LG G3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S4: What We Know So Far

With the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 both available throughout the United States and around the globe consumers are starting to look at what else is on the horizon, and one in particular is the upcoming LG G3.

The new LG G3 will officially be announced and revealed to the world later this month, and all the reports and rumors we’ve heard for the past few months will finally be silenced. The phone is shaping up to be an excellent option, and for those who’ve yet to decide on a new phone for 2014, the LG G3 may be worth looking at.

Read: LG G3: 6 Things We Know So Far

The Samsung Galaxy S5 was announced in February and the global launch was in early April, and even though it’s an excellent option, many previous Samsung buyers may be waiting for something else. The Galaxy S4 was one of the most popular smartphones of 2013, sold millions and millions, but the Galaxy S5 may not be a worthy update in some consumers minds.

For those enjoying the Samsung Galaxy S4 but don’t feel the Galaxy S5 is worth the switch, here we’ll detail how the Galaxy S4 flagship from last year compares to the upcoming LG G3.

While most of the details and information below about the LG G3 are based on rumors, most of them have been mirrored by multiple different sources and outlets, not to mention enough hard evidence has appeared over the past few weeks to suggest most of it is accurate.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is still one of the best phones available today, but even the best phones get replaced by something bigger, or better, or faster. Technology moves quick in the mobile world, and the new LG G3 aims to offer a few things even the Samsung Galaxy S5 couldn’t, which makes it an excellent choice for those looking to move on past the Galaxy S4 and into something else.

Design

The design of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is extremely similar to the Galaxy S5 announced this year, which could be one more reason as to why many users are looking for something new and different. This is exactly where the LG G3 comes into play. While we won’t have a brushed aluminum unibody frame like the HTC One M8 or iPhone 6, the LG G3 has a few important design features worth talking about.

Most important is probably the 5.5-inch Quad HD display, but more on that below. Another key selling point for the LG G3 is the rear-mounted buttons. Rather than a traditional and rather boring side power and volume rocker control layout, LG took a different approach with the LG G2 last year. Mounting the volume up/down rocker on the back with a dedicated power button in the middle. This was located right where many phone users hold their index finger while gripping a smartphone, and it actually makes a lot of sense.

The image above is one of many leaks as of late showing off the LG G3. You can clearly see the aluminum power button is surrounded by the volume keys, and there’s a nice indent which will likely be included so users can swipe their finger on the power button, as rumors suggest a fingerprint scanner will be included.

Another important design choice is the extremely thin bezels. Looking at the LG G3 you’ll see almost all screen, all of that 5.5-inch HD display, and barely any plastic bezels. The Galaxy S4 was great in this regard too, and had slim bezels around the screen, but the Galaxy S5 took a step back. Likely to help with the IP67 certification and water proof features, the Galaxy S5 has a thick bezel around the screen that is a turn off to many. Compare the bezel on the devices below. The Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and LG G3.

Overall the LG G3 will be larger in size than the Galaxy S4 due to a 5-inch screen vs the LG G3 5.5-inch display, but the thin bezels and sleek design should keep that to a minimum. We haven’t seen comparison photos next to another device yet, but many assume the LG G3 won’t be much bigger physically. We’ll have to wait and see.

Display

The second biggest difference between these phones (and between the Galaxy S5) is the display. LG has an industry leading 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD display with over 530 pixels per inch packed into the tiny LG G3. Compare that to the 1920 x 1080p HD screen on the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5, and there’s no comparison. The Galaxy S5 has one of the best displays on the market, but it looks like LG is aiming directly at that with the G3 launch.

All the rumors we heard earlier this year had the Galaxy S5 employing a similar Quad HD display, but that never happened. Instead LG will make the biggest leap regarding hardware and technology out of the few devices released so far in 2014, which should put it on many consumers radar. The G2 had a great design, new buttons on the back, and stunning battery life, and the LG G3 looks to continue that trend.

This week LG confirmed the 2560 x 1440 Quad HD display was coming to the LG G3, but we’ve seen various leaks that have confirmed it well ahead of their announcement. We’re expecting it to be one of the best displays ever on a mobile device, and possibly the best inside of 2014, but we’ll have to wait until later this month to finally see.

Specs

While specs aren’t the most important factor for most consumers, getting a device that is up to date, fast, and will be supported for years to come is still extremely important. That’s why having the LG G3 with some of the newest tech is a good thing. The Galaxy S4 is no slouch, and comes with a fast quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and is an excellent smartphone, but it’s slightly lacking for 2014.

Here’s the rundown of what the LG G3 should offer, based on rumors and some reliable leaks, then the Galaxy S4 below.

LG G3 Specs

• 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 2k QHD display
• 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 805 with 3GB of RAM (or Snapdragon 801)
• 32GB internal storage (Micro-SD included)
• 13 Megapixel camera with OIS+, 2MP front
• Android 4.4.2 KitKat
• Rear mounted buttons, Dual flash, Infrared laser for camera features
• Fingerprint sensor for security and apps
• IP67 dust and water resistant
• 3,200 mAh battery (wireless charging)

Galaxy S4 Specs

• 4.99-inch 1920 x 1080p HD AMOLED display
• 1.9 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 800 with 2GB of RAM
• 16GB internal storage (Micro-SD expansion)
• 13 Megapixel camera and 2MP front shooter
• Android 4.4.2 KitKat with TouchWiz
• Infrared port for remote
• 2.600 mAh battery

Without getting into it too much, there’s an obvious increase in overall specs and technology here, something that even the Galaxy S5 can’t compare with. So while all three devices are excellent choices, the LG G3 could be a better move for Galaxy S4 owners than some of the current or other upcoming devices.

In the end both phones are fast, fluid, and will be receiving updates for the foreseeable future, but the LG G3 should have an extra year of support given the later release date. That brings us to our next point.

Release Date

There are still a lot of things we don’t know about the LG G3, even though we’ve received countless leaks over the past month. One thing that is still somewhat unclear is the release date, although we do have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

The LG G3 will be announced and confirmed to the world on May 27th in an event in London, NY, and California. The company sent invites out teasing the next “G release” and flagship smartphone, and we’ll know everything come the end of the month. That isn’t all though. Last week the company confirmed the LG G3 will be released in the United States and around the globe before the end of June. Stating it will arrive before the end of Q2, which is the end of June.

That being said, we’ve heard countless rumors suggesting the LG G3 will be the biggest launch in LG Mobile history, and that they’re aiming to release the phone on all five major US carriers within the first two weeks of June. Meaning we could have less than a month to wait before it’s in our hands.

Read: LG G3 Rumors Aim for Summer Release

Lately we’ve even seen leaks suggesting the device could arrive with an aluminum variant, but that’s yet to be confirmed. The LG G3 will undoubtedly be an impressive smartphone, but will it be enough that Galaxy S4 owners who’ve had the device for a year will make the switch? It’s hard to guess.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has already been updated to Android 4.4.2 KitKat, and is still an excellent options for any and all smartphone buyers or owners. That said, the LG G3 has a lot to offer, brand new features we’ve never seen on a smartphone in the US, and surely a design that could turn some heads.

More details should be arriving before the official May 27th reveal, and we’ll be live with all the information and photos as soon as we know more.