The two South Korean giants Samsung and LG presented their flagship phones during this year’s MWC 2016 in Barcelona. And if Samsung’s fans had to wait a while after the announcement, LG made their fans wait even longer. Despite this, it’s been while since their flagship G5 is on the market and we can now present to you our full review.
This time LG’s top smartphone offers something more than updated specs – it is a device that can be supplemented by additional modules. We have yet to see how customers will appreciate this feature and whether G5 will be able to tackle its high-end competitors from Apple, Samsung, HTC and others. Actually, an advantage that the G5 has is its price – it is slightly lower than that of the other three competing manufacturers. However, we must first look at the pros and cons of this device in greater detail and then make conclusions.
If you are interested in the purchase of this device, you can check its price, availability and color options here: http://amzn.to/1TQYJa8
Contents
Design and construction
Display and sound
Specs sheet
Battery
Software
Performance
Temperatures
Camera
Verdict
Design and construction
LG G5 comes with a design which is completely different from that of its predecessor. For example, you won’t find the volume control back buttons here. They are positioned on the left and are slightly protruding which is better aesthetically but the travel is not very long. On the right you will find a small opening which is a “door” to the nano-SIM an microSD card slots. On the bottom are the built-in microphone, the USB charging port (Type-C). On the top there is a headphone jack, an IR blaster and a second integrated mic for background noise reduction.
At the bottom there is a special button allowing you to easily access the battery, and replace the bottom part with one of the modules. It is easy to press this button but not that easy for the press to be accidental. Perhaps it will not come as a surprise to you that you will have to turn the device off every time you want to take the battery out. The latter is firmly fixed to the main body although there is also a noticeable slight tilting. You will have to detach the bottom piece in order to connect the battery to the audio or camera module. The box includes a camera attachment (LG CAM Plus CBG-700) that offers hardware buttons for taking pictures, videos, zooming and a shortcut to the camera app. It contains an additional battery which serves as an excuse for its bulky size. Other than that, its surface is coarse, so that it won’t slip out of your hand.
Despite the volume controls being on the left, the Power button is still on the back, and this time it is rounded and has an integrated fingerprint scanner which is quite accurate and fast (for this purpose you don’t have to press the button, just touch it). Perhaps, you will need a few days to get used to it, so that when you grab the phone your finger will know where its place should be. On the back you can find the two cameras which shall be discussed further down in the review. Between them there is a dual LED flash and laser autofocus. The G5 long is to be found at the bottom along with some other product info inscriptions. Also, the aluminum chassis does not seem to attract fingerprints, although if you try hard enough, you may leave some visible from a particular angle.
The edges of this smartphone are rounded and the profile is only 7.7 mm thick – all this contributes to a more comfortable grip and operation with one hand. LG G5 weighs 159 grams which is also normal. Additionally, the front part is curious with its curved top. It is namely there that the front camera, ambient light and proximity sensors, the earpiece and a small LED indicator are placed. Only LG’s logo is to be found below the screen as the buttons are part of the display.
Display and sound
LG G5 comes with 5.3″ display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. This should provide enough detailed enough image, while the pixel density is around 554 ppi. Along with that you get an IPS panel so you may expect contrasty colors and wide viewing angles. The maximum brightness is not so high but it is very unlikely that you will have any problems when outdoors. We should note the Always On function that can be activated in the display submenu. It provides constant info about time, date and missed calls, and the price you have to pay is 0.8% battery life (according to LG). To preserve your screen from any scratches and other damage, LG have included Gorilla Glass 4.
Sound
You must not be worried by the presence of a single loudspeaker, because the sound it produces is quite powerful, clear and rich.
Specs sheet
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OS
Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 (4-core, 2.15GHz, Kryo & 2-core, 1.60GHz, Kryo)
RAM
4GB
Internal storage
32GB
GPU
Adreno 530
Display
5.3-inch IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 (1440 x 2560 p)
Connectivity
Bluetooth v4.2, A2DP, LE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, A-GPS
Cameras
16MP with laser autofocus, OIS (3-axis), LED flash (rear), 8MP (front)
Features
microSD card slot, supports up to 200GB
USB v3.0, type C 1.0 reversible connector, USB On-The-Go
integrated loudspeaker
3.5 mm audio jack
FM radio
fingerprint scanner
accelerometer
gyroscope
proximity sensor
compass
barometer
LG CAM Plus CBG-700 in the box
Bluetooth LG headset (limited edition)
Battery
2800 mAh
Dimensions
149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight
159 grams
Battery
LG G5 comes with a 2800 mAh battery which is less than that of Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC 10, for example, which come with 3000 mAh batteries. More important here is the durability it offers and for this reason we conducted our five tests – call time, Wi-Fi and 3G browsing, video playback and gaming. The settings used are the following – screen brightness set to 120 cd/m2, Wi-Fi turned on, 3G, GPS and Bluetooth turned off (with the exception of the 3G browsing test). Perhaps now is the time to mention the available USB Type-C port and its combination with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology which should provide up to 80% of charge for around 30 minutes. Furthermore, if you use the camera module, the overall battery capacity becomes 4000 mAh.
Talk Time
Web Surfing - Wi-Fi
Web Surfing - 3G
Video Playback
3D Gaming
In this test the screen doesn’t affect the battery life, since the proximity sensor turns it off during phone calls.
Smartphones
Results (min.)
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 2800 mAh, 5.3-inch, IPS , Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
1590
0 %
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LG G4 3000 mAh, 5.5-inch, LCD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
1000
- 37.11 %
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Samsung Galaxy S7 3000 mAh, 5.1-inch, Super AMOLED, Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890)
1366
- 14.09 %
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Apple iPhone 6s 1715 mAh, 4.7-inch, IPS, Apple A9 (APL1022)
0 %
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LG V10 3000 mAh, 5.7-inch, IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
1062
- 33.21 %
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HTC One A9 2150 mAh, 5.0-inch, AMOLED, LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends
666
- 58.11 %
Check price
We run our Web surfing test with a custom-made script, which browses through 70 popular web pages.
Smartphones
Results (min.)
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 2800 mAh, 5.3-inch, IPS , Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
487
0 %
Check price
LG G4 3000 mAh, 5.5-inch, LCD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
470
- 3.49 %
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Samsung Galaxy S7 3000 mAh, 5.1-inch, Super AMOLED, Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890)
691
41.89 %
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Apple iPhone 6s 1715 mAh, 4.7-inch, IPS, Apple A9 (APL1022)
0 %
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LG V10 3000 mAh, 5.7-inch, IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
434
- 10.88 %
Check price
HTC One A9 2150 mAh, 5.0-inch, AMOLED, LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends
426
- 12.53 %
Check price
This test uses the same custom-made script, but we use 3G connection instead of Wi-Fi.
Smartphones
Results (min.)
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 2800 mAh, 5.3-inch, IPS , Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
442
0 %
Check price
LG G4 3000 mAh, 5.5-inch, LCD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
400
- 9.5 %
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Samsung Galaxy S7 3000 mAh, 5.1-inch, Super AMOLED, Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890)
500
13.12 %
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Apple iPhone 6s 1715 mAh, 4.7-inch, IPS, Apple A9 (APL1022)
0 %
Check price
LG V10 3000 mAh, 5.7-inch, IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
374
- 15.38 %
Check price
HTC One A9 2150 mAh, 5.0-inch, AMOLED, LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends
331
- 25.11 %
Check price
For this test we use a looping 720p movie.
Smartphones
Results (min.)
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 2800 mAh, 5.3-inch, IPS , Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
522
0 %
Check price
LG G4 3000 mAh, 5.5-inch, LCD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
478
- 8.43 %
Check price
Samsung Galaxy S7 3000 mAh, 5.1-inch, Super AMOLED, Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890)
998
91.19 %
Check price
Apple iPhone 6s 1715 mAh, 4.7-inch, IPS, Apple A9 (APL1022)
0 %
Check price
LG V10 3000 mAh, 5.7-inch, IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
489
- 6.32 %
Check price
HTC One A9 2150 mAh, 5.0-inch, AMOLED, LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends
522
0 %
Check price
In order to simulate 3D gaming, we use Epic Citadel cycles at High Quality setting.
Smartphones
Results (min.)
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 2800 mAh, 5.3-inch, IPS , Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
259
0 %
Check price
LG G4 3000 mAh, 5.5-inch, LCD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
188
- 27.41 %
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Samsung Galaxy S7 3000 mAh, 5.1-inch, Super AMOLED, Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890)
395
52.51 %
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Apple iPhone 6s 1715 mAh, 4.7-inch, IPS, Apple A9 (APL1022)
0 %
Check price
LG V10 3000 mAh, 5.7-inch, IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
182
- 29.73 %
Check price
HTC One A9 2150 mAh, 5.0-inch, AMOLED, LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends
164
- 36.68 %
Check price
Power saving modes
In the settings menu there is a dedicated battery submenu which allows you to restrict apps in background, block the use of Always-on function, and optimize games (resolution and fps control).
Software
LG G5 operates with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow which is the most recent version of the Google platform. Undoubtedly, this will be one of the first LG models to receive the next Android update. It was toward the end of last year that we acquainted you with Marshmallow in our view discussing the fascinating new features. More info about them can be found here. Thus, for instance, in LG G5’s settings menu you can find a submenu “Memory” that provides detailed info about the amount of RAM used. You can also use the Do not disturb submenu containing a number of options who and when can reach you. Marshmallow facilitates the implementation of a fingerprint scanner which is also present in this devices (as expected).
Along with the latest version of Google’s mobile platform, G5 features LG’s most recent UI that comes with a lot of changes in style. All icons are placed on the homescreen which is quite neat, especially because of the fact that they are diligently arranged in folders. The settings and notification menus have been changed in terms of design, too.
Pre-installed apps
On the homescreen, along with the Google folder, you will also find the Management folder that includes shortcuts to the RAM and internal storage submenus, to different battery modes and to the LG Backup app that allows you to make back ups and system restores. Also, in the Tools folder you are presented with a file manager, weather forecast app, task manager, calculator, voice recorder, FM radio and others. Additionally, in the LG folder you can find SmartWorld (for download of applications), QuickRemote that serves as a remote control for different devices, as well as apps for music, emailing and contacts. The last folder contains three other apps – Evernote, Facebook and Instagram. Outside the folders you can find QuickMemo+ for notetaking, LG Health which urges you to be active, and LG Friends Manager for comfortable management of the LG G5 modules.
Settings menu
As we already mentioned, the settings menu comes with a new layout and here are all the submenus it includes.
Home screen
This is a submenu of the display section which provides interesting functions such as the EasyHome mode that simplifies the interface making it easy to use, provides clean design and increases the size of fonts and icons. Additionally, this submenu offers lockscreen effects – you can use a theme which is downloadable from the SmartWorld app.
Lock screen
Moving on, there is a lock screen submenu that features a good number of options. Here you can find different ways to unlock your screen. Of course, there is the LG Knock Code with which you unlock your screen with a sequence of taps. The image below displays the other features this menu offers.
Touch buttons
This is where you choose the arrangement of the three traditional touch buttons and there is an option of adding buttons opening the dropdown menu, Capture+ and QSlide. Yours is the choice what to include and there can be 5 buttons max. Furthermore, you can choose their color – black or white; and apps in which they should be hidden.
Shortcut key
Now we continue with the General section and we shall have a look at its first submenu – Shortcut key. If you double press the volume increase button while the screen is locked, Capture+ will be launched. If you do the same with the volume decrease button, you will open the camera menu.
Smart settings
Here you can create different modes that will be automatically turned on when you’re at home or outdoors, for example. A given mode can include different settings such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi turned on or various sound profiles.
Accessibility
Also available is the Accessibility submenu whose options facilitate the use of the device for people with health problems.
Performance
LG G5 comes with a Snapdragon 820 CPU which is Qualcomm’s top chip for this year. It is 64-bit mobile chip manufactured through a 14 nm technological process. According to Qualcomm its performance is twice as high as that of Snapdragon 810. The chip offers four Kryo cores – two of them ticking at 2.15 GHz and other two at 1.6 GHz. Another improvement is to be observed in the available graphics card -Adreno 530 whose performance is 40% higher than that of Adreno 430. Snapdragon 820 also boasts LTE Cat 12/13 support which brings up to 600 Mbps download and up to 150 Mbps upload speed. This is 33% better than what Snapdragon 810 offers.
Other features of this chip are Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 MU-MIMO, support of 4K screens, up to 25MP cameras and 4K video recording. Also available are Quick Charge™ 3.0 for fast and WiPower for wireless charging. More information about Snapdragon 820 can be found on Qualcomm’s official website: https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/processors/820
LG G5 comes with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage (slightly more than 8 GB are occupied by OS files and pre-installed apps). You can expand the storage via a microSD slot which supports up to 200 GB.
CPU
Geekbench 3.0 (Multi-Core)
Vellamo 3 Metal
Vellamo 2 Metal
Geekbench 3.0 is Primate Labs cross-platform processor benchmark which simulates real-world scenarios and gives a combined score, based on the results of integer, floating point and memory performance.
Smartphones
Results
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (2-core, Kryo , 2.15 GHz), 4GB RAM
3995
0 %
Check price
LG G4 Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) (2-core, Cortex-A57, 2.0 GHz), 3GB RAM
3430
- 14.14 %
Check price
Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890) (4-core, Exynos M1, 2.6 GHz), 4GB RAM
5391
34.94 %
Check price
Apple iPhone 6s Apple A9 (APL1022) (2-core, Twister, 1.85 GHz), 2GB RAM
4380
9.64 %
Check price
LG V10 Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) (2-core, Cortex-A57, 2.0 GHz), 4GB RAM
3115
- 22.03 %
Check price
HTC One A9 LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends 3GB RAM
2711
- 32.14 %
Check price
Metal 3 is the latest version of Vellamo’s CPU benchmark.
Smartphones
Results
Result
difference
Price
LG G5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (2-core, Kryo , 2.15 GHz), 4GB RAM
3534
0 %
Check price
LG G4 Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) (2-core, Cortex-A57, 2.0 GHz), 3GB RAM
2177
- 38.4 %
Check price
Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung Exynos 8 Octa (8890) (4-core, Exynos M1, 2.6 GHz), 4GB RAM
3472
- 1.75 %
Check price
Apple iPhone 6s Apple A9 (APL1022) (2-core, Twister, 1.85 GHz), 2GB RAM
0 %
Check price
LG V10 Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) (2-core, Cortex-A57, 2.0 GHz), 4GB RAM
2337
- 33.87 %
Check price
HTC One A9 LG G5 review – a slightly different flagship with many friends 3GB RAM
1130
- 68.02 %
Check price
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