Sony Xperia Z2 simply outshines LG Nexus 5

In the global smartphone industry, Sony and LG, are two leading players that have been consistently launching better-designed and technologically superior smartphones over the years. Therefore, we decided to do a spec-to-spec analysis of Sony Xperia Z2 and LG Nexus 5 to provide our readers some precise insights about the two devices and help them make a better-informed choice. 

Design and Viewing Experience

LG Nexus 5 comes in dimensions of 137.9x 69.2x 8.6mm and weighs 130g where as Sony Xperia Z2 comes in dimensions of 146.8x 73.3x 8.2mm and weighs 163g, which makes Xperia Z2 a bigger looking and relatively heavier device, though it is slightly thinner than Nexus 5. However, the display screen size, which is 5” for Nexus 5 and 5.2” for Xperia Z2, is about the same. Both devices have similar resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, but the difference lies in display technology; while Nexus 5 has a Full HD IPS display, Xperia Z2 comes with an advanced FULL HD Triluminos screen. This means that Sony Xperia Z2 offers slightly better quality imagery but for an extra weight of 33gm in your hands. Both the smartphones are available in black variant. In addition, Nexus 5 is also available in white and Xperia Z2 in purple.

Device Performance

In terms of processor, Sony Xperia Z2 powered by Qualcomm MSM8974AB 2.3GHz Quad-Core is more of less comparable with LG Nexus 5 that is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.26GHz Quad-Core. However, Xperia Z2 with 3GB RAM has a leg up over Nexus 5 which comes with 2GB RAM, which enables users to have a faster interface experience and less chances of the device slowing down. both the devices run on Android KITKAT, though Nexus 5 features Android 4.4.2 where as Sony Z2 lags behind with Android 4.4 version. Another similarity between both the devices is the internal storage of 16GB, but while Nexus 5 has no expandable memory, Xperia Z2 comes with the option of expandable memory up to 128GB through microSD. At the performance front, the key differentiators are the extra 1GB RAM that works in the favor of Xperia Z2 and OS upgradability option that works in the favor of Nexus 5.

Battery & Cameras

After RAM, the next big difference is in the battery capacity of the two devices, where Sony Xperia Z2 once again acquires a leg up with its battery capacity of 3200mAh over LG Nexus 5 that comes with the battery capacity 2300mAh. However, the biggest differentiator is the primary (rear) camera. While Nexus 5 comes with a decent primary camera of 8 MP, Xperia Z2 simply outshines Nexus with its 20.7 MP primary camera. The rear cameras in both the devices are pretty much the same, though Xperia with 2.2 MP is slightly better than Nexus 5 with 1.3 MP. 

Additional Features

Both the smartphones have Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/g/b/n/ac), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v4.0 and single SIM slot and support only Micro-SIM. In terms of connectivity, both smartphones are available in 2G, 3G and 4G depending on market.

The Bottom-Line

On the whole, Sony Xperia Z2 comes with bigger RAM, superior primary camera, larger battery capacity, expandable memory, slightly faster processor and larger display, where as LG Nexus 5 acquires a leg up over Xperia only due to the advantage of upgrading the device to a more advanced OS. Finally, just to have a comparative indication, we looked at the prices of the two devices in the Indian market. As expected, in India, both Sony Xperia Z2 and LG Nexus 5 is priced at around INR 30,000.

Given several aforementioned advantages, Sony Xperia Z2 simply outshines LG Nexus 5, especially considering the fact that the two devices are in somewhat similar price range.  

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Sony Xperia Z3+ and LG G4: Differently close

Thinking about upgrading your smartphone? LG and Sony have released a strong line-up of their flagship android mobiles, namely the LG G4 and Sony Xperia Z3+. If you’re confused about which one to splurge on, we have rounded up these two for a spec-to-spec comparative review so you can make a well-informed decision. Read on!

Beginning with the design of both the models, Sony’s Z3+ comes in dimensions of 146.3 x 71.9 x 6.9mm and weighs 144g whereas LG’s G4 is 148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 mm and weighs 155g, making LG G4 slightly bigger looking and heavier too. LG G4 is available in two different back materials that is, real leather (black, brown, red) and plastic (grey, white) with curved edges, it has also opted to shift the control buttons to the back panel instead of the usual side panel. On the other hand, Sony’s Xperia Z3+ is comprised of a waterproof and dust-proof glass and aluminium frame with a rectangular shape and comes in four colors, including black, copper, white and aqua.

Moving on to display, LG G4 has a screen size of 5.5’’ with an IPS LCD and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection while the Sony Xperia Z3+ gives us the usual 5.2’’ IPS LCD display with scratch resistant screen technology and an oleophobic coating.  The LG G4 packs resolution of 2560 x 1440 that equals 538 ppi, which makes it one of the few phones to offer such high resolution and pixel density. Sony’s Z3+ has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 with a pixel density of 424ppi and makes use of their proprietary TRILUMINOS technology that produces bold and clear images. Given its larger display screen and considerably higher resolution, enhancing the quality of visual experience, LG G4 acquires a certain edge over Sony’s Z3+, which at least in screen size is not far behind.

Both models run on the Android OS, while LG G4 runs on v5.1, Sony’s Z3+ runs on v5.0. LG’s G4 is powered by a Hexa-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 central processing unit, and clocks in 1.8 GHz’s of processing power with a 3GB RAM, Sony’s Z3+ runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 with Octa-Core and a 2.0 GHz processing power and an equal 3GB RAM. Therefore, at the chipset front, both the models are neck to neck.

Coming to the memory, both have 32 GB of internal memory, however LG G4 is expandable to a massive 2 TB of external memory, although how this would affect the performance and smoothness of the smartphone remains to be seen. On the other hand, Sony Xperia Z3+ is non expandable. Therefore, the choice could depend on individual requirement, although both the models provide same ready availability of memory.

Furthermore, while LG’s G4 has upped their rear camera to 16MP, which is impressive, Sony Xperia Z3+ takes a leap with 20.7MP rear camera, however, LG G4 makes it up in the front camera with 8MP, which in case of Sony Xperia Z3+ is 5MP. Both models provide optimal image stabilisation, two-tone LED flash. Our conclusion is that the Sony’s slightly stronger rear camera and waterproof technology may have provided it a leg up, but if you are looking for superior selfie LG G4 has an edge. On the battery front, LG’s G4 has a removable 3000mAh battery with Sony’s Xperia Z3+ close behind with a 2930mAh non-removable battery, which is almost comparable.

Therefore, while LG G4 has an edge in terms of offering better visual experience, a massive expandable memory, a superior front camera and a slightly more advanced operating system, Sony Xperia Z3+ tries to make up with a superior rear camera, water and dust proof glass and a relatively sleeker look. Considering that the two models are priced about the same, the cost tag may not be a deciding factor while making a choice between the two devices.

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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.

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