Sony vs LG Phones: Which Was Better? (Historical Comparison)
LG exited the smartphone market in July 2021, so this comparison is purely retrospective. Both brands had distinct philosophies:
Sony (Xperia) Strengths
- Imaging Pipeline: 1" type sensors (Xperia 1 V, PRO-I), variable aperture, ZEISS optics, RAW support, Photography Pro / Videography Pro apps mimicking Alpha cameras.
- Audio: 3.5 mm jack (long after rivals dropped it), LDAC, DSEE Ultimate, front-facing stereo speakers, 360 Reality Audio.
- Display: 4K HDR OLED (21:9 CinemaWide), creator-mode color accuracy, 120 Hz.
- Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, IP65/68, metal frame, minimalist "One-piece" design.
- Software Policy: 3 OS upgrades + 4 years security (recent models); near-stock Android with pro features.
LG (Historical) Strengths
- Innovation: Dual screen (G8X, V60, Velvet), wide-angle camera pioneer (G5), quad DAC audio (V20–V60), gesture control (G8), rollable concept.
- Value: Flagship specs often $100–$200 below Samsung/Apple at launch.
- Manual Controls: Pro photo/video modes were industry-leading pre-2018.
LG Weaknesses (Why They Exited)
- Update Abandonment: 1–2 major OS updates max; security patches lagged 6–12 months.
- Bootloop/Quality Scandals: G4, V10, Nexus 5X hardware failures destroyed trust.
- Marketing/Supply: Chaotic launch cycles, poor carrier relationships, limited regional availability.
- Software Bloat: LG UX heavy, buggy, delayed.
Verdict
For camera/audio purists willing to pay premium: Sony Xperia 1 V / 5 V / 10 V remain unique. For value/innovation in the used market: LG V60 (dual screen, quad DAC, 5G, headphone jack) is a cult classic—but zero updates since Android 12. Today, buy Sony (if budget allows) or pivot to Pixel, Samsung, or OnePlus for support longevity.