topic Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4 in Android

LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:21:03 GMT

Hey guys, been a while since I've been on here, but I'm shortly to be receiving an LG G4 as part of LG's preview programme and am looking to do a first impressions piece, followed by a review after a couple of weeks (similar in a way to how Try the Tech works I suppose).

What I need/would like from you lot is any ideas as to what you'd like to see in either piece, and any particular areas of the phone you'd be interested in??

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

jonsie — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:26:02 GMT

You well, specs we can look up. Of particular interest to me would be camera, speed of loading apps, connectivity, set up and user experience

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Cleoriff — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:32:51 GMT

I really like any review that is accompanied by pictures. It helps me to visualise what's being written. Always adds to any review in my opinion

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

anticpated — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:40:52 GMT

Firstly, when making comparisons to other cameras please don't compare it to a DSLR. Digital it is, SLR it isn't; although the image quality from what I've seen so far is pretty credible although with lossy JPEG compression it defeats the purpose. If someone used a camera that processed the images as RAW then it would mean you can retain as much quality until you get to the file export stage. You need an application like Adobe Photoshop Pro capable of reading the format though or even that one called GIMP which is surprisingly flexible freeware. There is some camera software available to take advantage of RAW processing on Android.

The sound quality and headphone amplification on the telephone would be of interest to me as I like to use some hi-fi qualiy (mid-fi if I was to be honest) through my handset. So it would be good to know what the headphone output was like with earphones like Grado GR10, RHA T20, Sennheiser Momentum and Shure SE425/535/846.

Thirdly a comparison to the nearest Android model would be a suitable comparison. Not an iPhone, this is like chalk and cheese to me and not null reference as Apple is pretty much propriety and it's unfair to compare such things. It's like comparing a Bugati to a Citreon.

Lastly will HD movies be a bit more watchable on this (om my LG G2) with the extended resolution. I watched the Hobbit on this and whilst it was watchable, it was not an option I would do out of choice.

I realise that's all multimedia stuff however it would be good if you could mention something about all of that.

Cheers.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

jonsie — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:46:22 GMT

Post pictures....always good for everyone

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:52:41 GMT

Battery life is always useful to know.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

anticpated — Thu, 21 May 2015 16:20:38 GMT

Sorry my post suggestions were a bit long-winded.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Cleoriff — Thu, 21 May 2015 16:27:23 GMT

@anticpated wrote:
Sorry my post suggestions were a bit long-winded.

I found it very interesting @anticpated

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

jonsie — Thu, 21 May 2015 16:32:24 GMT

Not longwinded at all, very constructive if I may say so ☺

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

anticpated — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:43:52 GMT

Thanks for comments although it's a little over the top. The average person isn't so concerned about Fidelity like this, so my suggestions were things I would like to see. Many sponsored reviews only focus on the positives and make sly attempts to avoid the bad points as much as possible.

The next review I see with "DSLR-like photo quality" in there, I'll swear I'll scream.

One thing I will say about Apple devices is that their consistency in hardware and one-OS approach, it means developers don't have to speculate so much when it comes to software and hardware design.

I just wish they would stop making cheaper Android telephones with the latest OS, because one badly executed model makes the rest seem inferior when closed-minded people make their judgement. Xiaomi and Huawei are making waves in cheap handsets and reasonable quality.

Maybe when Ubuntu gets a go ahead, the competition will be better.

But anyway....

I can't wait until the LG G4 review.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2015 10:49:13 GMT

Hi @Anonymous glad to see you are interested in writing a review

This is a good example of a great review that can inspire you:

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/Rise-of-the-turncoat-the-not-Xperia-z4-tablet-review/m-p/878121/highlight/false#M64921

Very contructive your suggestions @anticpated !

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2015 10:53:30 GMT

Thanks for all the suggestions! The phone was delivered yesterday so I'm looking to put up my first impressions once I've spent a little time with it.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

jonsie — Fri, 22 May 2015 11:46:29 GMT

Look forward to your opinion @Anonymous

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:06:32 GMT

Nice! Yes! Looking forward to reading your comments!

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:20:00 GMT

First impressions

In an attempt to cover all the bases I’ll break this down into sections of what I’ve looked at so far.

Screen

Wow. Very impressed with the display quality of the phone, but I’m still yet to be sold on having this kind of resolution (QHD) on a phone display, even at 5.5”, as it comes across as an unnecessary power drain what with the processor having to move all those extra pixels around. That being said, the colours just ‘pop’ without being overblown, and the photo I took of my back garden looked better on the screen than it did in person…

Camera

Initial use of the camera has also left me suitably impressed, particularly the speed in which it focuses and take the picture. Using the Nexus 5 I would frequently miss photo opportunities because the camera didn’t open and/or focus quickly enough. I don’t think I’ll be having that issue with the G4. I’ll post a few of the images I’ve taken, so I hope you like photos of dogs and gardens (but mainly my dog)…

LG Software

I’ve read previously that LG were never particularly good with their Android builds, and they had a tendency to be a little slow or juddery. So far, I’ve not noticed any issues, moving around between apps and screen shows no noticeable lag. Their launcher is ok, and to be honest there are so many other options for launchers out there (Google Now, Action Launcher 3, even Nokia’s Z Launcher), that would never be a deal breaker for me anyway. Aside from the slightly different layout on the settings menu (which starts off tabbed, but can thankfully be changed to a list view), you can avoid any of LG’s apps anyway, just using whatever favourites you might already have.

Hardware

It’s a big phone, there’s no escaping that fact, but considering the 5.5” screen size, it doesn’t feel that large. This is likely helped by the curved back of the device so it’s sits quite happily in your hand. Unless you have large hands though, don’t expect to use it one handed. It’s certainly more ergonomic than the Nexus 5 I normally use, although that is in a Spigen Slim Armor case which adds a little extra girth to the proceedings. The model I’ve got is the plastic one, and plastic it is, feels a little cheap if I’m honest, but no worse than any other plastic smartphone out there. Given the choice, I’d go for a leather back, as it can’t feel any worse than the plastic does, and should stop the phone feeling a little less slippery. Hopefully LG plan on releasing these as standalone purchases once the phone is out.

Device storage is 32Gb, with the option of adding an SD card. System takes up 8.91Gb of the on device storage, leaving you ~23.09Gb to do with as you wish, a definite improvement over the 16Gb options we used to have, and I’m glad all the manufacturers are starting to use this as a minimum now.

Summary

So far I’m pretty impressed with the quality of the G4. Yes, the plastic on the back feels a little cheap, but at least if you scratch it up it’s easy to replace, unlike a lot of other devices out there without removable backs. I’ll update with battery life and other bits as time goes on (and pictures, lots and lots of pictures :smileyhappy:)

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:24:46 GMT

Great review!

Looking forward to see those photos of dogs and gardens!

Glad you are enjoying your new phone

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

jonsie — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:39:10 GMT

Sounds like you are happy with the phone. Thanks for the impartial review so far ☺

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Toby — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:43:02 GMT

Lovely job @Anonymous

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

perksie — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:39:31 GMT

Good review, very helpful and subjective.

Re: LG G4 #TRYLGG4

Cleoriff — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:14:59 GMT

Great review @Anonymous .....Now bring on the pictures.:smileywink: