LG G3 makes great strides in phone market
LG has been something of a late bloomer in the smartphone industry, struggling to fit in initially but slowly turning heads with its latest designs.
The LG G3 is a further evolutionary step in that direction, serving notice that it can compete to be the best Android smartphone available.
Is it the best? Not quite, but it makes a strong case to be counted among them. The G3 has a more refined and classy look than the Galaxy S5, with a large 5.5-inch display that covers a significant amount of the front panel, and a faux metallic back that looks cleaner.
These two design tweaks turn out to be important because they affect the phone’s usability. Unlike the previous G2, this back comes off and the battery is removable. A microSD card slot is also included, which expands the internal 32GB storage up to another 128GB.
The Quad HD display has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 — and a high pixel density of 538ppi (pixels per inch). The extra pixels don’t automatically translate into the best and brightest screen but they do contribute to good colour balance, tones and rich textures without oversaturating anything. That combination is what makes the screen pop out, putting it on the level with the best.
Unlike the G2’s cluttered and sometimes confusing interface, the G3 swings the other way and serves up a more relaxed and intuitive approach.
The KnockOn feature introduced in previous models is back, and also includes the Knock code, where you can unlock the screen by simply tapping a knocking combination. It’s innovative and useful, yet seems to be a bit sensitive as well, where the screen might turn on after bumping into your thigh in your pocket.
Smart Keyboard lets you change the size of the keys. LG Health is a built-in app that measures your daily activity, like steps taken and calories burned. It’s not exceptional but it does what it sets out to do.
The 13-megapixel camera retains its optical image stabilization from its predecessor but does away with 12 of the 16 shooting modes in the interface. An invisible laser helps the rear camera focus on subjects faster and snap photos without requiring a second tap on the screen. It works, but could use some improvement, particularly when lighting starts to dim.
A depth-of-field feature called Magic Focus works similarly to others wherein you can choose what to focus on after you’ve shot the photo. It’s software-based, and is not as good as what the HTC One M8 does, but it’s still decent.
There is 4K video capture at 30fps, plus a slow-motion mode at 120fps. They’re decent for a smartphone, but not quite good enough to be game-changers.
Pricing has not yet been fully revealed, although the G3 should be about $600 outright and about $100 to $200 on a two-year contract. Rogers and Bell are among companies that have confirmed they will carry the phone.