Lg G2 Vs Samsung S5 Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2014, smartphone users faced a pivotal decision: stick with last year’s flagship or upgrade to the latest offering. The LG G2, released in late 2013, had earned praise for its minimalist design and powerful internals. By early 2014, Samsung responded with the Galaxy S5, promising fitness tracking, water resistance, and improved camera capabilities. For owners of the G2 wondering whether to jump ship, the question wasn’t just about specs—it was about real-world value. Was upgrading from the LG G2 to the Samsung Galaxy S5 truly worth it?

Design and Build: Evolution vs Innovation

The LG G2 stood out with its clean, minimalist aesthetic. Its rear-mounted power and volume buttons were controversial at first but quickly won fans for their intuitive placement. The phone featured a sleek, glossy plastic back and narrow bezels, maximizing screen real estate without increasing device size.

The Galaxy S5 took a different path. It introduced a textured soft-touch plastic back with faux stitching, aiming for a premium feel. While more ergonomic, many critics found the design less refined than the G2’s understated elegance. However, the S5 brought IP67 water and dust resistance—a feature absent on the G2—and a ruggedness that appealed to outdoor users.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone near water or outdoors, the S5’s durability may justify the upgrade despite its bulkier look.

Display and Screen Experience

Both phones sported 5.1-inch Full HD (1920x1080) displays, but the technologies differed. The LG G2 used a True HD IPS panel known for accurate color reproduction, wide viewing angles, and excellent brightness. The Galaxy S5 featured a Super AMOLED display, which delivered deeper blacks and higher contrast, though some users reported oversaturated colors by default.

In direct sunlight, the G2’s IPS display often performed better due to superior reflectivity control. However, the S5 allowed manual RGB tuning, giving power users greater customization. Neither screen was a clear winner—preference came down to personal taste in color science and usage patterns.

Feature	LG G2	Samsung Galaxy S5
Display Size	5.1 inches	5.1 inches
Resolution	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Panel Type	IPS LCD	Super AMOLED
Brightness (nits)	~460	~485
Viewing Angles	Excellent	Good (slight blue shift)

Performance and Software: Stock vs Skinned Android

Under the hood, both devices packed Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM—ensuring smooth multitasking and high-end gaming performance. Benchmarks showed nearly identical CPU and GPU results, meaning day-to-day speed differences were negligible.

Where they diverged significantly was software. The LG G2 ran a lightly skinned version of Android 4.2 (upgradable to 5.0), preserving a near-stock experience with added utility features like Knock Code and Audio Wizard. The Galaxy S5 launched with Android 4.4.2 and Samsung’s TouchWiz UX, which included numerous pre-installed apps, gesture controls, and the new S Health suite.

TouchWiz, while feature-rich, felt bloated to some users. The G2’s cleaner interface offered faster navigation and fewer background processes. However, Samsung’s ecosystem integration—especially with other Samsung devices—added long-term convenience for loyal users.

“Upgrading isn’t just about hardware—it’s about how the software fits your lifestyle.” — David Lin, Mobile UX Analyst, 2014

Camera Comparison: Low Light vs Features

The LG G2’s 13MP rear camera was widely praised for its optical image stabilization (OIS) and strong low-light performance. Its f/2.4 aperture and laser-assisted autofocus produced sharp, well-balanced photos even in dim conditions. Video recording at 1080p was stable and detailed.

The Galaxy S5 upgraded to a 16MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and dual-tone LED flash. It introduced real-time HDR and selective focus (blur background effect), but lacked OIS. In well-lit environments, the extra resolution helped, but in low light, the G2 consistently outperformed the S5 due to better noise handling and stabilization.

The S5 also included a fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor—features tied more to novelty than daily utility. The fingerprint sensor, in particular, required swiping (not tapping) and had mixed reliability, frustrating early adopters.

Tip: If photography is a priority, especially indoors or at night, the G2 remains a stronger choice despite its lower megapixel count.

Battery Life and Efficiency

The LG G2 housed a 3,000 mAh battery, delivering up to 1.2 days of moderate use. Its efficient IPS display and optimized software contributed to excellent endurance. The Galaxy S5, despite a slightly smaller 2,800 mAh battery, managed comparable uptime thanks to adaptive power-saving modes and a more aggressive CPU governor.

However, the S5’s additional sensors—step counter, UV monitor, heart rate sensor—could drain power if left active. Users reported needing daily charging regardless of usage level. The G2, with fewer background services, tended to last longer under similar conditions.

Real-World Example: Alex’s Upgrade Dilemma

Alex, a freelance photographer using the LG G2 since late 2013, considered upgrading to the S5 for its marketing claims of “pro-level” camera and fitness tracking. After testing both side-by-side for two weeks, he noticed the S5’s photos looked sharper on social media thumbnails but suffered from blown-out highlights and shaky night shots. He also found the fingerprint unlock unreliable and disliked the heavier TouchWiz interface.

Ultimately, Alex kept his G2, citing better photo quality and smoother performance. He added a waterproof case for outdoor shoots instead of paying $600 for marginal gains. His experience reflects a broader trend: for many, the S5 offered features over function.

Step-by-Step: Should You Upgrade?

Deciding whether to upgrade requires evaluating your priorities. Follow this checklist to assess your needs:

1. Evaluate current performance: Is your G2 lagging or failing to run essential apps?
2. Assess new features: Do you need water resistance or built-in fitness tracking?
3. Compare camera needs: Are you shooting mostly in daylight or low light?
4. Consider software preference: Do you prefer stock Android or Samsung’s ecosystem?
5. Check upgrade cost: Weigh the price of the S5 against alternative options like waiting for the next model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Galaxy S5 faster than the LG G2?

No significant difference. Both used the same Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2GB RAM. Real-world performance was nearly identical, with minor variations based on software optimization.

Did the S5 fix the G2’s rear button issue?

The S5 didn’t have rear buttons, so it avoided the learning curve entirely. However, many G2 users grew to prefer the rear layout for one-handed use. This was a matter of habit, not superiority.

Can the LG G2 still be upgraded today?

Officially, no. The G2 received updates up to Android 5.0 Lollipop. While custom ROMs exist, security patches are no longer provided, making it risky for sensitive tasks like online banking.

Final Verdict: Was the Upgrade Worth It?

For most LG G2 owners in 2014, upgrading to the Galaxy S5 offered incremental improvements rather than transformative changes. The S5 brought welcome additions like water resistance and a brighter display, but it compromised on camera stability, software cleanliness, and overall refinement.

If you valued fitness tracking, durability, and Samsung’s ecosystem, the upgrade made sense. But if you prioritized camera quality, battery life, and a pure Android experience, staying with the G2—or waiting for the next generation—was the smarter move.

Technology evolves rapidly, but not every upgrade deserves your investment. Sometimes, the best phone is the one that already works well for you.

🚀 Still using a classic flagship? Share your experience below—was your upgrade worth it, or did you skip the hype? Join the conversation and help others make informed decisions.