LG G5 initial impressions

[bembol]

I'll admit I'll need time to get used to the Design, it's not bad but not good either.


What got my attention is that I love LG is trying something different with this whole Modular and I respect that.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I'll admit I'll need time to get used to the Design, it's not bad but not good either.


What got my attention is that I love LG is trying something different with this whole Modular and I respect that.

I, too, like that LG is trying something different.

But I think they focused a bit too much on that since whatever extra they put in don't seem to enhance the core functionality of the device.

A small loan of a broken G4

 

[SactoKingsFan]

I've been interested in LG devices since the G2, but I can't say I'm all that excited about the G5. Smaller screen, only 2800 mAh battery, no back buttons and it's ugly. No thanks. I'll wait for the 2016 Nexus.

 

[Guyinbox]

I, too, like that LG is trying something different.

But I think they focused a bit too much on that since whatever extra they put in don't seem to enhance the core functionality of the device.

A small loan of a broken G4

This. It's basically the same size as the g4 but with a smaller screen and battery. Coming from the v10 it has less internal storage, and it seems you'll need a modular DAC to get one that's comparable to the v10.

Without an upgrade to the main camera and or screen (not sure on this yet either,) you'd have to really want the snapdragon 820 to jump on this.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

This. It's basically the same size as the g4 but with a smaller screen and battery. Coming from the v10 it has less internal storage, and it seems you'll need a modular DAC to get one that's comparable to the v10.

Without an upgrade to the main camera and or screen (not sure on this yet either,) you'd have to really want the snapdragon 820 to jump on this.

For me, the worst part is the software.

The removal of QSlide windows and dual window is a HORRIBLE decision IMO.

A small loan of a broken G4

 

[anon(661246)]

I can't say much about the modular stuff until I see it in person but it just seems really gimmicky. I am just imaging having to take the case off of it and plugging in that camera modular that makes the phone look funny. I just don't see this as a big selling point is the general public really going to care about the additions?

 

[Danny Long2]

Well it's a heavy hearted "no" from me.

Smaller battery
Smaller screen (consume a lot of media)
Loss of buttons on the back
No app drawer - odd

Also having my tablet waterproof has been great and so that is a selling point for me on the Samsung

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[TheMarcus]

The absolute worse thing about it is that it has a smaller screen, smaller battery, but still the same size phone as the G4.

 

[Kko 5]

The whole package and especially the looks (back part) is a No Go for me. I am still very excited and happy with my G4...I do not see the G5 as a real upgrade...next year we will see again

Posted from my LG G4

 

[Dr Claw]

The lack of an app drawer is something I hope doesn't carry on to the next "V" phone... I don't get why LG took that away from their UI.

 

[Cakefish]

I don't see it as a problem. There's loads of launchers available like Google Now launcher and Nova launcher etc

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

The Galaxy S7 also has a hidden setting to remove the app drawer.

I guess Google is trying to kill it off for some reason, as Android N is rumored to do the same.

Well, I'm even more thankful for third-party launchers now.

 

[stmax]

I saw a reviewer here at AC comment that the G5 was not the line to go crazy with. And I agree with them.

The G5 was supposed to be the flagship line to continue on build improvements. Experiment with other lines e.g.. V10 but leave this one alone.

Maybe in the G-line INCREASE the screen size and battery size within the same footprint. Make a sleek powerful snapdragon 820 phone with almost no bezel.

I think most would be happy with that and continue to be more appealing to the masses. I worry this seems more like an enthusiasts phone rather than a phone that has wide appeal. And I think the S7 may have cemented Samsung's place.

In the lay media... People incorrectly talk about If people carry an Apple or a Samsung. Rather than an Apple or Android. I was hoping G5 would have been the next step to reverse that. I'm glad I'm not on my upgrade cycle. Maybe the G6 will come around when my G4 is due

 

[John Kitchen1]

What's very clear is that LG made a phone more geared towards the average joe out of the box, and the modules are their attempt to satisfy the tinkerers. Also, the battery dropping 200mAh is negligible. There is substance behind complaints of Android phones having poor battery life, but 200mAh is not going to be the source of battery woes. Software, processor, etc. will be the cause of that.

 

[Zedd]

If you wait on cable providers then you would only upgrade your phone every 5-10 years. 4k Blu-ray players out this year (1 model already out), Netflix and Vudu both on board for 4k, so the content is coming.

And by the time 4k content gets here 8k or 16k tv's will be the latest sell point and 4k content will be dropped.
Look at what Hollywood is making, what studios are shooting 4k content..any of them? You hardy get 7.1 audio much less 4k anything.
I guess if your foolish enough to fall for 4k you have to defend it tho.

Posted via the Android Central App using my LG G4

 

[keith2k1]

Seems reeeeally Under-designed to me. Everything is perfect except the design of the phone. LG got lazy this time when it comes to thinking about the design. I appreciate them spending most of their time with coming up with innovations and what not but the design. Ahhhh... I really wanted to love the G5 but I don't. It's a good phone though.

Posted via the Android Central App

I feel on that but at the end of the day for me, it will be about the modules. There's a great amount of possibilities that I would like to see.

 

[j_grouchy]

On a G3 now...thinking I'm going to wait for the next Nexus devices before I upgrade. I generally stick to a two-year cycle and I haven't seen anything yet to make me want to do so earlier this year. The G5 doesn't seem like a big enough deal and Samsung insists on holding onto the 2008-era home button and capacitive keys.

 

[thedigitel]

The biggest let down for me is the screen to body ratio and bezels. Even though the bottom bezel appears small at first glance, when you see the screen on, you realize that there is also a black portion of the bezel on top of the detachable part that really stands out and resembles an HTC (not knocking HTC, I have really liked everything other than their bezels on their phones) phone type bezel to go along with the large top bezel. Also, the side edges of the screen don't appear to get as close to the edge as the G2 or the S7 (non edge).

My thoughts exactly. I've been waiting years for LG (or anyone) to release a phone with G2 size bezels. The bottom of this phone is so ugly with that strip of black before the LCD starts. And the huge top bezel, WTF.

 

[anon(782252)]

And by the time 4k content gets here 8k or 16k tv's will be the latest sell point and 4k content will be dropped.
Look at what Hollywood is making, what studios are shooting 4k content..any of them? You hardy get 7.1 audio much less 4k anything.
I guess if your foolish enough to fall for 4k you have to defend it tho.

Posted via the Android Central App using my LG G4

I won't go down to your level and call people foolish for adopting 4k displays, I'll just educate you.

Many studios have actually been shooting in 4k for 20 years but archiving required huge storage space that wasn't cheap and nobody saw 4k adoption coming. So after post processing, the films were archived in 2k and all the original 4k was basically trashed.

Display technology has caught up, storage space is cheaper so now everything can be archived and produced in 4k and the consumer now will gradually have a way to view it if they choose.

Displays have to lead the way. There has to be some sort of adoption by the consumer before studios are going to spend extra money delivering 4k. There's no point in pushing out content that the consumer can't actually take advantage of.

8k content has already been produced by NHK. They filmed a Yankees game in 8k last year. It was only available to the media to watch on 8k monitors in the stadium.

Dish network announced a 4k receiver. Netflix and Amazon video are filming original content in 4k. Netflix is streaming some 4k content. 4k bluray players are hitting the market. Vudu is rolling out UHD options for digital movies. Content is here and more is coming.

I currently have no vested interest in 4k. My main video source is a projector and I don't feel like dropping $10k+ on a 4k projector at this time.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

My thoughts exactly. I've been waiting years for LG (or anyone) to release a phone with G2 size bezels. The bottom of this phone is so ugly with that strip of black before the LCD starts. And the huge top bezel, WTF.

I honestly don't understand why the bezels have become bigger.

The G2 was a very beautiful device with really darn slim bezels all around. Now, the G5 has just so much bezel.

It's gotten to the point where the G4 and G5 are about the same height as the Galaxy Note 5 in person. It's ridiculous.