We compare the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the LG G6, two of the biggest new flagship phones of 2017, to see what the difference is. Whether you’re after a portable media machine or the best smartphone camera around, here’s how the Galaxy S8 and LG G6 stack up.
Samsung just launched its mighty Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus flagship phones, boasting updated specs and an all-new camera experience fresh for 2017. If you’ve read our hands-on Galaxy S8 review and Galaxy S8 Plus review, you’ll know we’re already massive fans of these premium devices. Boasting an impressive bezel-less design, stunning HDR-enabled screen and upgraded camera tech, the S8 and S8 Plus are already shaping up to be two of the best blowers of the year.
But Samsung’s devices are far from guaranteed that ‘best phone’ Recombu award. After all, we saw some truly impressive new mobile tech launched at MWC 2017, including LG’s latest flagship handset. The LG G6 boasts a beautiful widescreen QHD+ display with HDR support just like the S8, as well as a feature-packed dual-lens camera and premium specs to match the S8.
So how does the LG G6 compare to the Samsung Galaxy S8, and which smartphone is best for you? Here’s our full G6 vs S8 comparison review.
Read next: Galaxy S8 vs S8 Plus vs S7 vs S7 Edge, what’s the difference?
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: Specs
| Phone | LG G6 | Samsung Galaxy S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size & type | 5.7-inch Full Vision | 5.8-inch Super AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 2880×1440 | 2960×1440 |
| Water resistant? | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint sensor? | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Snapdragon 821 | Exynos |
| Memory | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32/64GB | 64GB |
| MicroSD? | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 3300mAh | 3000mAh |
| Rear camera | 13MP f/1.8 + 13MP f/2.4 Wide | 12MP f/1.7 |
| Front camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/1.7 |
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: Design
Both the Galaxy S8 and LG G6 are big, meaty handsets, sporting rather large displays. Samsung’s smartphone has a marginally bigger panel at 5.8-inches, compared with the 5.7-inch G6, but it’s also the more compact and lighter device here. That’s thanks to the seriously attractive and great-feeling design work, which has the screen curve around the edges of the phone and stretch near top to bottom. There’s no wasted space and the S8 really is comfortable to clutch and operate.
That said, LG has done a great job with the G6 too. Once again that screen stretches close to every edge, with little in the way of wasted real estate. Rounded edges fit your palm in a pleasing fashion, while stretching your thumb to the top of the screen to drag down the notifications panel is just about manageable.
Both phones are water resistant and made of tough stuff, to survive a fair it of punishment. Those glass surfaces can be rapped pretty hard without leaving a mark, although we recommend buffing them up regularly to clear those greasy finger marks.
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: Screen and media
If you’re after a feature-packed portable media machine, either the LG G6 or the Samsung Galaxy S8 will do the job nicely.
Both handsets sport a widescreen display, with an almost identical aspect ratio. This is 18:9 in the G6’s case, and 18.5:9 on the Galaxy S8. They’re pretty much the same size – in other words, blooming massive – and boast the same crisp QHD+ resolution. You can expect vibrant visuals that really stand out, no matter if you’re browsing photos or enjoying HD movies.
LG and Samsung have both added support for HDR video playback too, offering a certain degree of future-proofing. On the Samsung this is Mobile HDR, while LG’s G6 offers Dolby Vision support. In both cases you can enjoy improved contrast levels and a wider colour gamut, compared with most other smartphones. Supported content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other providers should be rolling out soon.
Got a massive media collection? Good news, then. Either phone here offers microSD memory card support, for carrying around hundreds of albums and high-def movies.
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: OS and features
Both of these flagship phones rock Android Nougat, with their own unique look and feel courtesy of the individual manufacturers.
The Galaxy S8 offers Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay, which adds plenty of bonus features. For instance you have built-in support for the Gear VR platform, which offers a strong selection of virtual reality games and experiences. Samsung has also added a one-touch virtual assistant called Bixby, who boasts context-sensitive smarts. This could prove a step above Google’s Assistant AI, found on the LG G6 – only in-depth testing will prove for certain, of course.
As for the LG G6, you yet again get a selection of extra features stacked on top of Android. These include some handy resource management tools, along with the ability to individually allocate a memory ceiling to each app. You also have full customisation control over your notification bar, virtual on-screen buttons and pretty much every other aspect of the G6’s interface.
Security conscious users will be glad to hear of the fingerprint scanners on the S8 and G6, pretty much a staple feature of every smartphone these days. On both phones it’s hidden away around the rear. LG also offers its simple Knock Code feature on the G6, allowing users to unlock their phones with a number of specific taps on the screen. However, Samsung goes one better with its built-in iris scanner, housed above the display. This can be used to unlock the phone even when your hands are wet or dirty, and as it’s infra-red, it even works in the dark.
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: Performance and battery
Samsung’s latest Exynos processor is crammed inside the S8’s gorgeous frame and our hands-on session showed this flagship handset boasts plenty of power to spare. You shouldn’t see any kind of slowdown any time soon. Likewise, the LG G6 sports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 chipset, which again provides premium performance.
As for battery tech, the S8 packs a 3000mAh cell while the G6 goes one further with a 3300mAh battery. You can expect at least a day of moderate use between charges, although we’ll be testing this out fully for our in-depth reviews.
The LG G6 shuns wireless charging, so you’ll have to plug in a Type-C USB cable to get it powered back up. In contrast, the Galaxy S8 can be recharged either via Type-C or wirelessly. However, both phones support fast charging, so you’re not hanging around waiting for those beefy cells to refill. The LG G6 uses Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 tech, for a half charge in roughly 35 minutes and full charge in an hour and a half. Meanwhile the Galaxy S8 uses Samsung’s own fast charge feature which yields similar results.
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: Cameras
When you pay top dollar for a new smartphone, you’ll almost certainly want one of the best mobile cameras money can buy. Luckily both the Galaxy S8 and the LG G6 boast some seriously premium camera tech packed into those sexy frames.
The S8 doesn’t stray far from the excellent snapper found in the Galaxy S7, and for good reason. This 12-megapixel f/1.7 aperture lens should prove dependable in pretty much any conditions, complete with OIS and Dual Pixel autofocus as before. Basically, you can expect sharp, great-looking photos pretty much all of the time, while the S8 also offers up to 4K resolution video recording.
LG has gone for a dual-lens rear camera instead, with one of those lenses offering a wide-angle view of the world. The standard 13-megapixel lens has built-in OIS and is also impressively fast to focus, while the f/1.8 aperture helps to produce some attractive enough night shots. You again have the option to shoot 4K video, as well as capturing GIFs and funky montage pics.
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