The LG G3 Dual-LTE was a flagship in its time, boasting a stunning display and powerful specs. Now, the Samsung Galaxy A34 offers modern features and a long-lasting battery. But which phone is the better choice in 2024? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear winner for most users. While the LG G3 offers a unique retro appeal and wireless charging (optional), the A34's superior battery life, modern chipset, and brighter display make it a more practical and future-proof choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - D856 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - SIM 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - D858HK | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, October. Released 2014, November | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm (5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | True HD-IPS + LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8975AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop) or v6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.0", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort), OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (optional) | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 638 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (2G) / Up to 20 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Black, Silk White | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | D858HK, D856 | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 1.46 W/kg (head) 0.38 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 133h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 133h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | 1009 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.1 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG G3 Dual-LTE
- Wireless Charging (optional)
- Compact Size
- QHD Display (for its time)
- Classic Android Flagship Feel
- Outdated Processor
- Shorter Battery Life
- Lower Camera Quality (compared to modern phones)
- Limited Software Updates
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Excellent Battery Life
- Bright and Vibrant Display
- Modern Chipset
- Reliable Performance
- Good Camera
- Design may be considered less premium
- 25W charging is not the fastest
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34's 1009 nits max brightness significantly outshines the LG G3's display, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the G3's display was impressive for its time (QHD resolution), the A34's modern panel provides a more enjoyable viewing experience with better color accuracy and contrast (infinite nominal).
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are listed as 'Photo / Video' for both, the Galaxy A34 is expected to offer superior image quality due to advancements in camera technology since the LG G3's release. Expect better low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall detail from the A34.
Performance
The Galaxy A34's Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the LG G3's Snapdragon 801 (28nm). The A34's octa-core CPU handles multitasking and demanding apps more efficiently. The G3's Krait 400 CPU was powerful in its day, but struggles compared to modern processors.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A34 boasts an exceptional endurance rating of 133h, far surpassing what the LG G3 could achieve. The A34's efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to its impressive battery life, making it a winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The LG G3 Dual-LTE is ideal for Android enthusiasts seeking a classic flagship experience and appreciating its compact size. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is perfect for users prioritizing battery life, a vibrant display, and a modern, reliable smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG G3 still worth buying?
The LG G3 can be a fun retro device for enthusiasts, but its age means limited software support and performance limitations. It's not recommended for everyday use.
❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?
The biggest difference is the age and technology. The Galaxy A34 offers a modern experience with a powerful chipset, long battery life, and a vibrant display, while the LG G3 is a classic flagship showing its age.
