Well, it’s official. LG finally unveiled the much-rumored LG G3 smartphone at a press event in London and New York City. A successor to the lauded LG G2, the G3 touts more than a few surprises. It’s a welcome update, one additionally equipped with intuitive camera functionality and a quicker processor that render the device a heavyweight among current offerings from the likes of Apple, Samsung, and HTC. That said, how does the device compare when stacked up against Apple’s most formidable smartphone, the iPhone 5S? We may not know pricing until the device hits the South Korean market, but in the meantime, check out the quick direct spec comparison below for a side-by-side breakdown of the two competing offerings and their respective hallmarks.
Furthermore, check out our LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comparison, our LG G3 and LG G2 comparison, and our LG G3, Galaxy S5, and HTC One M8 comparison for a closer look at how the G3 sits among the competition.
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iPhone 5S  |
LG G3  |
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| Size | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 (mm) | 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 (mm) |
| Weight | 112g | 149g |
| Screen | 4.0-inch LCD | 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS |
| Resolution | 1136×640 pixels | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
| OS | iOS 7.1 | Android 4.4.2 KitKat |
| Storage | 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB | 16GB or 32GB |
| SD Card Slot | No | Yes, microSD slot (up to 128GB) |
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip | Quad-core Snapdragon 801 |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB or 3GB DDR3 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ | Wi-Fi, 4G, LTE, HSPA+, NFC |
| Camera | Front 1.2MP, Rear 8MP | Front 2.1M, Rear 13MP |
| Motion Processor | M7 chip | None |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, Bluetooth Smart Ready (AptX) |
| Battery | 1570mAh | 3000mAh, removable |
| Charger | Lightning connector | Micro USB, wireless |
| Marketplace | Apple App Store | Google Play Store |
| Ave. Price | $200+ | TBA |
| Availability | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mob | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| DT Review | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 |
Display & Power
Simply put, the LG G3 is faster and more powerful than the 5S in multiple ways. The quad-core, 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor represents a modest update from processor adorning the G2, with proven track record for speed. Moreover, it’s available with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM, easily trumping the iPhone 5S’. However, the smartphones are by no means created equal, despite similar capabilities in connectivity and design. The two devices run separate operating systems — Android KitKat and iOS 7, receptively. The iPhone may be weaker, but its apps are custom-designed to work with it. The iPhone also offers an advanced motion processor and external fingerprint scanner. The G3 on the other hand, makes up for the lack of the aforementioned components with NFC capabilities, expandable storage options, and a battery coupled with nearly twice the longevity.
Design
One of the first critiques to come to mind when talking the G3 is its behemoth size. LG’s offering is substantially larger than Apple’s, weighing more than 45 grams more than the iPhone and offering a 5.5-inch display capable of showcasing a spectacular pixel resolution of 2560 x 1440. It’s impressive, particularly when combined with the device’s curved exterior and surprisingly attractive polycarbonate design, and offers more realistic color depiction than most modern smartphones. The iPhone 5S likely still sits more comfortably in most hands than the G3, and though the latter device is available in a slew of colors, Apple’s flagship device is currently limited to three choices (black, white, and gold). Neither phone is devoid of exterior buttons, but the G3 conveniently places a sole sleep-wake button on the back of the device instead of lining the side and top exterior akin to Apple.
Camera
Like the display, the G3 exceeds the iPhone 5S’ camera in every way imaginable. Both the 13-megapixel front-facing and 2.1-megapixel rear camera on the G3 are nearly double that of the iPhone 5S, and Laser Auto Focus and Optical Image Stabilization offer quicker focusing and enhanced stability in low-light conditions. Laser Auto Focus measures the distance between the camera and the subject you’re photographing, and OIS works to eliminate blurry photos if situations where you’re forced to move unexpectedly.
Furthermore, the G3 offers a dual-LED flash, 4K video recording, a wide aperture on the front-facing camera, and innate compatibility with gesture controls. Apple’s built-in cameras, though capable, have never been Apple’s strong suit — and they certainly don’t allow you to capture a selfie by simply clenching your fist in front of the camera. Still, we can also expect Apple to implement higher-quality cameras and more advance features alongside the rumored iPhone 6.
Conclusion:
When comparing the flagship handsets from Apple and LG, it’s important to remember that they run on different operating systems. Finding the right mobile ecosystem right for you is equally important as finding the device with the right internal hardware. Nonetheless, the G3 outperforms the 5S in nearly every category. The G3’s quick processor and improved camera give it an advantage over the 5s, as does its pixel-packed display and its ability to accept external storage via its equipped MicroSD card slot. The 3G’s high-resolution display may not actually make a noticeable difference in real-world scenarios, but then again, there’s no denying it’s a welcome addition to an already-capable smartphone. Now it’s just a matter of price (which LG has yet to announce).
The LG G3 has been confirmed by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Android phone went on sale Wednesday, May 28, in South Korea, with an expected global launch in June 2014.
