The high-end smartphone market keeps getting new and classy handsets, with the latest being the Google Pixel XL and LG V20.
The Google Pixel XL boasts a nicely polished glass and metal design while the LG V20 has an aircraft-grade aluminum material that house the most recent hardware specs. You will come across roomy, QHD displays, amazing cameras, the latest software as well as the fastest memory, among other perks. The two have just about the same price, but this means it is the first time a Google phone comes with a price tag similar to an LG flagship phone.
If you have been in the market for a device that boasts a pure Android experience and offers high-end specs and features, the Google Pixel XL is what you should be looking at. However, if you love listening to music on your phone as well as being the photogenic type, the LG V20 is definitely your fit. But what else is there between these two great creations from Google and LG?
Google Pixel XL
With a screen size of 5.5 inches, the Google Pixel XL is slightly smaller than last year’s Nexus 6P, but it keeps the same QHD AMOLED screen and 1440p resolution. This gives it a robust pixel density of 531ppi. Under the hood, the Pixel XL has the fastest smartphone processor in the shape of Snapdragon 821, but it keeps the same clock speed of 2.15GHz as its predecessor. There is 4GB of DDR4 RAM alongside two storage options of 32GB and 128GB. However, there is no room for microSD card storage. To keep it alive, there is a 3450mAh non-removable battery unit that supports fast charging technology.
Google went for a 12.3MP snapper on the back of the Pixel XL – a lens that features an aperture of f/2.0, PDAF, dual-tone LED flash as well as EIS, but there is no room for OIS. The front part has an 8MP sensor with a smaller aperture of f/2.4, a setup that promises great selfies and amazing video calls. Even though there is no OIS on the main camera of the Google Pixel XL, the camera has already received a DxOMark rating of 89 – the highest ever for a smartphone camera.
There is a lower IP53 rating for dust and water resistance on the Pixel XL, which makes it slightly vulnerable. There is a fingerprint on the back as well as the newer Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Available in Really Blue, Very Silver, and Quite Black colors, the pricing of the Google Pixel XL starts at $769, with the high-end variant demanding an extra $100.
LG V20
LG V20 picked up from where the V10 had left but retained some its unique elements. There are two display screens on the phone, with the main screen featuring a 5.7-inch size alongside QHD resolution of 1440p. As for the secondary screen, it has 2.1 inches of size and you get a smaller resolution of 160p. Nonetheless, both screens deliver the same pixel density of 513ppi. The secondary display works in the same way as the Always On display found on the likes of LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7.
Under the hood, you get a Snapdragon 820 SoC that has a maximum clock speed of 2.15GHz. This chipset is supported by a DDR4 RAM of 4GB in size and there is 64GB of onboard storage. Apparently, the device also offers a smaller unit of 32GB and there is room for microSD card expansion that can handle up to 256GB.
As noted earlier, the LG V20 is meant for the photogenic type. This is true thanks to the dual-lens setup on the back that features a 16MP standard lens and another wide-angle lens of 8MP, similar to what the LG G5 offers. The main sensor has an f/1.8 aperture while the second sensor has f/2.4. Still, you get the likes of OIS, PDAF, 2x optical zoom, dual-tone LED flash and geotagging, among others. As for the front part, there is a 5MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.9.
To keep the phone alive, the LG V20 has a 3200mAh unit and it keeps the removable aspect alongside support for Quick Charge 3.0 technology. For music lovers, there are four DACs, which makes it the only phone in the market with such capabilities. The device also comes with an amazing EQ that features B&O Play-certified left/right balance controls.
While there is no IP rating on the LG V20, you get MIL-STD-810G certification, like the rugged Samsung Galaxy S7 Active. Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, you’ll need a whopping $800 to get your hands on this gizmo. It is available in Silver, Titan, and Pink colors.
So, which one will you go for? Please share your thoughts in the comments.