Let's talk about LG G6

LG G6 review: chopping corners... Like a pro

Let's talk about LG G6

Introduction

Chopping corners - oahu is the history of the LG G6's life. And we suggest this equally actually and figuratively. Nearly since their exhibit does not have correct views, it's delicate arcs instead. And figuratively because the G6 doesn't are the screaming equipment available in the marketplace, but makes do with a few-months-old chipset and'only'4GB of RAM. What happened to'flagship'? 

What happened is that LG is choosing an alternative rotate on the term. The G6 is the one which can provide probably the most, therefore they have extended flagship to symbolize So while LG held back on equipping the phone with the latest hardware, they've focused on usability. Many may think (a few people here as well) that's just downplaying the fact Samsung won't allow anyone use the Snapdragon 835 before the Galaxy S8 arrives, but let's experience it - LG's marketing group did have to move about the issue somehow.

As for the ultimate in specs, LG says we should look for them in the V-series from now on. How convenient it is that the V20 is due for a refresh in the fall, when the S8 will be in the rearview mirror.

Read on, however, and you'll find out that LG can build a remarkably strong case for the decisions it's made (or the ones being forced upon it) for the G6. Positive, it's only the Snapdragon 821 chipset that's driving the G6 and maybe not the forthcoming S835, but it's not quite a slob, the S821. Also, let's maybe not forget that it is, after all, Qualcomm's still-current prime model. 

Let's talk about LG G6

Another eyebrow-raiser is the decision of the Sony IMX258 camera warning, the imager of choice for a couple dozen smartphones, planning as far as couple of years back. Including distinguished smartphone designs as well as designs you've likely never noticed of. They span across a price range of $150-$350, which will be less than 50% of the LG G6's wondering price. It's obviously not really a flagship cameraphone warning, but remember - the term's been redefined. Also the G6 does have two of these IMX258s, so that should count for something.

It's also still the same concept - a crazy ultra-wide-angle camera accompanies the regular one. True, the insurance has been shrunk a little on both, but you now get the exact same 13MP resolution on each of them, therefore the wide-angle shooting doesn't feel like it's finding neglected.

But best of all - that display. We all want larger displays, but no one is particularly fond of the extra bulk that goes with one. That's what LG's surveys revealed too, therefore its developers sought out and extended the monitor to cover all the device's entrance - the 5.7-inch 18:9 part screen fits in the same human body impact whilst the G5's (admittedly, the G5 is not a screen-to-body ratio match winner, but still). Oh, and the corners listed here are cut for reasons beyond look, but more on that later.

LG G6 key features

• Body: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, GG5 back; chamfered LCD for impact resistance; IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
• Display: 5.7" IPS LCD, 2,880x1440px resolution, 18:9 (2:1) aspect ratio, 565ppi; HDR 10 and Dolby Vision compliant.
• Rear camera: 13MP f/1.8 primary camera with 71° field of view, OIS. Additional 13MP f/2.4 wide-angle camera with 125° FOV, no OIS. 1.12µm pixel size on both. 2160p/30fps video recording on both.
• Front camera: 5MP, 100° FOV; 1080p/30fps video recording.
• OS: Android 7.0 Nougat.
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821; quad-core CPU (2xKryo@2.35GHz + 2xKryo@1.6GHz), Adreno 530 GPU.
• Memory: 4GB of RAM; 32GB/64GB storage (region dependent); microSD slot for cards up to 2TB (practically up to 256GB).
• Battery: 3,300mAh Li-Po (sealed); QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging; WPC&PMA wireless charging (US version only).
• Connectivity: Single-SIM, Dual-SIM available in certain markets (mostly Asia); LTE-A, 3-Band carrier aggregation, Cat.12/13 (600/150Mbps); USB Type-C; Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; GPS; Bluetooth 4.2; FM Radio (outside South Korea, US and Canada).
• Misc: Fingerprint reader; Hi-Fi Quad DAC (South Korea exclusive); 2 mics, single speaker on the bottom; 3.5mm jack.

Main shortcomings

• Regional limitations on nice-to-have features
• No stereo speakers
• No Daydream VR support
• Priced well into flagship territory despite 'value proposition' claims

If you did a little more than fleetingly read the list of crucial functions, you can not have overlooked the numerous region-specific bits. Why LG, why does the entire world not get wireless receiving (US only) and the Hi-Fi Quad DAC (South Korea only)? And does either of the two make up for the lack of an FM radio receiver, which those particular markets won't be getting?

     

LG G6 press images

We're also still trying to figure out what to make of the 'value proposition' phrase LG used to describe the G6 when we were first introduced to it. The $700 price that's been floating around is very much flagship-grade, and in the classic, pre-redefinition (some word that is) sense of the term. But by the looks of it, the Galaxy S8 will be even pricier, and the Pixel and the iPhone already are too (some versions on some markets, at least) - so LG might have a point there.

You can't, however, judge a product's value for money before establishing its real-world merits first. That's exactly what we intend to do on the following pages, starting with an overview of the hardware.