LG Optimus G vs. Nexus 4: Budget-Friendly Phone Comparison

The LG Optimus G and the Nexus 4 are two of the most highly acclaimed Android smartphones of their time. Both devices were released in 2012 and offered cutting-edge features and performance. But how do they compare against each other? Let’s dive into the details.

Design

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G features a sleek and elegant design with a polycarbonate body and a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display. It has a slim profile of 8.9mm and weighs 131 grams, making it comfortable to hold and use.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4 has a more distinctive design with a curved glass back and a 4.7-inch AMOLED display. It’s slightly larger and heavier than the Optimus G, measuring 133.9mm x 68.7mm x 9.1mm and weighing 139 grams.

Display

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G’s 4.7-inch IPS LCD display has a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 312 ppi. It offers vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and good outdoor visibility.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4’s 4.7-inch AMOLED display has a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 320 ppi. It offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more saturated colors than the Optimus G’s LCD display.

Processor and Memory

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, paired with 2GB of RAM. This combination provides smooth performance for most tasks, including gaming and multitasking.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, paired with 2GB of RAM. It offers similar performance to the Optimus G, but may have a slight edge in certain benchmarks due to its use of a newer version of the Snapdragon S4 Pro.

Camera

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G has a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It takes detailed and sharp photos, even in low-light conditions.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4 has an 8-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It also takes good photos, but the lower resolution and lack of a dedicated camera button may limit its capabilities.

Software

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G originally ran on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but received updates to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It offers a customized user interface called Optimus UI, which adds features such as QSlide multitasking and QuickMemo note-taking.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4 was the first smartphone to run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. It received updates to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Android 4.4 KitKat, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. It offers a pure Android experience with no custom overlays.

Battery Life

LG Optimus G: The Optimus G has a 2,100mAh battery that provides good battery life. It can last for a full day of moderate use on a single charge.

Nexus 4: The Nexus 4 has a 2,100mAh battery that provides similar battery life to the Optimus G. It can also last for a full day of moderate use on a single charge.

Which One to Choose?

The LG Optimus G and the Nexus 4 are both excellent Android smartphones that offer great performance, features, and design. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences.

• If you prioritize a sleek design, a vibrant LCD display, and a powerful camera, the LG Optimus G is a great option.
• If you prefer a more distinctive design, a superior AMOLED display, and a pure Android experience, the Nexus 4 is the way to go.

Deciding Factors

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing between the LG Optimus G and the Nexus 4:

• Display: The Nexus 4’s AMOLED display offers superior contrast and colors compared to the Optimus G’s LCD display.
• Software: The Nexus 4 offers a pure Android experience with regular updates, while the Optimus G has a customized user interface and may receive updates less frequently.
• Camera: The Optimus G has a higher-resolution camera with optical image stabilization, while the Nexus 4 has a lower-resolution camera but still takes good photos.
• Design: The Optimus G is slimmer and lighter than the Nexus 4, while the Nexus 4 has a more distinctive curved glass back.

The Verdict: A Tie

Both the LG Optimus G and the Nexus 4 are outstanding Android smartphones that offer great value for their price. In terms of overall performance, features, and design, it’s a tie. The best choice for you will depend on your individual preferences and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which smartphone has a better display?
A: The Nexus 4’s AMOLED display offers superior contrast and colors compared to the Optimus G’s LCD display.

Q: Which smartphone receives more software updates?
A: The Nexus 4 receives more frequent and timely software updates than the Optimus G.

Q: Which smartphone has a better camera?
A: The Optimus G has a higher-resolution camera with optical image stabilization, while the Nexus 4 has a lower-resolution camera but still takes good photos.

Q: Which smartphone is more affordable?
A: Both smartphones were released at similar price points, but the Optimus G may be slightly more affordable in some markets.

Q: Which smartphone has a longer battery life?
A: Both smartphones have similar battery life, and can last for a full day of moderate use on a single charge.