We compare the freshly-launched LG G6 Plus with two other Plus-sized smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus.
We already love the premium LG G6 flagship phone, which boasts an incredible media punch as well as a fantastic dual-lens camera and impressively compact design. However, LG apparently wasn’t entirely satisfied with the original handset as the Korean giant has just released an updated model called the LG G6 Plus (or LG G6+ as it’s officially known).
The Plus version of the LG G6 confusingly isn’t any bigger than the first model, unlike Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus and the mighty Galaxy S8 Plus. However, the specs are more premium and let’s face it, the standard G6 is already pretty big – in fact, it boasts a larger screen than even the Plus version of the iPhone 7.
So which massive 2017 flagship phone is best for you, the LG G6 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus? Here’s our full comparison review to help you decide.
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Specs
| Phone | Apple iPhone 7 Plus | LG G6 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S8+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size & type | 5.5-inch AMOLED | 5.7-inch IPS LCD | 6.2-inch Super AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 | 2880×1440 | 2960×1440 |
| Water resistant? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint sensor? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Snapdragon 821 | Exynos 8895 |
| Memory | 3GB | 6GB | 4/6GB |
| Storage | 32/128/256GB | 128GB | 64/128GB |
| MicroSD? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 2900mAh | 3300mAh | 3500mAh |
| Rear camera | 12MP (Dual lens) f/1.8 | 13MP (Dual lens) f/1.8 & f/2.4 (wide-angle) | 12MP f/1.7 |
| Front camera | 8MP f/2.4 | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/1.7 |
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Design
LG’s G6 Plus is strangely no bigger than the original phone, although at 5.7-inches that’s no bad thing. Any bigger and it might be unwieldy, although Samsung has done a great job with its insanely massive 6.2-inch Galaxy S8 Plus. Despite sporting the kind of screen size you’d expect from a tablet, Samsung’s mega-phone is actually quite easy to handle thanks to the unique edge-to-edge finish.
In fact, the LG G6 Plus, Galaxy S8 Plus and Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus all end up roughly the same size, despite the clear difference in display sizes.
With Apple’s handset you now get a choice between the standard matt metal finish (which we all know and love) or that new glossy surfacing, which is sadly a little prone to scratching. Meanwhile Samsung’s S8 Plus handset sports one of the most alluring, original and gorgeous designs of any phone in 2017. That bezel-free frame and pleasing combination of glass and metal really is a step beyond.
All three of these phones are water resistant, so you can get them submerged in water for up to half an hour with no lasting damage.
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Screen and media
If you want a smartphone for watching movies and TV shows on the move, any of these mobiles are well up to the task.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus’ enormous 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display was truly built for enjoying media on the go. Vibrant colour reproduction and that 18.5:9 widescreen aspect ratio is matched by the LG G6 Plus’ panel, while the ‘Quad HD+’ resolution keeps visuals super-sharp.
Both the G6 Plus and S8 Plus also support HDR video playback, with improved colour ranges and contrast levels. The result is incredibly lifelike images, when viewing HDR media.
Apple’s device isn’t quite as strong in this department, although it’s certainly no slouch. You still get a spacious 5.5-inch screen, with less detailed Full HD visuals – still more than up to the task of making movies and photos look great. Colours are more realistic, while there’s no support for HDR video.
When it comes to storage space for that media collection, the Galaxy S8 Plus or the LG G6 Plus are once again our pick of these three mobiles. While the iPhone 7 Plus comes with up to 256GB of built-in storage, there is no option to expand this space using a microSD memory card.
Meanwhile the Samsung and LG phones come with up to 128GB of storage – half the max amount of the iPhone. Yet they also boast microSD expandability, so you can carry a massive movie and music selection and shoot plenty of video on the move.
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Features and OS
One of the biggest and most obvious differences between these three Plus-sized mobiles is the operating system. The iPhone 7 Plus runs Apple’s own iOS 10, while the S8 Plus and LG’s G6 Plus offer up Google’s Android Nougat. Both systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, although Android is the more open system – which also offers greater customisation.
Still, both iOS and Android now offer side-by-side multi-tasking and the ability to get real-time information such as the latest headlines on your desktops. You also get a smart assistant in each case, although Samsung’s Bixby and LG’s Google Assistant could be a leap over Apple’s Siri with their context-sensitive smarts – something Apple is working on for its own AI.
For more info, check out our iOS guide and Android guide.
With the S8 Plus and LG G6 Plus, you get both a fingerprint sensor and iris/facial scanning for securely unlocking your phone. Apple’s TouchID sensor is available on the iPhone 7 Plus to read your prints, while Apple and Samsung both deliver strong bonus security features. This includes file encryption and remote access in case the device is lost.
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Performance and battery
LG’s G6 Plus update sticks with the same Snapdragon 821 processor, although bumps the available memory to 6GB for even smoother running. It’s a shame that LG didn’t bump this up to the newer Snapdragon 835 chipset, of course, but you’ll still get smooth running at all times.
Packed inside the Galaxy S8 Plus is the latest premium Exynos processor, giving you blistering fast everyday performance. However, the iPhone 7 Plus is also incredibly fast thanks to Apple’s own A10 Fusion processor.
You can blast through intensive games on any of these phones and none of them will show any signs of ageing for some time, so you can rest assured that your new blower will be a long-term investment (assuming it doesn’t end up toppling off the top deck of a bus or anything).
The S8 Plus boasts a much bigger battery than Apple’s blower and marginally beats the G6 Plus’ cell, but you can expect roughly a day of moderate to heavy use per charge – the same as the iPhone 7 Plus. The original G6 offered up at least a day and a half of life per charge, so we’re hopeful that the new G6 Plus model will too.
Only Samsung and LG’s flagship supports wireless charging out of the box, although we’re not sure if the G6 Plus’ wireless charging feature will make it across to the UK. Stay tuned for full info.
For VR fans, the Galaxy S8 Plus supports Samsung’s own Gear VR platform. This offers a strong selection of great VR games and immersive experiences out of the box, which the S8 Plus’ QHD+ screen makes the most of. LG’s G6 Plus and the iPhone 7 Plus support VR through Google’s Cardboard platform and other online VR content, although this isn’t as strong right now.
LG G6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: Cameras
The LG G6 Plus boasts the same dual-lens camera of the original G6, so we know exactly what to expect here.
The first shooter is an f/1.8 aperture lens with built-in Optical Image Stabilisation and Phase Detection Autofocus, to quickly snap onto your target and keep them nice and sharp. Right beside that standard lens is a second wide-angle snapper which has an f/2.4 aperture. This can be swapped to at any time, to shoot a complete picture of whatever’s in front of you.
Apple matches the G6 Plus’ double lenses with its own dual-lens setup. However, this time around the secondary lens offers 3x optical zoom rather than a wide-angle view. In other words, you can get closer to your subject while maintaining your distance.
Apple’s f/1.8 aperture lens offers improved low-light performance compared with older models, although it’s just about as strong as the G6 Plus and weaker than Samsung’s phone. You also get Optical Image Stabilisation and PDAF for a fast focus action. And like the others, you can shoot up to 4K resolution video, complete with time lapse and slow-mo video support.
By comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 Plus offers up a single 12-megapixel lens, with f/1.7 aperture for seriously impressive night shots – the best of the bunch, in fact. Dual Pixel focusing tech means the shutter speed is incredibly nippy, and you can again shoot 4K home movies.
Take a look at our iPhone 7 Plus camera review, Samsung Galaxy S8+ camera review and LG G6 camera review for photo and video samples and our full analysis.
Check out our iPhone 7 and 7 Plus hub, Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus hub and LG G6 hub for more on all of these hot 2017 flagship phones.
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