Hybrid of hybrids: test of the LG G5 SE smartphone with the Hi-Fi Plus module from B&O. Internet and communications. Main technical characteristics of LG G5

Today LG Electronics demonstrated for the first time new flagship Chinese smartphone LG G5. The flagship not only features a completely new design and retractable removable battery, but also has a modular architecture, which promises to provide absolutely new experience using a smartphone. The LG G5 smartphone, presented together with a collection of additional LG Friends devices, can transform into digital camera, Hi-Fi player and much more.

A retractable battery is integrated into the thin metal body of the new smartphone, which makes it easy to replace a dead battery with a fully charged one in a matter of seconds.

A lot of features are also related to the device’s camera: the main camera unit uses two sensors - one has optics with an angle of 78 degrees, and the other has 135 degrees. Therefore, the user can choose between normal mode and wide angle.

The smartphone has a 5.3-inch display with a special curved glass 3D Arc Glass. It supports the “Always – on Display” feature, which makes it much easier to view notifications with time, date, etc. important information are displayed continuously, eliminating the need to activate the display.

But what makes the new flagship really interesting is its unusual modular design. Firstly, the user can easily change the device's battery by simply sliding it out of the case, but it can also be replaced with special LG Friends modules, turning into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and other devices, while maintaining a monolithic body.

LG CAM Plus

LG CAM Plus is an original camera module that can be connected to a smartphone via the battery slot and provides convenient operation and control as on regular camera. Essentially, connected to the LG G5, it is a large battery grip and turns a smartphone into a camera with a comfortable grip and mechanical buttons for on/off, aperture, recording, and zoom. In addition, this module has intuitive autofocus and autoexposure locking features that are usually only available in desktop cameras. digital cameras. When connected to an LG G5 smartphone, the module increases the battery capacity by 1200 mAh.

LG Hi-Fi Plus player with B&O Play

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY is an innovative Hi-Fi audio player, developed jointly with Bang & Olufsen specifically for lovers of sound that was previously only available in speaker systems high-end class. The LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY features a simple yet elegant design in iconic Scandinavian style and high-quality sound. In addition to the oversampling technology found in the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC player in the previously announced LG V10, the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY supports audio playback high definition frequency 384 kHz/32 bit. LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY can be used as a module for the LG G5 smartphone or can be connected to any smartphone or computer as a Hi-Fi DAC chip.

LG has paid special attention to the camera of the device and placed two cameras on the back of the LG G5: one with a standard lens with a shooting angle of 78 degrees and the second with a wide-angle lens with a viewing angle of 135 degrees - the maximum of any smartphone available today. This allows you to photograph panoramic landscapes, tall buildings or groups of people without having to walk away. longer distance from the subject.

Wide range of related devices

With LG G5, the company introduces a revolutionary smartphone ecosystem - LG Playground. With this, LG aims to strengthen its relationships with various partners and introduces a variety of devices and supporting programs for maximum use sites.

Within the ecosystem, LG G5 is presented wide range additional devices called “LG Friends”, allowing you to enjoy a new user experience mobile devices, going beyond what traditional smartphones offer.

LG 360 VR

LG 360 VR is glasses virtual reality, which function exclusively with the LG G5 smartphone to simulate viewing a 130-inch TV that is located two meters away from the viewer, and can be connected to it using special cable. Thanks to stylish design and the compact nature of these glasses, users can take them with them and enjoy virtual reality content anytime, anywhere. Unlike other virtual reality devices that require a smartphone to be inserted into it, the LG 360 VR weighs only 118g, which is approximately three times less than competing models, while still delivering a resolution of 639 ppi. The device supports the format of panoramic photos and videos taken using the LG 360 CAM camera, and is compatible with Google Cardboard content.

LG 360 CAM

LG Rolling Bot

The LG Rolling Bot is additional device, which rolls like a ball, while taking photos and videos using an 8MP camera. More than just a toy, the LG Rolling Bot can be used as a security system, pet monitor, and remote control compatible with it household appliances. With an IP camera connected via Wi-Fi, users can remotely monitor their home through the system streaming on LG G5.

Main technical characteristics of LG G5

Chipset: Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Display: 5.3 inches Quad HD IPS Quantum (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi) Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB) Camera: Main: Standard 16MP, wide-angle 8MP / Front: 8MP Battery: 2800mAh (removable) OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm Weight: 159 g Network support: LTE / 3G / 2G Network connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type -C/NFC/Bluetooth 4.2 Colors: Silver/Titanium/Gold/Pink

The new product became the first mass model a smartphone with a modular concept, although not like in the Ara project from Google, where any component will be replaced. To expand the capabilities of the LV Zh5, the manufacturer suggests using special replaceable modules that are attached to the bottom of the device. At MWC the manufacturer showed the first available modules and several accessories, which will be discussed further.

The plug-ins will use the so-called Magic Slot, which is at the head of the smartphone's modular system. The process of removing and installing attachments is quite simple. At the bottom of the case there is a button that detaches its lower part. Next, you just need to remove the battery and move it to the desired plug-in module.

LG CAM Plus

One of the mentioned attachments is LG Cam Plus, the image of which appeared a few days before the announcement of the LG G5 smartphone. The module is a rather bulky box with controls located on the body, which are already available in the mobile device itself. However, Cam Plus makes it easier to hold your smartphone in your hand when taking photos and improves battery capacity.

The LG Cam Plus is equipped with a 1200 mAh battery, and when combined with the 2800 mAh battery, the G5 has a total capacity of 4000 mAh, which is pretty good. The controls on the module include a shutter button, a button to switch to video recording, a zoom wheel and a button to launch the camera application. In addition, this attachment has an LED indicator and is equipped with intuitive autofocus and autoexposure locking functions.

LG Hi-Fi Plus is a plug-in audio module developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen for audiophiles and connoisseurs high-quality sound. The module is equipped with 32-bit digital-to-analog converter(DAC) that supports 384kHz/32-bit audio playback and oversampling technology. For comparison, the LG G5 has a 24-bit DAC.

The Hi-Fi Plus module with B&O Play player has its own audio jack with high priority for output, and therefore in its connected state standard port will not work for LG G5 headphones.

The attachment does not have its own battery, so it only works when connected to a new flagship from LG or another smartphone or even a computer as a Hi-Fi DAC chip. The module comes with a special plug and H3 B&O Play headphones.

LG 360 CAM

LG 360 CAM acts as a standalone 360-degree camera that connects to the LG G5 via Bluetooth. The camera has a 4 GB flash drive expandable with MicroSD cards, 3 microphones, a 1200 mAh battery and two 13 MP cameras, which together form flat or spherical images with a resolution of 16 MP.

Each camera captures a 200-degree angle, and then they are combined into a full 360-degree image. LG 360 CAM supports 2K video recording with 5.1 surround sound. The removed material can be stored in internal memory camera or upload it to YouTube 360, Google Street View and smartphone. Using LG G5 you can watch video in real time,

LG 360 VR

The LG 360 VR is a virtual reality headset that can be connected to the LG G5 using just USB cable Type-C. Unlike its competitors, the device from LG received a built-in display and this made the gadget lighter and more compact, and the folding design allows you to take it with you on a trip. The weight of this gadget is 118 grams.

The LG 360 VR headset features 1.88-inch adjustable lenses with a resolution of 960 x 720 and a pixel density of 639 ppi. According to the company, this design simulates a 130-inch TV in front of your eyes at a distance of two meters. The device has a headphone jack, which allows you not only to view the picture, but also to hear its sounds. You can also use your LG G5 smartphone to play audio while pairing it with the headset.

In addition, the 360 VR comes with Home and Back buttons, but for more convenient control, it's better to use the new flagship device. Using the headset, you can watch 2D movies from your smartphone and content from YouTube services 360 and Google Cardboard.

LG Rolling Bot is a spherical robot with a little smaller size than a soccer ball designed for house and pet care. The bot's movement is carried out using two independently rotating hemispheres, which allows it to move in any direction. The robot contains an 8 MP camera, speakers, microphone and laser pointer, which, as you know, cats love to chase.

You can control Rolling Bot and view video in real time using a smartphone with installed special application. The bot is compatible with everyone mobile phones third party manufacturers, but according to statements from the south Korean company, owners of smartphones from LG will have a more advantage convenient management and configuration thanks to the proprietary LG Friends Manager application. Having used up the battery charge, the robot-nurse will independently return to the charging point.

The cost of modules and other mobile devices of the LG G5 & Friends line is not yet known.

Be sure to evaluate the design of the new product by looking

Briefly about the first new products of MWC 2016, including the new flagship from the Korean company LG. Now let's look at the smartphone in a little more detail.

The gadget called LG G5 is interesting primarily because it does not look at all like a logical continuation of the line flagship smartphones LG, although it is.

The smartphone received a significantly changed design compared to its predecessors: lines metal case G5 became smoother, and the notorious buttons volumes from the rear panel have finally moved to where they belong - on side edge.

In addition, the device has a modular design, which allows simple replacement batteries, the capacity of which, by the way, is 2800 mAh, and connecting one of two additional elements.

The bottom panel can be removed and replaced with CAM module Plus, which thanks own elements control will make it more convenient to use your smartphone as a camera. In addition, it has a separate battery, which significantly increases the “life” of the device.

Another module - LG Hi-Fi Plus - turns the smartphone into a full-fledged music player with 32-bit DAC and amplifier. It comes with H3 B&O Play headphones.

Like Samsung Galaxy S7, the flagship from LG received the function Always-on, which even on a locked screen allows you to display current time and notifications. Working in this mode consumes only 0.8% of battery charge per hour, so regarding the intense discharge of the smartphone in in this case no need to worry.

LG G5 received a 5.3-inch IPS display with QHD resolution 2560×1440 pixels, which ultimately gives a pixel density of 554 ppi. The gadget works on the basis latest processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and equipped 4 GB RAM type LPDDR4, as well as 32 GB built-in memory. You can expand the storage capacity using a microSD card. Fortunately, there is a corresponding connector here.

On the back of the smartphone there is a fingerprint scanner and the real highlight of the device - two camera modules (16 and 8 MP), which ensure the creation of pictures with a wide coverage angle, containing large quantity objects.

Among the connectors, the LG G5 contains a standard 3.5 mm headphone input, as well as a port USB Type-C . The new product works on “fresh” Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

Interestingly, LG is positioning the flagship not only as a independent device, but also as part of a certain exsystem. Which? The answer is in the very strange unusual video below.

The device will be sold in silver, titanium, gold and pink flowers, however, when and for how long is still unknown. [The Verge]

website Very unusual gadget. We have already talked briefly about the first new products of MWC 2016, including the new flagship from the Korean company LG. Now let's look at the smartphone in a little more detail. The gadget called LG G5 is interesting primarily because it does not at all look like a logical continuation of the line of flagship LG smartphones, although it is one. I received the smartphone...

IN Lately The trend to turn smartphones into all-in-one devices is becoming increasingly popular. Modern flagships already have more or less passable cameras, and now manufacturers have taken up audio. New models are equipped Bluetooth versions, capable of transmitting a high-quality signal, and DACs capable of processing this signal. LG has already released a conventionally high-end smartphone V10 with a 32-bit DAC from ESS Saber, and decided to continue the tradition.

Why and why

The LG G5 SE phone, which I received for testing, has everything that a modern flagship should: bright screen, impressive size, exorbitant price and “trick”. That very “trick” is replaceable modules LG Friends, among which only one can interest us from an audio point of view: the Hi-Fi Plus audio module developed jointly with B&O. It uses a combination of DAC and amplification chips ES9028C2M and Sabre9602C from ESS, thanks to which the smartphone is able to perceive tracks in 32-bit/384 kHz quality. The amplifier starts working only when headphones with an impedance of 50-600 Ohms are connected. I just happened to have a Sennheiser HD380 Pro on hand, passing through lower limit allowed (with an impedance of 54 Ohms), and it was with this combination that I lived for more than two weeks.

I did not change the Hi-Fi module to a standard one, it was connected all the time and added almost a centimeter in length to the size of the already rather large phone. After all, LG's system for swapping modules involves turning off the phone, which isn't all that convenient, and in standby mode the Hi-Fi module simply behaves like a larger plug, consuming no additional power.

Daily routine

IN standard mode The G5 SE easily withstood a day of use with half an hour of calls, frequent checks of Instagram and mail, regular chats and a couple of hours of playing music through the module and Youtube viewing. Thanks to the large 5.3-inch screen with qHD resolution, watching colorful videos on it was a pleasure. But at some point the device refused to play streaming video in 60 frames, simply not providing such an option when choosing a resolution, and some videos had to be watched in 480p. Oddly enough, they looked good.

480p, but you could even see subtitles on the G5 SE screen

And time-lapses of the Sun from NASA in 4K (not streaming) looked absolutely wonderful: juicy, bright and mesmerizing. But here's what's interesting: a phone connected to the network via a two-amp incomplete Charger, at the same time losing with Youtube video in 1080p and reproducing sound through headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi module was discharged and not charged. Although much slower.

I've been using phones for the last ten years Motorola, I haven’t dealt with LG devices before, and I can say that the company’s philosophy in telephone manufacturing is unusual for me. For example, in the G5 SE model, in terms of interface, the developers decided to go iPhone ways and abandoned the separate menu screen with applications: now the icons of all installed programs visible on the main screen. The design of the device is also strange, but already familiar to LG: the button that turns on the smartphone is located on the back and also serves as a fingerprint scanner. The company's engineers understand that it is not always possible to reach this button (for example, when the device is lying on the table with the screen facing up) and have added the ability to unlock double tap screen. Comfortable.

Above the power button on LG is located dual camera, one of which has a viewing angle of 135 degrees. I have no complaints about the camera: sunny, summer Russia looks sunny and summery through the lens, the domestic cat does not look as much like a snowdrift with paws as when shooting with the camera of my Moto X - you can even see its fur. But if you don’t turn off the setting for panoramic shooting of large distant objects in time (point to three Christmas trees instead of one at the top of the screen in landscape orientation), you can get funny perspective distortions on the sides when shooting close up.

When comparing the quality of the image opposite the window, the LG XCam, which ended up in the hands of a colleague, slightly won in terms of clarity, so there are devices that are more prone to taking photographs than the G5 SE. But it’s enough for Instagram, the letters in the documents are clearly visible - and that’s okay.

The volume buttons, previously located on the back, have been moved to the left side. You can easily reach them without having to dodge too much.

On the right side there is a tray for SIM cards and memory cards. Theoretically, the device supports two SIM cards, but in this case you will have to sacrifice a slot for MicroSD cards. And it has 32 GB of built-in memory, of which only 26 are available to the user: not much space for high-res.

The card tray is plastic and bends a little

There are connectors at the bottom and top of the phone: at the top - 3.5 mm, to which you can connect a headset with control buttons if you want to control playback and answer calls hands-free. Below, in the Hi-Fi module, there is a USB-C connector and a 3.5 mm jack connected to the DAC and amplifier. I note that headphones connected via a Hi-Fi module will not work as a headset: when answering a call, the sound will not go to the headphones, and the smartphone microphone will also not pick up the voice. Moreover, if you sharply pull the headphones out of the socket, you can slightly pull the module out of its seat, and in this case the microphone will also not work, although the phone will not turn off.

For once it is clear that this is not a tribble

My hands are not the first to touch a test sample, which is probably why there was a slight play at the junction of the case and the module, and there was a lot of play on the smartphone screen small scratches. In general, the phone behaved quite calmly. It fulfilled all the tasks assigned to it: it allowed me to stay in touch, displayed the necessary pictures and videos, allowed me to access the resources I needed, and, of course, acted as a player.

However, now about the disadvantages - and for me this is the size. With a connected Hi-Fi module and a Sennheiser HD380 Pro (which has a rather harsh plug and a heavy twisted wire), the device hardly fit into the pockets of typical women's jeans and kept trying to fall out of them. But he felt comfortable in his jacket pockets.

The module simply did not have any volume reserve in combination with these headphones in the Moscow metro. In order to hear anything other than a vaguely music-like hum, the volume had to be turned up 65-70 points out of a possible 75. But in a calm environment, 45-55 points were enough.

G5 SE interface and ascetic settings of the Hi-Fi module

It seems to me that the ideal scenario for using a combination of the G5 SE, a Hi-Fi module and these headphones is not too long a train trip or a flight (within five hours). There you are, as a rule, in a static position, therefore, the size of the device does not matter. And it’s not that noisy, so the passive soundproofing of the headphones is sufficient. And you won't have to recharge your phone. During the 2.5-hour trip, I listened to music using the Hi-Fi module for about an hour, used the device in modem mode for an hour (when the keypad allowed cellular network) and in between I looked through the files saved on my phone and took pictures of the landscape outside the window. During this time the battery was discharged by 45%.

And now about the sound

The advantage of the module is that it can be used not only with the G5 and G5 SE, but also with any other Android smartphones that support USB OTG, and also as a USB DAC for a PC.

To listen to music on my phone I used PowerAmp player- one of the highest quality players for Android. Own application LG, when working with a Hi-Fi module, is no different from a standard one, and Google Music additional options doesn't add.

Due to the peculiarities of the combination, light, crystalline electronics like Shpongle were best perceived (there must be a joke about crystals and psy-trance here), but bass-driven modern pop music, for example, Rihanna or Beyoncé, did not sound epic enough, but it allowed it is much better than usual to hear the well-recognized voices of the singers.

Shamanic booming dark jazz or instrumental stoner in the form of Samsara Blues Experiment did not merge into mush, but, as for me, it lost some of its droning charm. After godless dances with a tambourine and an equalizer in PowerAmp, the beginning of “Love Etc.” from Pet Shop Boys, without excessive buzzing, softly hummed in the ears, and did not pound imperceptibly somewhere in the subconscious . But still, voices and sonorous winds, together with acoustic guitar shimmers or slightly hysterical synthesized samples, sounded on this set without any additional settings most pleasant.

The sound that came into the headphones through the module was different from what came into them through the regular phone connector: it was louder, cleaner, and allowed even a newly converted audiophile like me to feel the difference between high-res and MP3. However, when using the module as an external DAC for a laptop (Microsoft Surface Pro 3) with the Dr. Death’s foobar2000 v.1.3.7 with absolutely default settings there was no shortage of bass, and I didn’t notice much of a difference between the sound through the DAC and through the built-in connector.

We didn’t have a good relationship with the standard audio output of the G5 SE: my Sony in-ear headphones didn’t want to stay in the socket, and the HD380 Pro fit into it with unusual effort. Therefore, all the time I only used the Hi-Fi output.

The screen glass on top is slightly rounded, which makes it more convenient to lower the notification shade

As a result, I have only two complaints about the device itself: size and temperature. The module got quite hot during playback. Of course, you couldn’t fry eggs on it, but it warmed up quite quickly to the point where you didn’t want to touch it. The size of the phone, of course, made it possible to hold it different ways, fortunately, there is a lot of space, but carrying a noticeably warmer device in your pocket could be unpleasant, and when viewing the news feed or other manipulations with the phone, you involuntarily had to touch the module.

Conclusion

So it turns out that this is either a huge Hi-Fi player-stove, or a convenient modern smartphone, but not “two-in-one”.

The Hi-Fi module is noticeably larger than a standard plug, and the soft-touch plastic happily collects fingerprints

I have no complaints about the G5 SE's performance when I'm not trying to turn it into a Hi-Fi player. It is responsive, bright, does not lose connection, does not slow down or irritate, lives for a long time on one battery charge and only refuses to connect to a computer with Windows 8.1 on board, but has not experienced any problems with Windows 10. It plays music great when in Hi-Fi mode, but loses its convenience as a smartphone at this point, gets warm and takes up too much space. The same Astell&Kern AK380, for example, felt more comfortable in the hand, despite its greater weight, angular body and finger thickness.

Of course, it is much more convenient to have such a module instead of an external DAC for a smartphone: this eliminates at least one device and one wire from the chain of devices. Perhaps the phone is ideal for a person with strong, deep pockets from which he will not try to escape or, when heated, constantly remind him of his presence.

It's probably not an all-in-one case for me - best solution. But at the same time, this is the first step in the right direction.