LG G5 smartphone review: modular flagship. Using the CamPlus module. Screen that's always on
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 disconnects 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 the smartphone more comfortable to hold 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 with expandable capacity 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 footage can be stored in the internal memory of the camera or uploaded to YouTube 360, Google Street View and smartphone. With LG G5 you can watch videos in real time,
LG 360 VR
LG 360 VR is a headset virtual reality with the ability to connect to LG G5 using only 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 ball-shaped robot, slightly smaller than a soccer ball, designed to look after your home and pets. 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 the South Korean company, owners of LG smartphones will have the advantage of more convenient control and configuration thanks to the proprietary LG Friends Manager application. Having used up the charge battery, the robot nurse will independently return to the charging point.
Cost of modules and others mobile devices The LG G5 & Friends line is not yet known.
- Be sure to evaluate the design of the new product by looking
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 be transformed into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and much more.
In thin metal case The new smartphone has an integrated retractable battery, 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, including 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 new mobile experiences beyond those offered by traditional smartphones.
LG 360 VR
LG 360 VR is a virtual reality headset that works 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 an additional device that 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 sitter, and remote control for compatible home 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
LG presented at MWC 2016 its flagship smartphone of this year, the G5, about which almost everything was already known even before the announcement (by the way, we have a broadcast of the presentation with commentary). This is a smartphone running Android 6.0 with a 5.3-inch screen (resolution 2560x1440), Qualcomm processor Snapdragon 820, 16-megapixel camera, with a duplicate 8-megapixel camera for taking wide-angle shots at 135 degrees (front 8 MP), 4 GB of RAM and a 2.8 Ah battery. The new product weighs 159 grams with dimensions 149x74x8 millimeters. From interesting features it has a USB-C connector, infrared port, technology support fast charging Third generation Quick Charge. And also a constant display of time on the display even in the sleep mode of the smartphone. LG promises that this useful feature will consume only 0.8% of battery energy per hour.
But the most interesting were rather the presented accessories, some of which support the concept of a modular smartphone (hello, project). All of them are called “friends” of the LG G5 and work with the smartphone using a special utility, LG Friends Manager. This is a droid with an LG Rolling Bot camera (literally: a rolling robot, the laurels of Sphero BB-8 really haunt someone), LG 360 VR virtual reality glasses, a 360-degree camera LG 360 Cam, and also external battery with LG Cam Plus camera control keys and an external battery with a Hi-Fi player developed jointly with Bang&Olufsen LG Hi-Fi Plus.
LG Cam Plus and Hi-Fi Plus close-up:
It can be seen that the camera module has a battery capacity of 2.8 Ah. And it itself is designed for more convenient photo and video shooting functions (a series of shots, convenient focusing, a hardware shutter button). Noteworthy is the mascot of the LG Friends line - a cat with glasses.
Another noteworthy new product: LG 360 VR virtual reality glasses. Unlike a virtual reality helmet, they weigh and take up less space. The headphones are cleverly built into the temples of the glasses.
Prices and delivery dates, unfortunately, have not been announced. We only know that there will be 4 color options for the case: silver, titanium, gold and (my favorite) pink. But no special surprises are expected here: the flagship has been entering the market with a price tag of 700-800 dollars for several years now. The fate of the accessories, no matter how beautiful they look at the presentation, will be unenviable (as always). Distributors will not purchase them due to high price(you don’t seriously think that they will cost 5 kopecks?) and a small number of LG G5 on hand. The lack of accessories on sale, in turn, will reduce the attractiveness of buying a flagship. In the end... we've all been through this more than once, in general. No, boy, just because you didn’t go through it doesn’t mean it will be any different this time.
Official promotional video of LG G5:
LG faced a giant challenge in 2016; its new smartphones will have to compete with... Samsung Galaxy S7. To counter Samsung and the ubiquitous iPhone, LG decided to innovate and reimagine the way we use smartphones with the release of the LG G5.
Modular LG G5 - Reviews
The LG G5 is truly different. This is a phone that has a detachable bottom and battery, a better camera than its predecessors and more High Quality sound. It's a small change, but damn exciting because of what it represents and what it could mean for the future.
For the LG G5 to be successful, people must not only see the potential, but also love the phone. Eclipsing the glories of Samsung and Apple is a mammoth task for LG. Does the G5 have something that will make people buy it and dive into the world of modular smartphones?
The magic is hidden in the LG G5 slot
The magic of the LG G5 lies inside the slot, the phone's modular port. It is located at the base of the device, where the battery is located. On the right side of the phone there is a small button for hidden mounting. It pops out the bottom of the phone and disconnects the battery, allowing you to remove the entire module. It's all well designed, and wisely done. It’s not easy to unhook the module and let it crash onto the floor. You have to put in some effort if you want to pull it out. It takes a steady hand to remove the battery and a firm final push to secure it into place. None of these steps will happen by accident, so G5 won't figure itself out on its own.
However, it all feels alien because we are used to treating our phones as thin and fragile devices. But, with regards to the G5, rough handling is necessary here, unless of course you want to swap modules. The first few times you do this, you will be surprised, because everything is on the verge of breaking.
The amount of work, thought, effort and commitment that went into creating the LG G5 is amazing.
The first time we swapped modules, we were very afraid not to break the phone, so we asked another colleague who already had practice and did it. It took several rounds of changing modules to learn how to smoothly and harshly tug and pull on the module.
We would like to have an easier way to replace modules, or for each module to have its own battery and not have to yank it every time you move it from place to place. Alternatively, the battery could be hidden in the rear so that changing modules would not require relocating the battery. Of course, this will be annoying for those who don't want a removable battery.
The amazing G5 camera that steals the show
The LG G4 and V10 are two of the best camera phones ever made, and LG hasn't sacrificed any of the photography features in the G5. The G5 is absolutely fantastic and we can't stop shooting with it. The sensor is almost identical to the V10, with 16 MP and an F/1.8 aperture, as well as laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. There is also a dual lens here, but not for selfies - on the front, like the v10, but on the back.
The first camera provides a regular view of the world, while the second provides an expanded 135-degree field of view, providing ample opportunities for creativity. They are used independently of each other, unless you activate a special mode in which two points are meshed with each other to create strange photo hybrids. This is a feature you won't use often, but it can produce fun collages.
The wide-angle lens is addictive. It changes the look of the camera completely, and changes the way and type focal points. The results look great, especially when shooting perspective and wide open spaces. There is a slight fisheye effect on the G5's wide-angle shots, but again, as long as you put some thought into the final image, it's not distracting.
LG has included its incredibly easy-to-use manual mode for the G5, where ISO, shutter speed, focus and white balance can be adjusted. This manual mode is the most convenient for users. You'll find it very easy to use for adjusting images due to its simplicity.
The 8MP front selfie camera also has a wider angle than other phones like the iPhone 6S Plus and comes with effective regime to smooth out tones.
The LG G5 camera is a pleasure to use; This is a huge plus for phone sales. The wide-angle lens sets the phone apart from its competitors - and is an improvement over the G4 and V10.
Using the CamPlus module
Considering how well the LG G5's camera performs, you might be wondering what the CamPlus module is for. However, after using CamPlus, we can honestly say that it enhances the G5's camera, producing even higher quality images.
The module is not very large, but it has extra battery to keep your phone charged. Eat special button photo, a button for recording video, and a zoom wheel. We compared it to the standard zoom of the Galaxy S7 Edge and iPhone 6S Plus, and the results with both phones were grainier.
The CamPlus module sees things that other smartphone cameras can't, and it's truly impressive. If you take the LG G5 and CamPlus on vacation, you won't need to pack any other camera to take great photos. The addition of a camera button and zoom wheel will also be useful when you're shooting with gloves in the winter. This eliminates the need for touch screen phone to get best quality images, making your G5 feel like a real camera.
For LG G5 there is also a special module for improving audio.
OS Android 6.0
The LG G5 is equipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS with some modifications; it differs from previous LG smartphones, primarily due to controversial decisions that are similar to Apple firmware.
Now all your apps are spread across multiple home screens. List pre-installed applications not that big, it includes regular applications for email, contacts, weather, plus tools such as voice recorder, calculator, task manager and FM radio.
LG G5 is a powerful device with Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and 4GB random access memory on board, which allows the smartphone to not heat up so much during processing large quantity data as 810 version.
Battery life needs improvement
Let's start with the positive. It's completely replaceable, so if you're carrying a spare battery, it only takes a few seconds to swap out a dead one for a charged one. Try this on any other flagship phone in 2016?
Recharging will have to be done every day, and possibly more than once. If you find yourself in GPS action for two hours, took several photos, and generally used the phone for email, messages and applications; the battery will “die” at the end of the working day. It's not much different from the Galaxy S7 or iPhone 6S Plus. At least if you have a second LG G5 battery, it's not a disaster.
Charging also features QuickCharge 3.0, which is a step up from the Galaxy S7's standard QuickCharge 2.0.
And finally we come to the sophisticated design of the G5. At first glance it looks boring, but not ugly. Over time, we've come to love the subtle design details of the LG G5.
There are curves in the most unexpected places - the screen slopes back at the top, and there are no nasty sharp edges to make it awkward to hold. The metal is smooth and without seams.
In any case, the design of the LG G5 should not be judged right away. You have to live with it for a while, and you will be grateful to the developers for their well-thought-out design and shape.
LG should also be congratulated because the implementation of the modular system is almost invisible on the G5. There are no buttons of unusual shape or size, or stupid drawn arrows on the body, everything is done aesthetically and in the same style.
Although the LG G5 is not much smaller than the LG G4, its streamlined shape makes the smartphone very compact. It's slightly larger than the Galaxy S7 and weighs 159 grams. The display is 5.3 inches diagonally, smaller than the G4 and slightly larger than the Galaxy S7, but it has the same 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The fingerprint sensor, as is standard for LG, is located on the rear panel, although the volume control on the G5 has been moved to the rear side.
Need more updates
LG usually updates its phones at least once a month, but it's not much better than Samsung or anyone else Android manufacturer phones. It's a shame and we'd like to see more initiative from phone makers receiving Android updates. Because Android phones not receiving regular updates are vulnerable to hacker attacks, viruses, and are generally less secure than the iPhone. They also don't get new software features often. LG and others need to work to fix this epic problem.
G5 Warranty and Durability
LG offers a one-year warranty with the G5, so if there are problems, you'll have to send it back to the company for repairs.
It is not known how strong and durable the modules are, if they are replaced over and over again, will this cause problems? But this will be determined over time of use. The LG G5 is not waterproof, which works against it compared to the Galaxy S7. However, when it comes to drops and shock, the G5 will likely win the Galaxy S7's drop tests.
Bottom line
The amount of work, thought, effort and commitment that went into creating the new LG G5 is amazing. While other brands are accused of copying technology, LG has come up with something that will lead to new types of smartphones. It's bold, exciting and full of glorious potential.
However, at the moment, the potential modular telephone not yet fully implemented, and there are only a couple of plug-in modules.
However, the LG G5 is undoubtedly one of the best flagship phones of 2016, and you won't be disappointed with it, whether you have the modules or not.
LG G5 smartphone – video review
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The South Korean company LG has always been number two, and was in the shadow of its large competitor Samsung. But she never despaired, and moved forward step by step. This is a story of resilience, determination and unbridled ambition.
Does LG deserve to be an underdog? Maybe. But it is clear that the company is trying to use its best to displace Samsung from its leading position. She achieves her goal not with the help brute force, but using the ingenuity that brought us devices like the LG G2 and G4, and most recently the V10. Now, with the help of the G5, LG is consolidating its position as a manufacturer of high-quality and unusual phones.
For example, the LG G5 is the only modular smartphone currently available for mass sale. The detachable bottom accommodates a variety of accessories, such as a camera grip for easier photography, or a high-quality external audio device for improved sound quality. The phone has other features, such as a dual camera, which is unique in the market. Add to everything unusual accessories LG “Friends” - a smart spinning spherical robot and a hand-held 360 0 camera, and get another component of the colorful environment.
Ultimately, playfulness is just the icing on top, which needs a strong foundation to ensure sales in an increasingly competitive market. Here's a preview of the LG G5, giving us a look at the foundation and a clue as to how strong it is.
No plastic, all metal: the G5 opens a new chapter in LG's design history. For the past three years, LG has had a clear design philosophy when it comes to flagship line and devices under its influence. This philosophy is what is known as rounded design, or rectangles with rounded corners with slight curves at the top and bottom. Features of the appearance include the location of the power and volume keys, as well as the presence of removable rear panels, starting with G3. With the release of the G5, LG closes this chapter of its design history and moves on.
Most will agree that the LG G5 is different from any G-series predecessor. It's more aggressively rounded on the sides, smaller, thinner, and the volume keys are on the left side. Compared to previous flagships, the model looks truly unusual. Top part The glass on the front panel is slightly curved, thanks to which it shimmers effectively in the light. A fingerprint scanner, combined with a power button, also appeared, located under the cameras on the back of the case. High-end devices often use metal as body materials. And LG is finally joining this club and forgetting even about plastic decorated with leather in favor of cold aluminum.
The most distinctive part of the G5 is the ability to install replaceable modules, which are ejected by pressing a button in the lower left corner. The removal process itself is well thought out, however, there are concerns that the 2800 mAh battery may break in half when trying to remove it from the base due to the amount of force required. This is a preliminary copy, we hope that in the end the smartphone will not have such a problem. On the other hand, it is unlikely that the user will often resort to removing and replacing modules. The G5 replaces the leather shell of the G4 with metal and thin chrome trim on the side edges. However, the chrome edges dig into your hands a little.
Display
Smaller display size, but the same Quad HD resolution as the previous model. LG was the first to bring QuadHD resolution to a smartphone, and luckily it didn't see any reason to increase the resolution on the G5. The phone has the same resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, the visual excess is now less obvious than ever before. This time, the company chose to equip the smartphone with a slightly more compact 5.3-inch display, as opposed to the 5.5-inch screens in its last two flagships. To protect the display, LG uses a coating called 3D Arc Glass, which is supposedly made in-house and is not a solution third party developers, such as Corning's Gorilla Glass.
Having a preliminary production sample, we will refrain from scientific measurements. We hope that the commercial screen will not be so cold, and without a bluish tint. From a visibility point of view, the screen is quite bright, the image is clearly visible even under straight lines. sun rays. If necessary, the brightness is reduced to the maximum low level: This feature is especially useful for night owls.
Last but not least, the G5's IPS LCD display comes with an "Always-on display" feature. Thanks to it, the phone will always show the time and date, as well as any incoming notifications. However, the viewing angles at which these data are clearly visible to the eye are quite low. Visibility is also affected by the presence of light from lamps or the sun reflecting off the display. However, it is a useful feature. We can only hope that it will not cause rapid battery consumption.
Interface and functionality
Finally! LG is moving away from the rainbow UI approach to something more minimalist.
Most expect the G5's user interface to be similar to that of the G4, which recently received an update to the latest Android versions 6 Marshmallows. Luckily the skin will be different; we've never been big fans of the styling of older LG devices.
The G5 sees some positive changes: fewer in-your-face colors and a mostly black and white theme. Honestly, after so many years of cartoonish elements, it's finally nice to see a more dignified, mature take on the user interface LG.
Styling is far from the only thing that has changed. For example, a feature such as Dual window (the ability to run two applications side by side on the screen) was removed from the G5, probably due to smaller size screen. Appeared new utility"Recently uninstalled applications" which gives 24 hours for recovery deleted files, while LG Health received a visual and functional overhaul.
And finally, this is the first G-series flagship with a built-in fingerprint (and you can say Hallelujah!). It's built into the back of the power button and works mostly reliably. There is no need to first turn on the screen to enter the unlock code or graphic key, and you can hide sensitive photos and notes. On the other hand, scanners located on the rear panel are not so convenient, considering that the device often lies on the table.
Telephone
When we're talking about About the phone's basic functionality, the LG G5 sticks to the fundamentals established by the G4. With minor visual updates, the calling app is identical to its predecessor. Unfortunately, there is no longer a special “Favorites” tab, which many used.
Messages
The Messages app on the G5 is pretty basic, it's unlikely you'd want it any other way. The standard application includes spam filters, ready-made quick replies, and the ability to schedule messages. The only addition worth mentioning is the available themes that allow you to customize appearance background, shape and design elements.
Calendar
The Calendar app on the G5 is actually very capable considering it's a built-in solution from the manufacturer. In addition to the main functions - the ability to change the view on the agenda, month or week - the Event Pocket function is of particular interest.
Event Pocket connects to other apps such as Facebook and the built-in Tasks app. The feature allows you to easily add scheduled events or chores to your weekly schedule using simple drag and drop. If the user is bored and would like to visit some establishment or place nearby, you can use the location service and get a list of nearby places that you can visit.
Processor and memory
The previous flagships LG G3 and G4 were not equipped with the most the best processors. With G5, LG is ready to start with clean slate, and use quad core Snapdragon processor 820. Qualcomm promises that the 64-bit custom Kryo cores in the new chip are twice as powerful as the cores used in the 810. And the Adreno 530 GPU improves performance by 40% graphics subsystem. Add 4GB RAM latest generation LPDDR4, and we get the complete package, at least on paper.
In our experience, these figures significantly increased the speed of the device and had positive influence on the overall responsiveness of the system to user actions. While the LG G4 is a bit sluggish and has some lag, it's great to see the G5 running smoothly and performing almost everything you need with lightning speed.
The G5 continues LG's tradition of always thinking about mass user, and offers memory expansion via MicroSD. The volume of the main drive is 32 GB, which is to a large extent enough to operate a smartphone and run mobile games.
Internet and communications
USB Type-C is a double-edged sword. We love convenience, but end up without a compatible charging cable.
Browsing the Internet on the LG G5 is done through Google's Chrome, if not installed alternative browser, but it's good. Historically, we've been very happy with Chrome's capabilities and its integration with Chrome desktop clients for syncing, shared history, and bookmarks. In terms of performance, it feels like the G5 doesn't handle web browsing as well as expected, as some operations like zooming don't work very smoothly. Having a preliminary sample, let's not rush to conclusions.
G5 has a fairly wide range of communications. Dual-band Wi-Fi, support for new Bluetooth standard 4.2, NFC, USB Type-C, and even an infrared blaster are scarce devices these days. Keep in mind that if you're planning to upgrade from an older G-series flagship, you'll need a nano-SIM card.
As mentioned earlier, the G5 doesn't come to market alone. Its colorful array of separately purchased accessories includes the LG Rolling Bot, a smart ball with a camera and remote control, a laser and even a speaker, for entertaining pets and keeping an eye on them while the owner is away. Coming soon to the market are accessories such as a camera that can capture 360-degree panoramic photos and a virtual reality headset.
Camera
The wide angle camera is actually useful! If you have ever tried double front camera in the LG V10, then you know what to expect from the equally unusual duo of two main cameras in the LG G5. Simply put, your phone's camera software allows you to switch between two sensors with a single tap. The idea is to use two cameras for different compositions. Key Features: 1/2.6" 16MP camera with 1.12μm pixels, F/1.8 wide-angle lens and optical stabilization. In addition, the user has at his disposal an additional 8-megapixel module with a very wide field of view - 135°, which is larger than that of the human eye.
Why go to such difficulties? Once the G5 is in your hands, you'll understand. In short, the second sensor allows you to capture scenes that would otherwise require panoramas. Being so wide, the sensor doesn't produce perfect shots, which presumably won't change in the final product. Distortion was noticed around the edges, similar to a fisheye effect, but not so significant as to make you hate the mode. In fact, we really appreciate the creative freedom afforded by a wide-angle camera, not to mention the ability to easily fit a lot more into the frame than usual.
If you consider yourself a photography enthusiast, you might want to consider the LG CAM Plus accessory, which is a bulky (yet convenient) physical insert that slots into the modular bottom of the phone. It has its own 1200mAh cell, and offers physical controls and rotary dials, making the process of taking a photo or video a little easier. There's still an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front, which is identical in hardware to the G4, as is the main camera on the back.
In terms of software, the G5's camera interface is slightly different from that offered in the G4 and V10. The iconography has been changed, resulting in an impression of simplicity. Don't judge a book by its cover, the G5 is a very capable camera phone with full manual mode. The unusualness of the photo will be added by special shooting modes Snap (Vine-like video capture mode, where you can pause/start up to a minute) and Popout (a layer of the main camera frame at the top and slightly transparent background from widescreen).
The G5 supports video recording up to 4K UHD, complete with slow motion and frame decomposition. There's also a range of film filters that look promising for aspiring videographers, but it also begs the question of why LG killed off the V10's manual video mode.
Multimedia
The LG G5's built-in gallery remains as powerful as ever. She now has a special view that allows you to sort her creations depending on the shooting mode, so you can easily find your work if you suddenly need it. As before, you can use it to edit photos. Google app Photos.
As for the video player, it's now more powerful than ever, with an impressive, comprehensive editing mode that lets you trim, speed up or slow down footage, or add artistic visual filters, and some pre-loaded music. Quite a serious update for the built-in application.
Regarding audio, the main audio speaker located on the bottom edge is quite powerful. It's improved in that even a passing listen will reveal that the boxy sound emanating from its predecessor's speaker has been toned down.
Speaking of audio, it is worth mentioning the LG Hi-Fi Plus module. Created by Bang & Olufsen, the add-on comes in a matte black shell and adds yet another feature to the G5. More importantly, it has its own higher quality DAC that allows the user to enjoy high quality audio through its 3.5mm jack, provided the relevant content is available. Almost all streaming services currently offer compressed, standard quality audio that does not benefit from a DAC module.
Expectations
To predict how well a smartphone will sell requires educated guesses. The G5 is in line with LG's strategy, but it's not alone in fighting for customers' money. Throughout MWC exhibitions, and weeks later, LG is trying to emphasize its ambition: to make smartphones for fun and entertainment again.
How will the company do this? If you ask LG, the answer would be “Friends” accessories and two additional modules G5. An interesting strategy, inherently unseen before. And while this may seem like a smart move, the success of the G5 will continue to be crucial to LG's fortunes in the second half of 2016.
Will there be success? Even if we had a final version, we would be evasive. This is not the first time that critics have liked the product, however, the average person does not vote “yes” with their wallet. What's the result? Constant experiments from LG are a little tiring. Of course, you could argue that this helps move the entire industry forward, but it also suggests uncertainty, and begs the question of whether LG has a clear vision for its flagship line. However, as a standalone product, the G5 will no doubt be part of the upper echelon of the smartphone market this year. It is absolutely clear that how the main advantages of a smartphone - a dual camera and a modular design - are received by average consumers will determine its fate.
based on materials from Phonearena.com
