Features

LG G3 Hardware Review

Fancy phone or new paperweight?

LG G3 Hardware Review
|

It’s the LG G3. Need one say more? Some reviews are just meant to be.

The device is a relative powerhouse, with a 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon processor; the Sprint variant we received packs 3GB of RAM, and has expandable memory that can take advantage of those otherworldly 128GB microSD cards. The 3000 mAh battery is user-replaceable, and the device has a 13 MP snapper in the rear and a 2.1 MP for videochat and selfies. All these under-the-hood goodies fit into the 5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inch frame, and the whole unit weighs a slight 5.26 ounces.

Physically, the device feels exceptionally light in hand. The 5.5-inch Gorilla Glass LCD display allows for a small, logo-bearing bezel at the bottom of the front, and a prominent speaker grill shares space with the front-facing camera on the top front of the device. The bottom houses the 3.5 mm audio port and micro-USB port, and the sides are interestingly bereft of buttons as, is the top. For returning LG fans, this won’t be too alarming, because they’d probably be aware of LG’s design paradigm which calls for the back of the device to be used. It works well here, with the on button sandwiched by volume controls right under the rear camera.

But back to the screen. It actually feels as though folks might continually turn the device off… if just to turn on the device again. It’s a vivid temptress, and seems especially happy to sow off its 1440 x 2560p credentials. If one has never had the urge to consume media on a handheld, this might just have one trying.

The device comes with Android 4.4.2, which is expected, and sports LG’s skin, which is not displeasing. Some of the tweaks that are incorporated and shown during setup are simple but engaging. Take the knock code, for instance, which allows one to set a pattern with which to wake the device. That’s smart. How about the ability to configure the virtual button layout and presentation? Nice touch. I especially liked the picture quality, even though I think the lasers are more buzzy than truly functional.

One exceptionally useful feature is the dual window functionality. We’ve seen this on other devices, and LG’s implementation is no less impressive, it allows the device user to have two apps run simultaneously, as in “YouTube-running-in-the-back-while-searching-Chrome-for-lyrics-in-the-forefront” simultaneously It works well, is easily toggled, and brings extra multitasking to an already stocked device. The obviously gripe is the relatively limited number of apps that work with this feature.

Now, folks who have handled the flagship device of one Android OEM in particular might feel a bit shafted by the materials used in this device. Still, it’s insane not to think it’s one of the top devices on the market now, and fully worthy of superstar status.