Samsung Galaxy S3 vs LG Optimus G spec showdown: Longtime rivals duke it out

Samsung’s Galaxy S3 has managed to make itself the go-to phone when people look for an Android handset. Making its way up the sales charts on the back of its gorgeous Super AMOLED display, impressive processing power, and solid reputation of its predecessors, the Galaxy S3 snagged a top spot for Android-powered handsets right out of the gate. In a market marked by tons of competition though, there is someone vying for the throne. LG, Samsung’s South Korean rival, is hoping its Optimus G is capable of doing just that. With 2GB RAM and processor speed that matches the Galaxy S3′s offering and an HD screen of its own with the True HD IPS Plus Display, LG is making quite the case for itself. Take a look at how all the intangibles add up and see which phone best fits your needs.

Read our full reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the LG Optimus G for a more in-depth look at each option.

What it means: LG clearly has a contender when it comes to the numbers. But with any boxing match, the tale of the tape only tells so much. You’d be best served taking each phone in hand and playing around with the UI. Both phones run on a modified version of Android 4.0, and those tweaks may be a deciding factor for you in one feels more natural than the other. You may also want to consider your carrier, because the Optimus G base model comes with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, but AT&T has neutered the device and dropped it to a standard 8-megapixel camera. The Optimus G ups the ante on the processor, jumping to a quad-core compared to the Galaxy S3′s dual-core. However, Samsung’s offering has the benefit of a sizable market share and some impressive NFC features that only work if two people have Samsung phones. If sheer power is your biggest sales point, consider the Optimus G, but if features outweigh numbers on your scale, the Galaxy S3 may be the way to go.