The Samsung Galaxy S4 and LG G2 Lite represent different eras of Android smartphones. The S4 was a flagship, while the G2 Lite was a budget-friendly option. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S4 wins overall due to its superior processor, wireless charging, and significantly better battery life. While the G2 Lite might be more affordable, the S4's performance and features justify its likely higher price on the used market.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - SGH-i337 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, March. Released 2013, April | 2014, November. Released 2014, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 127.5 x 67.9 x 11.9 mm (5.02 x 2.67 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 153.7 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | - |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | - |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | VGA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | - |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 345 h (2G) / Up to 345 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1820 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist, Aurora Red (AT&T only), Arctic Blue, Purple Mirage, Brown Autumn, Pink Twilight, Black Edition | White, Black, Gold |
| Models | GT-I9505, GT-I9515, SGH-I337, SC-04E, GT-I9515L | - |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.28 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 69h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 69h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB | - |
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
- Powerful Processor
- Vibrant Super AMOLED Display
- Wireless Charging (Qi)
- Longer Battery Life
- More Features
- Older Device
- Potential for Battery Degradation
- Software Updates Limited
LG G2 Lite
- Potentially More Affordable
- Compact Size
- Basic Smartphone Functionality
- Weaker Processor
- Less Impressive Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Limited Features
- Likely No Software Updates
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S4 boasts a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a high contrast ratio (Infinite nominal, 3.352:1 in sunlight), offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility. The LG G2 Lite likely has a smaller, less impressive IPS LCD display, though specifics are scarce. The S4's display is the clear winner.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have Photo/Video capabilities, the Galaxy S4 generally had a better camera setup in its time, likely offering more features and better image quality. The G2 Lite's camera was likely more basic. Specific megapixel counts and features are needed for a more precise comparison, but the S4 is expected to perform better.
Performance
Here, the S4 pulls ahead significantly. Its Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 chipset with a 1.9 GHz Quad-core Krait 300 CPU provides considerably more processing power than the G2 Lite's 1.2 GHz Quad-core CPU. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the S4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4's endurance rating of 69h is a massive advantage. The LG G2 Lite's battery capacity is unknown, but it's safe to assume it's significantly smaller, resulting in much shorter battery life than the S4.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a vibrant display, and a feature-rich experience, even on a used device. The LG G2 Lite is best suited for budget-conscious users needing basic smartphone functionality and a smaller form factor, understanding it will lack the power and features of the S4.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S4 still worth buying?
If you can find one in good condition at a reasonable price, the S4 is still a capable phone, especially for basic tasks. However, be mindful of potential battery degradation and limited software updates.
❓ What was the LG G2 Lite designed for?
The LG G2 Lite was designed as a more affordable alternative to the flagship G2, targeting budget-conscious users who needed a functional smartphone.
