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Phone Comparisons: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs LG G3

Pictured: Cory McNutt
By Cory McNutt
September 10, 2014
Featured image for Phone Comparisons: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs LG G3

Introduction

Here we have the newest LG G3 – the first mass produced smartphone with a QHD display – battling the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and its new QHD display.  Both displays, while somewhat the same, are different in their execution – the LG G3 uses the LCD technology and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 uses their Super AMOLED technology.  We can argue all day over which is better and never agree with one another.  However, we can agree they are almost the same in size – the G3 at 5.5-inches and the Note 4 at 5.7-inches.

The 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage is the same in the LG G3 32GB model.  They both have room to expand the internal memory via a microSD Card slot.  The batteries are both removable and close in size with the G3 sporting a 3,000mAh versus the larger 3,220mAh of the Note 4.  Size wise, the Note 4 is only about 4-7mm larger in height and width, although the Galaxy Note 4 is slightly thinner at only 8.5mm…it does weigh in at 176 grams versus 149 grams for the LG G3.  The LG G3 came with Android 4.4.2 with their Optimus UI and the Note 4 comes with Android 4.4.4 and TouchWiz UI.

Take a look at the detailed specification sheet below so you can get a good idea of exactly how these two devices stand up to one another, then we will take a look at the individual devices and hope that will help us pick a winner.

Specifications

LG G3 vs Note 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung-Galaxy-Note-4-AH-1

The Galaxy Note 4 was one of “most anticipated devices” this year – would it be metal, would it have the QHD display, would it have the dimpled back of the Galaxy S5, would it have a two or three-sided display?  When finally unveiled at IFA Berlin, it was met quite favorably…it had the QHD display, it had the metal and sculptured frame, and it has faux leather, not the dimples, and Samsung surprised us by giving use TWO varieties – one with the normal display and one with two displays.

The Snapdragon 805 is the state of the art processor clocked at 2.7GHz with many technical improvements and a GPU that can handle any graphic you can throw at it.  The main camera is an improved 16MP with OIS for those of us with shaky hands and a 3.7MP Front-Facing Camera (FFC) with a wide-angle lens for great video chatting and fantastic selfies.

The Galaxy Note 4 has the S-Pen experience and software to utilize it, it also comes with an IR Blaster, Quick Charge, Fingerprint Scanner, Heart Rate Sensor, UV Sensor, and an Oxygen Saturation Monitor – are they all necessary…only you can be the judge.  The Note 4 comes with the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat with a little ‘kinder’ TouchWiz, but still too heavy for some tastes.

Prices have not been announced, but we are hoping it is the same as the Note 3…$299 for a two-year contract, but off contract, it could run you close to $1,000.

 LG G3

AH LG G3 2014 -7

The new LG G3 came out to a hoard of LG G2 fans waiting to see the new G3 – especially because the leaked pictures made it look like the back of the device was made from metal…it turns out it was plastic with a metallic finish.  Still, the curved sides and back made for a nice feel in your hand, although it was a little slippery.  The 5.5-inch LCD QHD display gives you a whopping 538 Pixels-Per-Inch (PPI)…slightly better than the slightly larger display on the Galaxy Note 4.  The Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz is a little older technology than the Snapdragon 805 in the Galaxy Note 4.

The cameras are about on par between each device – the main camera on the G3 uses a 13MP shooter with OIS+, Dual-LED and a laser auto-focus, not as many megapixels as the Note 4, but the Dual-LED flash and laser focus are nice features that the Note 4 does not have.  The 2.1MP FFC, used for video chatting and selfies, is lower than the 3.7MP of the Note 4.

The price was $199 on a two-year contract, but almost every carrier was giving deep discounts so you can get this great device at a decent price.

…And the Winner is…

Samsung-Galaxy-Note-4-AH-1-2

Summary

Beautiful display, faster processor, metal frame, faux leather and S-Pen functionality trump the LG G3’s  curved faux metal (less grip) design and laser auto-focus…although a great feature. The Galaxy Note 4 may have some features people find useless – fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor, UV sensor and blood oxygen saturation level – but others may applaud. The QHD Super AMOLED display is breathtaking with its high contrasts and its innovative 2.5D (slightly curved) Gorilla Glass to reduce glare. Samsung leads the way in perfecting and refining multitasking. The S-Pen adds another dimension to the device and the software support from Samsung and third parties continues to grow.

No, Samsung did nothing revolutionary with the Galaxy Note 4, but it has evolved into an extraordinary device and worthy of winning this comparison.  Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know what you think about these two great devices and which one you picked as winner…as always, we would love to hear from you.