The LG G5, here is a smartphone that definitely tries to stand out. This is still the biggest surprise of the Mobile World Congress 2016 edition, the biggest fair dedicated to new mobile technologies. This product has arrived with a promise: differentiate itself from all other smartphones. It is ambitious, promising and very risky. After a week of use, here is our verdict: Has LG succeeded? NB: This test was enriched with new technical tests on May 13, 2016 (in its parts screen, software, performances and autonomy).
LG is among the manufacturers of quality Android smartphones. This Korean company has managed to meet many challenges since the arrival of the Gx range, especially with the LG G2 which signed the return of Korean. This is my passionate point of view, it is a brand that I like. Good design, very honest features, a surprising camera, and bias. The buttons on the back, for example, under the photo sensor on the last three high-end products. It's daring, and it pleases me.

LG G5
LG G5

The LG G5 marks a turning point. Here we are not talking about curved screen, a second mini screen or other (almost) unnecessary innovations. Here are two innovations that it brings: a system of modularity (named LG Friends), where you can connect different modules to bring new features, and a dual photo sensor in the back. These are the two most surprising elements of this product.

 Specifications

Name: LG G5
Screen Size: 5.3 inches
Screen technology: Quantum IPS LCD 
Screen Definition: 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD)
Pixel Density: 554 ppi
SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
RAM Memory: 4 GB RAM LPDDR4
Internal storage: 32 GB (UFS 2.0)
MicroSD slot: Yes up to 2TB
Photo Sensors: Dual sensor rear 16 and 8 megapixels

8 megapixels: at the front
2800 mAh: battery with Quick Charge 3.0
Modularity A Cam Plus module adds 1200 mAh and a Hi-Fi Plus speaker module with B & O Play
USB: Type-C Connector in USB 2.0 (compatible 3.0)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, NFC and Wi-Fi 802.11ac.
Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight: 159 grams
Colors: Silver / Titan / Gold / Pink

DESIGN, AN ALMOST IRREPROCESSABLE DESIGN

Let's start with the design and design of the LG G5. At first glance, the design of the LG G5 is strange. Strange, because LG finally used a metal shell. But the rendering gives the impression that one is facing a piece of raw factory. An anodized gray metal, like a car body without paint. This is not blocking, but it is a strange choice, especially with the model we tested: the light gray. It should be checked on the other three colors if the rendering is similar.

The G5 is completely covered with metal and glass, LG used a system called "micro-dizing", which allows it to cover the antennas. Simply understand: it does not have these unsightly plastic bands. An almost perfect finish, I only chipote about a few details: the helmet port (3.5 mm) non-centered and overflowing, for example.

Or the finish of the hood that pulls down the phone is also a shame because I appreciate the attention to detail on the product. Finally, I chipote a little too much. When compared to other modular product concepts and models, LG should be commended for making the modular system almost invisible on the G5.

The rounded corners, slightly curved, are very pleasant in hand. The top is slightly arched. Despite its size, with its 5.3-inch diagonal screen, it is nice on hand with the correct dimensions, the edges are not fine, but this is not surprising anything.

The volume buttons are on the left side, the slot for the nano SIM card and the micro SD card is on the other side. Indeed, LG has dropped the volume keys on the back. We also find the release button, with a chrome finish, which also acts as a biometric sensor, just below the sensors of the rear camera.

I appreciate the presence of the infrared transmitter on top, very useful when you lose its remote control or you like to tease others. It is one of the few smartphones that continues to offer this type of functionality.

Even if the overall design of the camera is not to my taste, I must confess that the finishes and design are impressive, much better than on the LG G4. After a LG Nexus 5X in halftone, the Korean manufacturer catches up and presents a significantly different product, a minimalist approach that slices.

LG FRIENDS, A GOOD FALSE IDEA FOR THE MOMENT

In an effort to differentiate the G5 from the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Apple iPhone 6S, LG has introduced a new "modular" accessory system that expands the smartphone's features. In mind, this is a bit the Ara project - the fully modular system for mounting a personalized smartphone - far from being ready for the general public. On the LG G5, it is much more limited, the modularity is brought by the cap on the bottom of the smartphone.

The South Korean company initially changed the way the battery is accessed by inventing a cartridge-shaped input, so you do not have to remove the back cover. This "magic slot" is located in the lower frame of the smartphone, and opens simply thanks to a very discreet button located on the left side.

Disappointment, to date the accessories "Friends" are two: a grip system with additional controls for the camera, and a DAC audio module.

It sounds like a plug-and-play system, like an accessory you plug into USB. With one exception, you need to turn off your smartphone. LG could have gone further, integrating a battery "cache" to be able to add an "add-on" without having to turn off its smartphone. This system exists, we find it on some pro products, the smartphone can thus hibernate about thirty seconds which allows the time to change the battery. Too bad, but this is only a first version of the system.

I was able to use the module dedicated to photography. It incorporates a small additional battery to improve the autonomy of the device, it introduces especially a system of controls, to zoom or trigger the sensor, and acts as grip. This improves the ergonomics of the smartphone, but it is a module that remains unsightly with a finishing lower than the rest of the smartphone. As an amateur photographer, I appreciate all the same the effort, especially in the perspective of making it an ultimate photophone.

In short, these LG Friends are a good idea on paper. It's obvious. Unfortunately, today it sounds like a false good idea. Indeed, we find only two modules for the launch of the LG G5, and especially many promises from the Korean manufacturer that guarantees the arrival of new modules in the year.

Moreover, for having tried the system to several friends, the returns are mixed. It is indeed quite strange to remove the battery. I am confident that few G5 users will benefit from this system. The process of removing the battery - even though it is well thought out - is not an anecdotal gesture, I always feel like I'm about to break the battery by trying to detach it from the base. It is necessary to gauge its strength which requires a little experience. A mixed experience.

THE SCREEN IS CORRECT

LG G5's second screen point: we have a unique 5.3-inch display of IPS LCD technology and QHD resolution (2560 × 1440 pixels). To protect the screen, LG used a technology called 3D Arc Glass (the equivalent of Corning Gorilla Glass, but homemade). Moreover, the screen is bulging on the top, which gives it a unique rendering.

We did not have our tools to set up the technical protocols on the tested model, so we used our old protocol, comparing the quality of the screen to other products: an iPhone 6S (LCD IPS) and a Samsung Galaxy S7 (Super AMOLED). Of course, a technical test will be published as soon as a model is available to the editors.

With its important definition, the LG G5 displays a high pixel density. With the naked eye, it is impossible to locate any pixels. I'm still wondering if the difference between a Full HD and QHD definition is significant and noticeable on this screen size, but it's still theoretically a good thing for virtual reality. Finally, in theory ...

In fact, the VR is at the heart of LG's strategy, which plans to market a virtual reality helmet ... Virtual reality fans do not expect wonders: IPS LCD technology suffers from significant latency, limiting Of the RV, and the QHD definition does not erase the grid effect that can be perceived. It's always better than a screen with Full HD definition, but it's not the smartphone level of the other Korean manufacturer.

LG also had the good idea, despite the presence of IPS LCD technology, to integrate an "Always on-display" functionality. By default this function is disabled, but it can be easily activated. This allows you to constantly display information on the screen, such as time and a few notifications icons.

To avoid excessive energy consumption, the information in question occupies only a small part of the screen and limits the number of colors used. The function remains however more limited than on the Galaxy S7, but it is indeed present.

Finally, let's not forget the function "double tape": it is quickly a reflex, a double tap to unlock the screen.

The LG G5 sports a screen of quality, the contrast is marked, without being infinite as on the Samsung Galaxy S7, and the colors have a very correct rendering. I find the rendering a little too cold and bluish, besides LG uses white in its interface. However, it is possible to emphasize the brightness, which is good for readability in full sun (especially with the Daylight mode). We will regret the absence of screen settings, can not calibrate the screens - everything is set by default.

These impressions were confirmed to the editing by our probe in further tests. Already clearly noticeable to the naked eye, the contrast has indeed proven to be very high with a result of 1635: 1. Although this may seem low compared to the infinite (or 10000: 1) numbers displayed by the AMOLED slab commercials, this is a very good score for an IPS LCD screen. The brightness of its side is not as strong as it seemed to be with 385 cd / m². This is certainly sufficient on a daily basis, but far from the canons of the genre that can rise to more than 550 cd / m².

This lack of brightness also plays on the colorimetry. As we observed at first glance, the screen is too blue and its temperature is near 8500 ° K where the average good is more around 6500 ° K. This slight defect is even more noticeable in the corners, where the blue appears remarkably on the white pages. Fortunately for the screen, an increase in the saturation of the red in the clearest shades helps to avoid falling into the worst pitfalls in the matter.

CAMERA, A TRUE PHOTOPHONE

With this dual sensor in the back, LG is not going to sell you 3D. No, it's not a gadget. LG uses a 16-megapixel main sensor combined with an 8-megapixel wide-angle sensor, with a laser for focusing. And ... the result is surprising. The two sensors will not work together, you switch manually or automatically between them, depending on the context.
 Most of the time, you will use the 16-megapixel sensor, with its f / 1.8 aperture lens. The latter offers good performance, especially in low light conditions. Quality optics, and a powerful sensor. LG is still one of the best photophones of the year.
Most of the time, you will use the 16-megapixel sensor, with its f / 1.8 aperture lens. The latter offers good performance, especially in low light conditions. Quality optics, and a powerful sensor. LG is still one of the best photophones of the year.

But that's not all, you can switch on the wide-angle 8-megapixel sensor and things get very wide. Besides, I found myself many times with a piece of finger on my shots, check the edges. Who says wide-angle ... said distortion, and the software does not catch up with anything. There is a fair amount of distortion of the field of view at 135 degrees, but that was to be expected. It is less bright than the other sensor, but displays less grain on low-light photos.

In the interface, I particularly appreciate the manual functions, with the possibility of directly capturing photos in RAW. This makes it possible to exploit the capacities of the sensors, and to be able to process the photo in post-reduction to repair the few errors of the sensors, such as the phenomenon of distortion.

On the other hand, the transition between the two sensors is not handled in the best way, so there is a latency of 1 to 2 seconds, even in video mode. When you decide to launch a video capture, avoid zooming and therefore switch between the two sensors. Slow mode is effective even if you lose significantly in brightness.

Finally, you can also find different modes to be able to create creative photos using the two sensors, but they have little interest. The two sensors used together only allow to create frames, which gives a result ... creative.

PERFORMANCES, AT THE RENDEZ-VOUS!

The LG G5 is equipped with the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, backed by 4 GB of RAM. This SoC is different in many points compared to the Exynos that equips the Samsung Galaxy S7. Nevertheless, we can find some similarities such as the support of the RAM memory LPDDR4 at 1800 MHz as well as the 14 nm (14LPP) etching of Samsung.

SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 820

CPU 2 x Kryo @ 2.15 GHz
2 x Kryo @ 1.6 GHz
Adreno 530 @ 624 MHz GPU
RAM LPDDR4 @ 1800 MHz (28.8 GB / s)
Engraving 14LPP (Samsung)

 To put it simply: this is the latest architecture of Qualcomm, one of the most powerful on the market. In practice, it is a smartphone with a great fluidity, impossible to feel latency in the transitions of the passage from one app to another. Unlike the handheld model at the Mobile World Congress, heating is very controlled even when the modem, display and CPU are at full power.

FINAL NOTE

The amount of work, reflection, effort and commitment of LG in creating the G5 is amazing. We can not complain, LG has innovated. However, at present, the potential of the modular smartphone is far from an asset. The promise of a modularity "plug and play" is not kept, and the modules sold are only two.

Despite everything, the LG G5 is a powerful and attractive smartphone that displays impressive finishes. If you buy this smartphone, you will not be disappointed. It is a product that challenges, with a dual photo sensor surprising, and a system of unique modularity.

LG innovates and differentiates, but this turn seems to have been engaged too quickly, surely too abruptly, which will cause a collision of opinions: the LG G5 is the kind of device that will divide. In the end, a mixed opinion, but clearly a product with high potential.

GOOD POINTS

Design and finishes, much better than the previous model
Powerful and virtually unheated
A real photophone
Micro SD slot and therefore expandable storage (up to 2TB extra)
A ton of useful options and functions
Removable and replaceable battery

NEGATIVE POINTS

LG Friends is not convincing at the moment
Autonomy without surprises
Raw metallic finish
Interface a bit too modified for my taste

Loudspeaker mono limited (when a speaker module?)