If 2011 was the year the LTE powered phone with the 4.3″ screen became common, 2012 might be the year of the HD display.
First the Galaxy Nexus, then the LG Spectrum, and more Android phones with HD displays are on the way.
In this post we’ll take a look at each phone and how they compare to each other.
Processor
Both phones have plenty of horsepower under the hood. The LG Spectrum features a 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor while the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has a 1.2 GHz dual core TI-OMAP processor.
Graphics Processor
The graphics processor in smartphones doesn’t get talked about a lot, but if you’re going to be playing some of the higher end games and want the best performance, the graphics processor does matter.
The LG Spectrum features the newer and faster Adreno 220 graphics processor while the Galaxy Nexus uses the less powerful PowerVR SGX540
RAM
Both phones feature 1 GB of RAM.
When you consider the processor, graphics processor, and RAM together, both phones have plenty of power to do virtually any task you throw at it.
LTE
Verizon’s LTE network is blazing fast and they’re expanding coverage rapidly so it just makes sense to get an LTE equipped phone even if coverage hasn’t been expanded to your area as it probably will be before your next 2 year contract is up.
Both the LG Spectrum and Galaxy Nexus are equipped with an LTE antenna.
Memory
The LG Spectrum has a mere 4GB of internal memory, but does come with a 16 GB Micro SD card giving it a total of 20 GB of memory. It has a 32 GB max capacity if the 16 GB isn’t enough space for you. A 32 GB card will run you about $30 when you buy online.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Nexus has 32GB of internal memory giving it better performance (Android is optimized to perform better with internal memory vs Micro SD cards) though there is no option to expand capacity – the Galaxy Nexus has no Micro SD expansion slot.
Operating System
While both phones run Android, the LG Spectrum ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a 2nd quarter upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich expected. The Galaxy Nexus is already running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and since its part of the Nexus line, it delivers the “stock” Android experience with no third party interface interfering with the experience.
The LG Spectrum uses the Optimus UI 2.0 which some people have claimed should isn’t very well fleshed out. Keep in mind you can change the homescreen just by installing an app like ADW Launcher or many other excellent homescreen replacements in the Android Market.
Display
One thing you’ll notice about the phones is that they’re both HUGE! The LG Spectrum has a 4.5″ display and it’s the smaller of the two phones. It also features extra strong Gorilla Glass and boasts a resolution of 1280 x 720 and a pixel density of 326 ppi – the same pixel density as Apple’s Retina display, but on a 4.5″ screen, not the 3.5″ screen of the iPhone 4 and 4S. It’s an LCD screen using True HD IPS technology.
The Galaxy Nexus has an even bigger screen – 4.65″. It has a contoured (slightly curved) Super AMOLED display which uses fortified glass to give it strength. It also has a 1280 x 720 resolution but the slightly bigger screen means it has a lower pixel density – 315 ppi.
Both screens are gorgeous.
Battery
Neither phone has a great battery and their juice sucking big displays and LTE antennas are going to prevent you from going long periods of time without having your charger handy.
The Spectrum has an 1830 mAh battery while the Galaxy Nexus has an 1850 mAh battery.
For comparison, the new Droid Razr Maxx and it’s excellent battery life does so with the help of a 3300 mAh battery.
You should be able to get through full day of light use with both phones but not much more than that.
Camera
When you look at the specs of both phones you’ll probably assume that the Spectrum sports the superior camera, but in reality the Galaxy Nexus has the better camera of the two thanks to several improvements made by the Android 4.0 operating system itself.
The Spectrum has an 8 mp rear camera with LED flash, a 1.3 mp front facing camera, and the rear camera can record video in 1080p.
The Galaxy Nexus has a smaller 5 mp rear camera with LED flash, a front facing camera for video chat, and also records video in 1080p.
Sensors
Both phones have plenty of sensors.
LG Spectrum Sensors
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Compass
- Proximity
- Light
Galaxy Nexus Sensors
- NFC
- Gyroscope
- Compass
- Light
- Proximity
- Barometer
- Accelerometer
While most sensors are standard fare for smartphones these days, the NFC chip in the Galaxy Nexus is the one that has the potential to be the game changer. The NFC chip allows you to use your phone as a wallet and also allows you to exchange information with other similarly equipped phones by using the new Android Beam functionality built into Android 4.0.
Price
Right now the LG Spectrum came in at a somewhat budget friendly price of just $200 with a 2 year contract, bucking the trend of 4G LTE phones costing somewhere in the neighborhood of an arm and a leg.
The Galaxy Nexus still maintains its higher $300 with 2 year contract price tag.
Related posts:
- Google Nexus S 4G For Sprint – Samsung Galaxy S Phone
- Motorola Droid Razr vs Samsung Galaxy Nexus
- How To Take 360 Degree Video With Your iPhone 4, 4s, or Samsung Galaxy Nexus
- Google Nexus S Review – Samsung Smartphone – Gingerbread
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs iPhone 4S – Smartphone Comparison
About Gary Ruplinger