Retro-chic leather, or the slightly colder embrace of modernistic metal-and-glass? Which one, if either, has the upper hand, then? This will be a real tough one, so continue on reading and don't skim through! LG, too, has been keeping itself busy, for the G4 has also addressed similar issues and put a greater-than-ever emphasis on camera performance and screen quality. It took a decisive step forward with the S6, though, addressing both these overarching concerns. Not only are sales slumping, but consumers have been consistently questioning the company's design choices and heavy software. With the Galaxy S6, Samsung had a ton to prove. That, at least, is the way we approach this or any other comparison. But while volumes are indicative of financial success, it doesn't mean that Samsung necessarily has the better handset at every corner. Whether as a function of size - LG is half as big as its competitor - or strategy and talent, Samsung has consistently outdone the former in terms of phone sales. Many of you will know that the cross-town rivalry between the two has been going on for a long time, as the two chaebols regularly clash in a number of industries, most notably smartphones. For now, I can promise you this: There's much more to be said about the LG G4 - and our real-world analysis is only getting started.With Pantech gone, South Korea is left with just two notable smartphone manufacturers - LG and Samsung.
We'll cover bits and pieces in the days ahead and then come back for the full review once I have a U.S.-specific model in hand. The real question, of course, is how all the ups and downs add up and what type of overall package the G4 provides - and that's something that'll take some serious time living with the phone to answer. Two unedited images, taken on the G4's default auto settings (click either image to view at full resolution) Beyond the first impressions There's much more testing to be done on this front, obviously - and I'll be doing a thorough exploration soon - but the first few shots I've taken with the G4 have me feeling pretty optimistic about the phone's imaging capabilities.Ī couple quick samples, with many more to come: Observation #4: The G4's camera could be a high point.
And some of it's just plain silliness - like this little bit of baffling design:īut there is absolutely some good stuff here - and 24 hours is by no means long enough to formulate a full impression of a phone's software or to explore its many (and trust me, there are many) nuances. Some of it appears to be the age-old case of trying to do too much and getting in one's own way. Things are definitely less bad than what LG has done in the past, but Google has set the bar for UI design pretty high with Lollipop - and "less bad" is not the same as "superb." Observation #3: The G4's software isn't its strongest suit.įor all the positive first impressions I've had with the hardware, I can't say I'm blown away initially by LG's software efforts. The differences between a "really good" and a "great" smartphone display are fairly subtle at this point, but even after one day, it's clear that LG's latest effort is up there with the best of 'em. Observation #2: The G4's display is a beaut.Īt first glance, at least, this thing is pretty insane. LG will offer an option for a genuine leather back, too - a neat touch familiar to anyone who's looked at the Moto X and something that'll provide an option for a more elevated and distinctive design (assuming leather's your thing). The plastic back on the base model is tastefully done, meanwhile, even if it and the faux-metal trim don't make for the most premium-feeling combination. And LG's now-trademark "buttons on the back" approach - which is very much a love-it-or-hate-it sort of thing - gives the device a super-sleek and almost futuristic vibe. It has a subtly curved back that helps it fit naturally in your hand.
The phone is big, to be sure, but it doesn't feel outlandishly large. In terms of form, the G4 makes a solid first impression. To start off, here are some initial thoughts and impressions based on my first 24 hours with the device: Observation #1: The G4 is one sleek-looking phone. carrier networks, so it wouldn't be fair to use it as a basis for conclusions in areas like connectivity or stamina - but that doesn't mean we can't talk about some interesting elements of the G4 experience in the meantime. I won't be doing a full review of the phone until I have a U.S.-specific model in hand - this version isn't identical to those that'll be designed to work with the U.S. I unwrapped an international G4 review unit and moved into it Monday morning.