TFT (Thin Film Transistor) - Liquid crystal displays based on thin film transistors with an active matrix. For each pixel there are three transistors corresponding to three colors (RGB - red, green, blue). At the moment, these are the most common displays and have a number of advantages over other displays. They are characterized by minimal response time and rapid development - ever-increasing resolution and number of colors. These displays are most common in mid-range and higher phones. Working resolutions for them: 128x160, 132x176, 176x208, 176x220, 240x320 and others, less common. Examples: Nokia N73 (240x320, 262K colors), Sony Ericsson K750i (176x220, 262K colors), Samsung D900 (240x320, 262K colors). TFTs are very rarely used as external displays for clamshells.
CSTN (Color Super Twisted Nematic) - Color liquid crystal displays with a passive matrix. Each pixel of such a display consists of three combined pixels, which correspond to three colors (RGB). Some time ago, almost all phones with color displays were based on this type. And now the destiny of such displays is budget models. The main disadvantage of such displays is their slowness. The undoubted advantage of such displays is their cost, which is significantly lower than TFT. Based on simple logic, we can assume that in the future TFT will displace this type of display from the mobile device market. The color evolution of such displays is quite extensive: from 16 to 65536 colors. Examples: Motorola V177 (128x160, 65K colors), Sony Ericsson J100i (96x64, 65K colors), Nokia 2310 (96x68, 65K colors).
UFB (Ultra Fine and Bright) - Liquid crystal displays with increased brightness and contrast on a passive matrix. We can say that this is an intermediate option between CSTN and TFT. This type of display boasts lower power consumption compared to TFT. For the most part, Samsung used such displays in mid-range phones. This type of display is not widely used. Examples: Samsung C100/110 (128x128, 65k colors).
TN is one of the matrix types of TFT screens. Roughly speaking, TN are the simplest and cheapest TFT matrices. Viewing angles are the narrowest.
This article will talk about the already familiar LG Optimus G E975 smartphone. Consumers know that the manufacturer always offers high-quality and convenient products for use. But sometimes problems can arise with phones and smartphones. Some buyers say that the described technique has gotten rid of all the shortcomings and will please many people. In this article we will find out if this is so. Accordingly, the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, buyers, and experts will be described. Let's consider all the nuances in detail and draw a conclusion.
Equipment
The device comes with a completely standard set. Let's consider it.
Along with the phone, the buyer will receive a cable for connecting to a computer, a battery, and a charger. There is also a stereo headset. In addition to all of the above, documentation and a warranty card are supplied. The LG Optimus G E975 comes with a protective glass.
Display
Produced telephones have long been no longer a common means of communication. Often a gadget is more of a way to have fun. It can also replace a computer if powerful enough. LG Optimus G E975 provides the consumer with a 4.7-inch display. This indicator is quite enough to play games, read literature, watch various videos or films, and browse websites. The resolution is also good: 1280 × 720 pixels. Such indicators can be considered quite standard for gadgets of this kind. The LG Optimus G E975 display is bright and clear. “Dead” pixels are not visible, since they simply do not exist.
Initially, the smartphone comes with protective glass. It allows you to protect the authentic screen from damage. The phone transmits 16 million colors. Due to this, even in cloudy weather or, conversely, in the brightest weather possible, the owner of the device will be able to see a clear and contrasting picture.
Dimensions
One of the important characteristics can be called dimensions, that is, weight and dimensions. If a gadget is chosen for an adult, then practically no attention is paid to such indicators. For a child, on the contrary, they are quite serious. Due to its heavy weight, it may be inconvenient for the owner to use. The LG Optimus G E975 phone has impressive dimensions. Width - 6.8 cm, length - 13.1 cm, thickness - 0.8 cm. Many consumers note that holding the device is often completely uncomfortable. It does not fit into jacket or trouser pockets. Weight is 145 g. In any case, in defense of the device, we can say that it is quite noticeable, so if anything happens, a person will immediately notice its absence.
Some consumers, comparing the gadget with Samsung and some other models, note that this phone quite compact. Since convenience is a purely individual factor, you should not immediately abandon the device due to its size.
System characteristics
If we talk about system characteristics, then the LG Optimus G E975 has high level. Every consumer should pay special attention to the operation of the operating system and processor. It is these points that ensure normal user interaction with the graphical interface of the gadget. Moreover, they allow you to work with certain applications and programs. The described phone receives the best possible reviews for these characteristics.
The operating system is the well-known Android version 4.4. This feature will allow you to use more useful applications. The processor is considered powerful. It works with the help of 4 cores, which operate at a frequency of 2.1 GHz each. It is this characteristic that makes the cost of the device as high as possible. In life, such power is really useful to a small percentage of people.
Consumers leave reviews with which we can conclude that the device works quickly and failures are as rare as possible. This effect is achieved due to the coordinated functioning of the processor and operating system. But one should not assume that this advantage is the only one. There are many more, and you can learn about them later in the article.
RAM
When purchasing, all people pay attention to what indicators the device’s RAM provides. Everyone must imagine what exactly they need from a gadget. Based on your goals, you can understand what kind of RAM the phone should have. The fact is that if there is not enough of it, then even a powerful processor will not help cope with resource-intensive applications and other tasks. The LG Optimus G E975 device, whose price is on average 20 thousand rubles, has the optimal characteristic - 2 GB. Of course, you can also find many more powerful models on the market that have 3-4 GB of memory. But practice shows that 2 GB is quite enough for stable and convenient work.
The gadget can be classified not as a gaming smartphone, but as a universal one. That is why the manufacturer limited itself to this amount of RAM. According to consumers, this characteristic is an excellent indicator. The amount of memory is perfectly combined with the processor, so the performance of the built-in operating system is impressive. The phone is fast and works well.
Built-in memory
Consumers pay great attention not only to the characteristics described above, but also to the internal memory. What is it for? Storage allows you to save your own files, applications, and so on on the device. LG Optimus G E975, priced at to the fullest Justifies all the indicators of the gadget, has 32 GB of free space for data. In fact, the user is allocated 30 GB. The rest of the space is occupied by files responsible for the operation of the phone. Consumers say: this characteristic is excellent. 30 GB of memory is enough for smooth work with applications and downloading necessary files. Due to the fact that all consumers have different needs, you need to immediately take into account that there is no slot for a memory card.
Many buyers note that it is not worth filling almost all the built-in storage. The fact is that if you fill up about 29 GB, the device begins to overload, perform poorly, and crashes constantly.
Camera
The camera is important to 90% of consumers, so it is worth paying special attention to in this review. The phone has two types of matrices. We are talking about the front and main cameras.
First, let's look at the one located on the front panel. Buyers don't really like it, since its resolution is 1.3 megapixels. Thanks to this indicator, you can make video calls and use it for selfies. But you should immediately understand that the quality of the pictures will not please you. Some consumers are upset because the device is quite expensive.
The back cover of the LG G E975 Optimus is where the main (rear) camera is located. It has a resolution of 13 megapixels, so all photos and videos will be of high quality. Pictures and videos really turn out optimal. It is possible to record video in Full HD resolution. Built-in autofocus functions, face detection, and flash available.
Connection
After all, the main function of a telephone is to provide communication. The LG Optimus G E975 device, reviewed in the article, can be called universal. The fact is that it supports 2G, 3G, 4G networks, moreover, it allows you to connect to wireless access points. The smartphone has a built-in Bluetooth module, which makes it possible to transfer files from one device to another and vice versa. The smartphone quickly and easily synchronizes with the computer.
The device only works with one SIM card, but many consumers do not pay attention to this nuance.
Battery and battery life
We continue our review of the LG Optimus G E975 smartphone. The battery is one of important details and characteristics in any gadget, so it is necessary to talk about it.
Users leave controversial reviews about autonomy. This is not due to the power of the battery, but to the fact that it is a non-removable type. Due to the fact that sometimes there is a need to replace this part, you have to take the phone to a service center. This forces a person to spend additional money. Next, let's move on to more detailed characteristics.
The battery capacity is 2,100 mAh. Due to this indicator, the phone can work in standby mode for about a month. If you occasionally use it for long conversations with other subscribers, then the battery will be discharged in two weeks. In active mode, the device will “shut down” in literally four days. If you add constant conversations to this use case, then you will have to charge the phone after 15 hours. However, this indicator is considered good among competitors.
Moreover, the device charges to 100% from zero in literally 1.5 hours, which can be considered an excellent characteristic.
Repair
It's no secret that all phones sooner or later have to be repaired or serviced at a service center. Everyone believes that the higher the price of a device, the better its quality. If we consider the described phone in this aspect, then it receives positive characteristics.
Consumers note that the device has virtually no problems. In most cases, only the panels need repairs. If handled carelessly, the screen may need to be replaced. But this problem can be easily prevented by purchasing a case for LG Optimus G E975. However, all of the problems described above rarely occur. This is due to the durable case and the presence of protective glass in the kit. Therefore, it is easy to conclude: in order to need a visit to the service center, you will have to try.
Much more often, problems arise with the operating system, and in most cases after updating it over the air. In order not to encounter such a problem and not contact the service center, you can simply refuse to download new versions. Then there will definitely be no need for repairs.
Calls and messages menu
The menu where dialing is available is convenient. After entering the first digits of the number, the user will notice suggested contacts if the numbers match. During the call, the person will see a huge avatar, which the consumer can choose or upload independently.
When talking with a subscriber, you are allowed to use certain functions. The screen displays buttons for turning on/off Bluetooth, speakerphone, and sound. You can easily call up the dialing menu and contacts. If you visit the call log, the user will see absolutely all incoming and outgoing calls.
In the “Contacts” menu you can see all saved subscribers, which are sorted alphabetically. To make searching easier, letters are shown on the right. By selecting a particular one, the user will quickly be taken to the right part menu. To create a new contact, click on the plus button. It is located at the top. Therefore, there are no difficulties when using the LG Optimus G E975 phone. Reviews confirm this.
The keyboard has a proprietary design. All symbols are medium in size and separated, so it is convenient to use. To switch the language, you need to press the RU button. If you wish, you can choose your own design. It can be both landscape and portrait. If you press and hold 123 for a while, the keyboard settings will open.
Menu
The LG G E975 Optimus smartphone has some differences from already known devices in the manufacturer’s line. For example, the lock screen received special settings. You can choose its effect, and you are also allowed to add sound design. Several themes have been developed for the main screen, including “carousel”, “panorama” and other animations. At the top, as standard, is the notification panel. It allows you to quickly access the most important functions and options of your device. Instant Notes available. They allow you to leave special notes on the device’s desktop. Users note that this is a rather useful option and often becomes necessary.
Browser
A browser is provided to view any pages on the Internet. Works with Flash. The application itself has long been removed from Google Play, so if you need to install it, you will have to search the Internet yourself. It works quickly, pages are drawn instantly. No glitches or crashes were noticed. Sometimes, if you open too many tabs, the LG Optimus G E975 touchscreen may freeze.
Multimedia abilities
The device has three standard multimedia applications built into it. Let's look at each.
- Player. It has the ability to change the order of songs, sort them by albums and artists. There is permission to create folders. In the settings you will notice the following options: search, creation of a favorites list, playlist. Information about each track is available. You can set one or another song for the call. The following functions are also available: automatic shutdown timer, various effects and showing notifications. The built-in equalizer has 7 bands that range from 30 Hz to 16 thousand Hz. Unfortunately, we can immediately say that the player does not provide high-quality sound. In headphones, playback is loud, high and mid frequencies are clearly audible. However, there is a problem with the bottom ones as they are a bit distorted.
- Radio. When entering the menu of the same name, you can see settings, a range scale, cells where favorite stations are saved (there are six of them), switching playback to the speaker and turning it off. Sensitivity is good, the receiver easily finds active frequencies. The sound through headphones is a little distorted, but overall not bad.
- Video. There is a separate player for playing various media files. In the settings you can find tools for changing the volume, allowing you to zoom, lock the screen and switch video viewing to a separate window. Activation of subtitles, cropping frames, and selection of brightness are also available. Basically, all the most well-known video formats are played, but if there are some problems, you can download a separate player.
Bottom line
This article described the LG Optimus G E975 phone: characteristics, reviews, advantages and disadvantages. The question may arise: “Is it worth paying attention to it?” Of course, each consumer must decide this separately, based on their requirements. The device fully corresponds to its price tag, which is noted by all buyers. The main thing you need to do before buying is to compare the capabilities of the phone and your expectations, weigh all the information. The smartphone is practical and not very expensive, so it’s worth paying attention to.
So, today we will introduce you to a new smartphone called LG Optimus G E975. Many buyers very often consider this option when choosing a new phone. But is he really that good? In general, LG offers quite decent, high-quality and durable equipment. But the phones are not as good as we would like. Maybe it's time to fix this issue with the LG Optimus G E975? Let's try to understand this difficult issue. To do this, you will have to study the main characteristics of the model and the opinions of buyers, as well as some experts. Usually there are several main criteria that help potential clients make their final choice.
Screen
For example, the first point is the screen. A modern telephone is not only a means of communication. Often this gadget is used for entertainment. This requires a large space. And the LG Optimus G E975 has a screen, according to many buyers, of quite normal size. It is 4.7 inches diagonally. This is enough to play quite a few games, as well as comfortably read books, watch videos and surf the Internet.
The resolution of the LG Optimus G E975, reviews of which we have yet to fully study, is also very good. It is 1280 by 768 pixels. Quite acceptable performance for a modern smartphone. You will be able to see a clear and bright picture that will not have so-called dead pixels. The LG Optimus G E975 display is also equipped with a special protective glass that prevents the device from being quickly damaged. The phone transmits more than 16 million colors and shades. Even in the clearest or cloudiest weather, you can see a clear and rich picture on the display.
Dimensions and weight
Many buyers also pay attention to the size of the device and its weight. If you choose a model for an adult, then these indicators are not so critical. But when buying or a teenager (or for women with small hands) large sizes and heaviness can become a huge problem.
And the LG Optimus G E975 has quite large characteristics in this regard: 68.9 millimeters in width, 131.9 in length and 8.44 in thickness. To be honest, such a device is not very comfortable to hold in your hands. Yes, and carry it, for example, in your trouser pocket, too. After all, LG Optimus is a rather large and thick phone. It weighs 145 grams. In principle, when compared with other analogues, this is not so much. In any case, you will be able to feel that your Optimus G smartphone is always with you.
Nevertheless, this model is still, according to some customers, quite compact. Especially when you compare it with Samsung. Indeed, after such a phone, using LG Optimus will be easy and simple. So you shouldn’t abandon the model because of its rather large dimensions. Maybe in reality you will be more than comfortable.
System and processor
The LG Optimus G E975 has excellent characteristics. And so it’s worth paying attention to a few key points. For example, on the operating system and processor. Without these two points, it is impossible to imagine making a normal phone purchase. After all, depending on them, you will be able (or not) to launch certain programs and applications. And in most cases this is very important.
Fortunately, the LG E975 Optimus G smartphone receives quite positive reviews in this sense. After all, the operating system here, as in many modern models, is the familiar Android. And the version is far from the latest - 4.4. If necessary, you can use a special menu item to update it. But as practice shows, buyers are not very keen to complete this process. After all, on Android 4.4 you can run a lot of useful applications and games.
The LG Optimus G processor is considered quite powerful. It is quad-core, clocked at 1.5 GHz. On the one hand, it may seem that this is not enough. But in practice it is clear that there is no point in buying a smartphone with 4-8 cores at 2.1 GHz. This only increases the price of the model. But in reality, you won’t need that much power at all. It is also noted that LG Optimus works very quickly and stably. And all this thanks to the harmony of the operating system with the processor. But don’t think that the proposed smartphone has no other advantages. On the contrary, there are a lot of them. And all of them are the main characteristics of the model. This means that now we get to know them fully.
RAM memory
The next important point that you constantly have to take into account is the phone’s RAM. The point is that there should be enough of it. If this condition is not performed, it will not even be able to ensure the performance of the gadget. Fortunately, the LG E975 Optimus G smartphone is quite a powerful and modern device in this regard. Although sometimes you can find more RAM.
The thing is that LG Optimus has 2 GB of memory. As practice shows, this is enough to work normally and quickly with the device. Of course, some buyers will prefer models with 3-4 GB. Just remember that the LG Optimus G E975, the photo of which is presented to our attention, is not a gaming smartphone at all. Rather, it fits more into the "universal" category. And it shouldn't have a lot of RAM. According to buyers, 2 GB for Optimus is a very good indicator. This volume fits perfectly with the processor, which allows you to increase the performance of the operating system. This point is important to many users. After all, any phone should work pretty quickly. Otherwise, it will cease to be popular and will not be considered of high quality.
Built-in memory
Also, many buyers pay a lot of attention to such a characteristic as free space on the phone. And we are talking about the so-called built-in memory. It is responsible for how much data can be stored in the device. In this regard, the LG E975 Optimus G, the review of which is presented to our attention, receives quite good reviews. After all, there is more than enough memory here.
The buyer will be offered 32 GB of free space for personal data. As practice shows, in reality you will only get 30 gigabytes. The remaining volume is taken up by the operating system and phone resources. But often this is more than enough. 30 GB of space is a lot. Especially if we take into account the fact that we are not dealing with a gaming phone, but with a more universal phone. This means that for several games and applications, as well as personal data, LG Optimus G offers a completely normal amount of free space. But sometimes there are exceptions. After all, all customers have different needs. And often LG Optimus becomes a real gaming smartphone. Then you will need more space.
In this case, there is no way to correct the situation. After all, a review of the LG Optimus G E975 smartphone always emphasizes one small nuance - you cannot insert an additional memory card into this phone. So you will have to somehow distribute the proposed 30 GB of space. Please note that you should not completely fill the space with data. "LG Optimus" begins to experience various system crashes and problems after filling 29 GB of data with data. This fact turns off many buyers. Yes, most smartphones are lately Does not support memory cards. But this does not mean that you should buy just such a model. You can always find a more universal analogue.
Camera
Of course, an important point when choosing a modern phone is the camera. If it is not there, then there is no point in giving money for this or that model. Luckily, the LG Optimus G E975 excels in this regard. After all, it has two types of cameras.
The first is frontal. It is located near the screen on the front panel. Used for video calls and selfies. Its quality, to be honest, does not particularly please buyers. "ElG" offers only 1.3 megapixels. This is quite small. Although it is enough for a virtual call. True, if we take into account the price of the device, the shooting quality could be offered a little better.
The second type of camera is rear. It is located on the rear panel. And thanks to it we get nice pictures and rollers. In this regard, LG Optimus is really good. After all, the shooting quality is 13 megapixels. In addition, there is the ability to capture video in Full HD format. If you don’t take into account how much space it takes up, buyers are satisfied with this feature. In addition, on LG Optimus, pictures and videos will be high-quality and clear thanks to autofocus, face and smile detection, and flash. So if you are looking for a phone that can easily replace a camera or camera, then this is a worthy option.
Connection
Not every buyer pays attention to the communication support of one or another smartphone. Although, this is a very important point. The thing is that LG Optimus G is almost a universal model in this regard. After all, it offers extremely many types of communication.
For example, you can easily use 2G and 3G networks. In addition, if necessary, you can activate GPS and GPRS. In general, these types of communications should be supported on all modern phones. But LG Optimus is a new generation smartphone. This means that it has some kind of peculiarity. And this is nothing more than support for a high-speed network called 4G. This feature is available only on a small number of phones.
In addition, LG Optimus G E975 allows you to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth version 4.0. This facilitates fast data acquisition and transmission wirelessly. The model also easily synchronizes with a computer and other devices. However, you can only use 1 SIM card in this smartphone. But this is not such a big problem for modern buyers. Many people do not pay attention to the number of SIM cards available for use.
Battery and operating time
It is important that the phone lasts for a long time. To be honest, the LG E975 Optimus G smartphone receives average reviews in this sense. This is not to say that this model works too little or poorly. Rather, the flaw here lies elsewhere.
The thing is that LG Optimus has a non-removable battery. And this is often not particularly convenient. It's no secret that your phone's battery is vulnerable. This means that sometimes you need to change it. You can't handle LG Optimus G without the help of professionals.
But in other respects, the smartphone pleases buyers. For example, the battery capacity is 2100 mAh. It allows the model to remain in standby mode for about a month, and for long conversations - 2 weeks. In active use, you can only count on 4 days of operation without recharging. And if you decide to see how long LG Optimus G can work with constant negotiations, you will be pleasantly surprised. After all, in this “state” the battery will be discharged after 15 hours. Most smartphones require recharging after just 8 hours of talk time. The difference is visible to the naked eye.
In addition, the LG Optimus G E975 charges very quickly - about 1.5 hours. Actually, not that long. Many smartphones are quickly discharged, but replenish the battery's energy reserves for a long time - from 2 hours or more. So in this regard, buyers express their sympathies specifically to the LG Optimus G.
Does it require repairs?
Phones tend to break. And in order not to have to choose a new smartphone, you have to send the old one for repair. The better the model, the better reviews about her. And in this regard, LG Optimus G holds a pretty good position. Buyers like that problems practically do not arise in this model. And some problems can be resolved without much difficulty on your own.
Repair of the LG E975 Optimus G is often only needed regarding the panels. After all, if they fall, they can break. However, such cases are rare. The smartphone screen is protected by a special glass called 2, which prevents the display from being scratched, cracked or damaged. The case is also quite durable. And this means that you will have to try pretty hard to break it to such a state that you need a visit to the mobile assistance service center.
But most often problems arise in the operating system. Typically after an update. In this case, repair of the LG Optimus smartphone may also be required. In order not to once again provoke failures and malfunctions, users simply refuse to download the latest updates to the Android operating system. In this case, the likelihood of repair due to systemic problems is almost zero.
Results
So, today we got acquainted with such a smartphone as the LG Optimus G E975. And now a completely logical question arises about whether it is worth paying attention to this model. Of course, everyone decides this for themselves. For example, based on your own requests for characteristics, as well as price.
The price tag for "LG Optimus G" is not so small - about 18,000 rubles. But the characteristics are very attractive. So if your budget allows, then you can safely buy this smartphone. Otherwise, you will have to look for cheaper and more versatile options. Although for 18 thousand rubles you can now buy a full-fledged gaming phone.
The main thing is to carefully weigh the pros and cons before purchasing. The price is not that low. This means that a purchase requires a sober look at the situation. We can only say that fans of new products from LG will really like this phone. This is a completely worthy model of the latest generation of smartphones. Thinking about what to buy - LG Optimus G E975 or iPhone? Then it's better to give preference to "LG". Cheaper and more practical.
in the world). Let's see how successful the search for the "G-spot" and the onset of techno-orgasm turned out to be for LG this year.
At the time of its release, LG Optimus G is the most technologically advanced and most productive Android smartphone on the market, which provides good opportunities for sales and attracting attention. The company plans to make the most of the current situation until its main competitors appear on the shelves - HTC One, which was not yet announced at the time of writing this review Samsung Galaxy S IV and Sony Xperia Z.
LG Optimus G is a modification of the Nexus 4 smartphone (be sure to read its review if you haven’t already), it uses a 4-core Qualcomm Krait processor from the Snapdragon S4 Pro family on the APQ8064 chipset. A similar processor is used in smartphones Sony Xperia Z, HTC Butterfly, Asus Padfone 2, Xiaomi MI-2 and Oppo Find 5. It is also the first smartphone in our market with a 13 megapixel camera. It is worth remembering that it has a monolithic body with a non-removable cover (and, accordingly, the battery), and there is no support for memory cards and uses a microSIM. All manufacturers want to be like the iPhone - there's no escape.
| Specifications LG Optimus G | |
|---|---|
| operating system | Android 4.1.2 |
| SIM card type | microSIM, one |
| Dimensions and weight | 132x69x9 mm, 145 g |
| Display | True HD IPS, 4.7 inches, 1280x768 pixels (pixel density 318 ppi) |
| CPU | quad-core, Qualcomm APQ8064 (clock frequency 1.5 GHz) |
| Graphics | Adreno 320 |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB, no microSD cards |
| Camera | 13 MP (4208x3120), video recording 1920x1080 |
| Front camera | 1 MP (1280x960), video recording 1280x720 |
| Battery | non-removable, 2.1 Ah |
Appearance of LG Optimus G
Despite the very close resemblance to the Nexus 4, I like the appearance of the Optimus G less. Although part of the gg editors, led by Pavel Urusov, does not agree with my opinion. The smartphone display has a noticeably excessive brightness reserve, which will come in handy in bright conditions. summer sun(which at this time of year in our area could not be simulated due to technical reasons).
On the back cover, just like the Nexus 4, a rather easily soiled glass is used, giving it a nice look. LG calls this coating "Crystal Reflection" technology, although this is more of a marketing term than a manufacturing technology.
The body of the LG Optimus G is thin, but, in my fastidious opinion, this advantage is lost against the background of its rather large (modern) dimensions. All bends and recesses are natural dust collectors (for example, a speaker), which, however, are noticeable only with high magnification - in normal conditions you won't see it.
At the bottom there are a pair of screws, a microUSB socket and a microphone.
The power key, like Samsung devices, has “moved” to top part the right panel, which, given the size of the device, can be considered an advantage - it’s much easier to get to it this way than if it were on top. Especially considering that you have to use it often before unlocking the screen.
On the left panel there is a rocker key to control the volume. It is small, but very convenient to use. Although it increasingly seems to me that it’s time to cancel it, replacing it with software control - I personally always set the volume to the maximum position and I’m regularly annoyed by the need to return the phone to this state after accidental presses. In general, if I had my way, I would gladly get rid of it and replace it with the camera shutter button. But this will never come true while all manufacturers strive to be like the iPhone, which they secretly hate, despite their own admiration.
The SIM card is hidden, as it should be in such cases (again “iPhone standards”) on a special “table”, to remove which you need a pin that acts as a pusher.
Size comparison of LG Optimus G with Samsung Galaxy Note. The LG smartphone predictably looks sleeker. Luckily, I should have put the Galaxy Note II nearby for comparison, but I didn’t have it at hand.
Video review of LG Optimus G
Some things are better seen on video. than in static images. For example, this applies to the operation of applications. You can watch the video immediately, or after reading the entire text. No difference.
LG Optimus G interface
It’s completely unclear why, but LG is too carried away, in my opinion, by copying Samsung’s ideas. In particular, I don’t understand at all why they borrowed the idea of the sound of dripping water when touching a locked screen, as the developers of the Samsung Galaxy S III came up with. LG Optimus G uses a fresh version of the proprietary interface, in which what I like most, as before, is the updated weather widget of the AccuWeather service. It has beautiful animation, although seeing a picture near the sea coast in mid-February in Kyiv looks too optimistic.
The notification menu has undergone changes. It now has a very long, redundant list of settings in the top row, an additional row with applications that support the proprietary Qslide feature (more on that later), and display brightness settings. Interestingly, under heavy load, when the smartphone begins to heat up, brightness adjustment becomes temporarily unavailable - it is simply impossible to raise its level above the current one, and a corresponding notification appears. I had in my hands a device with JZO54K firmware. If you believe our Russian colleagues who used more recent firmware, then with it the device heats up noticeably less and the camera works better. But we have what we have.
The list of icons in the top quick settings menu can be swapped (cannot be deleted). The list of apps that support Qslide could be shortened, but there are only five of them, so there's no point.
List pre-installed applications includes Polaris Office 4, a file manager, an application manager, a task manager, as well as its own SmartWorld application store, a video editor, a calculator and an interesting Quick Translator that allows you to quickly translate words (sentences and even paragraphs) in camera mode. It works faster and more clearly than Google Translator, although it uses its own engine, so an Internet connection is required.
The three-dimensional switch buttons in the menu are beautifully drawn - everyone who picks up a smartphone pays attention to this. Like the Galaxy S III and other new ones Samsung smartphone, it is possible to track the user's eyes - in this case, the smartphone detects that the user is looking at the screen and does not turn it off due to a timeout. This borrowing can be called useful in contrast to droplets. Interestingly, in the settings there is an option to switch the processor to energy-saving mode. At the same time, productivity decreases, and battery life, on the contrary, increases noticeably.
In sound control there is a “Quiet hour” function - the user chooses a period of time in which only the alarm clock and music and video playback work with sound. Calls will be silent. A good feature for those who don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night from random calls.
When you connect a smartphone to a computer, a menu appears in which it is difficult to understand at first in what mode the user will see the contents of the smartphone’s storage on the PC. After going through all the options (each requires installing drivers, some of them are located in the memory of the phone itself and are launched from it on the computer), it turns out that the right choice is Synchronizing media files. There is a separate menu for controlling gestures, but we have already seen all this before, there is nothing special there, and all this “playing around for once” is a little more than complete.
But the QSlide function, which is supported by exactly five applications (browser, calculator, notes, calendar and video player), may be useful. In addition, it is very simple to use. The user can change the transparency of the application by simply clicking on the slider at the top of the menu. At the same time, it remains on top of the screen as a separate layer. You can type a note or read something without looking up, for example, a web page. Or during a call.
The video player can be beautifully displayed in a floating window. This feature, in the form of a picture-in-picture feature, also appeared for the first time in the Samsung Galaxy S III. But LG went a little further and made zooming available during video playback. It’s difficult to say why this is needed in practice, but as a demonstration of the capabilities it looks interesting and clear (you can see how it works in the video).
Another nice little thing is that the alarm clock can be configured so that after it is turned off, one of the applications selected in advance is launched - mail, to-do list, calendar, weather or music player. I set the weather - in practice it is very convenient, especially if after waking up you have to travel to work.
LG Optimus G performance
In this regard, LG Optimus G has no equal yet - in all benchmarks it demonstrates not just high, but the highest results. Benchmark Epic Citadel shows a picture - a sight for sore eyes, and 56 frames per second in HD resolution. The smartphone, however, heats up mercilessly.
In AnTuTu you can even see temperature data - the processor heats up to 55 degrees. You can't get burned yet, but the heat on the back cover is very noticeable.
LG Optimus G Camera
I don’t know how much the new firmware will fix the hunchback, but the current 13-megapixel camera does not show any miracles. You can't fool physics - the dimensions of the matrix are such that talking about the 13 megapixels of this smartphone contains more marketing gimmicks than we would like. In real resolution there is a lot of digital noise and blurring. On the other hand, it’s difficult to say where a user in 2013 can use 13-megapixel images measuring 4208x3120 pixels. We look at photos in most cases on a computer, and the matrices of our laptops and monitors are best case scenario"three megapixel". On social networks, pictures are needed even less. Although on the smartphone screen all the pictures predictably look like candy - you can’t take it away.
The most unpleasant thing about the Optimus G camera for me was the continuous shooting. Spoiled by the rate of fire of HTC cameras in the 2012 line (including the budget camera model HTC One V, which today costs 2.5 times cheaper), it’s difficult for me to understand how the camera of the productive Optimus G cannot shoot a series of more than 5 frames, and the shutter speed looks extremely slow . True, Optimus G also has an interesting mode, in which it takes 5 frames “before pressing the shutter release” - you can also see how this works in the video review. It is assumed that this mode will be extremely convenient in “reporter” shooting, when the frame cannot be repeated, and you can choose the best of 5 options (you can save at least all 5). But in practice, you still need to have time to select this mode in the camera, and no one, of course, guarantees the result.
I decided not to give examples of videos - shooting in FullHD looks “as usual”, and given the Kyiv weather in winter, it is more likely to evoke dull boredom than delight. I will say that the camera copes with this task, but you can’t expect miracles from it, of course. And are they necessary? As always, all pictures can be viewed in real resolution in a separate gallery on Torba.
Bottom line
Closely related to the best smartphone for tech pioneers, the Nexus 4, the LG Optimus G beats it in terms of performance. For a short period of time, this device rightfully receives the title of the very best on the market, thus attracting the attention of those who are looking for the most technologically advanced solution. The device is packed with software features that the Nexus 4 lacks, but half of them are more marketing toys to attract attention than important and useful features for the buyer. For example, a 13-megapixel camera does not provide any tangible advantages over modern 8-megapixel smartphone cameras (for example, it loses to the iPhone 4 camera, which, to my chagrin, I was able to verify in practice when pictures were taken under the same conditions). Overall, the LG Optimus G smartphone deserves the editorial badge “can be taken.” but the Nexus 4 still left a stronger impression on me. There are still no alternatives to it, and it’s not just a more recent version of Android and the ability to shoot 360-degree panoramas. If it is critical for you to receive the latest updates, it makes sense to take the Nexus 4. If you are not a person who starts the morning by installing new experimental firmware, it is better to opt for the LG Optimus G. In any case, in the next few months there will be something more impressive in there will be no sale.
3 reasons to buy LG Optimus G
- best performance to date;
- good design: thin body, interesting materials;
- the most advanced smartphone (before the appearance of competing models);
2 reasons not to buy LG Optimus G
- camera doesn't live up to expectations;
- not the freshest Android version and delays in updates compared to Nexus 4;
Detailed testing of screen, camera, performance and battery life
Some time ago, when the LG Optimus G smartphone had not yet gone on official sale in our country, we wrote a fairly detailed review based on practical experience with this device, gained during a multi-day tour of Korea organized by LG. The review turned out to be comprehensive, but at that moment, for objective reasons, we could not present the results of detailed tests that we usually conduct in our test laboratories.
Now that the smartphone is already on the shelves of our stores, we decided to return to this topic and provide readers with a full report on the results of testing the smartphone - usual for our reviews of mobile devices.
We were also encouraged by the fact that we recently published a review of another top-end LG smartphone - Optimus G Pro, which turned out to be a very interesting device, but not officially supplied to our market. Thus, what remains to defend the honor of the company in Russia is the model described today - also a top model, and before the release of Optimus G Pro, it occupied the place of the flagship of the line of smartphones for the Koreans. However, it is still quite relevant, and with the gradual reduction in its price, it is also quite competitive.
The usefulness of the “second look” is also that, unlike the initial review, where for obvious reasons we described a model from the Korean market (it even had a TV antenna), now the test results are given based on studies of the device that is officially available in our market (model E975). That is, the domestic buyer will already be able to be guided by these data when choosing a purchase.
Thus, this review will not contain a description of the appearance of the device and the ease of working with the controls - you can read about this in the first part of the description of our acquaintance with the LG Optimus G, which was mentioned above.
Here we will tell you, first of all, what we found out after detailed testing of the screen of the new smartphone using measuring instruments in our laboratory. We will also provide you with the results of all our tests of the performance of the smartphone hardware with the latest firmware version and the duration of its battery life. Finally, we will spend a little more time on the LG Optimus G camera and its operating modes. Our specialist Anton Soloviev will comment on the test photos.
But first, let’s present our traditional comparison chart, which has been expanded since our first acquaintance with the LG Optimus G. It contains data on all the most popular flagship smartphones of the new season, including the most advanced model in the series that is not supplied to us - LG Optimus G Pro.
| LG Optimus G | LG Optimus G Pro | Sony Xperia Z | HTC One | Google Nexus 4 | Oppo Find 5 | Samsung Galaxy S4 | |
| Screen | 4.7″, IPS Plus | 5.5″, IPS | 5″, IPS? | 4.7″, S-LCD3 | 4.7″, IPS Plus | 5″, IPS | 4.99″, SuperAMOLED |
| Permission | 1280×768, 317 ppi | 1920×1080, 400 ppi | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1920×1080, 469 ppi | 1280×768, 317 ppi | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1920×1080, 441 ppi |
| SoC | Qualcomm APQ8064 @1.5 GHz (4 cores, ARMv7 Krait) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 @1.7 GHz (4 Krait 300 cores) | Qualcomm APQ8064 @1.5 GHz (4 cores, ARMv7 Krait) | Qualcomm APQ8064 @1.5 GHz (4 cores, ARMv7 Krait) | Exynos [email protected] GHz (8 cores, 4+4) | ||
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Flash memory | 32 GB | 32 GB | 16 GB | 32/64 GB | 8/16 GB | 16/32 GB | 16/32/64 GB |
| Memory card support | No | microSD | microSD | No | No | No | microSD |
| operating system | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.2 |
| SIM format* | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Battery | non-removable, 2100 mAh | removable, 3140 mAh | non-removable, 2330 mAh | non-removable, 2300 mAh | non-removable, 2100 mAh | non-removable, 2500 mAh | removable, 2600 mAh |
| Cameras | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (1.3 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2.1 MP) | rear (4 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (8 MP; video - 1080p), front (1.3 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (1.9 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | |
| Dimensions | 132×69×8.5 mm, 145 g | 150×76×9.4 mm, 172 g | 139×71×7.9 mm, 146 g | 137×68×9.3 mm, 143 g | 134×69×9.1 mm, 139 g | 142×69×8.9 mm, 165 g | 137×70×7.9 mm, 130 g |
* The most common SIM card formats are described in a separate material.
Key Features of LG Optimus G (E975)
- SoC Qualcomm APQ8064, 1.5 GHz, 4 Krait cores
- GPU Adreno 320
- Operating system Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- Touch display IPS, 4.7″, 1280×768, capacitive, multi-touch
- Random access memory (RAM) 2 GB, internal memory 32 GB
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
- GPS, A-GPS
- NFC, DLNA
- LTE (supports Russian frequencies)
- electronic compass, proximity and lighting sensors
- Cameras 13 MP and 1.3 MP, LED flash
- Lithium polymer battery 2100 mAh
- Dimensions 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45 mm
- Weight 145 g
Screen
The LG Optimus G has a very high-quality touch screen made using IPS technology - naturally produced in-house, since LG is one of the world's largest display suppliers. In numbers, the physical parameters of the smartphone screen are as follows: 61x102 mm, diagonal - 119 mm (4.7 inches), resolution - HD (1280x768 pixels), PPI pixel density is 317 ppi. The display has both manual and automatic brightness adjustment, the latter based on the operation of the light sensor. Multi-touch technology allows you to simultaneously process up to ten touches, which is confirmed by tests. There is also a proximity sensor that blocks the screen when you bring the smartphone to your ear.
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A detailed examination of the display using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion about the screen.
The smartphone screen is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface and, judging by the reflection of bright light sources in it, has an anti-glare filter, but not a very strong one. There is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating on the outer surface of the screen, so fingerprints do not appear as quickly as with regular glass, but are removed more easily.
With manual brightness control, its maximum value was 390 cd/m², and the minimum was 12 cd/m². The maximum value is not the highest in the class, however, as the test showed, this screen remains readable even under direct sunlight(only the place where the sun itself was reflected was, of course, illuminated). Apparently, this is due to the special properties of the substrate under the LC layer. (Apparently, the screen of the LG Optimus G Pro has similar properties, but it was not possible to check this then, since there was no sun during testing.) The minimum brightness will allow you to comfortably work with this mobile device even in complete darkness. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (apparently it is located on the front panel in the upper left corner). The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness control: if it is set to 100%, the screen brightness remains maximum and does not change. If you set it to 50%, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to at least 40 cd/m² (normal), in an office illuminated by artificial light it sets it to 60 cd/m² (acceptable), in a very bright environment it increases to the maximum value . If, when automatic brightness adjustment is turned on, the brightness control is set to 0, then under the conditions given above, the brightness remains at the minimum value in complete darkness and in office conditions, and only increases to the maximum in very bright light. In automatic mode, when external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. Testing also showed that the smartphone monitors the temperature of its internals and, when a certain threshold is exceeded, begins to forcibly reduce the brightness of the backlight. For example, when continuously playing a 720p video file, after about one hour, the brightness was automatically reduced to 63%, and until the device cooled down, it was impossible to increase the brightness:
At lower brightness, there is no backlight modulation at all, so there is no backlight flickering. As proof, we present a fragment of a recording of brightness versus time obtained by digitizing a signal from a photosensor with a sampling frequency of 100 kHz (the bandwidth of the analogue path of the recorder is several times higher than this value) for three positions of the brightness adjustment slider:
It can be seen that the dependences are smooth, and the absence of emissions indicates that there is no modulation up to several hundred kilohertz. It turns out that the brightness of the backlight LEDs in this smartphone (as in many others) is actually adjusted using voltage (most likely with current feedback to increase stability). There were concerns that such a method could lead to a significant shift in color rendering characteristics when brightness is reduced. However, this is not the case, as the two graphs below show - the dependence of color temperature and delta E of the white field on the brightness of the backlight:
Also, our model experiments showed that when the brightness of a white ultra-bright LED changes by 3 orders of magnitude (!), the color temperature changes by only 250 K, and delta E - by 3 units. Considering that in the case of mobile devices the brightness usually varies within two orders of magnitude, and in the case of monitors - by less than an order of magnitude, adjusting the backlight brightness with voltage alone, without using PWM, is a completely acceptable option.
This smartphone has an IPS matrix. The micrograph shows a typical IPS subpixel structure:
The screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades and without significant color shifts, even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen. True, the black field, when deviated diagonally, is greatly brightened, but remains close to a neutral gray color. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is good, but still not ideal. The black-white-black response time is 24 ms (13.5 ms on + 10.5 ms off). The transition between halftones 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 34 ms. The contrast is high - about 1000:1. The gamma curve constructed using 32 points did not reveal a blockage either in the highlights or in the shadows, and the index of the approximating power function is 2.12, which is slightly lower than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve deviates little from the power dependence:
Due to the small dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness in accordance with the nature of the displayed image, the resulting dependence of brightness on hue (gamma curve) may not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential display of shades of gray on the entire screen.
The color gamut is slightly smaller than the sRGB gamut:
The spectra show that the matrix filters moderately mix the components with each other:
However, the deviations of the red color coordinates from the sRGB vertex are not very large, so visually the colors have a natural saturation. The balance of shades on the gray scale is not ideal, since the color temperature is noticeably higher than the standard 6500 K. However, the deviation from the spectrum of a completely black body (delta E) over most of the gray scale is less than 10, which is considered for a consumer device good indicator, and the variation in color temperature and delta E is not very large. (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since there the color balance does not have of great importance, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
The screen cannot be called a reference, if only because of the low stability of black color when the gaze is deviated diagonally, but from a consumer point of view we have no special complaints, since screen readability is maintained in virtually the entire range of possible external conditions, the contrast is quite high, color rendition is acceptable, Fingerprints are easily erased.
Camera
Photo evaluation and quality conclusions were made by Anton Solovyov.
LG Optimus G is equipped, like most modern smartphones, with two modules digital cameras. The main module of the rear camera has a 13-megapixel resolution; the default camera takes pictures with a maximum size of 4208x3120 with an aspect ratio of 4:3.
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There is nothing special in night photography, although the clarity of luminous objects is decent, which indicates a good choice of shutter speed and light sensitivity. |
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White outlines on the wires are noticeable. Tree branches merge into a strange pattern, which may indicate a discrepancy between the resolutions of the optics and the matrix. |
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For a shot against the sun, it’s quite decent. However, the sharpness of the image is questionable. |
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The sharpness is not bad, but only in places, which, generally speaking, is strange. The camera copes quite well with noise in the shadows. |
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Quite nice macro photography. Bokeh, of course, is not the best, but for such short distances it’s also good. |
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In the foreground the sharpness is decent, but as objects move away it rapidly drops. |
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The sharpness is sufficient to make out the inscriptions, but small elements like grass and paving stones simply merge into a homogeneous mass. |
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There is an unpleasant drop in sharpness towards the bottom edge of the image, but overall the text is well-developed and legible. |
The LG Optimus G's camera, as you'd expect, is very similar to its closest cousin, the LG Optimus G Pro. However, this is still a different camera, which, when tested in “field” conditions, showed itself to be a little more worthy. At first glance, it seems that the engineers saved money on optics, and now they are not able to handle all 13 megapixels of the matrix. On the other hand, there may be other reasons for this - even an unsuccessful smartphone. The sharpness “walking” randomly across the field of the image is also more likely an inaccuracy of assembly than an unsuccessful design. If in the case of the LG Optimus G Pro we wrote that the camera lacks a good program to perform decently, then in the case of the LG Optimus G it seems that the program was improved, but the changes did not benefit the camera.
The camera copes with noise quite well: even a night shot can no longer be called “ordinary”. If we forget about the “selective” sharpness of the camera, its sharpness is generally quite good. The camera also selects exposure quite well, and software problems have become much less noticeable, although in some places white outlines and incomprehensible “noise reduction” actions appear. Problems with sharpness can be caused by the calibration of the relative position of the lens and matrix, or simply by sloppy assembly, which, we want to believe, is not a common disease of all devices of this model.
As a result, we can conclude that the camera is quite suitable for equipping a smartphone. It is, of course, not outstanding, and there are obvious points that need improvement, but it is noticeably strong desire LG to catch up with competitors. Let's hope the company doesn't stop there.
Performance
The LG Optimus G hardware platform is based on the well-known Qualcomm APQ8064 SoC (Snapdragon S4 Pro), with a central quad-core Krait processor (ARMv7) operating at 1.5 GHz. It is supported in graphics processing by a powerful modern Adreno 320 chip. RAM The device has 2 GB. Expansion through microSD cards is not provided in the smartphone, so about 25 GB of the nominal 32 GB is available here for downloading and storing user files.
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Now we have the opportunity to compare the performance of the LG Optimus G with all the other top flagship new products this season, because we have already tested all of them - even the older sister of the model we are describing today, LG Optimus G Pro, which only appeared on the American market at the beginning of this month. Most of these models, by the way, are built on the same platform as the LG Optimus G - Snapdragon S4 Pro. But the older model with the Pro suffix is based on a newer SoC - Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 (APQ 8064T), which, according to its creators, provides 40% more performance than the previous generation system, while simultaneously reducing power consumption by 30%.
In the picture: a comparison of the results of LG Optimus G Pro and LG Optimus G, taken from the database of the popular AnTuTu v3 test. The difference is minimal.
However, comparative test results of both models did not demonstrate a significant advantage of the new Snapdragon 600 platform: the difference between Optimus G and Optimus G Pro was minimal, within the margin of error. But other top new products - Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One - are quite far ahead of the rest, leaving both LG flagships behind. For convenience, we have combined all test results into a single table.
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| LG Optimus G (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
LG Optimus G Pro (Qualcomm Snapdragon 600) |
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Exynos 5410 Octa) |
Oppo Find 5 (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
Sony Xperia Z (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
HTC One (Qualcomm Snapdragon 600) |
Google Nexus 4 (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
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| Quadrant Standard (more is better) |
7631 | 8673 | 9906 | 7107 | 7785 | 12631 | 4679 |
| AnTuTu Benchmark (more is better) |
18317 | 19261 | 26502 | 20177 | 19434 | 24619 | 16089 |
| GeekBench (more is better) |
2197 | 2361 | 3665 | 2067 | 2006 | 2661 | 2100 |
Below are the results of testing the LG Optimus G in the new version of GLBenchmark - 2.7.0, where the T-Rex HD scene of increased complexity was added. As we remember, even such a powerful system as the Oppo Find 5 produced only 13 fps in this test. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 platform in HTC One handled this difficult test better, but only slightly - 15 fps. Samsung Galaxy S4 - within the same limits: 13 fps. So the result of the hero of today’s review was quite expected: a modest 8 fps. Although, to the credit of Optimus G, it is worth noting that the weaker hardware did not in any way affect the usability of the smartphone: even the most severe graphic scenes did not cause the device to slow down or begin to produce torn gaps noticeable to the eye, the picture always remained smooth and smooth.
As for testing the graphics subsystem in the cross-platform 3DMark test, the test subject also showed a fairly good, although not top, result - 9439 points.
In the Epic Citadel gaming test in High Performance mode, the LG Optimus G produced good result at 56.7 fps.
In the tougher Epic Citadel, High Quality mode, the LG Optimus G Pro showed an equally outstanding result of 56.3 fps - screenshots of both results are in front of you.
Play video and connect to an external screen
To test the omnivorous nature of video playback (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, such as subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Internet. Note that for mobile devices it is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since processing modern options due to processor cores alone, it is most often impossible. Also, you shouldn’t expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it.
| Format | Container, video, sound | MX Video Player | Standard video player |
| DVDRip | AVI, XviD 720×400 2200 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL SD | AVI, XviD 720×400 1400 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL HD | MKV, H.264 1280×720 3000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 720p | MKV, H.264 1280×720 4000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 1080p | MKV, H.264 1920×1080 8000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
Additionally, the MHL interface was tested. To test it, we used an LG IPS237L monitor that supports direct MHL connection using a passive adapter cable from Micro-USB to HDMI. Output via MHL is carried out at a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels at a frequency of 60 frames/s. When the smartphone is landscape-oriented, the image is displayed on the monitor screen in landscape orientation, while the image on the monitor is inscribed within the boundaries of the screen and exactly matches the image on the smartphone screen. When the smartphone is in portrait orientation, the image is displayed on the monitor screen in portrait orientation, while the image on the monitor is inscribed within the height of the screen, and black fields are displayed on the right and left. In the second case, the actual resolution on the monitor screen is, of course, lower than the resolution on the smartphone screen. Sound is output via MHL (in this case, the sounds were heard through headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and is of good quality. In this case, at least multimedia sounds are not output through the loudspeaker of the smartphone itself, and the volume is controlled by buttons on the smartphone body. The smartphone connected via MHL is charging.
Video output using the standard player deserves a special description. To begin with, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Method for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”), we checked how video is displayed on the screen of the smartphone itself. Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p) and 1920 by 1080 (1080p) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames/ With). The results of this (block entitled “Screen”) and the subsequent test are summarized in the table:
| File | Uniformity | Passes |
| Screen | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Fine | many |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Fine | many |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| MHL (monitor) | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Badly | many |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Badly | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Badly | few |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Badly | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Badly | many |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Badly | many |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Badly | few |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Badly | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Badly | No |
Note: If both the Uniformity and Dropout columns are rated green, this means that when watching movies, there will most likely be no or no amount of artifacts caused by frame spacing or dropouts visible. will not affect viewing comfort. "Red" marks indicate possible problems related to the playback of the corresponding files.
With the exception of two files with 30 fps, the intervals between frames (or groups of frames) alternate unevenly. However, in any case, uniform alternation of frames is a relatively unstable state, since some external and internal background processes lead to periodic failure of the correct alternation of intervals between frames and even to the skipping of single frames. In the case of 720p video at 50 and 60 fps, exactly half of the frames are output, that is, the real frame rate is 30 and 25 fps, respectively. The standard player plays 1080p files at 50 and 60 fps about a quarter or a third slower, that is, it actually cannot cope with them. When playing video files with a resolution of 720p (1280 by 720 pixels), the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the edge of the screen, but the actual resolution is two times lower than 720p. The responsibility for this lies with the hardware decoder, since in third-party players, when hardware decoding is disabled, the video resolution magically increases to true 1280x720 pixels. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the standard: in the video range (that is, in the range 16-235), all gradations of shades are distinguished in shadows and highlights.
When playing a video with a standard player, only the image of the video file itself is displayed on a monitor connected via MHL. Or rather, the controls are also displayed there, but after a few seconds they disappear. On the contrary, only controls are displayed on the screen of the smartphone itself during video playback:
When playing video files with a resolution of 720p (1280 by 720 pixels) on the monitor screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed one-on-one, exactly along the border of the screen in true 720p resolution. The brightness range displayed on the monitor corresponds to the standard: in the video range (that is, in the range 16-235), all gradations of shades are distinguished in shadows and highlights. The results of the monitor output tests are shown in the table above in the “MHL (monitor)” block. The intervals between frames (or groups of frames) alternate unevenly. In the case of 720p video at 60 and 50 fps and 1080p at 50 fps, exactly half the frames are output, that is, the actual frame rate is 30 and 25 fps, respectively. The standard player plays 1080p files at 60 fps about a quarter slower, that is, it actually cannot cope with them. It turns out that you can watch video on an external monitor, TV or projector, but most likely the picture will freeze.
Battery life
The capacity of the lithium-polymer battery installed in the LG Optimus G is 2100 mAh. The battery here is not replaceable, which is not very convenient (for example, in the case of a swollen battery). By the way, the older model, the LG Optimus G Pro, does not have this problem, which not only has a removable battery, but also initially comes with a second one (at least this was the case with our copy brought from the Korean market).
The LG Optimus G smartphone demonstrated very good performance in terms of battery life.
Continuous reading in the FBReader program at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) for 2 hours consumed 18% of the full battery charge, and two hours of watching YouTube videos in high quality (HQ) through home Wi-Fi network The device has used up 25% of its battery capacity. At maximum load in continuous 3D gaming mode (100% brightness, 60 fps), which we usually test using GLBenchmark, the smartphone lasted a decent 3.5 hours. The LG Optimus G is fully charged in 2 hours.
Prices
The average retail price of the device in rubles in Moscow at the time of reading the article can be found by moving the mouse to the price tag.
