LG G4 Smartphone Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. Design4. Display5. Software6. Performance7. Camera8. Battery9. Closing Thoughts10. View All Pages

Having owned a LG G3 previously, I had high hopes for the LG G4. And it is safe to say I was not disappointed.

The G4 is well designed, to begin with. For one, the back is now textured, meaning the phone is easier to hold and won't slip out of your hand. LG also fit the 5.5″ display into a small body – though not to the same extent as the G3. Either way, you get a phablet display without a huge body.

The display has been left mostly untouched – meaning the 1440p panel remains. While it is absolutely gorgeous, with crisp viewing angles and decent brightness levels, I still cannot help but feel a 1080p panel would not be noticeably worse. Given the battery implications for a 1440p display, I think 1080p is still the way to go.

Lollipop runs smoothly and is nice and colourful. The included LG Optimus UX 4.0 UI is also quite sleek and simple, with a few nifty innovations like the included ‘smart settings' meaning it is very efficient. While we typically prefer stock Android, LG Optimus UX 4.0 has not got much going against it.

As for performance, the Snapdragon 808 proved itself to be very capable. It is not at the same level as the Snapdragon 810 CPU however, being 10-19% less powerful in our tests. Still, it does not overheat, and for everyday users it is more than good enough. So, we reckon it is better to have a marginally slower phone than one that gets too hot.

It is the camera, though, which is the standout feature of the G4. It is simply fantastic, with greatly detailed images and vibrant colours meaning this phone will replace your compact digital camera.

Battery life is fairly average, which we unfortunately expected due to the 1440p display. It will last a day, but only just – and will need recharging for any late nights.

You can buy the G4 from Vodafone, with a range of options to choose from. SIM-free prices are around £450 on Amazon.

Pros

• 1440p display is beautiful.
• OS is simple and colourful.
• Snapdragon 808 is very capable.
• Camera is simply incredible for a smartphone.
• Phone is easily to hold.

Cons

• Average battery life due to 1440p screen.
• Slightly bigger than LG G3.

KitGuru says: The LG G4 smartphone is fantastic, but it is let down a little by the battery life.

Become a Patron!