Galaxy S6 Vs LG G4: Samsung's Failed Galaxy S5 Successor.

The LG G4 is a big deal. After producing brilliant under the radar smartphones in recent years like the G2, G3 and Nexus 5 (still the best Nexus phone) the G4 could be the model to capture public imagination. Why? Because it might just be a better Galaxy S5 successor than the troubled Galaxy S6…
Let me tell you why:
Four Reasons For
1. Design – Premium Build Quality Without Compromise
Samsung wisely upgraded the build quality of the Galaxy S6, but it did so by compromising features Galaxy S5 users love: the removable battery and expandable storage. By contrast LG also upped the G4’s build quality but kept both options.

(left to right) Galaxy S6, Galaxy S5, LG G4

How LG did this was simple: it made the removable back more premium. Leather is currently the top of the line finish (and provides better grip than the glass back of the Galaxy S6), but I’m sure many more options will follow.

The downside? Both the Galaxy S6 and G4 lack the S5’s water resistance. In addition the G4 is notably bigger than the Galaxy S6, though there is a very good reason for that (more later):

• Galaxy S5 – 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) and 145 g (5.11 oz)
• Galaxy S6 – 143.3 x 70.8 x 6.9 mm (5.64 x 2.79 x 0.27 in) and 132 g (4.65 oz)
• LG G4 – 148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 mm (5.86 x 3.00 x 0.39 in) and 155 g (5.47 oz)

LG G4 leather back finishes – image credit LG

2. Camera – Brilliant Meets Even Better
The Galaxy S6 has a game changing camera which steals the smartphone camera crown from Apple for the first time in years, but the LG G4 may have just ensured its stay at the top is a very short one:

• Galaxy S5 – 16 megapixel Samsung ISOCELL F2.2 sensor, DIS, LED flash, 4k video. Front facing 2MP camera, 1080p video
• Galaxy S6 – 16 megapixel Sony IMX240 sensor, F1.9, OIS, LED flash, 4K video. Front facing 5MP camera, 1080p video
• LG G4 – 16 megapixel sensor, F1.8, OIS, Dual LED flash, 4k video. Front facing 8MP camera, 1080p video

LG G4 has more control over images than the Galaxy S6 – image credit Colby Brown

Forbes’ camera expert Paul Monckton breaks down the big G4 wins over the S6, but in a nutshell the G4 sports f1.8 optics which take in marginally more light than the Galaxy S6′s f1.9, a huge 1/2.6″ sensor (notably compared to 1/3in in most phones, including the iPhone 6) plus has a marginally faster start time. It also offers more manual control and can shoot in RAW.
You’re going to be thrilled with both cameras, but early impressions are the LG G4 will take the prize.

Galaxy S6 remains superb with excellent detail, even in shadow areas – image credit Gordon Kelly

forbes.