Xperia Z vs LG Optimus G: Z Edges Out G in Display, Storage and Power, but Comparable Elsewhere

LG announced today that the Optimus G, LG's new flagship LTE smartphone, will be released this month in 50 countries around the world.

"As 4G LTE availability expands on a global scale, we will leverage our strong LTE technology and expertise to offer consumers the best 4G experience through our devices," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, in LG's announcement.

We reported last week that the Optimus G would soon be getting an update to its Android operating system. Android Jell Bean 4.1 is rolling out in places like South Korea and Brazil, and will undoubtedly be arriving on all of LG's Optimus G handsets sooner or later. "With the latest Jelly Bean OS and improved software, Optimus G will make a strong case for the title of ultimate premium 4G LTE smartphone," said Park, "We hope consumers will take a deep, hard look at Optimus G when deciding which smartphone will give them the best 4G experience."

So does it make sense to go with the Optimus G for a new smartphone at this time? How does the Optimus G stack up against Sony's upcoming Android competitor and most talked about gadget at CES this year, the Xperia Z?

Processor

The Xperia Z is expected to have a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM. The few months older Optimus G stacks up nicely here, because it already has a 1.5GHz quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM.

Display

The Xperia Z will have a 5 inch display with 1920 x 1080 HD resolution, packing over 440 pixels per inch. The Optimus G sports a 4.7 inch display that also has high def, but at a maximum resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels.

Cameras

Both handsets have a front facing and rear camera, and the rear cameras on both are capable of 13 megapixels and HD video. The Xperia Z's front facing camera beats out LG with 2 megapixels vs. 1.3 megapixels.

Storage

Here's where the Optimus G beats out the Xperia Z, with twice as much in-phone storage at 32GB and twice as much removable SD storage, at 64GB.

Power

The Xperia Z has a more powerful 2,330 mAh battery which should last about an hour longer of heavy use than the Optimus G's 2,100 mAh power source, and several hours more of idle time.

Size

Both are big smartphones and actually pretty comparable to each other. The Optimus G weights unnoticeably less, and, besides the Xperia's screen, both phones are just millimeters different in their dimensions. Compare the Optimus G at 5.15" x 2.82" x .33" to the Xperia Z's 5.47" x 2.79" x .31".

Bonus

The Xperia Z is capable of being dunked underwater without ruining it. That's pretty cool.