LG G2 vs Nokia Lumia 1020

Introduction

It’s once again another flagship-on-flagship action, as we’re pitting the specs beast of a smartphone in the LG G2 against Nokia’s prized possession at the moment in the Lumia 1020. Although it’s arguable that the two target very different areas more than others, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get the proper side-by-side comparison from us. Nearing the crucial holiday season, the rivalry between these two prized flagship smartphones is going to increase. However, the question that remains is which one should you fork over your hard earned money towards?

Design

Oh boy! It’s really tough to say which design we actually prefer more between these two, since there are certain characteristics we like on both. When it comes to the simple question of which handset can catch the attention of bystanders, we’ll give the nods to the Lumia 1020 on this one – albeit, the LG G2 can also woo in some prying eyes as well. So why the Lumia 1020? Well, for starters, it’s the unique look of the Lumia line that’s very different from the conventional designs we tend to see recycled over and over with other smartphone makers – plus, the color options that are available with it are great too. In comparison, the LG G2 also has some quality elements with its design too, like the fact that it’s both lighter and skinnier in profile than its rival. Indeed, the two flaunt plastic bodies with their casings, but it seems as though the Lumia 1020 benefits from a sturdier construction.

Display

You see, the Lumia 1020 has a big screen, but the LG G2 simply has an even larger one. To be exact, it’s a 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 advanced IPS LCD display on the LG G2 – whereas the Nokia Lumia 1020 has a smaller 4.5-inch 768 x 1280 AMOLED screen. Taking a look at the resolutions alone indicates that the G2 is undoubtedly the champ, but in all fairness, it’s only recognizable as we meticulously look very close. From a normal viewing distance, it’s almost difficult to gauge which of the two has the detail superiority. Being an AMOLED, the Lumia 1020’s display produces colors that are over-saturated, but its black color reproduction is that pitch black tone. However, when it comes to outdoor visibility when the sun is present, it’s the G2’s screen that delivers the better clarity. Honestly folks, the LG G2’s display is arguably one of the best out in the space right now!

Interface and Functionality

Ah yes, it’s that timeless question of what’s better between these two respective mobile platforms. As always, it merely comes down to personal preference, seeing that the two are very different from one another – from the way they handle notifications, down to the overall look and operation of their experiences. Despite that, we’ll just say that the G2’s customized Android Jelly Bean experience is undeniably more comprehensive than what the Windows Phone 8 experience on the Lumia 1020 has to offer. Certainly, Windows Phone 8 has made some considerable strides in catching up with Android’s expansive functionality, but it still requires more tweaking to put it in the same boat as Android.


Visually, Windows Phone 8 has the better visual flare with its presentation, as the resizable live tiles on the start screen employ dynamic animations to keep things snazzy looking. Sure, the customized Android experience of the G2 might be a bit more static, but it offers a plethora of personalization options to put the Lumia 1020 to shame.


When it comes to receiving notifications, we continue to side with what Android provides us, as the pull down notifications panel aggregates everything. Better yet, depending on the notification, we’re given some additional functions that work in conjunction with certain apps. In contrast, the Windows Phone 8 notifications system feels a bit more disorganized, seeing they’re littered across the start screen in various live tiles.

Switching between apps is a relatively easy manner for both handsets, but the LG G2 provides some additional alternatives that seem practical to use as well. With its QSlide and Slide Aside features, we have instant access to certain apps – whereas with the Lumia 1020, it’s more like apps switching than anything else.


Google Now has shown us what it’s capable of, and when it’s compared to Windows Phone 8’s Bing service, it blows out its rival out of the water. It’s not even a close race folks, even when relying on LG’s very own voice assistance service, Voice Mate, which can perform a variety of function via voice by simply speaking the key phrase “LG Mobile” to activate the service.

For those who are big on being organized, we see yet again the LG G2 that’s bringing more of the goods that aptly serve the purpose. Yes, the basic set of functions are on board with the various organizers apps on these two phones, but LG goes beyond by including some other tangible things – like its Text Link, Quick Memo, and Capture Plus features.



Who knows why, but we always find the Windows Phone keyboard to be one of the best out there. Space isn’t a concern with either device, as their layouts are large enough for our fingers to comfortably use, but we feel that there’s less hassle using the keyboard on the Lumia 1020. Hey, it’s still not bad on the G2, but we simply prefer the Lumia 1020 for typing.

Processor and Memory

One is a beast, while the other is more regarded as last-last generation. At the end of the day, however, the Lumia 1020 shows us that you don’t need the newest chipset to have a great performance. No doubt, the LG G2 gets the nods for bearing a fancy schmancy 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and the Adreno 330 GPU. Far from intimidating, the Lumia 1020 is outfitted with something that some people would vouch for as being outdated – a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus processor with 2GB of RAM and the Adreno 225 GPU. Despite the disparity, the two exhibit the same lovable smooth operations that aren’t muddied by any unwanted distractions.

When it comes to storage capacities, the two handsets boast 32GB of space – with no expandability whatsoever.

Internet and Connectivity

Generally speaking, the two perform handsomely in the web browsing department, since they deliver the same fast page loads, instant page rendering, and smooth navigational controls to make it oh-so enjoyable. However, due to the larger panel and higher resolution of the LG G2’s display, we’re more inclined to view it as the more favorable device to go with when it comes to surfing the web.



Here in the US, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is only available through AT&T – while the LG G2 is made in GSM and CDMA flavors through all the major domestic wireless carriers. Carrying the usual set of connectivity features, the two actually boast different tech. Specifically, the LG G2 benefits from newer things like aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, NFC, DLNA, and a useful IR blaster that makes the handset double for a universal remote. Meanwhile, the Lumia 1020 sports aGPS, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, NFC, and DLNA.

Camera

Right away, we’d be inclined to say that the Lumia 1020 is the ideal choice with its camera app, especially when it’s a device that places emphasis on taking snapshots. However, you can’t count out what the LG G2 brings to the table, as it’s also packing a comprehensive listing of shooting modes and manual controls. Sure, the Lumia 1020’s UI mimics that of a traditional camera, as we have control over things like focus, exposure, shutter speed, ISO, and much more, but the G2 also gives us access to most of the same things. All told, we’ll come out and say that they’re both feature rich in this specific category.


Ahhh, so here we are checking out the 13-megapixel auto-focus camera of the LG G2, and the astounding 41-megapixel PureView camera of the Lumia 1020. Before jumping right into their respective qualities, it’s worth mentioning that the two are packed to the roof with a lot of camera tech – such as featuring backside illuminated sensors and optical image stabilization.


Comparing the results, there’s one clear victor in this department – and it’s none other than the Lumia 1020. However, if we’re to convert the photos taken by both handsets into 4” x 6” printouts, it’s nearly impossible to notice any difference with details – though, when it comes to colors, the G2 produces colder tones, while the Lumia 1020 tends to be warmer. Under low lighting, it’s the Lumia 1020 yet again proving itself as the superior smartphone, as it does a better job of handling dynamic range so there’s not much of a drastic looks with the lighter and darker areas in the photos. Heck, even when comparing the Lumia 1020’s reduced 5-megapixel samples, it easily proves to deliver the sharper looking photos over the G2. We’re not saying that the G2 is downright terrible, in fact, it’s pretty darn good on its own, but it’s still not on the same level as the Lumia 1020.


It’s a different story with their 1080p video recording qualities, as the Lumia 1020 closely edges out the G2 to capture the flag. With the Lumia 1020, we’re able to record 1080p video in 30 fps, 25 fps, or that cool cinematic mode of 24 fps. Conversely, the LG G2 can shoot 1080p videos in the normal 30 fps rate, and higher 60 fps, which is something that’s not widely seen with today’s smartphones in general. Comparing the 30 fps 1080p video from the Lumia 1020 to the G2’s 1080p 60 fps sample, it’s a tough call on which one we actually prefer. For starters, the Lumia 1020 seems to have the better details, but we do notice that it exhibits more artifacting elements as we pan. On the other hand, the G2’s sample seems to have a lower exposure, which gives the video an overall darker look – causing for some loss in details in the process. Like we said, it’s a tough decision, but our eyes still gravitate towards the Lumia 1020’s results.

Multimedia

Visually, there’s still something about the stock Windows Phone 8 music player that catches our attention – it’s probably due to the Modern UI it’s flaunting. However, the Google Play Music app, along with LG’s own player on the G2, still employ a conventional appearance. Interestingly enough, their respective speakers are both located on the bottom edge of both smartphones. Placing them at their loudest volume settings, there’s not one that seems more powerful than the other, and in the end, they produce tones that are pleasant to the ear.



Larger screen? Check for the LG G2. Higher resolution? Check yet again for the LG G2. Better outdoor visibility? Yup, it’s another check-check for the LG G2. So when it comes to the video watching experience, it’s a hands-down win for LG’s flagship. Well, it’s not bad with the Lumia 1020, obviously, but it just can’t compete with the dreamy display on the G2.

Call Quality

They’re not necessarily the best in this category, since they have their own distracting elements, but call quality as a whole is nothing more than average with these flagships. On the LG G2, its microphone causes voices to sound a bit unclear – while the Lumia 1020 is plagued by a weak earpiece and speakerphone.

Battery

Would you guess that there’s a huge difference between the battery capacities here? It could also be due to the optimizations found with its newer chipset, but the LG G2’s considerably beefier 3000 mAh battery permits us close to two days of normal usage, which easily outlasts the 18 hours of normal usage we’re able to obtain from the 2000 mAh battery of the Lumia 1020.

Conclusion

Ah yes, pricing always has some sway with all comparisons. In terms of cost, the newly available LG G2 is sporting that golden price of $200 on-contract, which is easier in the pockets than the expensive $300 on-contract cost of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Frankly, all the obvious reasons are here in this comparison that point to the LG G2 as THE handset that offers the most bang for the buck. Not only is it packing all the latest hardware, but LG has done enough tinkering on its own with the experience to pull it ahead of what the Lumia 1020 has to offer with its Windows Phone 8 experience.

Come to think of it, the Lumia 1020 is still notable for being the device to go with when it comes to shooting photos and videos, but the LG G2 isn’t trailing too far behind with its quality. Most of all, you’re going to be saving $100 by simply going with LG’s flagship, which is pretty substantial when you let that price difference really sink in. Who doesn’t want to save a cool $100, even more when you’re going to get something that undoubtedly has the superior specs and hardware?