Samsung Galaxy Note II vs LG Optimus 4X HD

The LG Optimus 4X HD is LG’s best Android handset while we are waiting on the Optimus G to come up, and it merits a comparison with Samsung’s finest - the Galaxy Note II.

Both phones come with large screens, fast processors and 8MP cameras, but the Note II is not for everybody, because of its huge size, while the Optimus 4X HD is more of a daily driver. Which one is for you? Read on to find out....

Samsung resurrected the stylus, and gave it the screen to match with the original Note, which was, however, slightly thicker and wider than the Note II. The handset is still huge, but with the tapered back and chassis reminiscing of an oversized Galaxy S III, it is also more comfortable to handle than the original, apart from the somewhat slippery polycarbonate back.

The Optimus 4X HD is one of the most compact big screen handsets, and fairly comfortable to use with one hand, unlike the Note II, thanks to its narrower bezel and elongated profile. It has a patterned back and sides for easier grip, and is arguably the prettiest LG Android handset so far.

Both devices have removable batteries and microSD slots, but the Optimus 4X HD is a tad more flexible in this respect, as it offers a plain old regular SIM card slot, whereas for the Note II you have to get a micro SIM card.

The 4.7” IPS LCD screen on the LG Optimus 4X HD is a thing of beauty with its 1280x720 resolution, wide viewing angles, more accurate colors and high brightness.

The 5.5” one on the Note II is not as bright, meaning slightly worse outside visibility, but its sheer size, plus the high contrast and oversaturated colors typical for AMOLED are a joy to watch too.

We have higher pixel density on the 4X HD, which should make for crisper text and image details in theory, but in reality the difference is not that visible from normal viewing distance, unless you are a display purist.

The latest Android Jelly Bean is running the show on the Note II, covered with Samsung’s Nature UX interface, whereas the Optimus 4X HD sports ICS with LG’s own UI on top. While it is still unknown whether and when the 4X HD will get the update to Android 4.1, the presence of Jelly Bean on the Note II makes it the more versatile handset in terms of software.

Jelly Bean carries with it smooth 60 fps interface movements, the Google Voice natural language recognition update, and the Google Now daily assistant - all things that make the 4.1 version of Android much better than ICS on the 4X HD.

When we add the split screen multi-window mode on the Galaxy Note II, where two apps can appear on the huge screen at once, and all the added functionality that the stylus brings, we are unquestionably giving the interface and functionality round to Samsung’s handset.

LG also has some tricks up its UI sleeve, too, like the QuickMemo function, which allows you to doodle with your finger directly on any screen you are currently on for quick reminders, but this can’t beat what you can do with a stylus, of course. 

The connectivity switches in the notification bar that LG’s Android overlays pioneered offer a richer choice than those on the Note II, though, and can be reshuffled at will.

The camera interface of the Samsung Note II is a bit richer in functions than what we find in the 4X HD. There are modes that LG’s handset doesn’t have, such as macro or low light regimes.

The pictures themselves come out better from the Note II - about equal in terms of detail, but with more natural colors, focused, and no jumpy white balance issues that LG’s handset is prone to.

When we go inside, things get even worse for the Optimus 4X HD, with much more noise than the Note II samples, uneven exposure, and cold color casts over the photos when the light starts to dim down.

Both handsets are capable of capturing 1080 definition video with 30 fps. The 4X HD autofocus wanders every now and then, and is much slower to focus than the Note II in the still shots as well.

Samsung’s monster takes advantage of its screen size in the pictures and video gallery by splitting the screen in two with the folder section on the left for faster navigation. Both handsets offer picture editing from within the gallery, but the Note II has richer options, not to mention the things you can do with the stylus for cropping and annotating.

The music players both offer tunes categorization and equalizer presets, yet the Note II’s interface is slightly more polished and the sound enhancement options are easier to reach. The loudspeaker on the Optimus 4X HD sounds downright wimpy in comparison with the strong and clean sound from the Note II.

Both handsets play any video format you throw at them up to 1080 definition, yet the larger screen on the Note II, and the saturated colors make for a more enjoyable experience.

Call quality:

The Note II is undoubtedly the better handset when it comes to voice quality in the earpiece - it is strong and clean, whereas you sometimes have trouble hearing the other party with the 4X HD, especially in a noisier environment. The microphones on Samsung’s phone also did a better job at relaying our voices over the ether, compared to the slightly distorted sound produced from the Optimus device. Both phones have dual-mic setups for noise-cancellation, though, which perform well.

The Optimus 4X HD has a smaller 2,150 mAh battery compared to the 3,100 mAh unit in the Note II, and naturally it is rated for about 11 hours of talk time when on 3G, compared to the Note II’s 16 hours. LG also cites about 6 hours of video playback for the LCD screen on the Optimus 4X HD, whereas the Note II is able to achieve double those numbers here.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a flagship Android phone announced back in February is handily beat by another one announced six months later, and yet we have to mark that the Note II is the better handset in many respects. 

It is more powerful, with richer interface functionality, and the options brought along by the stylus can’t be replicated on the Optimus 4X HD. Samsung’s phone also runs the newest version of Android, whereas 4X HD with its Tegra 3 processor seems to be on the backburner for a Jelly Bean update for now. Plus, once you see that nice 5.5” display and get used to reaching for the stylus on various tasks, it will be hard to go back.

Still, both are flagship Android devices, and you won’t be disappointed with the stylish and compact body of the 4X HD if you can’t force yourself to carry around a supersized phone like the Note II, not to mention that LG's handset now comes much cheaper than the Note II.