G5 LG analysis: the mutant phone

LG G5 – Design and finishing

LG has for years been an advocate of poly carbonate. The reason? This was the only way to install a removable battery.It was not until the end of 2015 that the LG V10 declared the end of plastic and metal start.

The G5 has an aluminum body, but fact different from competitive manner. Instead of being extracted from an aluminum body, the phone is manufactured by a different method of casting aluminum, developed by the Korea Institute of Technology and carried out mainly in the automotive and aerospace industry.

This method caused confusion between You Tubers and bloggers, since the housing LG covered with a coat of paint.This suggested to many that there was a phone in metal. But, as I explained, the phone itself is aluminum, one that is covered under a layer of paint.

There are more changes in the design, if we compare the G5 with its previous models. Although still find the power button on the back, the volume buttons have moved to the left side. In addition, LG has integrated fingerprint scanner on the back button, as in the V10, without being necessary to reach press the button to unlock it.

Takes some getting used to the back of the phone, which houses the dual camera and LED flash interposition and auto focus system. Both the system of camera and fingerprint scanner create their own bundle in the housing. Another solution would have been better.

In the top frame LG has included a noise canceling microphone, the joint minijack and infrared sensor. Thus, the LG G5 is one of the few high – end smartphones has decided to keep the infrared, as neither the Galaxy S7 , nor the  S7 Edge and the HTC 10 have opted for this feature.

LG G5 – Screen

Since LG have decided to reduce the screen size to 5.3 inches. Diagonal excitement G5 stands between the Galaxy and the Galaxy S7 S7 Edge.

As for resolution and technology, the phone keeps the properties of the G4. With the same resolution of 2,560 x 1,440, the pixel density is increased to 554 dpi. Obviously, with these numbers, G5 screen does not show a single pixel out of place.

In common usage, the G5 has little to envy the S7 or S7 Edge, although in terms of color rendering, the difference between the Samsung Super AMOLED and LCD G5 may spread to users depending on your tastes.

A feature in both phones is the Always On screen mode, although its result is different on the phone of LG. Having an IPS panel, pixels are illuminated individually, so that the top third of the screen should be illuminated to function.However, the brightness is minimized and can not be adjusted. A shame, because direct sunlight, barely see the Always On mode.

Furthermore, the continuous illumination of one third of the screen affects the performance of battery. During the night, the battery fell by 10% for seven hours. Fortunately, you can disable this feature through the settings. The main benefit of this mode also fails to convince, all less. If I want to see the time, I can just turn on the screen.

LG G5 – Special Functions

The main special feature of LG G5 is so modular expansion course. The modules, also called “Friends” are attached to the phone via an internal connection. Also, once connected, the modules have a safety latch to prevent accidental disconnections.

It is now possible to incorporate the following modules: CAM Plus, with additional buttons and a battery of 1,200 mAh and Hi-Fi equipment developed by B & O. The latter module is integrated with 32 bits, which significantly improves the sound experience DAC.

In addition to these modules, also available the 360 ​​° camera, which will make a separate analysis soon.

LG G5 – Software

G5 LG software features Android 6.0.1 with the security patch March 2016. LG introduces its own user interface, which can create confusion for more than one user, since no application drawer. But do not panic, because you can repay through LG Smart World.

Interestingly, users of the new line S7 Samsung also have this option now through Touch Wiz, Samsung not only integrates default but as a possibility of its Galaxy Labs.

But other than that, the layer of LG has become more clear and clean, disabling unnecessary features and imposing their own visual identity. A pity, however, is gone multivitamin. The reason may be found in the course native support for Android N .

In addition to reducing bloatware and the missing function, there is much more that has changed dramatically in the software. The professionalization layer looks good and still has the famous role knock on , which allows wake the phone with a single stroke on the screen.

In general, LG installed a layer of clean and balanced customization, which will be found few drawbacks. Even the disappearance of application drawer is negative, since users who prefer to have it continue to have the option.

LG G5 – Performance

Last year LG was forced to the “second best” Qualcomm processor due to heating issues that had used the Snapdragon 810. The chip was chosen for the G4 therefore Snapdragon 808.

The LG G5 is different: the chosen chip is Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 with four cores which are capable of achieving similar performance levels equivalent to Samsung, the Exynos 8890.

In the sum of all benchmarks, however, the 4GB G5 LG have not been able to overcome the Samsung Galaxy S7. The reason is the powerful graphics unit S7. The Mali-T880 twelve cores is crucial to put the S7 in the top of the ranking.

LG G5 – Camera

The LG G5 has a total of three chambers, two of which are located in the rear. Because of its wide angle of 135 degrees, the scenes can be a bit larger than they are able to capture the main phone cameras currently available on the market.

The two rear cameras feature 16 and 8 megapixels respectively and, unfortunately, the wide-angle camera is lower resolution. The 16 megapixel camera is the same that was installed in the G4. The front also has 8 megapixels.

Thanks to the two chambers and the many modes included in the application, the possibilities of photography with this phone are enormous. One option, for example, lets take capturing the image with the two cameras at once a picture.

Another creative ways makes three cameras take a photo and incorporates them into collage mode. Placing each of the images you can be set as preferred.

Unfortunately, wide-angle optics also has its disadvantages. On numerous occasions have to move the fingers of the camera as involuntarily they will end up covering the lens.

Who do not rely on automatic shooting, has available manual LG mode, with control over exposure, ISO, shutter speed and white balance. In addition, images can be saved in RAW format.

With regard to image quality, the LG G5 can be seen from both ends. The 16-megapixel main camera brings the already recognized quality LG G4. The 8MP, at first glance, is good, although the minimum zoom is enough to see something more resolution would be appreciated.

 

LG G5 – Battery

As for battery capacity, the LG G5 is the weakest of all high – end phones presented so far in 2016. Both the Galaxy S7 as Huawei P9 or HTC 10 have a capacity of 3000 mAh. The flagship of LG, with 2,800 mAh.

In AnTuTu test battery, the G5 is, as expected, behind S7. I use the phone for calls, videos and browsing via WLAN, I arrived at the end of the day with 25% battery. Although Needless to say, the Always On mode was activated, which, as I said, has a negative effect on the battery. Turning it off, it’s likely that the phone had endured a 35% battery at the end of the day.

LG G5 – Battery

As for battery capacity, the LG G5 is the weakest of all high – end phones presented so far in 2016. Both the Galaxy S7 as Huawei P9 or  HTC 10 have a capacity of 3000 mAh. The flagship of LG, with 2,800 mAh.

In An Tutu test battery, the G5 is, as expected, behind S7. I use the phone for calls, videos and browsing via WLAN, I arrived at the end of the day with 25% battery. Although Needless to say, the Always On mode was activated, which, as I said, has a negative effect on the battery. Turning it off, it’s likely that the phone had endured a 35% battery at the end of the day.

Also, do not forget that the LG G5 has removable battery, something that absolutely none of its competitors has included this year.

One of the major disappointments is that, despite being compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, the new LG phone only brings star version 2.0.