Lg G4 Vs Samsung Note 5 Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2015, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision between two high-end Android flagships: the LG G4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Both devices arrived with premium specs, bold designs, and flagship ambitions. But for users debating an upgrade—especially those coming from older models like the LG G3 or Galaxy S5—the real question wasn’t just about features. It was whether the jump in price and change in experience delivered meaningful improvements. Years later, with perspective, we can assess: was upgrading to either phone truly worth it?

Design and Build: Premium Materials, Different Philosophies

The LG G4 stood out immediately with its leather-backed options, offering a tactile, almost vintage feel uncommon in smartphones. The removable back cover allowed customization, and the overall design leaned into elegance over brute power. However, the plastic frame and slightly bulky profile reminded users that this wasn’t all-metal luxury.

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 embraced a sleek, glass-and-metal sandwich. Its unibody aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass on both front and back gave it a more refined, modern aesthetic. While less customizable, the Note 5 felt denser and more premium in hand—though also heavier at 171g compared to the G4’s 159g.

Tip: If you prioritize grip and comfort over thinness, the G4’s curved back may suit you better despite its less rigid build.

One major drawback of the Note 5 was its non-removable battery and lack of microSD support—a controversial move at the time. The G4 retained both, appealing to users who valued flexibility and repairability.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, both phones ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 (G4) and Exynos 7420 (Note 5). While the 808 was competent, it had a reputation for thermal throttling under sustained load. The Exynos chip, however, was faster and more efficient, giving the Note 5 a noticeable edge in multitasking and gaming.

Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, though heavily criticized in earlier years, had matured by 2015. With improved animations and smarter feature integration, it offered deep functionality—especially when paired with the S Pen. LG’s UX 4.0, based on near-stock Android, provided a cleaner look but fewer productivity tools.

Benchmarks from the era showed the Note 5 consistently outperforming the G4 in CPU and GPU tests. Real-world usage confirmed this: smoother transitions, quicker app launches, and better handling of large files or multitasking scenarios.

“Hardware is only half the story. For professionals relying on quick note-taking and document markup, the S Pen turned the Note 5 into a mobile workstation.” — David Lin, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Camera Comparison: LG's Bold Gamble vs Samsung's Refinement

The LG G4 made headlines with its f/1.8 aperture lens and manual controls aimed at photography enthusiasts. LG marketed it as a “DSLR of smartphones,” emphasizing RAW capture and adjustable white balance. In good lighting, the G4 produced warm, vibrant images with excellent dynamic range.

However, low-light performance was inconsistent. The smaller sensor and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) meant blurrier shots in dim environments. Manual mode required patience and skill—great for enthusiasts, but overwhelming for casual users.

Samsung took a different approach. The Note 5 featured a 16MP sensor with OIS and a slightly narrower f/1.9 aperture. While not as aggressive on paper, its processing algorithms delivered more balanced results across conditions. Low-light photos were cleaner, autofocus was faster, and HDR implementation was more natural.

Feature	LG G4	Samsung Note 5
Rear Camera	16MP, f/1.8, no OIS	16MP, f/1.9, with OIS
Front Camera	8MP	5MP
Video Recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 30fps
Manual Controls	Extensive (ISO, WB, shutter)	Limited (via Pro Mode)
Low-Light Performance	Moderate, prone to noise	Strong, stabilized

If you shot primarily in daylight and enjoyed tweaking settings, the G4 was rewarding. But for reliable point-and-shoot quality, especially indoors or at night, the Note 5 had the upper hand.

Battery Life and Charging: Trade-offs in Convenience

The LG G4 packed a 3000mAh battery with removable capability—a rarity among flagships. This meant users could carry spares or replace aged cells easily. Real-world usage saw around 5–6 hours of screen-on time, depending on brightness and LTE use.

The Note 5’s 3000mAh battery wasn’t removable, but supported fast charging and wireless charging—features absent on the G4. With adaptive power management and a more efficient chipset, the Note 5 often lasted slightly longer despite identical capacity. Power-efficient AMOLED display and optimized background processes contributed to better endurance.

Charging speed became a key differentiator. The Note 5 could regain 50% charge in under 30 minutes with fast charging. The G4 lacked such capabilities, requiring full-length charging cycles.

Tip: If you travel frequently or hate being tethered to outlets, fast and wireless charging on the Note 5 adds tangible daily convenience.

Real-World Upgrade Experience: A Mini Case Study

Consider Mark, a business consultant using an aging LG G2 in early 2015. He needed better battery life, a sharper display, and reliable camera performance for client meetings. Torn between the G4 and Note 5, he ultimately chose the Note 5 for its S Pen functionality and superior multitasking.

Within weeks, Mark found himself using the Air Command menu to jot down action items during calls, snap notes from presentations, and edit PDFs on flights. The ability to write directly on screenshots saved him hours of follow-up emails. Meanwhile, the faster processor handled multiple CRM apps without lag.

He missed the G4’s removable battery but adapted quickly to fast charging. After 18 months of heavy use, his Note 5 still performed well, while a colleague’s G4 showed signs of battery degradation and slower response times.

For Mark, the upgrade was absolutely worth it—not because of specs alone, but because the device enhanced his workflow in measurable ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the LG G4 camera better than the Note 5?

In ideal daylight conditions with manual adjustments, yes—the G4 could produce richer colors and shallower depth of field. However, for consistent, everyday photography across varying lighting, the Note 5’s stabilized sensor and intelligent processing made it the more reliable choice.

Can I expand storage on both phones?

Only the LG G4 supports microSD cards (up to 128GB). The Note 5 does not have expandable storage, locking users into their initial purchase of 32GB or 64GB. This was a significant downside for media-heavy users.

Did either phone receive timely software updates?

Samsung provided Android 6.0 Marshmallow and 7.0 Nougat updates for the Note 5, though rollout timing varied by region. LG delivered Marshmallow to the G4 but skipped Nougat entirely. Neither received Android 8.0+, limiting long-term security and feature support.

Action Checklist: Evaluating Your Own Upgrade Path

When deciding between two high-end phones—even years later—the same principles apply. Use this checklist to evaluate any upgrade:

• ✅ Identify your core use cases: productivity, photography, gaming?
• ✅ Compare real-world performance, not just benchmark scores.
• ✅ Consider longevity: update policy, build quality, battery replaceability.
• ✅ Assess ecosystem fit: do accessories, stylus, or cloud services matter?
• ✅ Weigh trade-offs: removable battery vs. fast charging, stock UI vs. feature-rich skin.

Final Verdict: Was Upgrading Worth It?

For most users in 2015, upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 offered greater long-term value. Its superior performance, advanced S Pen integration, better camera consistency, and modern charging features justified the higher price tag. It wasn’t just a new phone—it was a step toward mobile productivity that few competitors matched at the time.

The LG G4, while innovative and stylish, suffered from hardware limitations and a narrow appeal. Enthusiasts appreciated its camera controls and leather finish, but average users didn’t fully leverage these perks. Over time, its weaker processor and lack of future-proofing became apparent.

Ultimately, the “worth” of an upgrade isn’t measured in megapixels or RAM alone. It’s about how well the device fits your life, enhances your habits, and lasts under daily stress. By that standard, the Note 5 delivered a more complete, capable experience—one that aged more gracefully than its LG counterpart.

💬 Do you remember choosing between these phones in 2015? Share your experience—did your pick stand the test of time? Join the conversation below.