Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3 competing for attention in Africa

Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3 are two models among the high end smartphones that are currently competing for attention in the African market. Both Sony and LG have put together quality devices that are very close in spec-to-spec match, but may appeal to customers with different tastes. If Sony Xperia Z2 stands out as a device with a style statement of power and strength, LG G3 seems a device designed with user experience and how-it-feels factor in the mind. Let us see how the spec-to-spec match unfolds, while we make sense of what the two established players may have had in their minds.   

In spite of having slightly larger stats, LG G3 (size: 146.3x74.6x8.9mm) weighs 149gms, about 14gms lesser than Sony Xperia Z2 (size: 146.8x73.3x8.2mm) that weighs 163gms, indicating the type and quality of materials used and perfection achieved. While LG's G3 comes with a plastic build trying to emulate a metallic back, Sony's Z2 comes in a full glass back and aluminium edges with claims to be completely dust and water proof. Sony Z2’s hard-edged rectangular shape may not appeal to some for the hand grip it allows, while LG’s G3, given its curved shape, may attract those more keen on how it feels in the hand experience. The choice is essentially between Sony Z2, a compact, handsome and a bit erect looking device that comes in black, white and purple, and LG G3 with its plastic body that feels more comfortable in hand and is available in great variety of colours such as metallic black, silky white, shine gold, moon violet, burgundy red and blue steel.

Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3 offer IPS-LCD capacitive touchscreen technology, but minor differences lie in display screen size and type. While Z2 provides a 5.2inch display with shatter proof glass technology, which seems a plus for those who tend to be a bit clumsy with their phones, G3 has a 5.5inch gorilla glass 3 display screen. The key difference is that LG G3 packs a pixel count of 2560x1440 that equals 538 ppi, making it one of the few smartphones to offer such high resolution and pixel density. Sony’s Z2 with 1920x1080 resolution with a pixel density of 424ppi seem to fill the gap by using Triluminous technology which apparently produces bold and clear images. However, with its sheer amount of pixels, LG’s G3 has a definite leg up on Sony’s Xperia Z2.

Both the devices run on Android OS (KitKat) v4.4.2 and are powered by a Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 central processing unit. However, while LG G3 clocks in a 2.5GHz processing power and a 2GB RAM, Sony Xperia Z2 is a close second with 2.3GHz but offers a higher 3GB RAM. In addition, both the devices have expandable memory up to 128 GB, a definite plus. On the battery front, Sony weighs over LG slightly: LG’s G3 has a removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery giving up to 21hours talk time on 3G and Sony’s Z2 has a non-removable Li-ion 3200 mAh battery that provides 19hours of talk time on 3G. Both the devices come very close at the performance level, where higher RAM may work to the advantage of Sony Z2.

Furthermore, LG G3 has a respectable 13MP primary camera with optimal image stabilisation, two-tone LED flash and a laser autofocus system, which helps the device to “lock” subjects more accurately. However, Sony’s Z2 has a whopping 20.7MP primary camera, an outright advantage. Both the devices have comparable secondary cameras of 2.1MP and 2.2MP respectively. However, Sony Xperia Z2’s powerful camera combined with its waterproof technology provides it a sure leg up over LG’s G3. Finally, we have also looked at the price tag in the Kenya market, where it seems Sony Xperia Z2 price has moved over time from over KSh48,000 to about KSh38,000, where as LG’s G3 is priced at around KSh41,000.

In the above context, customers may have to chose between a compact, handsome looking device with water proof technology and a very powerful rear camera in somewhat serious looking colours and a device with a more comfortable form to handle, a larger display screen with very high resolution and pixel density enhancing the viewing experience, whose colour range could even beat a peacock. It seems as if the real choice is between power and security on one hand and viewing experience, feel and comfort on the other hand.