Review LG G5: modular construction, dual camera and new volume buttons

Aluminium, two basic camera mode «always on» for the screen, plug-in modules, as well as an updated interface LG UI – new LG G5 by the South Korean company, a step in the direction in comparison with last year’s flagship …

LG has continued its bold experiments. We have seen the transfer of the control keys on the back of the smartphone, curved in one or even in two planes housing, removable cover of unusual for a smartphone (leather) materials. It would seem, what else you can think of? The LG G5 company embodies a long time in the air (especially in the framework of the annual exhibition MWC) the idea of ​​modularity smartphone. Of course, on the one hand, LG G5 modularity is implemented at a basic level, neither of which replace important components of speech is not a smartphone. On the other, it is LG one of the first (if not the first) to release the modular smartphone on the market, whereas previously all the talk about these devices came to an end at the stage of concepts and a maximum of some individual samples at the same MWC.

But you probably are interested in more general features, right? As LG G4 users with the experience of more than six months, I can knowingly compare the new flagship of the previous one. Go.

LG G5: Design, materials

The LG has finally moved away from the use of plastics of all kinds and textures and make the device of aluminum. It turned out, for my taste, not bad. The body is smooth, collected very carefully and accurately, nothing to complain about. The feeling of a smartphone in the hands of a little ambiguous because the device seems to be too light for a smartphone of metal, but the rest – no complaints.

Yes, of course, a little sad that the idea of ​​modularity prevented to make an all-metal device, without removable parts, on the other hand, the lower die – only plastic part. Unlike most other smartphones of metal, G5 even no plastic frames and strips on the back side.

Two camera lens – perhaps the only element that really confuses the design unit. Perhaps you can get used to it, but does not mention this simply can not: it looks strange.

The smartphone will go on sale four colors, they are soft, quiet, so there is plenty to choose from if you’re a fan of classic colors.

In terms of design and materials of the new LG G5 I like, and, to be honest, I have long wanted to see from the company some new solutions in this regard.

LG G5: Dimensions

Here I just bad news for anyone who saw for the first time in the characteristics of the smartphone “diagonal 5.3 ”, decided if the machine is more compact predecessor. Unfortunately, the new LG G5 dimensions almost identical to the LG G4. Yes, he was a little longer, but this small difference extreme weather does, and in the hand of the smartphone feels exactly the same as the LG G4.

LG G5: Screen

The smartphone uses the IP-matrix, diagonal – 5.3 ”, resolution – 2560×1440 pixels. The display is very high quality.

LG G5 has «always on» mode to the screen when your smartphone is not in use, the LCD still displays the current time (or signature), and notification icons. Stuck comfortable, but it’s unclear how much it will affect the time of the smartphone.

LG G5: Control

The LG G5 retained proprietary power button on the back of the device, but the volume keys moved back to the side edge (left), while the power button is also a fingerprint scanner. Put simply, it is now on the LG G5 controls looked like a Chinese – Huawei, Lenovo, Xiaomi.

On the right edge – slots for SIM-card and memory card, on the top – an additional microphone, IR port and 3.5 mini-jack, and the bottom end – port USB-Type-C.

Modules for LG G5

The new flagship of the company LG has applied its own jack for plug-in modules. Initially, the machine is set to a simple module with USB-Type-C connector, but you can remove it and install another module. To replace a module, simply click the small neat button at the bottom of the housing, the replacement process is made as simple as possible and clear, no problems.

At this time LG introduced two modules.

The first – a module with the camera control buttons: shoot button, the zoom wheel and a few other elements. It also built an extra battery.

Frankly, I do not see any practical use in this module, because all have become accustomed to on smartphones to use during shooting displays and, to be honest, there are times of individual hardware keys have been shooting. In addition, the bulk modulus, and looks smart with him, to put it mildly, strange.

The second – a module with a separate DAC, branded by Bang and Olufsen, is needed in order to get on the smartphone better sound. As is the case with the first module, this increases the size of the smartphone, though not so much.

Frankly speaking, any use of plug-in modules, in addition to the possibility of further promotion (the competition), I do not see, and now I personally feel about this idea very skeptical.

LG G5: Cameras

Details about the camera’s talk in a detailed review. In the meantime, I tell you about the most important. The two major smartphone cameras: 16 megapixel f / 1.8 and 8 megapixel f / 2.4. There are laser focus and optical stabilization. Module 16 MP used in standard mode, but also a wide mode, which connects and 8 megapixel camera. Talk about how it works, it makes no sense, just look at the photo below:

In standard mode smartphone removes bad, I can not for a couple of frames to evaluate the camera, but the photos are at eye-level LG G4 (which is good), plus or minus.

The front camera with a resolution of 8 MP.

In place of the manual shooting mode. In general, the camera interface has undergone minor changes.

LG G5: Interface

It works on Android smartphone 6, a new version of the firm LG UI, 5.0. Cosmetic changes in comparison with the LG UI 4.0 are visible at once – the shell has become more accurate and more modern. The main innovation – the refusal of the application menu, now all the programs are located on desktops, like the Chinese, or both iOS.

Bad news for all those who waited for LG abandon his strange unlock mode – nothing has changed. As before, in LG G5, if you see a notification on the lock screen and want to quickly go to him, to touch him at first, and then hold your finger on the screen. It is extremely uncomfortable to the background of the fact that the standard in the Android simply double tap on the notification and you’ll go to him.

LG G5: Platform

The smartphone is based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, the machine 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of built-in, as well as a slot for the card. Features worthy, the more I say here is nothing to be tested.

LG G5: Battery

The smartphone uses a removable battery capacity of 2800 mAh. For a leader to a top platform, probably not so much, but not spent at least a week with a smartphone, you can not make any conclusions. So what about all the work will be in the review.

Conclusion

The company turned an interesting smartphone, which undoubtedly will be one of the main events of the beginning of the year, although not in any way will not be able to compete in strength and importance with the announcement from Samsung. However, the LG quality machine made taking into account the shortcomings of last model, and, frankly, LG G5 – it’s all over the improved version of last year’s leader. Yes, there is a system of modules, it is incomprehensible to me, but no one will impose on them together with your smartphone, and, accordingly, you can simply not use them.

The second point – the two chambers, they spoil the appearance of the device, but argue that the LG made useful, truly widescreen shooting mode, I believe no one will, just by looking at examples of photo. From the objective cons, I do see one – a small-capacity battery, everything else – at altitude. As usual, will be crucial to the cost, but I liked the smartphone.

Source: androidauthority