Google Nexus 4 v Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Google recently unveiled its Nexus 4, the latest smartphone in the Nexus line-up manufactured by LG. Powered by the latest version of Jelly Bean and featuring a "sophisticated hardware design" by LG, the handset will be available for purchase on Google Play Store starting 13 November in several countries, including the UK.

Here's how the Google Nexus 4 stacks up against the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Display

The Nexus 4 features a 4.7in WXGA True HD IPS Plus display with resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels and pixel density of 320 pixels per inch (ppi). The screen has a protective cover of Corning Gorilla Glass 2.

Google claims Nexus 4's True HD IPS display is supported by Zerogap Touch technology, which will deliver a clear viewing experience. In addition, the cutting edge display technology will offer users "a feeling of touching every pixel".

LG introduced Zerogap Touch in its Optimus G, which boasts an unusual cover glass. While other touch screens feature either ITO film or a glass sensor, the Zerogap Touch has an ITO sensor film which is printed on to the glass, removing the air trapped between two elements. This results in great touch sensitivity, reduces the thickness of the display and gives the sharpest viewing experience, notes Digital Trends.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 2, in contrast, features a display even larger than the Nexus 4's at 5.5in. Its HD Super AMOLED display has a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. However, its pixel density is less than that of the Nexus 4, at 267ppi. Like Google's new smartphone, the Note 2's screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 2.

The Galaxy Note 2 with its 16:9 screen ratio delivers an "immersive" and "enriched cinema-like video viewing" experience, claims Samsung. In addition, the larger screen allows users to see content clearly and vividly. With the Note 2, users can accomplish more tasks and can create content while on the move.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Dimensions

The Nexus 4 measures 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1mm whereas the Note 2 measures 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm in thickness. As far as weight is concerned, the Note 2, at 180g, is approximately 41g heavier than the Nexus 4.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Operating System

The Nexus 4 grabs more attention because of the operating system it features, Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), which was introduced alongside the announcement of Google's Nexus-branded devices (Nexus 4, Nexus 10, 3G Nexus 7).

This latest version of Jelly Bean brings some great features including Gesture Typing, which enables users to glide their fingers over letters to increase typing speed.

Android 4.2 adds support for wireless displays, allowing users to share movies, YouTube videos and images on their TVs.

The Note 2 was launched with Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean). There is no official word from Samsung as to when the device will receive the Android 4.2 update.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Processor

The Nexus 4 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro chip featuring a quadcore Krait processor, paired with an Adreno 320 graphics unit. The quadcore processor runs at a clock speed of 1.5GHz.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro quad (APQ8064) a powerful processor that made its debut in the Mobile Development Platform (MDP/T) for Android tablets for developers and manufacturers.

The Note 2 runs on the Exynos 4 chip featuring a quadcore Cortex-A9 processor and paired with Mali-400MP graphics unit. Samsung's Galaxy S3 is the company's first device to adopt this processor. However, the quadcore chip in Note 2 has been clocked at 1.6GHz, compared with the Galaxy S3's 1.4GHz.

The Exynos 4 quad possesses twice the processing power over the 45nm process based Exynos 4 dual-core while consuming 20 per cent less power. Moreover, it is benchmarked to be an equally powerful processor.

Both Google's and Samsung's smartphones have a huge 2GB of RAM.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Cameras

The Nexus 4 features an eight megapixel rear-camera with technologies including auto-focus, LED flash, touch-focus, geo-tagging, face detection. The camera can record video in 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps).

Android 4.2 brings a new camera app for Nexus 4 called Photo Sphere. This feature allows users to capture photos (larger in size) in every direction. In addition, users can share their photos on Google+ and can add Photo Sphere to Google Maps.

The handset also has a 1.3-megapixel HD front camera.

The Galaxy Note 2, like the Nexus 4, has an eight-megapixel rear-camera with technologies including auto-focus, LED flash, simultaneous HD video and image recording, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection and image stabilisation. The camera can also record 1080p video at 30fps.

The Note 2's camera carries some interesting features, including Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot and Best photos. These features were introduced in the Galaxy S3. Best photos allows users to choose their preferred face/pose of each person from a group photo.

The front camera of the Note 2 is of slightly higher resolution than the Nexus 4's at 1.9 megapixels. The camera is also capable of HD video recording.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Connectivity

The Nexus 4 offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP. It supports data speed HSDPA up to 21Mbps and HSUPA up to 5.76Mbps. Google has confirmed that T-Mobile users will be able to enjoy Nexus 4 with HSPA+ 42.

The Note 2 supports Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, LE and EDR. It supports HSDPA (21 Mbps) and HSUPA (5.76 Mbps) network speeds.

The Note 2, featuring 4G network speeds, is the winner as far as connectivity is concerned since Google's latest Nexus phone does not support 4G.

Both Nexus 4 and the Note 2 are Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled devices.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Storage

The Nexus 4 comes in two storage variants: 8GB and 16GB. The device does not support microSD cards for additional storage. This will no doubt disappoint many Nexus fans but Matias Duarte, Director of Android operating system User Experience at Google, has explained the decision.

"We take a different approach," he said. "Your Nexus has a fixed amount of space and your apps just seamlessly use it for you without you ever having to worry about files or volumes or any of that techy nonsense left over from the paleolithic era of computing. With a Nexus you know exactly how much storage you get upfront and you can decide what's the right size for you. That's simple and good for users."

The Note 2 comes in three storage options at 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, with microSD card support.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Battery

The Nexus 4 runs on a powerful battery of 2100mAh. Google promises that the battery will deliver talk time of more than 15 hours and 390 hours of standby.

The Note 2 has a bigger battery than the Nexus 4, at 3100mAh. The Note 2 reportedly provides 35 hours of talktime on 2G and 16 hours on 3G. Similarly, it delivers standby time of 980 hours on 2G and 890 on 3G.

Nexus 4 v Note 2: Price

As far as pricing is concerned, Samsung's 16GB Galaxy Note 2, at £549, costs around £250 more than the 16GB Nexus 4. The 8GB Nexus 4 is priced at £239.