The two biggest smartphone announcements out of Mobile World Congress were the high-end LG G6 and budget-focused Motorola Moto G5 Plus. Let's compare their features and specs.
Size
While the Moto G5 Plus has more bezel around its screen (the LG G6 has next to none), dimensions in the two phones come out very similar.
Weight
Weights are also close, with the LG G6 coming out 5-percent heavier.
Build
In previous Moto G phones, a plastic build was a given for its budget price. This year Motorola gave the G5 Plus a touch of premium with a metal back.
Water resistance
The LG G6 has much more significant water resistance, with its IP68 rating. The Moto G5 Plus is only approved for moderate spills, splashes or light rain.
Colors
You have at least a couple hues to choose from with each model. Note that it looks like US shoppers will only be able to choose from the first two colors for the G6.
Display size
LG's phone has a 13-percent bigger screen, measured by area.
Display resolution
The G6 has a sharper display, but the Moto's 1080p is nothing to sneeze at.
Display type
Both use IPS display panels.
Processor
The G6's Snapdragon 821 (a late-2016 chip) is going to be faster, but Motorola has historically done a great job keeping performance zippy in the mid-ranged G series.
RAM
You get either 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM in the Moto, depending which storage configuration you choose.
Storage
Moto maxes out on a higher storage tier, with up to 64 GB internal.
microSD
Both also let you complement that with a microSD card.
Battery
The G6 has a higher-capacity battery, but that doesn't necessarily mean longer uptimes – especially when the G6's screen is packing in more pixels. (Stay tuned to our reviews for battery benchmarks.)
Fast charging
Unlike iPhones (and like every other recent Android phone), both of these support quick charging tech.
Camera megapixels
We can't say much on photo quality until we review both phones, but Motorola is marketing the G5 Plus' camera as best in class (meaning mid-ranged).
Camera aperture (rear)
Both have wide apertures, which can lead to better low-lit photography, but the Moto's is particularly eyebrow-raising: It's unusually wide for its price range.
OIS
The Moto, however, doesn't have Optical Image Stabilization.
Dual cameras (rear)
The G6 has an extra trick up its sleeve, with a second camera lens on its backside, which lets you instantly toggle between standard and wide-angle views.
Mobile payments
One of the few potentially significant compromises in the Moto is that it lacks NFC, so you can't use Android Pay with it.
Fingerprint sensor
Both have fingerprint sensors, just in different locations.
Software
Both launch with Android Nougat, though LG's uses the company's custom skin to differentiate it (and, if history is any indication, possibly slow its UI down.)
Release
The LG G6 launches in the US in late March or early April, depending which carrier you buy it from (Verizon is first). The Moto G5 Plus is set to launch sometime this month.
Starting price (full retail)
This is the Moto G5 Plus' killer feature, as it starts at an aggressive US$229. If you don't need the bells and whistles of a high-end flagship, it looks like it can give you everything most people need in a smartphone for a very reasonable price.
We'll have more definitive impressions in our full reviews, but for now you can read our hands-on impressions of the LG G6 and Moto G5 Plus.
