The always-on display with the date and notifications is a convenient and pleasant function. On an IPS matrix, the data looks a little duller than on AMOLED, but legible enough not to once again include all 5.3 inches of the matrix to check the time or messages.

The speakerphone impresses with its power - you don't expect feats from a thin smartphone of a non-phablet, but through a couple of slots the G5 SE produces a very loud and quite intelligible sound. The lower part (that is, the module) even shakes if the volume is turned to maximum. Very good sound - in the Galaxy S7, the speaker is noticeably worse, as in the flagships of Huawei (minus the Nexus 6P).

The sound in the headphones is good even without the additional audiophile equipment - contrary to rumors, LG did not degrade the audio path in the G5 SE in order to force buyers to fork out for the B&O DAC module. In the browser and music applications - standard for Snapdragon 652 and quite good sound. Better quality than in current Nexus smartphones (5X and 6P), slightly more balanced than in Huawei Mate 8. In terms of volume, the smartphone is inferior to that of Mate itself and Samsung Galaxy S7 by 5-8%, which is a "downed pilot" for headphones can be a problem. However, some Note 4 sounds no louder, and for gourmets, the G5 has a corresponding solution.

Iron

If the comments above and below in the text can (and probably should) be called nit-picking in order to balance the pros and cons of the model, then in terms of performance, the G5 SE certainly deserves criticism. Rather, not he himself, but a frantic 50 thousand rubles for a processor of the level of last year's Snapdragon 810 and ludicrous performance graphics - as in smartphones of 2014 with Snapdragon 801 on board (Sony Xperia Z2, HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5). And due to the outdated technical process, the chip turns out to be more power hungry than the Exynos 7420/8890, Snapdragon 820 or even the Kirin 950/955.

LG G5 modular smartphone

Main functions of LG G5

5.3 inch IPS QHD screen
Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB RAM
32GB internal storage and microSD slot
2,800mAh battery
USB Type C port version 3.0
The fingerprint scanner
16MP rear camera and 8MP front camera
Additional 8MP wide-angle rear camera
Android Marshmallow platform with proprietary LG UX 5.0 software shell

LG's flagships have been my favorite phones for the past few years. They manage to combine great features and tons of features at an attractive price. Previous LG phones in the G line have been improved every year, so no one expected big surprises, but only until now. The LG G5, announced at MWC 2016 in Barcelona, ​​is a complete reinvention, so to speak, that has made the G5 one of the most innovative phones I've seen in recent memory.

5 things to know about the LG G5

1. The flagship has a modular design

In addition to the fact that the LG G5 comes with a removable battery and a metal microSD card slot, it can also change its shape.

At the Barcelona mobile trade show, LG announced two dockable modules, the LG Cam Plus and the LG Hi-Fi Plus, which have connectors on the bottom of the G5. Modules provide additional functionality.

2. LG G5 has three cameras

We're used to the fact that smartphones tend to come with front and rear cameras, but in the LG G5, the manufacturer added a third camera to the rear, which is not designed for high performance in low light. With a 135-degree lens, the third camera provides a wide viewing angle. The G5 was the first smartphone to capture even more space in the frame.

3. USB Type C cable included as standard

While the USB-C cable has yet to dominate the premium smartphone market, LG is betting on it.

The USB version is 3.0, which means that unlike the OnePlus 2, which only has USB-C version 2.0, the LG G5 supports fast charging and fast data transfer. However, if you look at it from the other side, it does not support wireless charging.

4. Powerful hardware

The LG G5 is the first smartphone from the largest manufacturer to come with the fastest Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset to date and 4GB of RAM for faster, faster performance.

5. The G5 has good Friends

LG Announces Three G5 Friends At The Show

The first is the 360 ​​VR headset, the second is the 360 ​​Cam spherical camera. The third "friend" was a "smart" robot similar to BB-8, known as the Rolling Bot. All devices connect wirelessly to the LG G5 through the LG Friends Manager app.

LG G5 FAQ

- LG G5 will hit “major markets” in early April.

The price of the LG G5 phone? - The price of the LG G5 has yet to be announced, but there is speculation that it will not differ from the G4.

? - LG G5 will be available in four colors: silver, titanium (dark gray), pink and gold.

LG G5 design

The first thing that struck me was how much the LG G5 resembles the Nexus 5X. But this was to be expected, since both smartphones were created by the same manufacturer. The G5 is smooth to the touch. The body is metal, however, it seems that this is something new, different.

Probably, LG has a "secret recipe" for creating such a metal, because it does not need dividers for antennas on the back cover, which are currently equipped with all metal phones. LG uses "microdizing" technology, but the company did not release details.

Regardless of how it's done, the LG G5's body looks sleek and stylish. The smooth curve at the top of the screen adds some charm to the smartphone, otherwise the newfangled flagship will look like any other flat-screen Android phone.

The volume swing has moved from the back cover to the left side, while LG has managed to keep the lines flat.

The power button is located in the center and is necessarily equipped with a built-in fingerprint scanner, which means that the company is catching up with its competitors. Many manufacturers have been equipping their flagships with sensors for a long time, but LG began to include them in their smartphones relatively recently.

I've always been a fan of the buttons and fingerprint sensors on the back of the case - this is exactly where your index finger is when you pull your phone out of your pocket. Perhaps for this simple reason, other manufacturers have followed LG's lead.

There are two rear cameras located just above the power button. One camera sits higher than the other, making the phone easy to slide in and out of your pocket.

At the bottom of the smartphone is the biggest surprise. A barely noticeable button at the end pushes the battery out of the case and allows you to replace it with another module.

LG G5 - Modules

Google Project Ara promised to create a modular phone, but LG was the first major manufacturer to do so. At the moment, the company has presented two modules.

The LG Cam Plus module increases the battery capacity from 2,800mAh to 4,000mAh. But that's not all. It has dedicated video recording and zoom buttons. The module allows you to hold the LG G5 with one hand while shooting.

Audio is another area that LG has focused on. The LG G5 is the first smartphone to feature aptX-HD technology. aptX is a codec that preserves details when streaming audio over Bluetooth. AptX-HD increases the bit depth to 24 bits. The 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the LG G5 supports 24-bit audio.

But that's not enough for LG either. The company has teamed up with B&O to create a module that will improve the audio performance of the G5 to 32-bit.

So Cam Plus and Hi-Fi Plus are two modules provided by LG, but since the API software is open, anyone can create a new module.

Of course, when removing the battery, you need to take into account that the LG G5 turns off every time you need to swap the module, but within a minute the smartphone becomes fully functional again.

LG G5 - screen and performance

The touchscreen of the 5.3-inch G5 is slightly smaller than previous models, but the quad-HD resolution remains the same. It's still an IPS display, not an AMOLED display, but LG sees this as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

In addition to the fact that the G5 is equipped with one of the brightest displays in existence today, which received an always-on function. AMOLED displays are prone to fading. For example, if some contamination is not removed from the screen in time, a trace may remain on it, which is practically not displayed. IPS displays are not affected.

LG claims that the always-on function drains the battery by only 0.8%, which is much less than a smartphone needs if it is turned on 80 times a day to check the time.

The Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB of RAM makes the LG G5 very nimble. LG UX 5.0 software shell based on Android-Marshmallow allows you to open applications almost instantly.

Worth mentioning is the new 8MP wide-angle camera on the back that is not designed for shooting 3D photos or videos. This innovative camera provides a 135-degree field of view, nearly double what other smartphones can offer, even more than our eye can capture.

Summing up the above, we can assume that LG is trying to create something truly original, so we will wait for the LG G5 to appear on the Russian market.

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Characteristics LG G5 SE

• Body materials: plastic, metal, glass
• Operating system: Android 6.0, LG UX 5.0
• Network: GSM / EDGE, WCDMA, LTE (nanoSIM)
• Screen: IPS LCD, 5.3 ”, capacitive, 2560x1440 pixels (QuadHD), 554 ppi, automatic backlight adjustment, Gorilla Glass 4
• Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM8992)
• Processor: Quad-core 1.2 GHz (Cortex-A53) and dual-core 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A72)
• Graphics system: Adreno 510
• RAM: 3 GB
• Memory for data storage: 32 GB, slot for memory card microSD
• Main camera: 16 MP, f / 1.8 and 8 MP, f / 2.4 (wide-angle), laser focusing, optical image stabilization on three axes (OIS), LED flash
• Front camera: 8 MP, f / 2.0
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi (a / b / g / n / ac) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, LE, Apt-X), USB Type-C (USB 2.0) for charge / synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset , NFC, infrared
• Navigation: GPS / Glonass (A-GPS support)
• Extras: FM radio, fingerprint scanner, fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0), Always-on display technology
• Sensors: accelerometer, position sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, barometer
• Battery: removable, Li-Ion, 2800 mAh
• Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm
• Weight: 156 grams

South Korean LG is one of the few companies on the smartphone manufacturer market who is not afraid to experiment in the upper price segment, in other words, constantly inventing something new for their flagships. Usually the situation is the opposite - companies try to keep top-end devices identical to each other for as long as possible, tightening up the characteristics and occasionally refreshing the design. There are a lot of examples - from Apple, Samsung and HTC to the most striking - Sony, where the design of devices in the upper price range has remained almost unchanged since the Xperia Z1, released in 2013.

For LG, flagships are a field of experimentation. In the LG G2 smartphone, the company tested a solution with control buttons located on the "back" of the case, and made the thinnest possible frames. The LG G3 chose the way of increasing the diagonal of the screen for the flagship (5.5 "versus 5.2" in the LG G2), redesigned the camera and decided to "play" with the metallized plastic texture, giving the smartphone a more expensive look. The next flagship - LG G4 - was in many ways an improved version of the G3, but it completely changed its appearance: they abandoned plastic "like metal", came up with replaceable covers made of genuine leather, made a display slightly curved inside the case to protect it from damage when dropped. To my taste, in terms of design and ergonomics, the LG G4 was not a role model, otherwise it was comparable to competitors, but in one thing it was ahead of literally everyone - in photo quality. This smartphone still takes the best photos in low light and at night (we are not talking about the speed of photographing, but about the quality), surpassing in this respect both the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and Apple devices.

Another flagship - LG G5 - again became an object for experimentation. The company again completely redesigned the design, moved some of the keys from the "back" to the ends, added a scanner, came up with a system of replaceable modules and a slightly simplified version of the device - LG G5 SE on a simpler platform. The rest of the devices are identical. In this review, I will tell you about all the features of the LG G5 using a simplified version - LG G5 SE as an example. Go.

Design

There are practically no external similarities between LG G4 and LG G5, the company has once again "sorted out" the design. The smartphone turned out to be more strict and, at the same time, more simple and calm than its predecessor. For some, the lack of bright details is a plus. For some, it's a minus, it's a matter of personal preference.

The front panel with a protective glass curved in the upper part, a module of two cameras on the reverse side, as well as the bottom end with a system of replaceable modules attract attention, but in general, the new LG G5 looks simple. Perhaps this is the case when I have nothing special to write about the design, it is so simple here.

The smartphone is available in four colors: silver, gold, pink and gray. In any variation, these are shades of the indicated colors, the body remains approximately monotonous and dim. This, again, someone will like it, someone will not.

Body materials

There is an interesting feature associated with the materials in the LG G5 SE. The fact is that at all presentations and on the official website, the device is called a smartphone in a metal case. At the same time, when you take the device in your hands, the metal is not felt at all. Moreover, if the smartphone accidentally gets scratched or falls and gets chipped, then you will most likely see characteristic traces of peeled paint and plastic underneath on the reverse side. And yet - the body is really made of metal.

I don’t know why LG decided to use this solution, there is no visible benefit from it, but that is what it is. The base of the case in the LG G5 SE is made of aluminum, in particular, the entire "bath" in which the electronic filling is located, and the ribs. However, from the outside, the body is covered with a thick layer of plastic, on top of which a metal-like coating is applied. This explains the fact that if you take scissors and scrape on the lid, then, after erasing the primary layer, you will most likely decide that the case is made of plastic. To get to the base made of metal, you literally need to dig out several layers of the lid.

Painted plastic on top of metal causes another problem (besides the lack of the feeling of having an expensive device in hand). Along the edge of the body there is a color "chrome", and in these places the paint begins to peel off the fastest, so that after a month or two, plastic gaps will appear on the device. It is not very noticeable if you do not pay attention, but it is still unpleasant.

The front panel is curved in a special way Gorilla Glass 4. Unlike the now fashionable 2.5D glass, in the LG G5 it bends at the top, creating a smooth platform for easy calling of the notification curtain. When you need to open it, the finger does not cling to the end, but slides down comfortably. The solution turned out to be not only beautiful (like simple glass with a 2.5D effect), but also useful from a practical point of view.

Assembly

There are almost no complaints about the assembly of the device. Except for the lower replacement element created for installing modules. When you take the device out of the box and just use it - no problem, the base module with the battery sits securely in its place, there is no backlash, and so on. But judging by the samples of LG G5 SE, which have been in use for more than one month, after a while and after frequent replacement of modules, the mount may become loose. To paraphrase it, it may be loose, or maybe not, everything will depend on specific use cases, the frequency of changing modules and other things.

Dimensions (edit)

The size of the new LG G5 is almost the same as last year's model. Due to its smooth curves and rounded edges, the device fits comfortably in the hand, it is comfortable to hold and use it. At the same time, calling the smartphone small, of course, will not work. With a diagonal of 5.3 "", the device, to put it mildly, is not a record holder in size and is comparable to models where the diagonals are higher - 5.5 "".

• Apple iPhone 6S Plus(5.5 "") - 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm, 192 grams
• Lg g5(5.5 "") - 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3mm, 156g
• Lg g4(5.5 "") - 148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 mm, 155 grams
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge(5.5 ”) - 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, 157 grams
• HTC 10(5.2 "") - 145.9 x 71.9 x 9 mm, 161 grams

A year ago, I would have focused more seriously on the dimensions of a smartphone, but, in my opinion, 5.5 ”devices have become commonplace now and any model that fits into the framework of popular devices of this category is perceived normally.

Compared to Galaxy S7 Edge

Compared to Huawei P9

Control elements

Here I want to grumble a little. Experiments are good, but I think there should be some limit, some things, points that, once adopted and promoted, should not be changed after a short period of time. Yes, I'm talking about the controls, specifically the power and volume keys. It would seem a trifle, but I don't think so. With the LG G2 smartphone, the company began to promote the idea of ​​a key block on the back of the smartphone. Three buttons were located on the back of the device in the upper area, near the main camera. Unusual, but generally comfortable, and the company put the right accents in promoting this idea. Then there were the LG G3 and LG G4, as well as intermediate models (like the LG V10) with the same key layout logic.

And here comes the LG G5. The volume buttons are on the left edge, the power button is on the back and is combined with a fingerprint scanner. Is there any logic here, a general principle? To be honest, I don't see. Yes, I personally quickly got used to that arrangement, but the approach itself is embarrassing, because the entire block of buttons on the back of the device was a great idea.

There are three ways to unlock your smartphone (turn on the screen) - by pressing the power key on the back of the device, double tap on the display surface, or by touching the power button (fingerprint scanner on it). At the same time, the third method is convenient in that you do not need to press the power button (as in the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, for example, where you need to press the Home key), you just need to touch it.

The scanner allows you to save up to five prints, it works quickly and accurately, I did not have any complaints about this element for a month of using the device (unlike the scanner in the Samsung Galaxy S Edge, which for some reason "dulls" for me).

Like other smartphones of the company, there is a gesture system here:

• Automatically answer a call when you bring your smartphone to your ear (even if a Bluetooth headset is connected to the device)
• Muting the ringtone volume when you lift the smartphone from the surface of a table, shelf or something else
• Switch to silent mode during an incoming call when you flip your smartphone
• Stop the alarm or turn it back on when you flip your smartphone
• Pause video playback when you flip your smartphone

Now about the location of the elements and connectors. At the top there is an infrared port, an additional microphone and a 3.5 mm mini-jack. At the bottom is USB Type-C, main microphone and speaker.

On the front side, in the upper part, there is an earpiece, light and proximity sensors, as well as a light indicator and an 8 MP front camera peephole. A tray for two nanoSIM cards or one nanoSIM card and a memory card is located on the right edge.

Screen

The LG G5 has a 5.3 "" screen based on an IPS-matrix (IPS Quantum). Display resolution - 2560x1440 pixels (554 ppi). In terms of characteristics, the screen resembles that of the LG G4 - that is, it is good. There is a margin of brightness, the viewing angles are maximum. Even if you tilt the screen diagonally, there will be absolutely no picture distortion in color or brightness. The automatic screen backlight sometimes works to save battery power, that is, it sets the backlight level below the one you want to see, but in the daytime its work is quite correct. The color temperature is adjusted well, in my opinion, and of the shortcomings, I note only the impossibility to change it.

The screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 4 protective glass and has a high-quality oleophobic coating, so that few prints and traces that appear on the display can be easily removed.

Like Samsung's flagships, LG G5 supports Always-on technology, when some useful information is constantly displayed on the screen. In the G5, the display can display the time, date and line of new notifications (system), as well as some arbitrary signature.

Again, like Samsung, LG notes the extremely low power consumption of this thing, but, like Samsung, if the battery life is important to you, it's better to forget about Always-on. And although Samsung uses a more effective AMOLED screen for such a scenario, and here it is IPS, I turned off the option both there and there (in the S7 Edge and in the G5 SE).

Camera

There are two main cameras in the LG G5 - one with a resolution of 16 MP, an f / 1.8 aperture, a color spectrum sensor, a three-axis optical stabilization system (OIS) and a laser focusing system. The second is wide-angle, with a resolution of 8 MP and an aperture of f / 2.4.

The idea is that for the usual scenarios you use a 16-megapixel camera, but if you need to take a photo covering as much space as possible (a general photo at a party, some kind of beautiful landscape, etc.) - switch to a wide-angle camera.

You might think that this is such a publicity stunt and in fact the cameras in the LG G5 do not differ too much from the shooting angle, but this is not so. The second camera is really wide-angle and allows you to get several times more information in the frame than the main one. This is how it looks in reality:

Main camera (16 MP)	Wide-angle camera (8MP)

The quality of the photo from the wide-angle camera is worse than from the main one, but for my tasks, it seems to me, it is quite sufficient. You will hardly use it all the time. Therefore, let's talk about the main camera.

As in the LG G4, the main camera module is equipped with an optical stabilization system and laser focusing. The focusing speed of the G5 is about the same as the LG G4. To be honest, the photo quality on the first firmware is not as high as I expected, although good overall. But now the company is preparing new firmware, and with each new camera it will improve, so progress can be expected in this regard.

Below is a small comparison of cameras in LG G4 and LG G5:

Lg g4	Lg g5

In my opinion, in the daytime the devices shoot about the same, in the conditions of a lack of illumination the LG G4 looks stronger.

Now let's take a look at comparative examples of shots at night, there will already be three devices: LG G4, LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

Lg g4	Lg g5	Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Here I would distribute the devices as follows: the best quality and closest to reality picture is provided by LG G4, I believe that this smartphone is still out of competition when it comes to shooting at night, there are simply no better devices yet. In second place is LG G5 - the picture is not so sharp and natural, but in general it is still close to what you actually see with your own eyes. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is the last one - yes, the smartphone shoots instantly even at night, against its background both LG G4 and LG G5 focus eternity, but the pictures themselves on the S7 Edge are too artificial: oversharp, overstretched exposure, everything looks not like that in the photos, as in fact.

Examples of photos in good weather

Now briefly about the interface. Like the LG G4, there are three shooting modes (for both cameras): Easy, Basic, and Manual. The first one is simple, there are no elements and information on the screen at all, you just touch the screen at any point, and the smartphone takes a photo.

The second is basic, with all settings displayed. In this case, you need to press a key to take a picture, here you can also change various parameters, from the resolution of the picture to the shooting mode.

Finally, the third and most important mode is manual. In this mode, you can shoot with automatic settings, but with the creation of two files at once: RAW (DNG extension) and JPEG, as well as in fully manual mode. In the second case, you can adjust the white balance, exposure value (from +2 to -2), shutter speed (from 1/3200 to 30 seconds), ISO (from 50 to 3200) and adjust the focal length. In a word, this is a full-fledged manual mode, as detailed as it may be required now in a smartphone camera.

Shooting with the LG G5 in manual mode is a different story. Even taking into account the fact that the first firmware does not reveal the potential of the camera (I am sure they will fix this in the future), the manual mode allows you to take cool shots in a variety of situations and conditions. Perhaps someday I will make a separate material with examples of pictures on the LG G5 SE in manual mode.

If we compare the cameras in the LG G4 and LG G5, the main difference comes down to the appearance of an additional wide-angle module. There are slight differences in automatic mode, but, in general, in good conditions the G4 and G5 produce comparable results. At night, the G4 still shoots better, but I hope that in future firmwares this moment will be corrected and the G5 will become better.

Video... The maximum recording quality is UltraHD (3840x2160 pixels), standard is FullHD (1920x1080), in addition to recording at 30 or 60 frames per second, there is recording at up to 120 fps. In the video recording mode, tracking autofocus works. The quality of the recorded video is good, however, you can evaluate the sample videos yourself.

Front-camera... The front camera with a resolution of 8 MP and aperture of f / 2.0 allows you to take good shots, but nothing more. To be honest, I expected much more from the front camera in the LG G5. As in its time and from the camera in the G4. During the day on a sunny day, the quality can be called acceptable, when conditions deteriorate or in the dark, the photos turn into "soap" with very noticeable post-processing.

Lg g4	Lg g5

Autonomous work

The LG G5 SE has a removable 2,800mAh Li-Ion battery, slightly weaker than the one used in the LG G3 and G4.

My sample LG G5 SE worked on average until the evening, discharging completely by 17-18 hours under heavy load (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge lasts for about 20 hours in this mode, but I still have to use an external battery). The difference in operating time under normal conditions between the LG G5 SE and last year's LG G4 is within the margin of error, with active use both smartphones sit down in the evening, with moderate work a full day.

I can't say that everything is fine, I personally expected progress from the new flagship just in terms of battery life, because the LG G4 was by no means a record holder in this regard, but, alas, there is no progress here. Like other manufacturers, unfortunately, they are still in no hurry to move in this direction.

In the power settings, you can turn on the "power saving" mode when the charge level drops below 5 or below 15 percent. In this mode, the brightness is reduced, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, vibration, auto-sync services and a light indicator are turned off.

Platform, memory

The smartphone is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM 8976) platform with an eight-core processor: four Cortex-A72 cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. Graphics system (GPU) - Adreno 510. The device has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of built-in memory, as well as a slot for a microSD memory card. Actually, this is, in fact, the only thing that distinguishes the "stripped-down" LG G5 SE from the flagship LG G5 - the platform. The flagship runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, has Adreno 530 graphics on board and 4 GB of "RAM".

If in the case of the LG G4 the company simply opted for a non-top platform for a number of reasons, then for the LG G5 they made two versions - the regular G5 and the slightly simplified G5 SE. It is the latest model that is available in Russia, and the Snapdragon 652 platform in it provides a good level of performance, although it is inferior to other flagships on top platforms in synthetic tests.

Interfaces

The smartphone works in GSM, HSDPA and LTE networks. For LTE, there is support for all common bands and frequencies; in Russian fourth-generation networks, the device works without problems. The smartphone has one radio module and two slots for SIM cards.

USB... A complete USB Type-C cable is used to synchronize with a PC and transfer data. USB 2.0 interface (LG G5 - USB 3.0). The standards USB-OTG and USB-Host are supported - you can connect to a smartphone through an adapter of a flash drive and other storage devices, for example, a camera to transfer pictures from it to the device's memory.

Bluetooth... Built-in Bluetooth 4.2 module with support for A2DP, LE (low energy) and Apt-X profiles.

Wi-Fi (802.11а / ac / b / g / n)... The LG G5 SE uses a dual-band Wi-Fi module, this interface works flawlessly. Like any other modern Android smartphone, the G5 SE supports the function of sharing mobile Internet via Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi router), as well as DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct standards.

NFC... The LG G5 SE has a standard interface for any Android flagship since 2013. It can be turned on and off in the settings, in the "Sharing and connection" menu.

Navigation

The smartphone supports GPS / A-GPS and Glonass, it takes a minimum amount of time to search for satellites. There is no special navigation software in Android smartphones, and manufacturers usually limit themselves to the pre-installed Google Maps, LG G4 is no exception in this sense.

Software features and software

The smartphone runs on Android 6.0 with a proprietary LG UX 5.0 interface. Most of the settings and the shell as a whole have hardly changed compared to the UX 4.0 in the LG G4. Of course, outwardly, the new interface has become even smoother, neat and calm in design.

One of the innovations of the fifth version of LG UX is that now the application icons are located on the desktop, and the application menu is no longer there, that is, the company has switched to the interface logic "like in iOS". Importantly, if you wish, you can switch to the usual interface display mode with a separate application menu, as it was before.

The rest is a familiar interface and a set of programs that have hardly changed in comparison with the LG G4.

Lock screen... The lock screen displays new notifications and the time in one line, and a number of shortcuts are available in the lower area for quick access to applications. The set of shortcuts can be changed in the settings, and it will not necessarily be the same as the shortcuts in the lower panel on the desktop.

What saddened me most about the LG G3 and G4 was the strange and illogical system of switching from notifications on the lock screen to the apps that generated them. For example, I receive a notification about a new message in Telegram or WhatsApp, I click on it to open the program, but before I get into the program, I need to swipe again to unlock the screen. Believe it or not, the LG G5 has this system back in place! And this despite the fact that in Android 6.0, to switch from the notification card on the lock screen to the notification itself, you just need to tap the card twice and that's it. There are no words.

Preinstalled software... The smartphone has a convenient file manager with the ability to view files by category or in a shared storage, search and sort by criteria. A weather app with animated graphics if not run as a widget. Calculator, voice recorder, radio - all these programs are made in the same graphic style as the rest of the interface.

QuickMemo + lets you create text notes or handwritten notes.

Like the LG G4, it has a clock and weather widget with a Smart Notice notification bar attached to it. The idea is simple - in the form of short notifications to remind the user of important things: changing weather, calendar events, missed notifications, and so on. True, the Smart Notice functionality is still limited to literally several types of notifications: weather and new events, as well as tips.

The LG G5 SE has a service called LG Health, which counts the distance traveled, the number of steps and the calories burned.

Replaceable modules

The main feature of the LG G5 and LG G5 SE is replaceable modules. The lower block can be removed, and instead of it you can install a special module that expands the capabilities of the device. The base module with a battery can be considered standard, in addition, there are two more - with an amplifier for better music quality and with camera control keys (and an additional battery inside).

This is how beautiful a smartphone looks with a removed module!

Now a little more detail.

The first module is a massive block with camera control keys: a shooting button, a zoom wheel and a few more elements. It also has an additional battery built into it. It looks something like this:

The second module - with a separate DAC, branded by Bang and Olufsen, is needed in order to get better sound on the smartphone. As in the case of the first module, this one increases the dimensions of the smartphone, albeit not so much.

The very idea of ​​modules is interesting and I personally like it, but so far its implementation raises a lot of questions, from the very beginning to specific modules. Why is it necessary to remove the battery to replace the module, thereby interrupting the operation of the smartphone? If I want to connect a camera module at an important moment, then for half a minute I will simply have to be left without a working device, this is inconvenient. The modules themselves are large. Why make a camera module so massive? How useful is it at all? It's the same with the sound module. Finally, why did the company manage to prepare only two modules for the start of sales of the flagship? Weren't there any ideas? Honestly, I can't believe it.

Conclusion

For almost a month of using the LG G5 SE, I had no complaints about the quality of signal reception. The volume of the ringing loudspeaker is slightly above average, one loudspeaker is used. In most situations, you can hear it well if you set the volume to maximum. The volume of the earpiece is also at a good level, there is a small volume margin for conversations in noisy rooms. The vibration alert is average in strength.

The official cost of the LG G5 SE in Russia is 50,000 rubles (49,990), that is, comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S7, Sony Xperia X Performance, HTC 10 and other flagships. Each of these smartphones has its own strengths and weaknesses, of course, just like the LG G5 SE. My main complaint about the new LG smartphone comes down to one thing - it turned out to be vague. The company went too far into experiments, came up with plug-in modules, but never developed this idea fully enough (two modules for a release are not serious). Perhaps, new modules will appear, but so far everything is like this. The LG G4 focused on replaceable leather covers, a cool camera, the LG G3 focused on high-resolution screens, and the LG G2 focused on thin bezels and compact dimensions. I used each of these devices as the main one for more than six months, which is a tangible period for a person who has the ability to change a smartphone literally once a week. I liked the “pipes” from LG precisely for their completeness. For my taste, this is exactly what the LG G5 SE lacks. There is a good screen, moderate dimensions, performance sufficient for work (although in SE tests it is inferior to all flagships on top platforms), comparable to competitors' operating time, a very high-quality main camera, comparable to LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S7, as well as an additional wide-angle camera for different situations, which other manufacturers do not yet have. But still something is missing from this smartphone. Perhaps I waited too much for the neat work to improve the LG G4 in the new flagship, but I got a completely different device, and this is where my conclusions are connected. Do not know.

Information about the brand, model and alternative names of a specific device, if any.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Used materials, offered colors, certificates.

Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	73.9 mm (millimeters) 7.39 cm (centimeters) 0.24 ft (feet) 2.91 in (inches)
Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	149.4 mm (millimeters) 14.94 cm (centimeters) 0.49 ft (feet) 5.88 in (inches)
Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement.	7.7 mm (millimeters) 0.77 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.3 in (inches)
The weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement.	159 g (grams) 0.35 lbs (pounds) 5.61 oz (ounces)
Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with a rectangular parallelepiped shape.	85.01 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 5.16 in³ (cubic inches)
Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale.	Golden Pink Silver Gray
Materials for the manufacture of the case Materials used for the manufacture of the device body.	Aluminium alloy

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analog mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often referred to as a 2G mobile network. It has been enhanced by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies.	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz
UMTS UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and refers to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is to provide more speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology.	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz
LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM / EDGE and UMTS / HSPA with the aim of increasing the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent development of technologies is called LTE Advanced.	LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz (B12 LTE 700 MHz (B28)

Mobile technology and data rates

Communication between devices in mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data rates.

Operating system

An operating system is the system software that controls and coordinates the operation of the hardware components on a device.

SoC (System on a Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) integrates all the major hardware components of a mobile device into a single chip.

SoC (System on a Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software required for their operation.	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. The value in nanometers is half the distance between the elements in the processor.	14 nm (nanometers)
Processor (CPU) The main function of the processor (CPU) of a mobile device is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications.	2x 2.15 GHz Kryo, 2x 1.6 GHz Kryo
Processor size The bit size of the processor is determined by the size (in bits) of registers, address buses and data buses. 64-bit processors offer better performance than 32-bit processors, which in turn are more efficient than 16-bit processors.	64 bit
Instruction set architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets / controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute.	ARMv8-A
Level 1 cache (L1) The cache memory is used by the processor to reduce the time it takes to access more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (Level 1) cache is small and is much faster than both system memory and other levels of cache. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2.	32 KB + 32 KB (kilobytes)
L2 cache L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1, but instead has a larger capacity to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for them in L3 cache memory (if available) or in RAM memory.	1536 KB (kilobytes) 1.5 MB (megabytes)
Number of processor cores The processor core executes program instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to execute in parallel.	4
CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	2150 MHz (megahertz)
Graphics processing unit (GPU) A graphics processing unit (GPU) handles computation for a variety of 2D / 3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most commonly used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, and more.	Qualcomm Adreno 530
GPU clock speed Speed ​​is the clock speed of the GPU and is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	624 MHz (megahertz)
The amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. The data that is saved in the RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted.	4 GB (gigabytes)
Memory type (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device.	LPDDR4
Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels means higher data rates.	Two-channel
RAM frequency The frequency of the RAM determines its speed of operation, more specifically, the speed of reading / writing data.	1866 MHz (megahertz)

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) fixed memory.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage space for data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type / technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the image quality of information directly depends.	IPS
Diagonal On mobile devices, screen size is expressed in terms of the length of its diagonal, measured in inches.	5.3 in (inches) 134.62 mm (millimeters) 13.46 cm (centimeters)
Width Approximate screen width	2.6 in (inches) 66 mm (millimeters) 6.6 cm (centimeters)
Height Approximate screen height	4.62 in (inches) 117.33 mm (millimeters) 11.73 cm (centimeters)
Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of the long side of the screen to its short side	1.778:1 16:9
Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels horizontally and vertically on the screen. Higher resolution means sharper image detail.	1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be shown on the screen in clearer detail.	554 ppi (pixels per inch) 217 ppcm (pixels per centimeter)
Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display.	24 bit 16777216 flowers
Screen footprint The approximate percentage of the display area on the front of the device.	70.37% (percent)
Other characteristics Information about other functions and features of the screen.	Capacitive Multitouch Scratch resistant
	Corning Gorilla Glass 4 3D Arc Glass Always-On Display 850 cd / m²

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical metrics into signals that can be recognized by the mobile device.

Rear camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its rear panel and can be combined with one or more additional cameras.

Sensor model	Sony IMX234 Exmor RS
Sensor type
Sensor size	5.95 x 3.35 mm (millimeters) 0.27 in (inches)
Pixel size	1.12 μm (micrometers) 0.001120 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor	6.34
Light-strength	f / 1.8
Focal length The focal length indicates the distance in millimeters from the sensor to the optical center of the lens. Equivalent focal length (35mm) is the focal length of a mobile device camera, equated to the focal length of a 35mm full-frame sensor, at which the same angle of view will be achieved. It is calculated by multiplying the real focal length of the mobile device camera by the crop factor of its sensor. The crop factor can be defined as the ratio between the diagonals of a 35mm full-size sensor and a mobile device sensor.	4.4 mm (millimeters) 27.88 mm (millimeters) * (35 mm / full frame)
line of sight The field of view shows how much of the scene in front of the camera will be filmed. This depends not only on the focal length, but also on the size of the sensor. It can be calculated through the angle of view of the optics and the crop factor of the sensor. Angle of view is the angle between the two farthest diagonal points in the frame.	78 ° (degrees)
Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape.	Dual LED
Image Resolution	5312 x 2988 pixels 15.87 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP (megapixels)
	30 frames / sec (frames per second)
Specifications Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera.	Autofocus Burst shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Optical image stabilization Geographic tags Panoramic shooting HDR shooting Touch focus Face recognition Adjusting the white balance ISO setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene selection mode Macro mode
	Laser autofocus - 9 focusing points 720p @ 120 fps Secondary rear camera - 8 MP Sensor model - Sony IMX268 Exmor RS (# 2) Sensor type - CMOS (# 2) Sensor size - 4.54 x 3.42 mm (# 2) Aperture size - f / 2.4 (# 2) Angle of view - 135 ° (# 2)

Front-camera

Smartphones have one or more front cameras of different designs - pop-up camera, PTZ camera, notch or hole in the display, camera under the display.

Sensor model Information about the make and model of the sensor used by the camera.	Toshiba T4KA3
Sensor type Information about the type of camera sensor. Some of the most widely used types of sensors in mobile cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, and others.	CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with a larger sensor and lower pixel density offer higher image quality despite lower resolution.	3.7 x 2.7 mm (millimeters) 0.18 in (inches)
Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are capable of capturing more light and therefore provide better low-light performance and a wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size.	1.134 μm (micrometers) 0.001134 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the size of a full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the size of the device's photo sensor. The number shown is the ratio of the diagonals of a full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) to that of a specific device's photo sensor.	9.45
Light-strength Aperture (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of the lens aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically, the f-number is indicated, which corresponds to the largest possible aperture of the aperture.	f / 2
Image Resolution Resolution is one of the main characteristics of cameras. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often quote resolutions in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions.	3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record.	1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels)
Video recording rate (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording rate (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps.	30 frames / sec (frames per second)

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technology supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Locating

Information about the navigation and positioning technologies supported by the device.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a technology that enables wireless communication for transferring data over short distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless transfer of data between different types of devices over short distances.

Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, each of which improves communication speed, coverage, and makes it easier to find and connect devices. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device.	4.2
Specifications Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols to enable faster communication, energy savings, better device discovery, and more. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here.	A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio / Visual Remote Control Profile) EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) GATT (Generic Attribute Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP / PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) SAP / SIM / rSAP (SIM Access Profile)

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, which is also called an audio connector. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by the device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Browser Information about some of the main features and standards supported by the device browser.

Html HTML5 CSS 3

Audio file formats / codecs

Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode / decode digital audio data.

Video file formats / codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode / decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge required for their function.

Capacity Battery capacity indicates the maximum charge it can store, measured in milliampere-hours.	2800 mAh (milliampere-hours)
Type of The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, by the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with the most common mobile devices using lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries.	Li-Ion (Lithium-ion)
Talk time 2G Talk time in 2G is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network.	29 h (hours) 1740 min (minutes) 1.2 days
Standby time 2G Standby time in 2G is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network.	400 h (hours) 24000 min (minutes) 16.7 days
Talk time 3G Talk time in 3G is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network.	21 h (hours) 1260 minutes (minutes) 0.9 days
3G standby time Standby time in 3G is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network.	400 h (hours) 24000 min (minutes) 16.7 days
4G talk time 4G talk time is a period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during continuous 4G talk.	12 h (hours) 720 min (minutes) 0.5 days
4G standby time 4G standby time is the period of time during which the battery is fully discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 4G network.	400 h (hours) 24000 min (minutes) 16.7 days
Fast charging technology Fast charging technologies differ from each other in terms of energy efficiency, supported output power, control over the charging process, temperature, etc. The device, battery and charger must be compatible with fast charging technology.	Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Specifications Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery.	Fast charging Removable
	Low Power Location Estimation (LPLE) Technology

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body when using a mobile device.

Head SAR (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear in a talking position. In Europe, the maximum SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W / kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard was established by the CENELEC committee in accordance with the IEC standards, following the ICNIRP guidelines of 1998.	0.596 W / kg (Watts per kilogram)
Body SAR (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to if the mobile device is held at hip level. The highest SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W / kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard was established by the CENELEC committee in accordance with ICNIRP guidelines from 1998 and IEC standards.	1.04 W / kg (Watts per kilogram)
Head SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that a person's body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the United States is 1.6 W / kg per gram of human tissue. US mobile devices are controlled by CTIA and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values.	0.98 W / kg (Watts per kilogram)
Body SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to if the mobile device is held at hip level. The highest SAR value in the United States is 1.6 W / kg per gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC and CTIA monitors mobile devices for compliance with this standard.	1.24 W / kg (Watts per kilogram)

LG is a real experimenter in the development of its flagships. Other manufacturers are competing in the top-end phone sector by increasing processor power, memory capacity, and screen resolution. Becoming a pioneer, LG announced in Russia for a start a junior model of a modular flagship, and originally embodied an idea that had been in the air for a long time.

Pros and cons of the G5 SE smartphone

The smartphone is gaining much more positive ratings than negative ones. Pay attention to the letters "SE" in the model name, meaning that this version is a little simpler than the flagship, hence the requirements for it should be slightly lower.

The advantages include the following qualities of a smartphone:

• The presence of two main cameras with different optics;
• Stylish modern design;
• The ability to install two SIM cards;
• Removable battery;
• Quad HD display;
• Expandable memory up to 2 TB using a card;
• High-quality camera optics;
• High performance platform;
• Modular design;
• Fast battery charging.

The disadvantages of the G5 SE include the following characteristics:

1. The battery is weak according to modern requirements;
2. Fragile clips of the removable Magic Slot module;
3. Hybrid nano-SIM / microSD slot;
4. No wireless charging;
5. LG's “friends” are too expensive;
6. The need to reboot when replacing the module.

Specifications lJ Ji 5 ESI

The hero of our review is not much different from its older version. First of all, the differences concern the type of processor and the amount of internal memory, otherwise both models are almost identical.

The basic characteristics of the LG G5 SE (model LG-H845) are as follows:

• Body materials: plastic, metal, glass;
• Operating system: Android 6.0, LG UX 5.0;
• Network: GSM / EDGE, WCDMA, LTE (nanoSIM);
• Screen: IPS LCD, 5.3 ”, capacitive, 2560x1440 pixels (QuadHD), 554 ppi, automatic backlight level control, Gorilla Glass 4;
• Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM8992);
• Processor: Quad-core 1.2 GHz (Cortex-A53) and dual-core 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A72);
• Graphics system: Adreno 510;
• RAM: 3 GB;
• Memory for data storage: 32 GB, slot for memory card microSD;
• Main camera: 16 MP, f / 1.8 and 8 MP, f / 2.4 (wide-angle), laser focusing, optical image stabilization on three axes (OIS), LED flash;
• Front camera: 8 MP, f / 2.0;
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi (a / b / g / n / ac) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, LE, Apt-X), USB Type-C (USB 2.0) for charge / synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset , NFC, IrDA;
• Navigation: GPS / Glonass (support for A-GPS);
• Extras: FM radio, fingerprint scanner, fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0), Always-on display technology;
• Sensors: accelerometer, position sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, barometer;
• Battery: removable, Li-Ion, 2800 mAh;
• Dimensions: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm;
• Weight: 156 grams.

The main competitors of the modular LG smartphone in this price range are Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Apple iPhone 6s Plus, HTC 10 Lifestyle, Sony Xperia X.

The package, in addition to the device itself and documentation, includes an AC adapter and a USB Type-C lanyard.

Appearance and features of operation of the G5 SE

The newly minted LG G 5 ESI smartphone is endowed with a number of interesting features. The main one is the removable bottom Magic Slot panel made of plastic. It is enough to press the inconspicuous button at the bottom of the case on the left, and it will snap off together with the battery.

External modules can be connected to the battery slot. So far there are two of them: LG Cam Plus - a grip with an additional battery of its own, camera manipulation buttons and LG Hi-Fi Plus - a panel with a music "enhancer".

The collection of additional accessories has already received the name “friends LG”. By combining modules, you can turn your smartphone into new devices, following your mood. For example, into a full-fledged digital camera or audio player. It became very easy to replace a dead battery with a working one.

Without additional features, with a plug in the modular compartment, the smartphone has a completely ordinary and pleasant appearance.

The metal body of the LG G5 SE smartphone is surprisingly different from all previous models of the Ji line. Usually, the company's designers consistently leave the appearance of phones without any tangible changes. The rounded lines of the beginner's body make it very nice, comfortable on the hand. The small rounding at the top of the gadget is especially well done. It feels like a smooth, polished pebble in the palm of your hand.

The layout of the controls is somewhat unusual. The proprietary block of buttons disappeared from the back panel, leaving only one physical button to turn on the phone. Concurrently, she plays the role of a fingerprint scanner. The scanner is not very fast and sensitive, but accurate.

On the back of the device, above the power button, there is a platform with a dual camera, flash, autofocus. It is flat, does not stick out. This solution makes the phone more comfortable to operate, it does not wobble when you touch the screen in a recumbent position on a flat surface. At the very bottom - the name of the model.

The volume control has moved to the left side. Not very comfortable, it would be more familiar to be on the right side under the thumb. But the volume button is large, easy to grope.

The front of the phone is covered with 3D Arc Glass curved tinted glass. It is very pleasant to slide your finger on it, pushing aside the notification panel.

Above the display, the elements are habitually located: a peephole of the front camera, light and proximity sensors, an event indicator, a speaker. You can configure the LED indicator in one of the menu sections. The proximity sensor locks the screen when the device approaches your ear.

There are no touch buttons under the screen. They are now virtual, and you can change their value yourself in the settings. This is very important, since each user, at his discretion, sets not only the number, but also the order of the controls. Their maximum number is 5. The control panel is displayed and removed by sliding your finger along its location on the screen.

The right side slot holds two Nano-SIM cards in a flexible plastic slot. Instead of one of them, you can install a microSD memory card. A slide is removed for attaching cards with a special key. This will require a reboot of the device. Hot card withdrawal on the fly is not allowed.

The lower removable edge contains a speaker grill, an earpiece microphone and a USB Type C connector. If you have an OTG adapter via the Micro-USB connector from the LG G5, you can charge another phone. The cover is adorned with the LG logo.

The upper end of the smartphone is no less "populated", here you will find: a mini-jack for headphones, a microphone for noise cancellation, an infrared port for emulating a remote control for home appliances.

The ergonomics of the phone are high-end, however, some consider it too boring and standard. This is not an irresistible beauty, like the previous flagship with its back cover trimmed with genuine leather in different colors. His credo is elegant, charismatic simplicity, not flashy high cost.

The dimensions of the phone are average: not super thin, not small. The screen bezel is standard - 2.5 mm plus another 1.5 mm of the metal contour frame. The smartphone does not slip out of the hands. The brushed, metal-coated plastic body makes fingerprints virtually invisible.

There are minor complaints about the performance of the device. For example, a shiny, “chrome-plated” rim of the case quickly “fades” and loses its appearance, a rough coating in dry hands can become slippery. There are doubts about the modular connection - with constant use, the fragile plastic latch can loosen.

There are no more serious problems with the performance of this model - no cracks, backlashes, squeaks are observed. The plug-in unit is easy to detach and replace. A special button for this is functioning properly.

Smartphones of three body colors are on sale: pink, golden, dark gray (titanium).

LG G5 SE smartphone screen

The phone is equipped with a touch screen with a high quality IPS Quantum matrix, its diagonal is 5.3 ”. The developers dubbed the display "3D Arc glass", although visually it is completely flat with a slight bend at the top, following the shape of the case.

Display resolution - 2560x1440 pixels (Quad HD), density - 554 ppi. Such a high density of screen dots eliminates pixelation and makes color transitions smooth. In the settings, there is no functionality for correcting the color temperature, but in general the gamut is pleasant for the eyes, slightly coldish.

The margin of maximum brightness is good. This is especially true in the summer, when the burning sun makes the image on the screen of many smartphones hard to see. In direct sunlight, the screen brightness of the LG G5 SE is fantastic at 835 cd / m2.

The colors on the screen are rich, rich, the picture is clear, without noticeable color transitions. In cloudy weather, the brightness of the glow is almost lacking. Most likely, the developers took care of saving battery power, which the high resolution of a large screen absorbs rapidly.

A special Daylight Mode automatically adjusts the screen glow according to the data from the light sensor in accordance with the external state of the environment - the brighter the sunlight, the brighter the phone screen. Reducing the brightness to a comfortable level in the dark also works.

The display is very responsive, modern multitouch technology will recognize 10 touches at the same time. You can "wake up" the smartphone by double tapping on the screen. There is no need to do this constantly in order to be aware of the events that have come. Special functionality "Always-on Display" provides constant display of incoming information, date and current time display without activating it. This does not reduce the battery charge too much due to the insignificance of the illumination area on the screen during the rest period.

In rooms, transport, in the light, the display shows itself perfectly. Viewing angles do not create problems, the picture is not distorted from any viewing angle.

The glossy, smooth display glass is scratch-resistant, has an effective anti-reflective and oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating.

There is no inversion of colors, there is no screen flickering, the image contrast is good, the brightness control works adequately. Particularly praiseworthy is the white balance and black stability when the viewing angle is deviated from the direct one.

The overall impression from the display of the new item is positive, without serious complaints. The screen quality is high for devices of this class.

LG G 5 ESI smartphone interface

The device operates under the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system. The proprietary interface from LG Optimus UX 5.0 has undergone changes and is now made "like in iOS". First of all, the user will not find the dedicated folder "All applications", they are located right on the desktop.

There are no other global transformations, if desired, the user can always return to the previous application menu.

The main elements of the graphical interface are displayed on the main screen: "Settings", "Google Search", "Clock", Weather "and a few more icons of useful applications. A Smart Notice panel is attached to the clock widget, its purpose is to notify the user about weather changes, missed notifications and other important things.

Instagram and Facebook are preinstalled. The LG Health app can count calories, steps, measure the distance traveled. There are standard applications: Calculator, voice recorder, radio.

The screen grid is selected by the user in the settings as desired: 4x4, 4x5 and 5x5. By pressing and holding your finger for a few seconds, you can bring up the "Removed Applications" icon. A very useful function if you need to restore recently deleted programs.

The presence of an infrared port makes it possible to control the smartphone, like various home appliances with a remote control, using the QuickRemote application.

Noteworthy is the very interesting QuickMemo + application. Now you can take notes "by hand", create written notes.

To work with “LG friends”, you should use the new LG Friends Manager hub application (“with friends”). It allows you to find additional accessories of the line, suitable for the phone model and located nearby, connect to them, customize their operation.

We list in our LG G5 SE review the currently available removable modules that are supported by this model and expand its capabilities: LG Cam Plus (CBG-700) - camera unit, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play (AFD-1200) - audio module ...

When a module is connected, the hub application recognizes it and finds the latest software. For example, LG Cam Plus Manager will find the software for the connected camera unit and, if necessary, update it to the latest version.

The notification panel, in addition to the messages themselves, contains settings icons that allow you to make various settings: a slider for brightness, volume, and so on. The content of the notification bar can be edited, replacing some elements with others at will.

Symbolic information is displayed in large, chopped font, usual for android smartphones.

The keyboard is comfortable, its height can be changed by sliding your finger up and down the screen. Thanks to the smart input function, continuous input of information is possible. The constant presence of a number line above the letter lines deserves gratitude from users as a very successful solution.

As noted above, the smartphone has a fashionable "always-on display" feature. On a small area of ​​the screen, even in rest mode, the time, date, owner's signature and notifications from active applications are displayed.

Features of the sound of the LG G5 SE

The in-house high-end Hi-Fi audio player LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY will delight music lovers. Modern smartphones have already become so "musical" that it makes no sense to buy a player. Music playback with the Bang & Olufsen modular amplifier has propelled the Ji 5 into the loudest mobile device range.

But a special module lengthens the phone, such a toy is not cheap. Without a "friendly" prefix, the wah effect disappears, and the sound becomes ordinary - no worse and no better than that of analogs. This is natural, since the built-in audio is of the middle class in terms of quality.

If without a modular amplifier the sound was powerful and crystal clear, then its acquisition would lose all meaning. The choice is up to the consumer - to buy LG G5 SE with a removable module with a dedicated DAC or without it, it all depends on the priorities of using the device.

The speakers of the smartphone sound good, clean, quite loud, but a little high. For music lovers, an alternative solution to the problem of weak sound is the use of high-quality headphones. With them, the sound is clearer, "bassier", in addition, you can always perform manual tuning.

Dolby Digital Plus (DD +) - Advanced audio compression format supported. You can't find fault with the quality of the built-in dictaphone, the spoken microphone, they work properly. The noise cancellation system also copes with its task. The conversation can be recorded directly from the telephone line by built-in means, sometimes it is necessary. Intonation, timbre of the voice are not distorted, they are well recognizable.

A built-in FM radio is available, paired with headphones as an antenna.

Thus, the sound of a smartphone without a set-top box is good, but no surprises. With an amplifier, it becomes superb.

Main and front cameras LG G5 SE

The developers did not stint with the cameras: there are not two of them, as it should be according to the regulations of such devices, but as many as three - front and two rear, or rather one main camera with two versatile modules. The developers did something original - they installed 2 sensors in one camera, respectively, with two different lenses.

The front camera has an 8 megapixel matrix, a lens without autofocus and flash, the aperture of the optics is f / 2.0. The role of its own flash is played by the illumination around the viewfinder, it at least slightly, but illuminates the face when taking selfies.

Selfies from the front camera are bright, clear, with good contrast. The colors are a bit embellished, but overall the quality is fine. There are additional "marshmallows" - you can control the click of the shutter by pressing the volume button, gestures or a voice of your choice. Some people will love the smile detection feature and the ability to mirror a photo so that the captions on it are easy to read.

Rear camera of a smartphone with two modules. One of them can take a standard 16 megapixel photo, the second one will be 8 megapixel, but with a wide grip. The viewing angle of a wide-angle camera is like that of a DVR - 135 degrees, aperture - f / 2.4. For comparison, the viewing angle of a conventional lens is 78 degrees, the aperture is f / 1.8.

The second module with a wide angle is conceived for landscape photography, for photographing tall buildings, monuments, a group of people without the need to move away at a great distance from the object. The combination of two lenses allows you to quickly switch to the desired shooting mode and zoom in on the image.

For creativity, such a tandem of lenses gives a lot of opportunities, for example, you can make collages - a photo inside another, as in a frame. The frame is processed with the selected effect: blur, fisheye, vignette, b / w. For an easy change of modes, there are special icons on the screen - Christmas trees (1 or 3).

Image stabilizer for shooting on the go, nimble laser autofocus, bright LED flash, color spectrum sensor are still present in the common unit, as in the previous version of the G-series. Connoisseurs can change the settings manually, but in the automatic mode, the pictures are excellent. Even taken in almost complete darkness, they will delight in quality, as well as excellent macro photography. All these specifications make the G5 SE one of the most advanced flagship camera phones.

A semi-transparent camera control menu is superimposed on top of the picture. There are three shooting modes: simplified, basic, manual. Photos can be saved in RAW format.

High quality video can be up to 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD). It is possible to make slow-motion slo-mo recording at a speed of 120 frames / sec. With video, as well as with a photo, the camera copes perfectly, without noticeable roughness, both in the image and in the sound.

In addition, it is worth remembering that among the "friends" of lJ there is a removable camera control module. This is a rather massive unit with camera control keys plus an additional battery of its own.

Conclusion: LJ cameras are still at their best and continue to delight users. They are equally good at documentary, artistic, portrait, panoramic and macro photography.

Autonomous work of lJ Ji 5 ESI

The smartphone battery is removable, with a small capacity of 2800 mAh by modern standards. In day-to-day use, it is barely enough for a day's work. Maximum load reduces this time to eight hours.

Gamblers should keep in mind that an hour of playing with reduced brightness and Wi-Fi on will consume almost a quarter of the battery's charge. Watching videos at full brightness in Full HD will consume 13% of the battery. That is, the phone has 4 hours to play, and 6 hours of active work for video.

A removable module with a battery will help out. Replacing one block with another is easy. The device system restarts quickly.

The detachable LG Cam Plus module has its own 1200mAh battery. If the main battery of the phone is discharged, it starts being powered by the additional battery in the camera control unit.

The battery recharges to 100% from a standard 1.5A power supply very quickly, in less than 2.5 hours. This is possible thanks to the innovative Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology. LG claims 83% battery recovery in just half an hour using the included charger.

By the way, the smartphone is charged not from the common microUSB cable, but from its still rare type of USB Type-C. If the first one is easy to borrow if necessary, then it is better not to forget the specific cords at home. Moreover, this "native" adapter replenishes the battery charge in a short time.

G5 SE smartphone platform and memory

The Ji 5 ESI phone is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM 8976) platform. The processor is eight-core. Graphics system - Adreno 510. Internal memory includes 3 GB of RAM plus 32 GB of internal flash memory (of which the user will get 23 GB). You can expand the memory capacity up to 200 GB using an external microSD card, replacing one of the two SIM cards with it.

These two parameters are the main difference between the "stripped down" SE-version from the older model G5. Its platform is Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, RAM - 4 GB, graphics accelerator - Adreno 530. There are no other significant differences between them.

Just a slightly simplified model G5 SE is delivered to Russia, despite the non-flagship platform with an equally good level of performance. In any case, the SoC capabilities will be enough to solve any problems, in particular for resource-intensive toys. The platform is modern, and its capacity is enough for the upcoming updates.

The new smartphone from LG works without delays and braking, desktops are replaced without hesitation, work in the browser flawlessly.

External interfaces: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi (802.11а / ac / b / g / n), USB Type-C, USB 2.0, support for the latest USB-OTG and USB-Host standards.

The phone works seamlessly in GSM, HSDPA and LTE networks, quickly identifies satellites even in cold start mode. There is support for working with GPS and GLONASS.

An additional bonus is the determination of the current location using Qualcomm IZat technology without consuming battery power at the chipset level.

Price and video review of LG G5 SE

The hero of our review is not officially a flagship. This is a somewhat simplified version of it. On the other hand, the technical characteristics of the device are decent, not worse than those of the top models. Except for the platform, it really is inferior in power to flagship devices with the same SoC. In defense of manufacturers, we can say that some optimization has been done to avoid overheating of the system. The platform is new, not bad, but not top class.

From all that has been said, we can conclude that the flagship price of the LG G5 SE may seem overpriced to potential buyers. On the Russian market, smartphones went on sale at a price of around 50,000 rubles. Of course, Friends are sold separately and are also expensive. Such a price will upset LJ fans and will not contribute to attracting new fans.

Many rivals offer flagships at similar prices. In addition, LG had previously favorably distinguished itself from competing firms by its democratic prices. By releasing a new non-flagship model at an inflated price, it loses its main trump card. And it’s even scary to imagine at what price we will see the “big brother” LG G5 on sale.

To get a closer look at the new modular smartphone will help the video review of the LG G5 SE:

Smartphone LG G5 SE turned out to be very interesting, its modular design is a real innovation in the field of smartphone construction. This is a completely fresh look at the features of the use of a mobile phone, which have nothing to do with gigabytes and megahertz, opening up new possibilities for the owner.