Remember the early days of 4G? The Motorola Photon Q and LG Mach were contenders, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile. But how do these older devices stack up against each other today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Mach edges out the Photon Q thanks to its Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset, offering slightly better performance and efficiency. While both are dated, the Mach's processor provides a more responsive experience, making it the preferable choice for those seeking a functional older 4G device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 25 | 25 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | CDMA / EVDO / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, July. Released 2012, August | 2012, October. Released 2012, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 126.5 x 66 x 13.7 mm (4.98 x 2.60 x 0.54 in) | 117.9 x 65 x 12.2 mm (4.64 x 2.56 x 0.48 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Non-removable | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 170.1 g (6.00 oz) | 167.8 g (5.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~61.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| | ColorBoost technology | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | - | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | HDMI port
MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 220 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 9 h 30 min |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1785 mAh battery | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.89 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE XT897
- Compact design
- Slide-out keyboard for productivity
- Decent 8MP camera (for its time)
- Android OS (though outdated)
- Slower performance
- Outdated software
- Lower battery life compared to Mach
- Limited app compatibility
LG Mach LS860
- Slightly better performance due to Snapdragon chipset
- More efficient battery usage
- Good build quality
- Android OS (though outdated)
- Lower resolution camera than Photon Q
- Outdated software
- Limited app compatibility
- Less unique features than Photon Q
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar screen sizes (around 4.3 inches) and resolutions (qHD). The Photon Q's display is known for decent color accuracy, while the Mach's might exhibit slightly better viewing angles. However, both suffer from the limitations of older display technology – lower brightness and contrast compared to modern phones.
Camera Comparison
The Motorola Photon Q boasts an 8MP camera, while the LG Mach has a 5MP camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Photon Q's camera generally produces slightly better images in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance is poor on both devices. Video recording capabilities are limited to 720p on both.
Performance
Here's where the LG Mach takes a lead. The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset with Krait cores generally outperforms the Photon Q's dual-core processor. While both are dual-core, the Mach's chipset is more efficient and offers a noticeable difference in app loading times and overall responsiveness. Expect some lag on both devices with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The LG Mach typically offers slightly better battery life due to its more efficient chipset. Both phones have batteries around the 1500-1700 mAh range, providing a day's usage with moderate use. Heavy users should expect to charge both devices before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE might appeal to those seeking a compact device with a slide-out keyboard and a focus on productivity. The LG Mach LS860 is better suited for users prioritizing a smoother, slightly faster experience, even with older hardware. Both are best for budget-conscious users or those needing a secondary 4G device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
No, both the Motorola Photon Q and LG Mach are long past their software update cycles. They are running outdated versions of Android and will not receive security patches.
❓ Can I use these phones on modern 4G networks?
Compatibility depends on your carrier. While they support 4G LTE, some newer bands might not be supported. Check with your carrier to ensure compatibility.
