Looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank? The Samsung Galaxy S6, though older, still holds appeal, while the LG Q Stylo 4 offers a stylus and modern features. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S6 wins overall thanks to its significantly more powerful processor and superior camera. However, the LG Q Stylo 4 offers a stylus, a larger screen, and potentially better value if those features are a priority. It's a trade-off between performance and features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - G920V, G920P | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G920V | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13 - G920V | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25 - G920R | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2018, June. Released 2018, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 143.5 x 70.6 x 6.9 mm (5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 in) | 160 x 77.7 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 8.1 (Oreo), LG UX 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 13 MP, f/2.4, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Wireless | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 57 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 700 h (2G) / Up to 650 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2550 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum | Aurora Black |
| Models | SM-G920P, SM-G920V, SM-G920R, SM-G920W8, SM-G920R4, SM-G920T1, SM-G920AZ, SM-S907VL | LM-Q710(FGN), LM-Q710.FGN, Q710AL, LML713DL, Q710PL |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.22 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy S6 (USA)
- Significantly faster processor
- Superior camera quality
- Premium build quality
- Wireless charging
- Older device - potential software support issues
- Smaller screen
- Battery life may be shorter than newer phones
LG Q Stylo 4
- Stylus included for note-taking and drawing
- Larger display
- Potentially better value for money
- More modern design
- Slower processor
- Lower camera quality
- Less premium build
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
The LG Q Stylo 4 boasts a larger 6.2-inch display compared to the S6's 5.1-inch screen. While both are LCD panels, the Q Stylo 4's size provides a more immersive viewing experience. The S6, however, might have slightly better color accuracy due to its age and calibration, though this is subjective.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S6's camera was a standout in its time and remains superior to the Q Stylo 4's. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the S6. While the Q Stylo 4's camera is decent for casual snapshots, it lacks the detail and clarity of the S6.
Performance
This is where the S6 truly shines. Its Exynos 7420 chipset and Cortex-A57 cores offer a substantial performance advantage over the Q Stylo 4's Snapdragon 450 and Cortex-A53 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the S6. The Q Stylo 4 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
The LG Q Stylo 4 likely has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life than the S6, especially with moderate usage. However, the S6's more efficient processor can help offset this, making the difference minimal. Both phones will likely require daily charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is ideal for users prioritizing performance, a premium feel, and a good camera, even if it means dealing with an older device. The LG Q Stylo 4 is a great choice for those who value a stylus for note-taking and drawing, and appreciate a larger display at a budget-friendly price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S6 still worth buying?
Yes, if you prioritize performance and camera quality and don't mind an older device. However, be aware of potential software support limitations.
❓ What is the advantage of the LG Q Stylo 4's stylus?
The stylus allows for precise note-taking, drawing, and navigation, making it useful for students, artists, and anyone who prefers a more tactile input method.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy S6 has significantly better gaming performance due to its more powerful processor and GPU.
❓ Are replacement batteries available for these phones?
Yes, replacement batteries are available for both phones, though sourcing them may require some effort and careful selection from reputable vendors.
