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iPhone 6 (both versions) vs LG G3: first look

posted by Luis D. / Sep 10, 2014, 5:21 AM

iPhone 6 (both versions) vs LG G3: first look

With the iPhone 6's 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants, Apple is going to war with Android phones. Caught in the crossfire is the LG G3, a 5.5-inch phablet that has an interesting arsenal to defend its territory against the iPhone 6 Plus's onslaught. It's a great looking, supremely powerful smartphone that remains one of Android's better war-machines. It has lasers! Literally! But how does the QHD monster from South Korea compare with Apple's shiny 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch metallic assassins?

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Design

The iPhone has such a distinct and iconic design, that comparing it with anything else is a bit like comparing any car to a Ferrari. But the LG G3 is not some run-down 1996 Honda Civic, is it? While their build quality and materials is wildly different - the iPhones are unibody slabs of anodized aluminum, while the LG G3 is just a pleasant, solid plastic design - they are extremely elegant. The iPhones have their comfortably rounded corners, while the LG G3 boasts a carefully sculpted back that also hosts its power and volume keys. All will impress when you hold them in hand, but the LG G3's diminished screen bezels are more representative of late 2014 mobile beauty standards. And it's worth mentioning that the LG G3's back panel wards off fingerprints, but the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus feature oleophobic-coated displays.

In exact dimensions, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 measures 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches (138.2 x 67.1 x 6.9 mm), while the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is a humongous 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches (158 x 77.7 x 7.1 mm). In contrast, the LG G3 is a 5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches (146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm). There's no denying here that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is the phone that will feel best in everybody's hands. There's also no denying that the iPhone 6 Plus is absolutely huge in comparison to the LG G3, a phone that boasts the same screen diagonal. Despite Apple's best efforts, the LG G3 remains the most handy 5.5-inch smartphone for now.

Display

The iPhone 6's 4.7-inch display has a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels at an adequate 326 ppi pixel density. Its bigger brother, the iPhone 6 Plus, amps up the visuals to 1080p and 401 ppi. And where does the LG G3 leave us? A 5.5-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) display, with an excessive pixel density of 538ppi, it's certainly not a bad place to be! Then again, as with most first-generation products, the specsheet-busting LG G3 display has its fair share of problems. It's a power-hog. For heavy users, the LG G3 has to be carried with a spare battery - which is not as bad as it sounds, by the way. Additionally, the display appears dim in comparison with other flagships. In addition, LG has applied an aggressive sharpening filter to it, making small text to appear with a white halo around the characters. The viewing angles are great, just not superb. Again, no deal breakers here, just weak points that surface when the display gets compared to Apple's. In comparison, Cupertino has a restrained approach to its display panels, which are sourced from LG Display, by the way. Their resolution is just big enough to deliver a crisp picture with your eyes being a normal usage distance away from the screen. They are as bright as they have to be to remain legible under direct sunlight. While 2K video and detail-dense images won't look as elaborate on the iPhone 6's display, you will get a more consistent experience out of it.

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Interface

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Both Apple's iOS 8 and LG G3's customized Optimus UI, which is based on Android, provide a colorful, but streamlined experience. iOS has the advantage of being easier to navigate and master, while the Optimus UI is more comprehensive. It is notable for making the most of the LG G3's roomy display by offering multi-window multitasking, one-handed keyboard and dialer modes. Apple has also implemented so-called reachability options for the iPhone 6 Plus's 5.5-inch screen. Otherwise, both interfaces are fully featured in terms of software. The LG G3 might not be having a personal assistant like Siri, opting for Google Now's formal, but witty presence instead. It also doesn't have an equivalent to Passbook and AirDrop, while iOS misses on some gesture controls and customization options, but the other bases are covered. Both the iPhone 6 and the LG G3 have cloud storage apps, health monitors, backup and security features (KnockCode being a novelty of the LG G3's), and more functionality that you'll love discovering.

Processor and memory

The iPhone 6 rocks a dual-core 64-Bit A8 processor and a powerful Imagination Technologies graphics unit. Meanwhile, the LG G3 wields a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor paired with either 2 or 3GB of RAM, depending on whether you got the 16GB or 32GB version. Due to Apple's strict "walled garden" approach to iOS, the iPhone 6's comparatively modest hardware does a terrific job at running iOS 8 and demanding games, while the Snapdragon 801 in the LG G3 exercises a remarkable, yet slightly strained effort effort at pushing so many pixels to its QHD screen. Storage options is another interesting topic. Apple has banned microSD cards from its sacred lot, opting instead to offer the iPhone 6 in 16, 32, 64, and 128GB variants. The LG G3 has either 16 or 32GB of on-board storage, and a microSD slot that allegedly supports up to 2TB flash storage. Anyone got one of these laying around?

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Camera

The iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and LG G3 are fantastic cameraphones. The iPhones have comparatively smaller 8MP main cameras with two-tone flash, while the LG G3 sports a 13MP shooter with the infamous Laser Focus system. Different as they are, all three phones are quick to focus and take great photos (for a smartphone camera). We're yet to pit them against each other in a camera test, but knowing they come from good performance backgrounds, we're excited at the proposition! Meanwhile, their front cameras are all 2.1MP units. But great as it is, the iPhone 6 doesn't have the LG G3's oddly entertaining selfie-taking gesture that lets you picture your mug by smiling and threatening the camera with a fist!

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Expectations

We feel like the LG G3, although a few months older, is still a terrific proposition next to Apple's new iPhone 6, and it's 5.5-inch brother. However, the option of finally having an iOS-running phablet is ever so enticing! With all three smartphones being pretty to look at and a joy to work with, we feel the main considerations when choosing between them are the operating system and battery life. Long-time iOS users that lust after a huge screen will probably gravitate towards the 5.5-inch iPhone, which makes sense in all ways. Meanwhile, Android users in need of a QHD display or big-screen devices that are still comfortable to handle, have been getting more options lately. The new Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge, for example, are very real threats to the LG G3 with their amped up hardware, equally slim bezels and overall dimensions. The LG G3 still remains a wonderful smartphone, but it's also a typical first-generation product that needs improving.

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48 Comments

1. wando77

Posts: 1168; Member since: Aug 23, 2012

Comparing it to ANYTHING else? HTC one not a unibody aluminium design? And pretty sure there are other metal bodied phones out there in the android world

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:26 AM 5

3. AnTuTu

Posts: 1601; Member since: Oct 14, 2012

These new iPhones don't stand any chance against these kind of beasts. By comparing these models they are just pissing iFans off :p

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:31 AM 15

6. aba71983

Posts: 807; Member since: Jul 24, 2014

Those Samsung, HTC, Sony, LG don't stand any chance against these kind of beasts. By comparing these model they are just pissing iDroids off

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:53 AM 3

30. cheetah2k

Posts: 2211; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

So much LOL considering the iPhail 6 is 2012 specs and double the price of most android phones with the same hardware. At least with android phones you get the latest and greatest hardware for your hard earned coin...

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:03 PM 0

38. engineer-1701d unregistered

anyone else do the math on the speed increase from the chart i mean apples never been good with true charts but, if i am doing this right this current iphone 6 chip should have been in the 4s,

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:30 PM 0

44. aba71983

Posts: 807; Member since: Jul 24, 2014

Absolutely not. Not all of them can get the latest and greatest hardware. For example, today Android will gonna update their OS and all the android users will not get the update immidiately. There is an specific phones and countries where they can get in a day when android get update. In iOS, you get immidiately whether your in US, Europe, Middle East and Asia because they don't want leave there costumer even if they using the 2010 model for iPhone, iPad.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 10:39 PM 0

8. darkkjedii

Posts: 30959; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I can't wait to see get in the ring and fight, oh wait, that's what people do :D. Phones are inanimate objected dummy, people make em work. They're not beasts.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:02 AM 5

17. c.hack

Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009

lol. More droidcrap to get crushed in the compacter. I'm sure the droid fanboy will keep buying their slow stuttering spyware filled phones.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 7:49 AM 2

39. engineer-1701d unregistered

and i am sure you will keep looking the the shinny chart apple puts in front of you like a good little boy, do you want a pop up book as well.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:31 PM 1

25. MartyK

Posts: 1043; Member since: Apr 11, 2012

AnTuTu, you're so wrong for that.. Lol Everybody don't want 538ppi ultra screen on their smart phone!, 10ppi (Retina) is good enough for them (lol), that don't make them bad people!.. Hahaha

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 9:32 AM 2

32. cheetah2k

Posts: 2211; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

Speak for yourself. I absolutely love the resolution of the LG G3, so much so, I bought one.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:05 PM 0

46. ryankidder1

Posts: 2; Member since: Sep 15, 2014

Apple is made for a more simple design. I do agree that android is a lot better because you can do so much more woth them. Apple is made with a much more simpler design so its not so hard to get around. Apple may be fsster but honestly i havent found any games that i lag in much at all and im only using a g2. People say that apple is better because its better in security, when really on android all you need to do is download a antivirus software(for example i use malwarebytes). Also on android your homescreen can either be very messy or be organized by using folders. Anoth huge problem with apple is their prices, iphones may be almost twice the price of android. Like it was said above, the G3 has 13 MP for the main camera and the iphones have only 8MP. There is so much more to this that i could say but im just going to leave it at that.

posted on Sep 15, 2014, 3:08 PM 0

12. hipnotika

Posts: 353; Member since: Mar 06, 2013

Wait and see the sales of iPhone 6 .. and after 1 week later. i will search for you in here.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:36 AM 2

18. wildfiregt

Posts: 179; Member since: Jun 10, 2013

Sells doesn't mean everything, that's why the definition of iSheeep exist you know ? iphone 6 is still a mid ranger compared to nowadays droids

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 7:58 AM 5

22. darkkjedii

Posts: 30959; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Sales mean everything to the OEM, ask them what the bottom line is. Phones bought and kept, vs phones bought and returned. That mid ranger will smoke everything in sales/customer satisfaction, and you'll keep nagging.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 8:46 AM 3

33. cheetah2k

Posts: 2211; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

That's right, sales do mean everything - but a point to think about, that OEM (Apple) pays their fab $125 per handset, and charges you i5heep $999. I dunno about you, but if I knew how much I was getting ripped off by Apple and their new mid rangers, I'd feel kinda butt-hurt and raped

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:07 PM 0

41. engineer-1701d unregistered

dark you dont need to be in this one, you of all people should now your acting like a fool just like you tell all the other people. bottom line is great but return repairs are apples kingdom, and dont say not i replace screens for people all the time its a quick 60 to 100 for a cheap $30 dig and screen.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:36 PM 1

20. jmonteiro829

Posts: 261; Member since: Feb 13, 2012

If Apple lowered the specs on the phone and didn't make it better the uneducated people that flock to iPhone would still buy it. Does that make the product better because people purchase something blindly?

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 8:32 AM 1

40. engineer-1701d unregistered

o buddy i cant wait to see this you do know the lines outside the stores a people being paid for ads and homeless people trying to make a buck. o hipnotik you should go join.them

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:33 PM 1

2. darkknight

Posts: 20; Member since: Apr 06, 2012

the most biased comparing in the world. How will by an HD 4,7 screen at 2014? who will be 8 mp camera? the IP 6 and 6+ are not even near to LGG3 spec. rest of the comparism is crap.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:30 AM 6

4. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

is known that PA comparing between any brand flagship. not because they on par but because it interesting to know what each brand flagship can offer and what lacking.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:36 AM 0

5. Mikele

Posts: 136; Member since: Nov 19, 2013

Hmmm this is a countless efforts comparing LG G3 with IPhones 6 and 6+. No match here for the comparison, hence LG G 3 marches on. In future review, Phonearena would give IPhones 6/6+ 9.7 award! Fake people

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:53 AM 5

34. cheetah2k

Posts: 2211; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

The bias towards Apple by phonearena is already well known.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:09 PM 0

9. NextGenTech

Posts: 59; Member since: Jul 24, 2014

Lets face it Apple clearly think their herd are not etc savvy. 8MP camera, 750P same phone just made larger. Izombies at show to exaggerate crowed reaction and the herd will buy it anyway. PA will sing it's praises, while bashing other phones with better camera,screen,battery. Apple milking their customers shame iVerge.PA get in on it to. The day will come just like blackberry were people will widen up. Then we will see what Iboys/gris and i-Sites have to say. Most probably stay quiet, just like Apple 2012 spec phone/large screen in 2014 is being proclaimed the best, when the smart people know bang for buck is NOTE 4.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:13 AM 4

13. amiaq

Posts: 509; Member since: Jun 30, 2012

Even the tone and word they use such h as "Ferrari", just like any brain washing media. F@#@&%+ disgusting.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:43 AM 1

42. engineer-1701d unregistered

all the girls that have iphones asked if i seen the apple watch and phone and i said yes and they said the same thing i did, then they here 8mp 1 gb ram not 1080 and cost more then last iphone5s with same specs. why should i pay more for less specs. or same.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 5:40 PM 0

10. amiaq

Posts: 509; Member since: Jun 30, 2012

iphone more like Toyota Corolla, or Honda civic, or Hyundai Accent, or Daewoo or Kia, or GreatWall or Mahindra or Proton to me.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:19 AM 0

11. LuckyS

Posts: 154; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

"All will impress when you hold them in hand, and the three phones' diminished screen bezels are representative of late 2014 mobile beauty standards." Are you serious? You deliberately didn't show iphone bezels on this comaprison photo. IP6+ and G3 have the same screen sizes, but IP6+ is more than 1 cm longer and even 3 mm wider.

posted on Sep 10, 2014, 6:28 AM 4

14. Mr.Torture

Posts: 25; Member since: Apr 15, 2014

"The iPhone has such a distinct and iconic design, that comparing it with anything else is a bit like comparing any car to a Ferrari." #dearlord #whatthe #hahahaha