Newsletter
Introduction
We have a special comparison here – the current flagship smartphones go up against one another as OnePlus introduces its new OnePlus 2. It will get a quick comparison with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Xperia Z3+, the Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge, the HTC One M9 and the LG G4. Anyone of these devices should satisfy the geekiest of users and offer a great experience as an everyday driver.
All of these devices are well built, easy to handle and the premium look and feel we have come to expect from a flagship device. The Galaxy Note 4 uses a full-metal frame and edging that is both functional and premium looking. The nice faux leather backing adds to the looks and ‘grip ability’ of the device. The Sony Xperia Z3+ carries on the full glass front and back with a metal frame holding it all together. The new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge also turn to glass and metal for its new design, with the only difference being the dual curved display on the S6 Edge. The HTC One M9 comes in a full-metal ‘jacket’ with the look and feel of premium metal. The LG G4 is still using a ceramic coating on plastic with the look of metal, although a beautiful, genuine leather backing is optional. The new OnePlus 2 looks very much like the OnePlus One with a sandstone look and feel to it – much like holding a pumice stone, offering a rough and ‘grippy’ feel.
Specifications
Displays
When it comes to displays, how does the new OnePlus 2’s 5.5-inch IPS LCD FHD display hold up to the competition with its resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 401 pixels-per-inch (PPI)? Well, the Galaxy Note 4 is sporting a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 515 PPI. The Xperia Z3+ comes with a 5.2-inch FHD IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 PPI. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge use Samsung’s Super AMOLED QHD display with 2560 x 1440 pixels and 576 PPI…with the S6 Edge’s display curving down on both sides, giving it a certain ‘wow’ factor. The HTC One M9 also uses the FHD IPS LCD technology with a 5-inch size and 441 PPI. Last, but certainly not least is the LG G4 with an improved 5.5-inch QHD IPS LCD display with 538 PPI.
All of these displays will give you something beautiful to look at every time you turn them on. The Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S6/S6 Edge use Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology, which most people and critics praise for its color accuracy and generally brighter display than found on the LCD displays. The LG G4 really up its display this year compared to the rather dull looking LG G3. The OnePlus 2 has the lowest PPI count because of its 5.5-inch size, but even at 401 PPI you are getting an ‘eye-full.’
Processors, Memory and Batteries
When it comes to processors, this is like a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 810 festival – the OnePlus 2 is sporting the 1.8GHz-clocked version of the 810. The Sony Xperia Z3+ and the HTC One M9 also use the Snapdragon 810 clocked at 2.0GHz. The LG G4 deviates from this by offering the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz. The Galaxy Note 4 uses the older 32-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core, clocked at 2.7GHz. The new Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge use a homegrown 64-bit Exynos 7420 octa-core processor clocked at 2.1GHz, which is the first processor to use the new 14nm technology.
When it comes to RAM, the new OnePlus 2 is packing either 3GB or 4GB of the newer DDR4, while all others are using 3GB – the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge use the new and faster DDR4 RAM, rather than the DDR3 style the others are using. Internal storage and expandability are little more complicated – the new OnePlus 2 will be sporting either 16GB or 64GB (depending on RAM) of storage with no expansion available. The Galaxy Note 4 also comes with 32GB, expandable by 128GB. The Xperia Z3+ has a base of 32GB, expandable by 128GB, as does the HTC One M9. The LG G4 comes with a base of 32GB and has a theoretical expansion capability to 2TB. The Galaxy S6/S6 Edge offer a 32GB, 64GB or 128GB model with no means to expand and the memory used is the newest and fastest UFS 2.0 technology.
When it comes to batteries, we have some of the larger and longer lasting ones available in this group. The OnePlus 2 has a non-removable 3300mAh battery – the largest one in this comparison. The Galaxy Note 4 comes next with a removable 3220mAh battery, which is followed by the removable 3000mAh battery in the LG G4. Next up is the 2930mAh non-removable battery in the Xperia Z3+, followed closely by the non-removable 2840mAh battery in the HTC One M9. The Galaxy S6/S6 Edge has the smallest non-removable battery of only 2550/2600mAh (respectively). All models offer some form of quick charge or a low usage option on the device to stretch out your power. Even the Galaxy S6 batteries should make it through an entire day.
Cameras
The main cameras are consistently good across the board – with the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge and LG G4 being top leaders- and the front-facing cameras are very good as well. The OnePlus 2 uses a 13MP sensor with six lenses, and adds to that Laser autofocus, a dual-LED flash, OIS and an f/2.0 aperture…it should provide excellent photos and we are anxious to test this out. The camera on the OnePlus One was a sore spot with reviewers last year. The FFC on the OnePlus 2 comes in at 5MP for social selfies and video chatting. The Galaxy Note 4 also uses a high-quality 16MP sensor with autofocus, OIS and LED Flash. It uses a 3.7MP FFC with an f/1.9 aperture. The Xperia Z3+ uses a 20.7MP sensor with autofocus and LED Flash – no OIS here. It uses a 5.1MP FFC for great selfies and video chats. The Galaxy S6/S6 Edge uses a 16MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture, OIS, quick autofocus, LED flash and live HDR shooting. The FFC is 5MP with the f/1.9 aperture and a 120-degree wide-angle lens for group selfies and video chatting. The HTC One M9 uses a 20MP sensor with dual-tone flash and autofocus – no OIS. HTC took one of their 4MP UltraPixel lenses and made it the FFC on the One M9. The LG G4 also uses a 16MP sensor with Laser autofocus, LED flash and OIS. The LG G4 uses a huge 8MP FFC giving you a great selfie or video chatting experience.
Micellanous/Summary
As you can see, many of these remarkable smartphones have close to the same specifications. Most are using close to the same size displays. Some are even using the same processors, same amount of RAM and memory. Three devices – Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6/S6 Edge and the OnePlus 2 – all have a fingerprint scanner. The OnePlus 2 also has the new Type-C USB 3.0 port, while the others all use the older microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The OnePlus 2 will sport Android 5.1.1 with their own, new OxygenOS UI. It comes in Sandstone Black, measures 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85mm and weighs in at 175 grams. In the US it will run on GSM: 850, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz – WCDMA Bands 1/2/4/5/8 – and FDD-LTE Bands 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17 and will cost you $329 for the 16GB model and $389 for the 64GB model.
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