LG G3

LG turned a number of smartphone conventions on their head with the G2. With the G3, they are looking to secure a place in the upper ranks of the high-end smartphone market. But did their “best of everything” approach work? Many reviews seem to think so. Let’s take a deeper look.

One of the first things noted in many reviews, as well as one of the most touted features of the phone, is it’s massive 5.5-inch IPS display. The phone is the first of its kind from major companies to sport a QHD display at nearly 540 pixels-per-inch. Reviews were divided as to if this had a major impact on image quality. Vlad Savov of The Verge says, “the G3 renders everything beautifully, but I cannot discern any advantage from the extra pixels” while TechRadar states, “The QHD screen is something that has to be seen to be believed.”

While reviews might be divided on the impact of QHD, all reviewers agree that the display is sharp, clear and plenty bright. Perhaps Engadget properly describes the issue when they say, “All told, while it’s a great display, it’s a bit like having an HDTV in 2004. Great if you can get the content for it, otherwise it’s just a good TV.” As content continues to climb in resolution, the benefits of a QHD display will likely become more apparent.

Of course, wrangling all those pixels requires some considerable power. With a quad-core Snapdragon processor and 3GB of RAM, the specs would appear to be up to the task on paper. In real performance, tests indicate that this is mostly true. Nearly every review pointed out one minor flaw in performance–a slight delay in the interface. Engadget notes, “Everything opens quickly, and the scrolling is plenty smooth, but there’s just the tiniest of moments between moving your finger and the menu following along.”

Then you’ve got the issue of the size of the screen. 5.5-inch displays are typically reserved for phablets and other larger devices. However, several critics noted that the unique curved design of the phone and ultra-slim bezels on the screen help to mitigate the phone feeling overly large. Engadget says, “the G3 is easily the most comfortable handset of this size I’ve encountered to date. That said, it’s definitely still going to be a stretch for some people.” While most noted it can be held with one hand, they also recommended two-handed operation for a secure grip.

This brings us to the most debated element–the phone’s case. LG opted for a plastic removable back with a metallic finish. TechRadar was quick to note concern where Gareth Beavis remarked, “the fact that the battery is removable might be a big win for some, but it comes at the cost of feel in the hand. The result is that despite being made of a more refined material, the LG G3 actually feels cheaper in the hand than the G2.” PhoneArena had a slightly more positive opinion, stating that the smooth polycarbonate used for the exterior of the G3 “may not be decidedly premium, but it’s still a notch above your typical plastic finish. It’s really like you’re getting the best from both worlds.”

Lastly, there is battery life. With a 3,000-mAh cell, the phone boasts on the largest batteries in the smartphone market. A removable cell also makes it possible to carry a spare and swap batteries for power users. Unfortunately, the QHD display and high-end processing does appear to require more power from the battery. Average battery life across benchmark tests rated from a scant six hours up to a full day of average usage. PhoneArena states, “the G3 will last you through a day of moderate usage, but don’t expect wonders from it.”

In all, LG G3 reviews indicate that the device lives up to the hype and is more than a worthy successor to the reputation of the G2. The bleeding-edge specs push the limits of smartphone technology, though there are a few quirks to be found. However, for most, it seems the good outranks the bad by a significant margin. CNet says, “The G3 is the perfect new gadget for ‘early adopter’ types who want the latest and greatest.” while Engadget says, “LG has almost produced a power user’s dream.”