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100 days with the LG G6: exceeding expectations

AndroidPIT LG G6 9330
© nextpit

A lot of discussion has taken place since the presentation and the release of the LG G6. In the beginning, the device was criticized for having ‘outdated’ components and I was one of the critics. At first, I was a little skeptical, but with time, the device exceeded almost all the expectations that I had for the LG G6. Here are my good and bad impressions after using the LG G6 for 100 days.

The price of the LG G6 has fallen by 33% in three months

When the LG G6 was released with a price tag around $700, many of us thought it was extortionate for a device with a 2016 processor and only 32GB of RAM. This put it in the same price category as the HTC U11 (the most powerful Android smartphone at the moment) for a similar configuration to the G5. It certainly wasn’t tempting.

Of course, it didn’t take long for the price to drop and, by the end of June, it could be purchased for around $500 - that's around $200 price drop in the space of just three months! I don’t know about you, but this seems like a much more attractive price to me.

AndroidPIT LG G6 9285
The price of the LG G6 after a few months was much more appealing. / © NextPit

The alternatives in this price range are basically the 2016 flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, Huawei P9 or HTC 10 and more recent devices such as the Honor 8 Pro or Huawei P10. Firstly, the advantage that the LG G6 has in comparison to the 2016 top-range devices is that it has 2017 software. Usually, a top-range Android device will receive updates for two years, meaning that 2016 devices will be updated until 2018 and a 2017 device will be updated until 2019.

Other 2017 devices that feature in the same price range as the G6 are the Huawei P10 and the Honor 8 Pro, but the same issue applies with updates. For example, the LG G4 should receive Nougat in the next few months (the LG V10 has already been updated) and for the Huawei P8, users have launched a campaign on Change.org for Huawei to update the device to Nougat.

The LG G6 has a design that your hand will yearn for

The LG G6 has a new screen format that keeps with standards, for example, for games and YouTube content. I thought this was risky at first but LG always manages to surprise us. Remember its button on the back, curved smartphones, devices with leather, dual screen, modularity, etc.? The G6 is no different and the icing on the cake is the 18:9 (2:1) screen ratio.

The 18:9 format provides a huge screen without any compromise from the size of the device.

The first time I picked up the device, my hands fell in love with its shape. This innovative design is a treat to touch, its slim-line shape is fused with the perfect balance of glass and metal. With the 18:9 ratio, the G6 has a wide surface area on a body measuring less than 72 millimeters in width.

In parallel to the LG G6, I have used other devices such as the Galaxy S7 Edge, Moto G5 Plus and HTC U11, and I always found myself going back to the G6, as it gave me a great sense of comfort. This is down to the fact that you can use it with one hand, which I think is a lot less stressful. When I used the other smartphones, most of the time using 5.5-inch devices, I missed being able to easily reach the other side of the device with my thumb.

To get this width on a device with a traditional 16:9 radio, you'd have to reduce the diagonal measurement to less than 5.2-inches. This new ratio on the G6 offers a screen surface area of 76.8 cm2, while on a device with the same width and a diagonal measurement of 5.2 inches, the surface area is reduced considerably to 68.2 cm2.

AndroidPIT screen size comparison lg g6 vs nexus 6P 9538
LG G6 on the left; Nexus 6P on the right. / © NextPit

The LG G6 has more surface area and is longer, meaning that some apps and games (and even more films or videos) aren’t 100% adapted since almost all of them have a 16:9 format (although some areas in the world of cinema also opt for the 2:1 ratio). Regardless, the usability that this design offers is a significant feature.

Another feature that I love, but which might seem inconsequential, is the screen’s curved corners. This "minor" detail makes the whole design just work whereas, until now, it was a bit disjointed. After using the LG G6 for a while, switching to a smartphone with square corners seems like a step backwards. Ultimately, after using the G6, everything seems old-fashioned, apart from the Galaxy S8, of course.

No complaints about the LG G6’s performance

The LG G6’s processor, the Snapdragon 821, was released at the end of 2016 and its amazing performance can be experienced on devices such as the OnePlus 3T. The LG G6 was released in February 2017 and, at the time, the successor to this processor, the new Snapdragon 835, wasn’t available on the market yet. I suppose it would have been hasty of LG to incorporate the new processor so they decided to opt for the most recent processor on the market instead. As well as being a well-known processor, they had time to optimize it, which is common.

In comparison to the HTC U11, the LG G6 falls short in terms of performance but it still makes the grade. In daily use, the LG G6’s hardware copes extremely well and there’s not much to complain about.

In terms of battery, I didn’t have as much peace of mind, but this is a feeling that is experienced with any recent flagship. When you leave the house early in the morning, you don’t know if you’ll come home with a live smartphone, especially if you have a long day ahead of you. The solution is to carry the charger around with you all day, get an external battery or activate energy saving mode early in the morning, which means that you risk missing notifications and messages from some applications.

A highly functional camera

Apart from the LG G6’s camera quality, which I think is undeniable, it has features that will provide constant entertainment. For starters, each sensor for its dual camera has a different lens. For long distance shots, there’s an f / 1.8 aperture and OIS. The other sensor is equipped with a 125º lens without phase detection or optical stabilizer and has an f / 2.4 aperture.

With a wide-angle lens, the angles are fantastic for videos. However, you have to remember that it doesn’t have an optical stabilizer. In addition to that, the G6’s now-traditional manual camera also has a manual option for videos which is about time, in my opinion.

In the automatic camera options, I found some entertaining modes and a special square mode that you can make creative compositions with.

AndroidPIT Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6 2478
The camera on the LG G6 has a lot of options you can play with. / © NextPit

Should you buy the LG G6?

It’s obvious that the G6 has hardware that could have been released in 2016. In fact, it resembles everything that the G5 should have been.  

I know there are various alternatives available for the same price, and some with more power. However, let’s be clear that, having used the LG G6 for a while, I think it has some excellent points that go in its favor.

For starters, as I said, its design and screen are extremely innovative. They give the device a new functional dimension. Its dual camera is one of the best on the market right now and has two different lenses as well as many options and modes to play around with.

AndroidPIT LG G6 2581
The LG G6 has a lot of options for customization. / © NextPit

Its operating system is one of the simplest that you’ll find among the best-known manufacturers, something that is clear in its fluidity. LG will soon be updating the G6’s software, including security improvements and an efficient feature for unlocking the device using facial recognition. It also has battery improvements and the Covered Lens technology feature advises you when your finger is covering the camera lens, for example.

What I like a lot about the LG G6 are the customization options offered by its themes. In general, the LG interface didn’t appeal much to me with its square icons. In addition, it has an FM radio tuner, something that the Pixel devices have since removed.

What it’s missing is Daydream support. It’s a shame that LG is failing to jump on the Android Virtual Reality bandwagon with the great screens that its devices have.

It’s also a shame that the LG G6’s extra components on devices in America or Korea aren’t incorporated into the global versions. I’m referring specifically to the wireless charging, better audio chip and more internal memory.

The big question is: should you get an LG G6 or a 2016 flagship instead? To get your answer, you'll have to evaluate your needs and expectations. In my opinion, the LG G6’s advantage is that it will receive updates for a longer period than a device launched in 2016 with just a year of life left. In addition to that, for the same price, you could confidently use a G6 for a longer period and benefit from new features and probably get the Android P update in 2018.

Does the LG G6 seem like a good option for you now the price has fallen? If not, what would you get instead? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Luis Ortega

Luis Ortega
Editor

Luis is an editor and moderator of the forum. He was born and raised in Granada where he studied Geology and Education. After many professional experiences, he landed at AndroidPIT in 2015. A confessed geek, Luis likes open source software and, of course, Android. He loves apps that manage bad memory and make life easier. He loves the sea and enjoys his free time on any kind of board.

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5 comments
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  • An Droid 14
    An Droid Jun 22, 2017 Link to comment

    It has too many shortcomings for a 2017 flagship. Spend a bit more and get the Galaxy S8. You won't have to justify anything.


  • Trenton Matthews 2
    Trenton Matthews Jun 22, 2017 Link to comment

    For people wanting devices from LG with removable bateries but don't wish to break the bank, I'd "strongly" recommend the "K" and "Stylo" lines of LG devices. (The latter having a "styless" alongside.
    I myself have the "Lg K20+" and absolutely "love" it!
    Will be picking up the "Stylo 4+" next year.

    NB. the "plus" line of devices are "exclusive" to "T-Mobile" and "Metro PCS" in the USA.


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Jun 22, 2017 Link to comment

    I love my G5 really wasn't in the market for the G6 but with non removable battery and a glass back I will not consider it at any price. All they did was copy Samsung who copied Apple. Just hoping the V30 does not follow suit, by then I will be looking for another phone. My wife wants her Note 4 back she absolutely hates her S7. I think I will divorce her before she will get my Note 4, I will get her the V30 if it has a removable battery if not the V20.


  • 26
    Andrew Burgin Jun 22, 2017 Link to comment

    Lg got its self in trouble by joining the Mobile Market in Europe with the 3 network,and started off by releasing so many unreliable phones,and once consumers had experience the problems,they have just turned there backs on buying another Lg phone,and the problems seem to drag on for Lg,like to see how the New Lg G6s with Snapdragon 835 competes against the S8 models


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Jun 21, 2017 Link to comment

    flagship bargain of the year.. Duel SIM 64gb version currently available in UK under £350.. very compelling at that price, for one of the best handling flagships around.

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