LG G5 Review: New On the Block

You have to wonder if the LG G5 has a bit of an identity crisis. On its own, it's a pretty good Android smartphone. Above average, certainly. And absolutely intriguing, given that it's the first to switch to a "modular" system wherein the battery slides out of the butt of the phone — and in can slide a new bottom, adding new functionality. Is it a mere smartphone? Is it a mobile photography powerhouse? A portable hi-fi audio player? A window into a new vein of virtual reality?

It's all of those things, actually. And it's a reminder that LG is not (and has not been) afraid to do some relatively crazy things with its smartphone line. It moved buttons to the back. It was one of the first to experiment with glass backs. It's gone as svelte and as sleek — and as big and beefy — as anyone. It's as if iterating just isn't exciting enough for LG, even if that means an unpredictable experience for consumers (and, admittedly, journalists) year to year.

It some ways, with the G5, that's great. In others, we've got some serious questions about longevity and durability, especially considering the extra expense if the G5 is to truly live at the center of LG's new "Friends" ecosystem, full of easy-to-use accessories.

This is our full review of the LG G5.

LG G5 specs

Operating system	Android 6.0.1
Processor	Snapdragon 820
Display	5.3-inch IPS quad-HD quantum display (2560x1440, 554 dpi)
Storage	32GB UFS ROM, microSD up to 2TB
RAM	4GB LPDDR4
Rear camera	16MP main, 8MP wide-angle (135 degrees)
Front camera	8MP
Battery	2800 mAh removable
Modules	LG Cam Plus (camera grip with 1100 mAh) LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play
Dimensions	149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
Weight	159 grams
Networks	LTE/3G/2G
Connectivity	Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB Type C, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2
Colors	Silver/Titan/Gold/Pink

The LG G5 body — fit and finish and feel

There's a lot going on with the LG G5, in terms of how it's built, how it feels — and how well LG executed on both.

This is a big slab of a phone. Not quite a phablet, but it fits nicely between the Galaxy S7 and Nexus 6P in terms of size. It's relatively easy to grip — and in the fingerprint sensor/power button on the back leads your index finger to the right spot — even with its smooth, matte finish. The dual cameras and their accoutrements look a little funny, but they're quite useful.

The front of the phone is almost entirely a single piece of glass. The curve at the top of the phone is wonderfully done. Subtle, but unmistakable. It's one of those features that LG pulls off that makes it stand out, even when there are more popular curved displays on the market. The earpiece is tucked up there of course, and there's an LED hidden in there as well.

That top curve also stands in stark contrast to the removable plastic section at the bottom of the phone. That's the modular butt, and it's easily the most polarizing feature.

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