Choosing the right phone for you is all about the experience that fits your needs, and if you’re looking at the G4 or the Turbo 2 you’ve got a lot of options to weigh.
LG and Motorola have a history of approaching the process of making Android phones from two wildly different perspectives, and that has never been more externally evident than right now. The LG G4 and Motorola Droid Turbo 2 couldn’t be more different on the outside, and it’s clear these two phones are targeting different kinds of users with the features packed in by their respective creators.
Here’s a quick look at the LG G4 and Motorola Droid Turbo 2 side by side, to help illustrate how different these slabs of plastic, metal, and glass actually are.
The first thing everyone notices about the LG G4 is the Rear Key, the unique placement of power and volume keys on the back of the phone. Some folks love those buttons just under the camera, others can’t stand them. LG’s justification for the design is it allows for less bezel on the sides so the front of the phone can be almost entirely screen, and on the G4 is basically is. The Droid Turbo 2, on the other hand, opts for a more traditional design with the buttons on the right side. Because the bezels on this phone are a little on the thick side, with good reason of course, these buttons are as flush as they can be against the side of the phone and not always the easiest to press.
Of course, the reason Motorola is packing such a thick bezel on the Droid Turbo 2 has little to do with the buttons on the side of the phone, as evidenced by the Moto X Pure Edition that was released earlier this year. Motorola’s decision for the Turbo 2 was all about the shatterproof display, which the company is hoping will be a huge selling point to Verizon customers.
ShatterShield is a multi-layer process that all but guarantees your screen will remain intact when dropped over and over again, and that’s something you won’t hear most manufacturers claim. Dropping the G4 from shoulder height is unlikely to end in smiles, but Motorola almost encourages it with the Droid Turbo 2.
Beyond the general layout of these two phones, the look and feel are fairly different as well. Motorola’s latest offering is noticeably thicker and wider than the LG G4, due in no small part to the impressive 3760 mAh battery and the thicker display. Beyond this, the G4 is noticeably curvier than the Droid Turbo 2. Most Motorola phones have a curve similar to the G4, but the Droid Turbo 2 is packing Qi and Powermat wireless charging pads on the flat back that you won’t find on anything but Samsung phones right now.
The front of these phones also has some noticeable differences, thanks to Motorola’s front facing flash, IR sensors for Moto Display, and Verizon’s gigantic check mark separating the lower speaker grille. LG’s single speaker is on the back of the G4, and is noticeably less clear and crisp than the Motorola Droid Turbo 2.
Another huge differentiator with these two phones is the camera, though you wouldn’t know that by looking at photo samples or technical evaluations. The big difference here is almost entirely software. LG’s camera app comes with an impressive manual mode that gives the user an impressive level of control over the photo being taken.
Motorola’s camera is directly focused on being almost painfully simple, so you can go from launching the camera to taking the shot as quickly as possible.
Looking at these two phones side by side, it’s clear the conversation isn’t about which is better. Both phones are capable, powerful computers in their own right, so the choice really comes down to the feature set and comfort level of the user, which is an entirely personal choice. Then again, LG’s G4 is available everywhere and as the name suggests the Droid Turbo 2 is only available on Verizon Wireless, so that decision may not be too hard for some.
Even looking at prices, where the LG G4 has come down well below its original price tag, choosing between these two phones is entirely a personal choice. Do you want something bulky but nearly indestructible, or would you prefer something a little sleeker with tools baked in to get you exactly the kind of experience you want? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Motorola Droid Turbo 2
- Hands-on with the Droid Turbo 2
- Droid Turbo 2 specs
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- Droid Turbo 2 vs. Droid Turbo
All about the LG G4
- Read our full review
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- Camera showdown vs. GS6 and iPhone 6!
- Complete LG G4 specs
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- Where to buy the LG G4
Newer model: LG G5