LG G4 Full Specs Pricing & Performance Breakdown

Design and Build Quality

The LG G4 boasts a unique design that distinguishes it from many contemporary smartphones. It features a slightly curved body that not only adds to its ergonomic feel but also enhances its durability. The device measures 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 - 9.8 mm and weighs 155 g, making it comfortable for one-handed use. It comes with a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while the back and frame are made of plastic. Notably, LG offered the G4 in a variety of finishes, including leather backs, providing a premium touch to its design. The phone uses a micro-SIM and has a removable battery, which is a rare feature in today's smartphone market.

Display

The screen of the LG G4 is one of its standout features. It sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 538 ppi. This high resolution ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and browsing. The screen is capable of displaying bright colors and deep contrasts, and the protective layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 adds to its durability against scratches and impacts.

Performance

Under the hood, the LG G4 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 chipset, built on a 20 nm process. The phone features a hexa-core CPU consisting of 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57 cores, coupled with the Adreno 418 GPU. This configuration provides a smooth performance for daily tasks and moderate gaming, although it may struggle with the most graphically demanding games compared to newer models. The device runs on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box, but it’s upgradeable to Android 7.0 (Nougat), allowing access to newer features and improved security.

Camera Features

The LG G4 was well-received for its camera capabilities. The main camera is a 16 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing detailed photos even in low-light conditions. It features laser autofocus and 3-axis optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in clearer images and reduced blur. Additional features include LED flash, panorama, and HDR mode. The rear camera can also record 4K video at 30fps and full HD video at 30fps with stereo sound recording. For selfies, the phone employs an 8 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture, delivering sharp and bright selfies.

Storage and Memory

The smartphone offers 32GB of internal storage, which may suffice for everyday use, but it also includes a dedicated microSDXC slot allowing for storage expansion, which is great for users who require more space for apps, music, and media. Accompanying the storage is 3GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance with most applications.

Battery Life

One of the perks of the LG G4 is its removable Li-Ion 3000mAh battery, which provides flexibility for users to carry spare batteries for extended unplugged use. The phone supports fast charging with an 18W wired charger (Quick Charge 2.0) and optionally supports wireless charging (Qi standard). Users can expect standby times of up to 360 hours on 2G and up to 440 hours on 3G, with talk times of up to 19 hours (2G) and up to 20 hours (3G), ensuring the device easily lasts a day or more on a single charge depending on usage.

Network and Connectivity

The LG G4 is equipped to handle GSM, HSPA, and LTE technology, making it compatible with a wide range of network bands and suitable for most 4G networks worldwide. It features speeds of HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps. Connectivity features include dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, and an infrared port for remote control capabilities. It also has stereo FM radio and a microUSB 2.0 port with SlimPort 4K support and OTG.

Audio and Sensors

The LG G4 doesn't skimp on the audio capabilities, featuring a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack to cater to high-quality audio playback. For immersive sound recording and playback, it includes several sound features. Sensor-wise, the device is equipped with an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, and a color spectrum sensor, paving the way for advanced functionalities in various apps and better automatic adjustments for photography.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon its launch in April 2015, the LG G4 was positioned as a high-end device, offering premium features at a relatively competitive price. At around 300 EUR, it provided an attractive package for enthusiasts looking for flagship-level performance without the cost of more premium devices. However, as newer models have entered the market, its status transitioned towards a more budget-friendly device for those seeking decent performance and flexibility with features like a removable battery and expandable storage.

Conclusion

The LG G4 remains a compelling choice for smartphone users who favor solid design, excellent camera capabilities, and the versatility of expandable storage and removable batteries. Although it is discontinued and may lack some of the modern features found in current flagship smartphones, it still holds its ground for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich device. Its set of balanced specifications ensures that it remains functional for daily use while offering an array of features that have kept it relevant in the ever-evolving smartphone landscape.