The LG G6 stands out because of its big 5.7-inch screen crammed into a small body, but you shouldn't ignore its formidable dual cameras. LG packed two 13-megapixel rear shooters into the G6, one with a 125-degree, wide-angle lens, and the other with a standard angle lens.
Although the unit we've been testing is not a final production device, the G6's camera has impressed so far. But how does it stack up to the iPhone 7 Plus and its dual 12-MP cameras (one wide-angle, one telephoto)? We took both cameras out and tested them in different locations and lighting conditions, using a tripod to keep both phones still. For our side-by-side comparisons, just drag the line dividing the two photos to get a better sense of what the LG G6 and iPhone 7 Plus cameras can do. Here are the results.
LG Wide Angle
First, it's important to point out the unique talents of each camera. The LG G6's wide-angle lens can produce striking images that provide a lot more context. It can also help create great stunning panoramas, although we noticed some circular distortion at the edges.
iPhone 7 Plus - 2x Zoom
While the G6 can get in pretty close, only the iPhone has a dedicated software button that gives you a true 2x optical zoom. With the G6, you can toggle between wide and standard angles, but you have to pinch-to-zoom in further or use the slider on the right.
Lego Man
The G6’s image isn’t bad, it’s just not what we saw with the naked eye.
Winner: iPhone 7 Plus
Bowl of Fruit
Flat Iron Building
Winner: LG G6
Low Light
In an indoor hallway with very little light both the G6 and iPhone 7 Plus managed to produce a fairly bright image. However, the camera on the LG captured the white in the sign accurately, and it looks more yellow in the iPhone’s photo. When I zoomed in, the letters on the sign in the G6’s shot also looked sharper, whereas they vibrated a bit on the iPhone.
Winner: LG G6
Sculpture
A multi-tier wood sculpture wrapped in a a fine-chain linked fence and topped with a gold-leafed shackle, the Big Bling sculpture in Madison Square Park is quite the sight. It looks like a larger-than-life mammoth, and the iPhone 7 Plus does a better job capturing all of its intricacies. We also noticed that the patch of grass in front looked too green and had less detail than on the G6, while it was easier to make out blades of grass on the iPhone's shot.
However, the colors in the G6's shot look more attractive. The grass looks a deeper green, and the blue in the sky pops more.
Winner: Draw
Selfie
The G6 in auto mode seemed to smooth out all my wrinkles, but the result is an image that looks more processed and a bit blurry. The iPhone 7 Plus’ front camera does a better job of capturing my stubble and gray hair (for better or for worse). It just looks more real.
Winner: iPhone 7 Plus
Empire State Building
The G6 comes out swinging in this round with a shot that simply looks sharper when you look at the details in the buildings, especially the windows. The G6's shot also has brighter and slightly more saturated colors; the buildings have more of a cream hue on the LG's image, while they take on a more sepia tone in the iPhone's shot.
Winner: LG G6
Full Zoom
When we zoomed all the way in on both phones, the iPhone 7 dual cameras allowed us to push in further, and it also captured slightly warmer colors. It’s also worth noting that only the iPhone has a true 2x optical zoom.
Winner: iPhone 7 Plus
Overall Winner
Overall, the LG G6 proved to be the better camera. The iPhone 7 Plus fared well in some shots, and it tends to offer more realistic colors. It also offered good detail indoors.
However, the G6 produced more detailed images outdoors, as well as warmer, more saturated colors, which is more pleasing to the eye. You get higher-resolution images and a camera that handles highlights better, too.
Comparison credits: Tom's Guide
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