gets a draw from PA as it's smaller so it comes down to "personal preference".
I think smaller screen (less pixel count) and lack of personalization means iPhone 5 is worse
10. kingpet13 posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:59 4 2
Wait for it to be compared with Note 2 than Phonearena logic will say:
Note 2=IPhone
Optimus G=IPhone5
Optimus g/note2>note2/optimus G.
Than you will realize, both phones cannot be equal to iPhone 5 if one is better than the other. That is like saying that all four sports teams in a semifinal are equal, but one is obviously going to win.
17. dexter_jdr posted on 19 Oct 2012, 07:17 6 3
are they being paid?
26. Ohrules posted on 19 Oct 2012, 12:28 3 0
iPaid
13. CX3NT3_713 posted on 19 Oct 2012, 06:30 14 3
LG optimus G. Won that by a land slide...
IPhone is just a iPhone .. purplish photos.. same OS... same design.. only stretched... yea thinner lighter. ? Also smaller..duh!!!
Compare this beast, too something more, on its level :-)
14. Retro-touch posted on 19 Oct 2012, 07:03 0 0
Sadly the iPhone 5 photos/video are better and with iOS (not really an OS) its blazing fast. I'd still go for the LG if given an option between the two, but I'd go for the AT&T version, it has better photo quality despite having an 8MP if you compare the images
20. dragonscourgex posted on 19 Oct 2012, 09:03 5 0
I would have to disagree with you and the author. After reviewing the videos a few times, the color in the video on the iphone are washed out and dull and the audio playback is very low. Compare to the bright colors from the LG phone. In the night time video I would have to give it to the Iphone, unless they were not set up the same. You could hardly make out the objects on the LG were the Apple you still was able to see most of the objects on the screen. If that a hardware issue or a user issue I don't know. For photo's both phone samples seem to be neck to neck. I found some picture better on the iphone were others seem better on the LG. So, to try to call out the Iphone as the clear winner in this section is just unsound.
31. androidG posted on 20 Oct 2012, 13:31 1 0
guys,
try to watch the video sample of these two phones.
ITS VERY CLEAR OPTIMUS G. HAS BETTER VIDEO RECORDER.
try to look those picture samples OPTIMUS G. IS MORE NORMAL & ACCURATE COLOR.
i think this PhoneArena is trying to make some bad issues on Optimus G. regarding those photos & video records especial @ night .
ITS NOT FAIR.
they just put LG on that poor light condition.
LG IS ACTUALLY THE TRUE WINNER.
32. androidG posted on 20 Oct 2012, 13:37 3 1
Optimus G. has better Display.
Optimus G. has better design.
Optimus G. is more smoother and responsive screen.
Optimus G. is more powerful.
Optimus G. more look natural colors.
Optimus G. is more faster.
Optimus G. a little bit better camera especially outdoor.
LG Optimus G. IS THE WINNER.
2. android_hitman posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:15 9 1
from the photo samples .. you can see crystal clear that Optimus G is better in low light ...
3. StreetNerd posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:16 4 26
LG, Lost Game, why is LG still in the smartphone business? crappy phones
27. StreetNerd posted on 19 Oct 2012, 12:50 2 11
HAHAHAHA those downvotes :')
seriously LG dat good? friggin trolls
28. -box- posted on 19 Oct 2012, 13:58 4 1
It might be due to your seeming lack of grammatical skills. Or the fact that LG makes good products, just aren't great with software updates (but on par with other Android OEMs).
LG also makes some components for apple devices, so if you're an apple cultist, you might want to rethink your position.
29. StreetNerd posted on 19 Oct 2012, 15:40 0 6
nope
who cares bout apple components (fuk apple)
LG phones are bad and ugly
4. BreakingNews posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:23 6 1
Wow. Another draw. Who saw that coming? Can't you guys pick a side for once?
5. Nathan_ingx posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:30 4 15
Not an Apple fan, but the display of iP5 seems to be much better!!!
7. darac posted on 19 Oct 2012, 05:42 8 2
Interesting how John gave the S3 an upper hand vs i5, and this clearly more advanced product got a draw.. what gives?
11. papss posted on 19 Oct 2012, 06:11 6 3
I see nothing on the ip5 that is better other that 6 ppi but the lager display would be preferable. Plus IOS is so old looking i couldnt do it. LG is the best phone out right now
15. Retro-touch posted on 19 Oct 2012, 07:05 0 0
Did you look at the photos and video? Every other department the LG wins but Camera sucks
12. sbr999 posted on 19 Oct 2012, 06:11 5 3
You gotta give credit where it's due guys. There's nothing the iPhone5 can do better over the LG.
16. bloodline posted on 19 Oct 2012, 07:10 6 3
I noticed one thing on PA, when the iphone loses in a comparison they give no winner. When it does win they say the iphone is a better device.
Clearly LG won here
19. BadAssAbe posted on 19 Oct 2012, 07:43 2 1
iPhonearena also forgets to mention in the "beautifull" iPhone5 all that extra bezel at the top and bottom compare to any high end Android Phone. Not to mention a price comparison
21. thachlel posted on 19 Oct 2012, 09:04 0 0
If IPhone 4s has lte I would get 1 for my son to play with, iphone 5 has good specs but he would confuse it with other tv remote controls
22. osanilevich posted on 19 Oct 2012, 10:32 0 0
If this was a comparative review I'd understand but the title clearly says Optimus G VS IPhone5 which means there must be a winner (I'd pick the optomus any day)
23. MorePhonesThanNeeded posted on 19 Oct 2012, 10:33 1 1
Lol, sorry but I don't like iPhone at all but there is no way in hell you can think that the LG whatever it's called beat the iPhone 5. NFC, not something that you really need yet. iPhone camera while doing weird things with too much light is still better than the LG phone and it has good call quality. Optimus G has what going for it aside from a Quad Core processor and does little with it, pairs it with a small battery to boot. LG just seem to waste their efforts, great screen tiny battery, poor camera and poor voice on phone calls mean bad smartphone anyway you slice it.
PA you guys are weird, this phone is trash compared to the Note II. High powered processor does not a phone make. It still has to do phone things like make calls and allow you to be heard clearly.
24. BadAssAbe posted on 19 Oct 2012, 11:57 1 0
iPhones 5 Wins - Camera, Video recorder, Voice, PPI, Loud Speaker
LG Optimus G Wins - NFC, DLNA, WiFi Direct, Battery (More mAh per in), Screen (720p, 4.7in), Media Player, MHL, Speed, Bezel, Notification Light, USB, microSD, OS and Build Material (Gorilla Glass 2 Front & Back)
Apple iPhone5 32GB $750
LG Optimus G 32GB $550
25. Jillxz posted on 19 Oct 2012, 12:00 3 0
OptmusG has it all in my book and my book is all that counts with me.
30. avasponge posted on 20 Oct 2012, 09:56 0 0
They do it by the rating they give the phone in the review.
IPhone 5= 9
LG Optimus G= 9
Galaxy S3= 9.3
33. Shino posted on 20 Oct 2012, 14:11 1 2
You gotta be completely NUTS to give your money for a cheap plastic thing like this LG or a Samsung or any kind of such device. Especially when the price is similar. To buy this its price must be at least two times lower than the iPhone's and it will still be not sure.
35. bvalde09 posted on 22 Oct 2012, 01:27 0 0
Why when any phone gets compare to the Iphone 5 they always get a Draw? Im not apple boy nor apple hater. But lets faced I and I think everybody know that LG won on this one fair and square. Iphone 5 Great phone but the greatest of all? Dont think so XD
37. FranksGT posted on 23 Oct 2012, 08:41 1 0
For starters the fingerprints and smudges was never a issue with THe Iphone 4s when it had glass.
(iPhone 5’s set are a bit more pronounced.) really how so? Biased review already. Now coming to Proccessor wise they both perform the same?
Are you high? Your taking a Proccessor that was built specifically for that SIMPLE Ios, and comparing it to one that
has a more complex OS and a custom UI over it. In real terms the LG is much better game player. DOnt even get me started on the camera.
Let me guess you took 100 picutres with the iphone to get the best one without purple tint and took the first one with the LG.
39. BadAssAbe posted on 23 Oct 2012, 20:21 0 0
iJohn V is a big apple fanboy which would be okay if apple didn't price the iphones like they were made of gold.
No need to take a hundred shots with the iphone5 to get best picture because they already know how to set it up form the other iphones, no changes.
40. gslide06 posted on 25 Oct 2012, 12:25 0 0
Optimus G boasts NFC, WI-FI Direct, a Micro SD card (AT&T), MHL, DLNA. IPhone may have a slightly better camera and audio but it is extremely limited in terms of connectivity. I like the idea QSlide being able to take screenshots of anything and doodle on them. Plus the display on the Optimus really does look better and who doesn't like customization. If you want a fashion statement get an IPhone, if you want a better cell get the Optimus.
-
1.
What makes the Full HD IPS display on the LG Optimus G Pro better than AMOLED
-
2.
The forbidden fruit: here are 7 great Android apps that Google does not allow on Play store
-
3.
All from Google I/O 2013
-
4.
Samsung officials confirm 5.9-inch Note III will come at IFA in September, Galaxy S4 to hit 10 million sales next week
