User Review History
DeepDog's review of the LG G5
original version, submitted Jul 5, 2016, 11:35 PM:
Fast and Forgiving
After 2 years with a G3, I was surprised to hear LG was seeing low sales of the G5. The average user wants an APP drawer and may not know how to create one. And the module concept didn't sell as expected. LG's new module system did give us the easiest battery swap in the industry. Battery life is adequate but if you drain it, this phone is forgiving. 30 mins gets you over 80% charge and swaps are easy. No need to pry off the back or do complex surgery like the Galaxy S7. Wireless charging won't help you if the battery fails. G5 modules are cheap thanks to low sales but none look all that appealing to me. Audio is good so the Bang & Olufsen HiFi module doesn't seem worth it. The cameras work well and battery swaps are easy so the extra 1200mAh with the CAM Plus module also seems unfeasible. Thanks to low sales, an OEM kit with battery, case and charging cradle is found for under $30. As for miserable Micro-USB jacks on our current phones that only go in one way and break easily, G5 is again quite forgiving with Type-C plugs that go in up or down, transfer data faster, and more durable than Micro-USB plugs of yester-year. Pros -FAST 820 chip, dual-core CPU - 4GB RAM -20GB+ useable storage & 2TB external if you want it -Great phone with good reception -Battery life good and removal & swapping is easy -Excellent speaker -Bloat-ware can be removed/disabled -Battery charge 0 to 83% in 30 mins -Music has good audio without the B&O HiFi Friend -Gorilla Glass 4 deserves mention even though many in this class have it -Camera quality excellent with wide-angle, laser autofocus and 2160p video -QUAD HD display feels notably brighter than G3 -Headset jack moved to top and more forgiving for aux audio use than G3 -Type-C plug is USB-3.1 compatible and easier to use than Micro-USB -Low sales means better price Cons -No app drawer but fixed with NOVA Launcher -Not waterproof -Upgrade to USB Type-C means converting from Micro-USB with adapters and/or cables -Side volume buttons
edited Oct 11, 2016, 11:55 PM to the current version:
Fast and Forgiving
After 2 years with a G3, I was surprised to hear LG was seeing low sales of the G5. Early versions had no app drawer and it seems the 'friend' or module concept didn't sell as well as expected. LG's new module system did give us the easiest battery swap in the industry.
Battery life is adequate but if you drain it, this phone is forgiving. 30 mins gets you over 80% with fast-charge and battery swaps are fast and easy. No need to pry off the back or do complex surgery.
G5 Friend modules are cheap thanks to low sales but none look all that appealing. Audio is already good so the Bang & Olufsen HiFi module doesn't seem worth it. The cameras work well and battery swaps are easy so the extra 1200mAh with the CAM Plus module also seems unfeasible. Thanks to low sales, an OEM charging kit with battery, case and charge cradle is found for under $30.
The Type-C USB means your whole collection of chargers has to be converted. But Type C plugs in up or down, transfers data faster, and is more durable than Micro-USB, so the conversion will likely be coming for all Android.
Pros
-FAST 820 chip, dual-core CPU - 4GB RAM
-20GB+ useable storage & 2TB external if you want it
-Great phone with good reception
-Battery life is pretty good and swapping is easy
-Excellent speaker
-Bloat-ware can be removed/disabled
-Battery charge 0 to 83% in 30 mins
-Music has good audio without the B&O HiFi Friend
-Gorilla Glass 4 deserves mention even though many in this class have it
-Camera quality excellent with wide-angle, laser autofocus and 2160p video
-QUAD HD display feels notably brighter than G3
-Headset jack moved to top and more forgiving for aux audio use than G3
-Type-C plug is USB-3.1 compatible and easier to use than Micro-USB
-Low sales means better price
Cons
-Not waterproof
-Upgrade to USB Type-C means converting to new cables and adapters.
-Side volume buttons
