Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs LG G4 – quick look
We are at Samsung’s unpacked event taking a look at the Galaxy Note 5. We have spent some quality time with the new handset and already put together a hands-on post. Now it’s time for those nifty comparisons, and the LG G4 is definitely among the first phones we will put the Note 5 against.
It’s the battle of the flagships, and Samsung’s biggest rival (after Apple) is LG. This is bound to be a good fight, so let’s jump right into the nitty gritty of this comparison.
Design
Needless to say Samsung devices haven’t had the best designs in the past, something that changed with the Galaxy S6. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 follows suit by adapting the new premium design language. In comparison, LG’s devices have remained relatively similar, and the G4 does look much like the G3, minus a subtle curve.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has a body made of metal and glass, with a unibody design that is unlike many others. On the other hand, LG has opted for a plastic frame and removable back covers, but that is also one of its most desired features. Not to mention, the G4’s aesthetic value is highly improved by this aspect, as it allows users to sport those sexy leather backs.
Another main difference is that the LG G4 has the power and volume buttons on the rear, right below the camera. Samsung’s volume rocker is on the right side, while the power button is on the left. Both devices house a microphone and microUSB port on the bottom, as well as the speaker. The Note 5 also includes the S Pen obviously, which has been redesigned with a clickable top button and a more refined overall design.
Design preference is a very subjective matter, but there’s no doubt the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will look and feel like a more premium handset. It’s just a matter of material choice, but some of you will prefer the elegant and unique look the LG G4 sports, especially if you like curved displays and leather backs.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 touts a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, which is definitely larger than LG’s 5.5-inch IPS LCD panel. Aside from size, we are looking at the same exact resolution with a QHD (2560x1440p) definition. Of course, one big difference is the screen technologies these manufacturers use.
Super AMOLED panels are known for emiting very vibrant/saturated colors, as well as deep blacks. This makes images very striking, but some of you may prefer more accurate colors. LG’s IPS LCD display will definitely offer more exact hue reproduction. It uses Quantum Display technology, which can emit 98% of the DCI color gamut, which is the standard used by Hollywood.
Hardware & performance
In terms of speed, we should see very similar results, but these phones do appear somewhat different on paper. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 features an Exynos 7420 processor with 4 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, LG opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset with 3 GB of RAM.
Arguably, Samsung has the upper hand here. Samsung’s chip has showcased some of the highest benchmark results around. Not to mention, the extra GB of RAM will definitely help. Both phones are snappy and will be almost as fast, though. You likely won’t notice the difference in day-to-day use, except perhaps on the most intensive games and even then, the differences will be minor.
But let’s move on to other components. Where the LG G4 does fail is in internal storage options. The handset is only available with 32 GB. Meanwhile, Samsung expands choice with 32/64 GB iterations. Regardless, some of you will still prefer the LG G4 when considering storage, as it supports microSD cards, something Samsung has done away with. By the way, you can also remove the battery on the G4, which allows you to easily swap batteries on-the-go. Both should have great battery life, though, as they carry 3000 mAh of juice.
Where Samsung does win is in a couple other ways: the Galaxy Note 5 has an S-Pen stylus with great software features and a fingerprint reader. If you want those extras, the Note 5 will certainly stand out on top.
Camera
LG really stepped it up with the G4 camera, giving it a 16 MP sensor with OIS, laser auto-focus and f/1.8 aperture. This puts the LG handset very close to Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which has a 16 MP sensor, OIS and an f/1.9 aperture. But Samsung’s camera was still better, even if by a bit. This means the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will also have a better photo quality, as it sports the same camera technology as its smaller brother.
On the front side you will find an 8 MP camera on the LG G4 and a 5 MP front shooter on the Note 5. But remember, megapixels don’t mean too much in photography. We still have to see photo samples before we can tell you which of these front-facing cameras is better.
Software
Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the LG G4 run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but this doesn’t exactly mean their software is identical. In fact, their UI skins are quite different.
Samsung’s TouchWiz UI was stripped down for the Galaxy S6, and we are thankful the same philosophy has been applied to the Galaxy Note 5. It still has all those awesome S-Pen features, multi-tasking tools and other elements, but the interface is much sleeker.
Samsung has also redesigned the Air Command menu giving it a more refined look, which now gives you easy access to the three main functions of the S Pen, alongside a few application shortcuts. The Note 5 also adds a few new Note-specific changes, such as the ability to pull out the S Pen when the phone is locked, which will result in a slightly lit up black slate that will let you quickly write down a quick memo. There’s also a new scroll capture mode in Screen Write, allowing you to take and piece together multiple pictures of the same webpage in order to have the entire webpage available.
In comparison, LG’s software is still a bit bloated, but it does not offer a bad experience either and has been highly optimized for the Snapdragon 808. There’s just a few more things floating around your settings, aside from icons being a bit more playful and cartoon-like.
Wrapping up
And there you have it – a quick comparison between the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the LG G4, one of its biggest competitors. Which one is the best is yet to be decided, but we have to say the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is likely a bit superior. Samsung’s handset has higher performance, a better camera and a design that will be appealing to those who like metal and glass.
On the other hand, the LG G4 has those leather backs some of you love, and the bonus of a removable battery and expandable storage. And even if the Note 5 may have better specs, the G4 is still plenty powerful and has a pretty stunning camera.
We will go in more depth once we can give you our full review on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, for now hit the comments and tell us which one is your favorite so far.
LG Launches a Hi-Fi music service for its premium smartphones
LG smartphone owners: Have you ever wished that LG would launch a Hi-Fi music service with 24bit/192kHz quality sound just for a limited group of its handsets? It’s doubtful, but if you have, you are in luck because LG has just announced it will launch such a service later this month.
From LG’s press release, it seems that the Hi-Fi music service will be a download only service and not a direct rival to music streaming services such as Spotify or Tidal. The Hi-Fi service will allow users to listen to music with 24bit/192kHz sound quality, which is around 6 times richer and clearer than the typical Compact Disc. Qualifying customers will be able to download 2 free Hi-Fi tracks each month as well as receiving a discount of up to 50% off further songs. When launched, the Hi-Fi music app will be available to download from LG’s SmartWorld app.
LG Mobile’s vice president and head of marketing communications, Chris Yie, had this to say about the music service:
“Our Hi-Fi music service reflects our ongoing commitment to providing additional customer benefits to loyal LG customers. MP3 music is perfectly fine for most people but those with Hi-Fi capable LG smartphones can experience a much richer environment.”
Owners of LG’s G2, G3, G4 and G Flex 2 handsets can look forward to the Hi-Fi music service launching in almost 70 countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom. LG hasn’t given a specific date on when the Hi-Fi music service will launch or details on pricing yet.
Source: LG
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LG to launch a Hi-Fi music service for its premium phones
Today, LG has announced that it will be bringing a “Hi-Fi” music service to its premium smartphone line-up, to cater for increasing demand for high quality music. The company is not planning a service to compete with streaming services like Google Play, Apple Music, or Spotify, but instead wants to bring higher quality audio downloads to compatible mobile devices.
LG’s Hi-Fi music will offer 24-bit/192kHz track downloads, which is notably higher quality than competing streaming services and typical MP3/CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz) downloads available from most online music stores. Qualifying customers will be given two free tracks to download each month and the option to buy more at a 50 percent discount.
“MP3 music is perfectly fine for most people but those with Hi-Fi capable LG smartphones can experience a much richer environment.” – Chris Yie, LG vice president and head of marketing
Not every smartphone in LG’s extensive range supports high resolution audio playback, so the service will only be available on phones with 24-bit capabilities, such as the LG G4, G3, G2 and G Flex 2. The music service will be introduced as part of the LG SmartWorld app that comes pre-installed on LG’s smartphones.
LG has not given out any pricing or launch date information yet, but the company has announced that the music service will be available in 70 different countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Italy and Russia.
LG’s premium phones to get a Hi-Fi music service
LG is launching a new Hi-Fi music service later this month, but the company’s not touting it as an Apple Music or a Spotify rival. After all, it will only be accessible through certain devices, particularly its premium phones, which likely includes the LG G4 and its predecessors, the G3 and the G2. The service will be available in 70 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Brazil, Russia, China and Italy. LG’s announcement says the songs will have a 24bit/192kHz playback quality and that customers will be able to download two free songs (and buy more at up to 50 percent off) per month. Unfortunately, the company didn’t mention a streaming option, so it’s probably not in the cards. LG also didn’t elaborate on its pricing scheme, but you can monitor the SmartWorld app or www.lgworld.com to find out as soon as the service goes live.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Source:
LG
Tags: hi-fimusic, lg, mobilepostcross, music, musicservice
LG sticks to the curve: a new curved sound bar with Google Cast support
LG curved TV? Check. LG curved smartphone? Check. LG curved sound bar? Check!
If you’re looking for a great sounding, curved sound bar to go with your curved TV, then you’re in luck! LG just announced a new sound bar in its line of Music Flow speakers that not only has the curved part down, but also allows you to cast to it via Google Cast from your smartphone.
Music Flow HS8 Wireless Curved Sound Bar will be released in Europe next week and features something uncommon among sound bars: Google Cast support. So instead of needing to cast to your TV — then directing the audio to the sound bar — you can cut out the middle-man and pipe music directly to your speaker system.
The HS8’s specifications are as follows:
- 360W, 4.1 channel speaker system
- 1200mm x 43mm x 82mm
- Wall-mountable
- WiFi support
- Bluetooth support
- Tweeters at both ends of the sound bar
- (Again) Google Cast support
- Dynamic i-Sound system (this adjusts the sound settings for optimal playback of audio content)
- Multi-Room Mode (with WiFi and Bluetooth, you can connect all of your Music Flow speakers together)
- Advanced Home Cinema Mode (same as Multi-Room Mode, but in the same room to create a nice, surround sound experience)
LG did not state what the pricing would be or when the sound bar could be purchased outside of Europe.
You can check out the LG Music Flow HS8 at the LG booth during IFA 2015, which is September 4th through the 9th. Check TalkAndroid.com during that time for some of our coverage of that event.
Source: Korea IT Times
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Leak: New details emerge on upcoming Nexus devices from LG and Huawei
It’s never too early for Nexus leaks, am I right? While we’ve seen the odd leak in recent times showing off possible specifications and rear panels, today we have not one, but two leaks about both the Nexus handsets that are allegedly being developed by LG and Huawei.
According to serial leaker @OnLeaks, the Nexus handset being developed by LG will likely sport a metal body as well as the following specifications:
- 5.2-Inch display
- Front-facing speakers
- Fingerprint sensor on the rear
- USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 146.9 x 72.9 x 8/9.8mm
The Huawei developed Nexus will apparently also have a metal body, along with the following specifications:
- 5.7-Inch display
- Front-facing speakers
- Fingerprint sensor on the rear
- USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 159.4 x 78.3 x 6.6/8.5mm
As you can see, both handsets feature a fingerprint sensor on the rear panel, front-facing speakers and USB Type-C. It’s likely that this interpretation of the USB Type-C standard will include both USB 3.1 data transfer and quick charging, unlike the stripped down version that is present in the OnePlus 2.
Besides today’s leaks, it’s rumoured that the Huawei Nexus could be the first smartphone to offer global LTE support. It’s also rumoured to use the Snapdragon 810 processor (not the 820) while the LG Nexus could use the Snapdragon 808.
While it’s interesting to see what LG and Huawei are planning with their respective Nexus handsets, it should be noted that anything can change in the coming months, thus the proverbial pinch of salt should be taken with today’s leaks. What would you like to see in the next Nexus device(s)? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: @OnLeaks (Twitter) LG, Huawei
Come comment on this article: Leak: New details emerge on upcoming Nexus devices from LG and Huawei
Here’s a curved LG sound bar to go with your curved LG TV
Because everyone hates straight lines.
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, LG
Source:
LG
Tags: curvedsoundbar, curvedthings, curvedtv, lg, soundbar
Details on the next Nexuses leaked
New news on the next Nexuses everybody. @OnLeaks has just shared a bunch of details about the anticipated Nexus handsets from LG and Huawei.
Starting with the Huawei model, this appears to be the next super-sized handset in the Nexus line-up, with a 5.7-inch display and measurements coming in at 159.4 x 87.3 x 6.6/8.5mm. The smartphone will apparently feature a metal body, front facing speakers, a fingerprint scanner on the back in typical Huawei fashion and a USB Type-C port.
#Huawei‘s #NEXUS: Metal Body,roughly 159.4×78.3×6.6/8.5mm,likely 5.7″ Screen,Front Facing Speakers,Fingerprint Sensor on the Back,USB Type-C
— OnLeaks (@OnLeaks) August 12, 2015
The rumored LG Nexus is a more moderate size at 5.2-inches, which matches up with previous rumors about a Nexus 5 successor. The LG Nexus is also likely to feature a metal body, along with front facing speakers, a fingerprint scanner on the back and a USB Type-C port. The phone will measure 146.9 x 72.9 x 8/9.8mm. The shared hardware extras between the Huawei and LG handsets is intriguing, but Google is likely keen to showcase the latest Android M features too, which includes native support for fingerprint authentication.
However, all of these extra features raise the question of price once again. The Motorola Nexus 6 was quite a bit more expensive than its predecessors, which didn’t go down too well with some potential customers, and these two Nexus devices sound like they could end up in a similar price bracket.
See also: Google Nexus 2015 rumor roundup
Previous rumors also point to a QHD display and Snapdragon 810 or 820 chipset for the Huawei handset, rather than the company’s own Kirin chipset. The LG version is rumored to come with a Snapdragon 808, like the G4, and a reasonable 2,700mAh battery.
What do you think about packing these high-end features in a Nexus phone? Are you concerned about the potential price tags?
eBay back to school deals: smartphones from Samsung, Sony and others at under $299!
Getting ready to go back to school? You probably need a new cellphone to stay connected and ease your way to success. Remember, smartphones are not always a distraction; these advanced little gadgets are also great research tools and knowledge machines. And if you don’t want to break the bank for a new handset, checking out the back to school deals on eBay would be the best idea. All these discounted phones cost under $299 off-contract.
Not bad at all, right?! I know I would recommend some of these to my friends, so let’s take a look at some of our favorite deals.
- Verizon Motorola Droid Ultra only $99.99
- AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5 only $249.99
- Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 only $234.77
- Amazon Fire Phone only $139.99
- Verizon LG G3 for $219.95
- HTC Desire 816 only $149.99
- Verizon Moto X (XT1060) only $119.77
There’s plenty of other deals in eBay’s back to school page, but these just happen to be the ones that stood out to us. You can also look around the site to find other good deals. We really just wanted to pass on the good news and make sure you are in the loop.
Are any of you buying one of these handsets? Hit the comments and let us know!
Are the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4 worth the extra premium over cheaper flagships?
There is little denying that this has been an exciting year for Android smartphones so far. While a few phones like the HTC One M9 were met with a fairly mild reception, we’ve seen a number of impressive devices debut in 2015 at all sorts of price points. At the higher end of the pricing spectrum the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4 are currently the kings of the hill, but the two phones are finding an increasing amount of competition and not by similarly priced devices, but by handsets that significantly undercut them in the pricing department.
Depending on where you shop, a brand new unlocked LG G4 can set you back around $550 or more, and a 32GB GS6’s premium can exceed $600. Such high price points have made us wonder if these two devices are worth it, especially when compared to more affordable gear with similar hardware and features.
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Chinese upstart OnePlus recently shared its latest handset with the rest of the world and it looks very promising. The company’s new OnePlus 2 has launched with a somewhat complex ordering system that might rub some potential customers the wrong way, but the device’s $329 price tag is hard to deny. The OnePlus 2 won’t be the only affordable flagship smartphone to challenge LG’s and Samsung’s crown jewels. Motorola’s highly anticipated Moto X Pure Edition will soon go on sale for $400. It’s these type of competitive options that make the Galaxy S6’s and G4’s hefty asking prices start to seem even more extravagant.
So are the G4 and Galaxy S6 actually worth the extra coin? Let’s take some time to discuss this.
What Makes Samsung and LG so Special?
LG and Samsung are household names. Not limited to just smartphones and tablets, both companies crank out a large number of consumer electronics ranging from TVs to kitchen appliances. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you may own at least one piece of hardware made by either firm. Even so, are logos and brand recognition enough to justify higher prices? A simple answer would be no, but when it comes to consumer tech, things are hardly ever that easy.
Samsung is currently the world’s largest smartphone vendor and it makes some impressive devices. The Galaxy S6 is no exception. It’s a combination of premium hardware wrapped in a well-crafted package. Its entrancing display looks good enough to make you stare at your living room TV with disdain and its brutish processor’s power is irrefutable. Samsung’s tier one smartphone also features a fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor, wireless charging, an exceptional camera, and the company’s upcoming mobile payment system, Samsung Pay. So there’s no shortage of gimmicky features here.
As for LG, it’s definitely no slouch. When it comes to the number of smartphones moved, the company is several slots behind its cross-country rival, but it easily holds its own. A couple of months ago, the South Korean firm unleashed its G4 on the masses and it has received critical acclaim and praise from early adopters.
More than just a name brand franchise player, the G4 is also the real deal. From its 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 QHD display to optional genuine leather back covers. This handset is truly unique. The G4 also retains a removable battery and an expandable storage slot. Today, these attributes appear to be going extinct in the world of premium smartphones, but the G4’s push towards greatness doesn’t end there. Loaded with a feature-heavy camera that will keep shutterbugs pointing and shooting, the LG G4’s appeal is undeniable.
In addition to high-end phone designs, LG’s and Samsung’s prominent positions in the tech industry almost guarantees a product’s longevity. This gives repeat and potential new customers peace of mind, when making a purchase. The G4 and Galaxy S6 are also available at every major wireless carrier. Such partnerships further increase opportunities for long-term hardware and software support.
What About the Competition?
Flagship smartphones aren’t always expensive. If you’re not trying to win a popularity contest, a lot can be had for very little out of pocket. As noted earlier, devices like the forthcoming OnePlus 2 are jam-packed with high-end bells and whistles. You just might not see as many people out and about with the Chinese phone maker’s latest handset for at least months to come, if not longer. However, if you’re comfortable going against the grain, you’ll come away with a massive 5.5-inch 1080p display, 3GB of RAM, and forward-thinking features like a USB Type-C port and a fingerprint scanner. This can all be obtained for half the price of a new G4 or Galaxy S6. Also, if you can afford to shell out an additional $60, your device’s specs will get bumped up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space.
Now if you’re looking for a familiar face, but want something brand new, Motorola’s 2015 Moto X Pure Edition pleads a good case for your money. Due out this fall, its outer appearance can be customized via Motorola’s Moto Maker and the device’s specs are more than admirable. The former Google company’s new smartphone will ship with a 1.8GHz hexa-core Snapdragon processor, 3GB of RAM, a 21-megapixel image sensor and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The big selling point here is Motorola’s pledge to make its new flagship compatible with all US wireless carriers. This is something that can’t be said about unlocked versions of the G4 and Galaxy S6.
Lastly, a device to help support the argument that LG’s and Samsung’s flagships might not be worth their high markup would be Asus’ Zenfone 2. Full disclosure: this handset isn’t a next-gen marvel, but for just $300 you’ll get 4GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch display, 64GB of storage and a 2.3GHz Intel processor. Shipping with Android 5.0 out of the box and an entry-level configuration priced at just $200, this handset might make even the most hardcore smartphone elitists see things a little differently.
The Bottom Line
Not too long ago, it was commonplace for Android enthusiasts to tease iPhone fans for buying Apple’s expensive hardware. Today, however, modern smartphones like the G4, GS6 and even the Nexus 6 are starting to bridge the pricing gap that once divided these two groups. The Galaxy S6 and G4 are both great phones. This is undeniable. That said, unless you’re deeply committed to Samsung’s and LG’s brands, it can be hard to justify such high prices.
Call this editor cheap, but if you’re purchasing a device outright, why not stretch your money as far as it can go? Remember, new smartphones are released every few months. Why not put together a steady roster of devices instead of hopping from one phone to another every year?
For those considering picking up a new device but looking to save a little money in the process, here are just a few articles and best lists that can help you on your quest:
- Best cheap Android phones
- ZTE Axon vs OnePlus 2 vs Moto X Style
- ZTE Axon review
- Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 review
- Asus ZenFone 2 review
What are your thoughts, do you feel that Samsung and LG are worth the premium pricing they command over cheaper flagships like the new OnePlus 2 and Motorola Moto X Style?
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