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Lg g4s specifications inner camera. LG G4s test review: simplified flagship

Instead of genuine leather, the back cover has plastic, there is half the RAM, the camera resolution is modest, and the performance in modern 3D games leaves much to be desired. At the same time, the "simplified flagship" LG G4s costs half the price of the top-end LG G4, while retaining a number of flagship features such as laser autofocus or high-resolution audio support. What cheated new apparatus for the sake of a more affordable price tag, and how the LG G4s looks against the background of competitors in terms of price / quality ratio, Vesti.Hi-tech found out.

The release of affordable versions based on the top models in the LG G Series family has become a good tradition since. This year the time has come to lighten the filling of "natural leather", the result of which has been embodied in the smartphone LG G4s (known in some other regions as the LG G4 Beat). The company assures that the "simplified flagship" was conceived not only as a more affordable device, but, above all, as a device with a balanced combination of characteristics. Alas, such incantations of manufacturers are far from uncommon, so it is better to rely entirely on the criterion of truth, which, as you know, is practice. Even if it is short.

Specifications

  • Model: H736
  • OS: Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) with LG UI proprietary shell
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 8-core 64-bit processor (MSM8939), 4 ARM Cortex-A53 (1.5 GHz) + 4 ARM Cortex-A53 (1.0 GHz), Hexagon V50 DSP coprocessor (up to 700 MHz )
  • Graphics subsystem: Adreno 405 (550 MHz)
  • RAM: 1.5 GB (one channel LPDDR3, 800 MHz)
  • Memory for data storage: 8 GB (available about 3.33 GB), slot for memory cards microSD / HC (up to 32 GB)
  • Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n (2.4 GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.1, microUSB for charge / synchronization (USB 2.0), 3.5 mm for headphones, NFC
  • Screen: capacitive, IPS (In-Cell Touch), diagonal 5.2 inches, resolution 1920x1080 pixels, pixel density per inch 423 ppi
  • Cameras: main - 8 MP, laser autofocus, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, video recording / playback [email protected]/ 60 fps, digital zoom 4x; frontal - 5 MP
  • Network: 2G, 3G (HSPA +, up to 42 Mbps), 4G Cat.4 (up to 150 Mbps) LTE-FDD: b3, b7, b20
  • SIM-cards: 2 slots microSIM (format 3FF), Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)
  • Navigation: GPS / GLONASS, A-GPS
  • Radio: FM tuner
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor
  • Battery: BL-49SF, removable Li-Ion, 2 300 mAh (3.85 V; 8.9 W * h)
  • Colors: white, silver, golden
  • Dimensions: 142.7x72.6x9.85 mm
  • Weight: 139 grams

Design, ergonomics

Externally, LG G4s is very similar to its flagship - after all, almost the entire exterior of the premium smartphone has been preserved intact,

including an arched back design and even a slight curvature of the screen. But what you definitely can't find here is genuine leather in the finish. For the body of the new smartphone, plastic is used, which can be one of three colors - white, gold or silver (metallic).

In the latter case, the texture used creates the illusion of forged metal, which in general looks quite impressive. In addition, there are almost no fingerprints on the surface.

Proceeding, apparently, from the letter added to the model name (S \u003d Small), the novelty received smaller dimensions in plan (142.7x72.6 mm versus 148.9x76.1 mm), which are mostly due to the screen diagonal (5.2 inches versus 5.5 inches). At the same time, the thickness of the device has practically not changed (9.85 mm versus 9.8 mm), but the weight of the novelty has predictably decreased (139 g versus 155 g).

Front, slightly curved along the horizontal axis, the panel is completely closed protective glass... Traditionally thin side frames have been preserved around the screen.

Directly above the display in one row are located (from right to left): the power / notification LED indicator, the front camera lens, the proximity sensor and the "earpiece" speaker.

The LG logo flaunts under the display. The number and order of the on-screen system buttons on the control panel can be determined independently. In the settings, it is easy to combine them into groups (up to five in each) by choosing from the list: "Back", "Home", " Latest Apps", QuickMemo +, QSlide, SIM (switch from one SIM card to another) and" Notification panel ".

On the upper end of the case there was a place for a hole for a second microphone (noise cancellation) and a 3.5 mm audio headset connector, which moved here from the bottom end of the. But the IrDA is not provided here.

At the bottom there is a "conversational" microphone and a microUSB connector for power / synchronization.

Of course, the novelty has inherited the main feature of the flagship design - all buttons from the perimeter of the body have moved to the rear panel, where they are assembled in a single block, the upper part of which is occupied by the main camera lens. The central key, as before, fulfills the inclusion and locking of the smartphone, and the other two, top and bottom, are responsible for adjusting the volume. In addition, activating the setting " Quick button"makes the lower key responsible for turning on the camera (when the screen is off or locked), and the upper one for accessing the QuickMemo application.

Due to the lack of buttons, slots and connectors, the side edges of the smartphone look very strict and laconic. True, at the bottom of the right rib there is a small cutout in the back cover, which is designed to help open it.

In the upper part of the rear panel, decorated with the LG logo, there are three holes, one (in the center) for the control key unit and the main camera lens, the second (to the right of it) for the dual LED flash and the third (on the left) for laser autofocus and color spectrum sensor.

The "music" speaker grill was placed in the lower left corner.

Under the back cover, on which back side the NFC antenna is mounted, the LG G4s has access to the battery compartment with a removable battery, above which slots for subscriber identification modules (microSIM format) are provided above on the left and right. At the same time, the microSD card slot is located on the "second floor" above the right slot for microSIM cards.

The back cover of the smartphone is perfectly fitted in size - no backlash or squeaks are observed on the new device. Despite the apparent thickness, the new device lies in the hand not only comfortably, but also quite reliably, which is greatly facilitated by the "boat" of the rear panel.

Screen, camera, sound

Among its "classmates", which manufacturers often call "mini-flagships", LG G4s has one of the largest screen sizes - 5.2 inches. On the IPS-matrix used here at Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080 pixels), the pixel density per inch is quite high and amounts to approximately 423 ppi. Although the display size has become a bit smaller and the resolution is not flagship (Quad HD), this can hardly be upset. After all, the viewing angles are typically wide, the contrast is good, and the maximum brightness level is quite sufficient. But the trouble is that for some reason automatic adjustment by a signal from the corresponding sensor is not provided here, which is very strange for a device of this class. It is proposed only to automatically turn off the backlight during the night time period (from 00:00 to 06:00 hours).

The manufacturer points to support for In-Cell Touch technology, which speaks not only of good anti-glare properties of the screen, but also guarantees a quick response when touched. In general, there are no complaints about the sensitivity of the sensor layer. Claims that the display will continue to respond to touches even if its glass is broken. Fortunately, it was not possible to check this. And the multitouch technology allows you to process up to ten simultaneous clicks on a capacitive screen, which is confirmed by the results of the AntTuTu Tester program.

The main camera LG G4s received not 13-, as in the flagship, but only an 8-megapixel sensor and a lens with aperture f / 2.4 (versus the flagship f / 1.8). Here, however, the laser autofocus and the color spectrum sensor are preserved. According to LG, the latter analyzes color tones before shooting, thereby ensuring natural color reproduction of the image. The novelty from the flagship also got a dual LED flash for illuminating the frame with the correct color temperature, but you will have to forget about optical image stabilization in LG G4s. The lack of a dedicated hardware key for shooting, as before, is easily compensated by the ability to use the volume down key for this.

The maximum image resolution of the main camera is 3264x2448 pixels (8 MP) with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 and 3264x1840 pixels (6 MP) with a frame aspect ratio of 16: 9. Examples of photos can be viewed.

You can switch from the main camera to the front camera and vice versa not only by the corresponding icon, but also by swiping left or right across the screen. The front-facing camera, having received a 5-megapixel matrix, provides the maximum resolution of the "self" - 2560x1920 pixels (5 MP, 4: 3) and 2560x1440 pixels (3.7 MP, 16: 9), respectively. Note that the front-facing camera of the flagship LG G4 boasts an 8-megapixel sensor.

The main and front cameras of the LG G4s can only shoot videos in Full HD resolution (1080p) with a maximum speed of up to 30 fps. Recall that the flagship is capable of shooting with 4K resolution. All content is saved in MP4 container files (video - AVC and sound - AAC).

In the interface of the "Camera" application, "Simple", "Basic" or "Manual" mode is recommended, and when you select the latter, you can control almost the entire shooting process by adjusting the shutter speed, ISO value, brightness level, white balance, focus, etc. ...

The front camera from the flagship got new function "Interval shooting by hand gesture", which allows you to make a series of four consecutive "cross-shots" with a difference of two seconds, for which it is enough to clench and unclench your fist twice in front of the lens. It is also easy to produce "yourself" using, for example, voice commands. So, the Cheese shutter option releases the shutter with just one word (whiskey, cheese, kimchi, smile or LG). It is not surprising that with such an arsenal for self-portraits, the flagship was noted even in the Guinness Book of Records, when 2,500 people took 746 selfies on the same smartphone in two hours.

Hidden behind a modest grille on the back of the smartphone is a one-watt speaker with amplifier. Most likely, LG G4s retained an audio processor from the flagship, since regular means FLAC files playback is supported (without loss of quality). In addition, for example, for MP3 files, audio effects are available that can shift the frequency spectrum of a composition by half a tone to the high or low frequencies, and also increase or decrease the original playback speed of the track. And when connecting headphones, it is suggested to use a 7-band equalizer with presets and the ability to customize.

Headphones are not included with the smartphone, so the FM tuner requires its own wired headset as a shortwave antenna. At the same time, in the settings for recording from the air, you can turn on the mode when only music is written, and the DJ's comments are ignored.

Filling, performance

Hidden under the hood of the LG G4s is the mid-range Snapdragon 615 (MSM8939) SoC, one of Qualcomm's first 64-bit solutions. Eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores, produced using a 28nm process technology, are divided equally into two clusters, each of which is designed for its own mode. The cores of the cluster for "heavy" tasks operate at frequencies up to 1.5 GHz, while the four cores in another, energy-efficient cluster are limited to a maximum frequency of 1 GHz. The integrated graphics accelerator Adreno 405 received support for DirectX 11.2, OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenCL 1.2.

The Snapdragon 615 architecture, including, in particular, the Hexagon V50 signal processor, provides for the implementation of GPS, Bluetooth 4.x, Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, as well as a Multi-SIM modem with LTE Cat. 4 (up to 150 Mbps), LTE-FDD, LTE-TDD, WCDMA (DC-HSDPA, DC-HSUPA), CDMA1x, EV-DO Rev. B, TD-SCDMA and GSM / EDGE. Generally speaking, the capabilities of the platform itself are much wider than those used in the LG G4s. So, for this chip it is declared support for WQXGA displays (2560x1600 pixels) and fast charging specifications, including Quick Charge 2.0, and the ISP image processor can even work with 21-megapixel cameras. By the way, there is H.265 (HEVC) among video codecs for playback. The basic configuration of the smartphone is complemented by 1.5 GB of LPDDR3 RAM (800 MHz), which is controlled by a single-channel 32-bit controller (6.4 GB / s). This is not the most advanced filling reflected in the test results.

So, from synthetic tests AnTuTu Benchmark it follows that the LG G4s smartphone performed on a par with the ex-flagship (2013).

In turn, from the Vellamo benchmarks, it is clear that the performance of the new smartphone is significantly inferior to the flagship one: multicore multi-core tests - 1,225 versus 2,234, Metal processor tests - 972 versus 2,247. Recall that the 6-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor is installed.

On the Epic Citadel visual test with variable High Performance, High Quality and Ultra High Quality settings, the average frame rate at 1800x1080 pixels drops quite rapidly - 40.8 fps, 38.8 fps and 19.6 fps, respectively.

On the universal gaming benchmark 3DMark, where the smartphone was tested on the Sling Shot set, a not very impressive result was recorded (64). However, popular games like Asphalt 8, Dead Trigger 2 and Real Racing 3 are launching on the new smartphone.

The total points earned by the LG G4s on the Base Mark OS II cross-platform benchmark was 548.

The smartphone has 8 GB of internal memory, of which only 3.33 GB was available. This is very small, even for a heavily lightweight flagship. It is desirable to have at least two times more volume. You can expand the built-in storage by using microSD / HC cards up to 32GB. Recall that we have 32 GB of eMMC memory, which are easily expandable thanks to microSDXC support, for example, immediately at 128 GB. The USB-OTG mode is not provided in the new smartphone.

As already noted, a pair of slots hidden under a removable cover can accept two microSIM (3FF) cards. Since there is only one radio module, the DSDS mode (Dual SIM Dual Standby) is implemented - both SIM cards are active, but when one is busy, the other is also unavailable. In the corresponding menu for each Subscriber Identity Module, the colors and alerts are configured. The SIM touch button located on the control panel allows you to quickly switch from one SIM card to another.

The cellular modem of the LG G4s is simpler than the flagship one, and is designed for LTE Cat.4 networks (up to 150 Mbps), and not LTE Cat.6 (300 Mbps), as in. At the same time, the list includes "Russian" LTE-FDD frequency ranges: b3 (1800 MHz), b7 (2600 MHz) and b20 (800 MHz). Other wireless communications of the tested smartphone include Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n (2.4 GHz only) and even NFC. Support for the Mifare Classic specification by an NFC chip makes it possible, for example, to launch the application "My travel card" from the "Bank of Moscow", which can not only read, but also remotely replenish the Troika card. By the way, only with the help of it it will be possible to get into the first free toilet at the Prospekt Mira metro station, which will open in the fall.

For positioning and navigation, satellite systems GPS and GLONASS. According to the AndroiTS GPS Test, A-GPS is also available.

Removable capacity lithium ion battery The BL-49SF that the LG G4s was equipped with is 2,300 mAh (3.85 V; 8.9 Wh), while the flagship carries a 3,000 mAh battery.

On the battery tests AnTuTu Tester, the smartphone earned 4,517 points. The test set of videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD-quality at full brightness spun continuously for just over 5 hours.

You can extend the battery life thanks to the power saving mode, which is suggested to be turned on immediately, or when the battery level is 5% or 15%. According to the manufacturer, the savings in this case will be due to the brightness of the backlight and the vibration function. In addition, we recommend that you prevent applications from running in the background and restrict notifications, downloads, and streaming for programs.

Software

The LG G4s smartphone is running the latest version of Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) OS at the time of testing, flavored with LG's proprietary shell, which, as it seems, has gotten almost unchanged from the flagship. About our impressions of this launcher.

Recall that the proprietary shell provides a separate application menu, changing the theme, the main screen with a simplified interface (EasyHome), etc.

Of course, the proprietary KnockOn option is still available, which turns the screen on and off after a double tap on it, as well as the Knock Code security function to unlock the device with a personal combination of tapes on the display. In turn, Glance View makes it possible to see the status bar, time and date on the off screen, if you make a holding swipe from top to bottom. QuickMemo + makes it easy to create notes while telephone conversation... But Qslide helps to additionally place up to two windows with applications from the corresponding list on any screen (video player, browser, mail, file manager, etc.). At the same time, the windows of these programs can be moved around the screen, resized and adjusted transparency.

Purchase, conclusions

LG's "simplified flagship" seems to have succeeded. Having lost the natural leather in the decoration, the body of the smartphone retained the main design highlights. In addition, LG G4s boasts a fairly high-quality screen, functional cameras (which have a number of "chips" from the flagship), as well as the ability to install two SIM-cards with simultaneous memory expansion. Indeed, it has recently become fashionable to divide one installation place between the second subscriber identification module and the memory card. But in the new smartphone, the developers, without being greedy, have provided an "extra" slot. Even the NFC interface was available here, and such that it allows you to use the application "My travel card" for a Troika card.

You can somehow come to terms with a fairly average performance and a lack of internal memory, if not for the high recommended price for LG G4s, which is 19,990 rubles. This is only when compared with the flagship for 40 thousand "wooden", it turns out half as much. But a smartphone we recently tested with a similar filling is offered today for only 13,990 rubles. There are no less worthy examples and more expensive ones. So, last year's flagship (Quad HD screen, camera with autofocus and optical stabilization, removable battery) can be found today for 22,990 rubles, that is, it is enough to add only 3,000 to the amount set aside for LG G4s. Moreover, in this case, brand loyalty can also be maintained. Yes, and the Nexus 5, released two years ago by the same LG and superior in performance to the LG G4s, is sold today for about the same money - this is an option for those who prefer "clean" and constantly updated Android directly from Google and minimalist design popular among the people "usefulness" like dual SIM cards or laser autofocus.

Results of the review of the smartphone LG G4s

Pros:

  • Flagship appearance
  • High-quality screen
  • Functional cameras
  • Support for two SIM cards at the same time with memory expansion
  • NFC availability

Minuses:

  • Quite high price
  • Average productivity
  • Low onboard memory

LG this year presented a very bright flagship smartphone : With a daring leather body, the best mobile camera on the market and a noticeably improved screen. According to the established tradition, the flagship was followed by its “relatives”, which were simpler, but cheaper, but with the same surname. LG G4s is a cheaper and only slightly reduced version of the flagship, which is positioned as its simplified copy. It is aimed at a mass audience that is not ready to buy a top model, but really wants to be close to the yard and will not delve into specifications.

What is it?

A mid-range smartphone with not the most sophisticated characteristics for its price, but in a nice body and with typical LG software capabilities. It runs Android 5.1 out of the box.

Who is it for?

If you are one of those who, when studying a new device, first of all opens the table of characteristics, then this model is not for you. The audience of LG G4s, like most other "junior" flagship satellites, is a mass market. There is a big difference between the characteristics of smartphones of A-brands and B-brands in the mid-price bracket today, and LG, being an ancient A-brand, offers less technical bells and whistles but more aesthetics and brand gloss. It uses 1.5 GB of RAM and an unimpressive battery (2300 mAh capacity), no light sensor, geeks won't be interested in these characteristics at all, because for the same money, give them more powerful hardware, and the brand does not matter. But for a mass audience, in principle, he has a sufficient arsenal of possibilities.

What does he look like?

Externally, LG G4s is both similar and not similar to the flagship at the same time. The similarities are evident in the curved display, the location of the controls and other details on the case. But at the same time completely different materials make the younger model look completely different. It's like ... COS and H&M are both fashionable, and even if you find two things in plus or minus the same style, they will still have different price levels.

LG G4s has a curious design back cover, I can directly see him, iridescent in facets, in the hands of a glamorous graduate or playful student. While the place of LG G4 is on the table of a respectable person or in the purse of a young lady with a high social status. Gloss and leather - they are rarely found in the same wardrobe.

The fact that the screen of the device is slightly curved is seen only by those people who are ready to perceive such information. Others, perhaps, will feel a slight difference in the sensations of scrolling down the pages, but they will hardly immediately understand what is the matter. It's like with monitors - you don't seem to feel the revolution, and it doesn't seem that someone has opened your eyes to the world anew, but it seems to be more convenient to use.

The body of the smartphone is collapsible, the battery is removed, microSIM and microSD cards up to 128 GB are neatly installed inside, without disturbing the battery. Although for sIM work in any case, you need to reboot the device. Both the removable lid and the curvature make the smartphone a bit thicker than other fresh mid-range models this year. But it is normal in the hand.

LG G4s delivery package: charger, USB cable, documents.

How does he work?

The smartphone is equipped with a FullHD display and runs Android 5.1. The amount of RAM is 1.5 GB, and the processor is 64-bit, Snapdragon 615. As I have noticed from the experience of using other smartphones with similar characteristics, all Snapdragon 615 owners do not shine with a particular smoothness of the interface, but they do not slow down either. It turns out such a confident middle between the speed of flagships and the clumsiness of state employees. Uncomplicated solitaire games, simple races and Temple Run 2 on non-top settings will go here. Something more resource-intensive will do. Switching between tasks won't be annoying. In general, I do not feel much of a performance increase in this generation of mid-range smartphones compared to the past. But this is all more likely because FullHD displays are already installed in the middle class devices of this year, which require higher performance. In general, if you are not one of those who chase after a smooth interface and play demanding games on resources, you will not need more performance. The general impression of the smartphone's appearance, its interface capabilities, its performance and camera quality is such that the company has well thought out who its audience is and made a device that will give it exactly as much as it needs. No more, no less. And geeks, who are still a minority in the world, will mumble on LG, go and buy themselves some average Meizu or Xiaomi within their budget.

In addition to RAM, LG has installed a small amount of flash memory in the LG G4s - only 8 GB. It is easily littered with a certain number of games, a couple of downloaded maps and a dozen and a half user-installed applications. Are you planning to actively use, and also take photos and videos and listen to music? Buy a memory card.

It's hard for me to say something new about the smartphone interface. Everything worthy of attention has already been described earlier by Pavel Urusov in his review of the LG G4. This model lacks some features. For example, Smart Notice (counts steps, shows your nearest tasks and some other useful information, relevant here and now). But there are an incredible amount of personalization tools out there. appearance shells (fonts, icons, etc.), a special night mode of illumination, after which you have to climb into the jungle of the menu and a rather pleasant design in general.

How is he with autonomy?

Battery life is the Achilles heel of this model. On a business trip to IFA 2015 in heavy use (maps, calendar, internet, sometimes a camera, very few games), I discharged the device twice a day. In the city it was enough for a day of work. The maximum that my device was capable of was one and a half days without charging.

How is he with the screen?

LG G4s is equipped with a 5.2-inch IPS-display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. Pixel density - 423 ppi. In my opinion, this is not only enough for a mid-range smartphone, but in general for any mobile device... 423 ppi already gives a fairly smooth image, but manufacturers continue to increase the display characteristics, and with it the power of processors and other indicators, the growth of which the user no longer notice. The brightness of the smartphone screen is just enough to remain readable under the sun (although somewhere in the summer on the shore you will still need to hide in the shade to read text or look at photos), but still it will not be as comfortable as on the flagship device.

The screen of LG's simplified flagship in this generation finally has a hint of an oleophobic coating. But he still lacks a light sensor, so the brightness has to be adjusted manually all the time.

The screen is quite responsive.

How is he with the camera?

LG G4s has a main 8-megapixel camera that can write video in FullHD ( [email protected]), like the flagship, is equipped with fast laser autofocus. I can't say that this is an outstanding camera. Microsoft Lumia 640 surpasses it in this price category. But smartphones of B-brands are rather inferior. The camera quickly focuses, perfectly shoots during the day and completely "floats" at dusk. At night or in a weak evening light, you need to thoroughly try, freezing with a smartphone in hand, in order to get a blurry shot. In general, the camera, like the rest of the smartphone's parameters, roughly corresponds to the expectations of a device for that kind of money, without disappointing or surprising (photo in original resolution).

An example of a video taken with the LG G4s camera. However, the shooting is nighttime, you can not understand much about the camera's capabilities from it. But the video itself with the fireworks at the Pyronale in Berlin is simply amazing, I advise you to enjoy it.

What are the alternatives?

The LG G4s is in a rather awkward situation on the counter. On the one hand, it looks good on the A-brand bench: it clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A5 in terms of performance and nobility of the line (the Snapdragon 410 processor is installed and the A line, although it is metal, but not "flagship"), bypasses the weak HTC Desire 526G ... On the other hand, the model is supported by the flagships of the same LG and Samsung. Equally priced, the LG G2 looks much more interesting with the timeless Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM, larger battery and more advanced camera. Yes, this flagship is already two years old, it will become obsolete faster, it does not have a 64-bit processor. But he was one of the best smartphones of his time, and has not yet lost its former gloss. In my opinion, this is the most serious competitor to LG G4s.

Slightly less interesting characteristics, but a little more "expensive" name is also available for another competitor - Samsung Galaxy S4. He, too, will have a better camera, but many condemned the design of the case at one time.

In addition to last year's flagships, such interesting devices as the waterproof Sony Xperia M4 Aqua or ASUS Zenfone 2 fall into the same price category. The first has a simpler display, but as much as 2 GB of RAM. As a result, this device offers noticeably higher performance. But its main advantage over LG G4s in my eyes is that the smartphone battery lasts twice as long on a single charge.

In addition to ex-flagships from A-brands, no less interesting devices from Xiaomi and Lenovo are brewed in the boiler of the same 7,000 hryvnia (22 thousand rubles). The Xiaomi Mi4i cannot boast the same glamorous body design, but it also has 2 GB of RAM and a 13 megapixel camera. However, remember that more megapixels do not guarantee best quality shooting. Lenovo at the same price point has a stylish S90 with a front-facing flash and metal case in the spirit of iPhone 6 or HTC One M8 /.

In the dry residue

LG G4s is a smartphone for those users who care less about design. The model has a large number of strong competitors in its price range. Therefore, in my opinion, it makes sense to choose it in those cases when the potential owner is madly in love with the design, because even out of love for the LG brand, the LG G2 could become a more practical purchase for the same money.

3 reasons to buy LG G4s:

  • interesting design;
  • belonging to the G4 family;
  • 64-bit processor and the freshest version of the OS (outperforms the flagships of the year before last, with which the device is in the same price range).

2 reasons not to buy LG G4s:

  • you need a more technological device for the same money;
  • weak autonomy.
Specifications LG G4s
Operating system Android 5.0
Sim card microSIM, two
Display IPS, 5.2 inches, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 423 ppi
Housing dimensions 143x73x10 mm, weight 137 g
CPU Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615, four Cortex-A53 cores (1.5 GHz) and four Cortex-A53 cores (1 GHz), Adreno 405 graphics
RAM 1.5 GB
Flash memory 8 GB, support for memory cards up to 128 GB
Camera 8 MP, laser autofocus, 1080p video recording, LED backlight; 5 MP front camera, 720p video recording
Wireless technology Wi-Fi a / b / g, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP)
Navigation GPS, GLONASS
Battery 2300 mAh

A few weeks after the launch of a much less powerful and more compact version of the flagship model G4C, the South Korean manufacturer released the G4S smartphone. Its dimensions are slightly larger and LG has added some functionality... The price of the smartphone is also somewhere in the middle - LG asks for 400 euros for it. The design of the phone is borrowed from the top model and features curved surfaces and details. With an octa-core processor and a high-definition IPS display, the G4S clearly wants to make it to the big leagues. And he succeeded.

Hull design

Compared to the previous model, nothing new in the design of the LG G4S has appeared. Without the optional leather case, the tactile feel doesn't come close to the flagship G4, but the build quality is not to be criticized. The aluminum-trimmed back cover can be removed to reveal a removable battery, SIM slot, and microSD card tray. The light diamond pattern looks good, but the surface is not very scratch resistant. The horizontal and vertical curvature of the surface provides a stylish look and allows the phone to fit comfortably in your hand.

The size and weight of the G4S is also the average of those of its congeners. The 9.9mm thickness is closer to the G4, but the model is not very thin due to the curved design. The length (142.7 mm) and width (72.6 mm) are quite compact despite the 5.2-inch display. The weight is also relatively low - 140 g. The smartphone is available in silver, white and gold.

Architecture overview

The LG G4S phone, which features an octa-core processor, is the centerpiece of the G4 lineup. Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 was announced in February 2014 and is one of the manufacturer's first chips with 64-bit support. The CPU is built on the basis of Cortex-A53 cores with a clock speed of up to 1.5 GHz. Performance is also driven by gPU Adreno 405 and 1.5GB RAM LG G4s. The specs of the smartphone clearly suffer from such a meager amount of RAM, insufficient for a high-end model.

This also applies internal memory... It's only 8 GB, but only 3.2 GB is available. As a consequence, the expansion of the ROM is simply necessary. The G4S has a microSD slot for memory cards up to 128GB. Thanks to support for applications such as App2SD, some software can be transferred to the SD card, but unfortunately this does not apply to all programs. Therefore, insufficient internal memory can be a problem.

The USB 2.0 port on the bottom of the smartphone supports OTG and Slim-Port. This means that it is possible to transfer HD content to the HDMI port of an external display using an appropriate adapter cable. The operating system of the LG G4S is Android 5.1.1. The manufacturer has installed its own LG UX 4.0 user interface. The software is no different from the LG G4C phone.

LG G4S: overview, characteristics of communication systems and GPS

In terms of communications, there is no difference with the previous model in terms of wireless modules. Similar to G4C, G4S provides LTE Cat. 4 with transfer rates up to 150 Mbps when receiving and 50 Mbps when transmitting, or 42 and 5.76 Mbps, respectively, via UMTS. Wi-Fi module supports fast AC standard. It is not clear, however, why the G4S can operate in AC networks at 5 GHz, but according to the 802.11 b / g / n standard only at 2.4 GHz. The Wi-Fi range, however, is very good and the connection is stable even at a distance of 10m from the router and across two walls. There is also Bluetooth 4.1, which interferes less with LTE compared to older standards.

The built-in A-GPS module finds enough satellites in a few seconds. According to user reviews, the LG G4S navigation system skips about 4% of the track, which is enough for driving or cycling, but it can indicate a wrong turn on narrow single-lane roads.

Telephony and voice quality

The mobile app is no different from other G4 models. The interface follows LG's style and leaves an impression of freshness and simplicity. It supports convenient functionssuch as contact groups, and one-handed work. The controls are intuitive and shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

The interlocutor's voice is always perfectly audible and sounds natural and clear. On the other side of the communication line, the voice is not always the same, as it is often accompanied by background noise. It also becomes a little unnatural, which is probably a consequence of noise cancellation, which functions quite well. The speakerphone works normally only in a quiet environment. Supplied headset entry levelbut you won't be able to get real pleasure from it.

Cameras

LG G4 has one of best cameras in the smartphone market. The G4C does not match it, but this is partially fixed in the LG G4S H736. The characteristics of the phone are close to the top models thanks to the spectrum sensor, laser autofocus and image stabilization. The G4s is, however, lower than the G4, but the 5MP front and 8MP main cameras are not bad. Both image sensors can record Full HD video.

The quality of the pictures is quite decent: the colors are bright and the sharpness is high. Lower resolution can only be seen when zoomed in. Bright areas are slightly overexposed by the sensor, while in low light conditions the brightness is not enough. Overall, the G4S lags far behind the flagship model.

Accessories and warranty

Your phone comes with in-ear stereo headphones with microphone and controls, power adapter, USB cable, and quick start guide. The quality of the headset, however, is not very good, and it can only serve as a temporary replacement for a more serious speaker system... LG provides a 24 month warranty for the smartphone, but only 6 months for accessories and batteries.

LG G4S smartphone: display specifications

The screen technology of the LG G4S has more in common with the G4C than with the G4. The first uses a "normal" IPS panel instead of the quantum version. The Full HD resolution, again, is average in the range and has a high pixel density of 423 dpi.

The LG G4S tested the lowest in the G4 family. The maximum brightness of 414 cd / m2 is not bad and is quite sufficient for most scenarios, but it is higher for other phones in the line. The screens of the rival OnePlus 2 and Sony Xperia M2 Aqua are also much brighter. The black level of 0.38 cd / m2 is significantly better - only the OnePlus 2 has a lower black level. Latest smartphone has a higher contrast ratio, although the 1082: 1 ratio of the G4S is not criticized. But the brightness uniformity of 88% is mediocre. In particular, it falls in the upper right corner, but human eye the difference is not obvious. Subjectively, the picture quality of the LG G4S is excellent. The high pixel density ensures crisp images, and the low black levels ensure dark content is rich in detail. High contrast, in particular, benefits the photos and videos of the LG G4S LTE.

The screen characteristics allow you to check the colorimeter. Light shades of gray have a slight bias towards blue and the color temperature is too low. Primary colors, however, are very close to their ideal values. The average deviation ΔE of 5.3 is also decent. Areas of medium saturation are problematic, but the G4S's overall color rendition is very good. The model lacks brightness, which becomes noticeable outdoors. The image can be seen in the shade, but it is faded, in part due to screen glare. The viewing angles are large - the contrast only drops slightly when viewed from a flat angle.

Performance

Like other G4 models, LG has once again opted for a Qualcomm processor. Snapdragon 615 MSM8939 performance is average between 808 in G4 and 410 in G4C. Consists of eight Cortex-A53 cores: four operate at up to 1.5 GHz, and the rest up to 1.0 GHz. This should provide high power and long battery life. However, the processor is not much better than a 4-core chipset with a similar clock speed. GPU Adreno 405 successfully complements the CPU and does not experience any problems with applications and games. LG could be more generous in terms of RAM. Just 2 GB instead of the 1.5 installed would have improved the performance of the device.

In tests, the smartphone also takes center stage among the models in the line. The LG G4S is clearly lagging behind its flagship sibling, but superior to the compact G4C. The similarly equipped OnePlus 2 is only marginally ahead, while ZTE and Sony, on paper as powerful, perform worse in tests. This means that the performance of the LG G4S is comfortable.

Games

The Qualcomm Adreno 405 is certainly not a first-class GPU. The expected performance is roughly on par with the older Adreno 320, which was once LG's most powerful GPU.

But the Adreno 405 has no problems with modern 3D games. Modem Combat 5 or Asphalt 8 runs easily at the highest settings. The LG G4S is very enjoyable to play as the position sensor works well, although it lacks sensitivity and the screen glides well.

Speaker

The mono speaker LG G4S, the characteristics of which are also average in the line, is not very well located, which is why it is often covered with a hand. This is unfortunate because the sound is good. It also lacks strength and dynamics, especially in the low-frequency range. The maximum volume, however, is as usual high and without annoying distortion. It is sufficient for gaming or video playback.

power usage

The lithium-ion battery of the LG G4S, whose specifications are worse than those of the G4C, has a capacity of only 2300 mAh. Combined with a more powerful processor, you can expect a decrease in smartphone battery life. Another factor is the high level of power consumption at minimum brightness. All this affects the endurance of the device. Competitors last much longer in all scenarios, as do both models in the G4 line. The result of the Wi-Fi test is especially depressing: with a display brightness of 150 cd / m2, the smartphone lasted only 4.5 hours. Another indicator is slightly better, but also unsatisfactory: the video plays for 7 hours. Obviously, G4S won't be able to last all day. The solution to this problem is to buy a second battery.

Verdict

LG has expanded the G4 lineup with the G4S, which is not a radically downsized version like the G4C, but a powerful high-end device with the same specs. The Snapdragon 615 processor provides sufficient performance and modern games are not a problem for it. However, the meager RAM of only 1.5 GB does not match its top position. The IPS display is generally good, but the extra brightness would be welcome, especially when compared to smartphones lineup G4.

This can also be said for the case, although there is little to criticize here. The top model's leather case is quite attractive and enhances the tactile feel, but can be purchased as an optional accessory. The G4's camera is out of reach, but beautiful photos can be taken with the G4S too. Only lighting should be sufficient. The speaker is not perfect, but the sound is quite good. So is the G4S worth buying?

First of all, you have to come to terms with some of the limitations of the LG G4S. The characteristics and reviews of the owners indicate that the biggest problem of the smartphone is the combination of high power consumption with a low battery capacity. It is good that the battery can be replaced, as you simply cannot do without it. In addition, I would like to have dual band Wi-Fi and a slightly more accurate GPS module.

The release of LG's flagship G4 made a splash. However, not everyone could afford such an expensive device, and the manufacturer found a solution. A "lightweight" version of the G4s has gone on sale. What will please the stripped-down model of the flagship you like so much?

Design

The exterior of the G4s is similar to its predecessor, except for small details. For starters, it has become slightly smaller, and the material of the device has also changed. In a simplified version of the flagship, plastic is used, not leather.

The changes have hardly influenced the style of the apparatus. The design is very unusual and definitely stands out from the crowd of the same type. The arched shape attracts the eye and gives the smartphone elegance.

An interesting solution was the location of the controls. together with the power button are not on the side, but on the back of the device. It will be unusual to work with them at first, but the location is very convenient.

The shape of the body adds to the convenience of using the phone. Although the size of the device is impressive, it feels like a glove in the hand. Adds comfort and light weight, only 139 grams.

The external details turned out to be very catchy due to their unusual location. The front part houses a display, a front camera, sensors, a speaker, and an indicator. The upper part is reserved for the headset jack, and the lower part is for uSB connector... In addition, both ends have a microphone. The back has become a haven for the camera, flash, volume control, power button, speaker, logo, and autofocus.

The LG G4s smartphone has received three colors. Not without the standard white, but added a variety of gray and gold colors. It should be noted that the front is black in all colors.

The back panel of the device is removable. Behind it are two slots for cards. Unfortunately, the user is presented with a choice whether to donate one SIM card in favor of a flash drive or refuse to expand memory. Although given the small amount of device memory, the owner will have to be content with one communication card.

Display

The LG G4s smartphone has an excellent screen. The diagonal has been slightly reduced from 5.5 to 5.2 inches, but this is almost invisible. The large display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 423 ppi. The user, even with a detailed study, will not find flaws. Actually, the Full HD image is already an indicator of quality.

The matrix installed in LG G4s will also please. The color rendering characteristics of the display are not satisfactory. The only downside is the lack of a brightness sensor. The owner will have to manually configure this parameter. Despite such a trifle, the screen does not fade in the sun. The matrix provides excellent for angles, although not otherwise expected.

Camera

In terms of snapshots, the predecessor has far surpassed the LG G4s. The characteristics have changed very noticeably, namely, 16 megapixels have been replaced by only 8 megapixels. Surprisingly, the camera allows you to take good photos, but falls short of the prototype.

The resolution is pretty familiar for 8 megapixels and is only 3264 by 2448 pixels. A lot of features left over from the LG G4 smooth things over. For example, the device has improved color rendering and color spectrum recognition.

The device got a five megapixel front camera. Of course, you shouldn't expect much from the front camera, but it will do for self-portraits. When good lighting you can achieve good image quality.

Hardware part

Without a doubt, the "filling" will delight the owners of LG G4s. The characteristics of the processor are similar to some representatives of Samsung, namely the A7 model. The smartphone received a Snapdragon 615 chip, which provides high performance. In addition, as many as eight cores were installed in the device, four of which have a frequency of 1.8 GHz, and the rest received 1 GHz each.

The RAM, which in the device is 1.5 gigabytes, did not disappoint either. The memory is enough for most of the device's needs. As a video accelerator, Adreno 405 was installed, designed specifically for devices with Full HD.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to the LG G4s. Native memory characteristics are definitely not up to the needs of most users. The phone was equipped with only 8 GB, and in fact only 5 GB is available. Naturally, there is the possibility of expanding up to 32 GB, but there is a problem here. The smartphone has only two slots designed for either SIM cards or a USB flash drive.

System

The phone is controlled by "Android" of the new version 5.1. Actually, the owner doesn't need to worry about updating. In addition, the smartphone has almost all the necessary applications for work. Most of the system's features are hidden behind the proprietary shell, but the manufacturer's interface is also pretty nice.

Autonomy

Manufacturers pay a lot of attention to the design and functionality of devices, but sometimes forget about the duration of the work. So it happened with the LG G4s, which was placed in a battery with a capacity of only 2300 maH.

The autonomy of the device is depressing, because with active use the device will last only 4 hours. This is an incredibly bad figure for the middle class. The only solution to the problem is to replace the battery.

Equipment

The delivery set is standard. The device comes with a USB cable, documentation, adapter. As with most expensive devices, there is no headset. Perhaps, in addition to headphones, the user will need to purchase a case for the LG G4s.

Price

Although the G4s was produced as a cheap analogue of the flagship, the cost was impressive. You can become the owner of the device for 18 thousand rubles. In principle, not a particularly frightening price for the middle class with an excellent "filling".

Negative reviews

For some owners, the unusual placement of controls has become a problem. Instead of the usual side panel, the power and volume buttons are located at the back of the device. It's hard to get used to this change.

After reviewing the review compiled for the LG G4s, you can understand that the phone is incredibly dependent on the outlet. Small battery capacity is not at all suitable for such an advanced device.

An unpleasant moment was the need to choose between a USB flash drive or a second sim card. This is especially strange to observe in a device of the middle category.

Positive reviews

The smartphone has significantly more advantages than disadvantages. You should start with a powerful "filling". The only thing that fails is memory, but otherwise everything is at its best.

It is impossible not to mention the solid screen. Large diagonal and high resolution will allow the user to enjoy the image.

The modern "Android" also stands out. The new version 5.1 significantly expands the selection of games and applications.

Outcome

In general, the budget version of the flagship was fully implemented. There are minor flaws, but they are insignificant. Only the constant need to recharge is upsetting. Definitely, LG G4s looks incredibly attractive among competitors.

Not so long ago, the LG G4 had another sibling, namely the LG G4s. In terms of performance, the smartphone sits right between the G4 flagship and the G4 Stylus shovel. Despite the most modest screen size, the G4s is almost 2 times more powerful than the Stylus and, moreover, by increasing the screen resolution and decreasing the diagonal, the pixel density, and accordingly the screen clarity, turned out to be almost 2 times higher.
Specifications:

  • Body material: glass, plastic;
  • Operating system: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with LG UX v4.0 shell;
  • Network: GSM / HSDPA / LTE, support for two SIM-cards;
  • Processor: Six-core Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A53)
  • RAM: 1.5 GB;
  • Storage memory: 8 GB + microSD;
  • Screen: capacitive, IPS, 5.2 inches, 1080x1920 pixels;
  • Camera: 8 MP main camera with dual LED flash, laser autofocus system and optical stabilization;
    5 MP front;
  • Additionally: Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, GPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.1;
  • Battery: removable, 2300 mAh;
  • Dimensions: 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm;
  • Weight: 139g;

Equipment

LG G4s, like G4, comes in a box with a very modest and laconic design, on which only the name of the device is printed. If in the case of the flagship this can be called a kind of blunder, then for a device in the middle segment this is quite expected. The package bundle turned out to be very modest - a microUSB cable and a power adapter.

Appearance and usability

Externally, LG G4s is a complete copy of the flagship, just slightly reduced in size. The dimensions of the device are as follows - 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm, funny, but apparently the decrease did not affect the thickness of the case, but on the contrary, the smartphone became 0.1 mm thicker. The ratio of the screen size to the total area of \u200b\u200bthe front panel remained almost unchanged - 72.3%.

Like the G4, the G4s has 2 main features from its progenitors, the lock buttons and volume rocker on the back from the LG G Pro 2, and the curvature of the body from the LG G Flex.

The first seems unusual, but it is convenient that the buttons are always located under the index finger, no matter what hand you hold the device. The second allows the device to fit comfortably in the hand. Curving the screen creates an interesting effect of bringing the bottom and top panels closer to your fingers, which I already wrote about.

Removable rear panel made of plastic and available in three colors: Ceramic White, Metallic Gray and Gold. Despite the fact that the color is quite glossy, prints remain on it not so often.

The front panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Above the screen, as expected, there is an earpiece, to the right of it there is a signal LED, a camera and a proximity sensor. There is no light sensor here, so you have to adjust the screen brightness manually. It is worth noting the presence of a separate setting that allows you to reduce the backlight level at night, at a certain time.

An additional microphone and headset jack are on the top of the smartphone, while the USB port and a spoken microphone are on the bottom.

The side faces are not occupied with anything, except for the recess for prying the back cover.
The build quality does not raise any questions.

Screen

LG G4s is equipped with quite a standard IPS-matrix, unlike the G4, the screen, which is made using Quantum Dispay technology. The 5.2-inch screen has a Full HD resolution, namely 1080x1920, the pixel density is 423 ppi.

The maximum brightness level is quite standard for mid-range devices, but slightly below this level. The contrast of the display is quite good and is comparable to the level of the flagship, but the comparison of the color rendition, just the same, makes it clear all the advantages of the Quantum Dispay technology, which, alas, is not here. However, don't forget that we are looking at a mid-range device.

LG's approach to installing light sensors is very surprising, for some reason the company is confident that the function of automatic backlight adjustment should be available only to the flagship boyars.

System

We will omit the description of the system and its functions, since this issue was covered in detail in the LG G4 review:

One has only to make a reservation that multiplayer mode is not available here, the "Double window" function is also not available.

Performance

The LG G4 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset with four main yards clocked at 1.5GHz, and two additional yards for less demanding tasks clocked at 1GHz.

The graphics accelerator Adreno 405, like the chipset, on the whole quite meets modern requirements and allows you to play Modern Combat 5 or Asphalt 8 with maximum settings graphics. Results in synthetic tests are comparable to those of the middle class. The amount of RAM seems to be slightly underestimated, at the end of 2015 - 2 GB, instead of 1.5 GB would be more appropriate.



Test results:
  • Antutu Benchmark 5.7.1: 31669 RL Benchmark SQL 1.3: 14.815 sec
  • Sunsipider Chrome 1.0.2: 1474.8 ms
  • Epic Citadel UHQ 1.07: 29.7 fps
  • Basemark X High 1.1: 4552 Basemark OS II 1.0.1.0: 719
  • GFX 2.7 T-Rex (onscreen): 14 fps
  • GFX 3.0 Manhattan (onscreen): 5.9 fps
  • GeekBench: 628/2374
  • Vellamo: Chrome 1963 / Metal 995 / Multicore - 1323



Camera

LG's flagship on this moment equipped with one of the best cameras. Interestingly, the G4s also received some of the technologies available on the flagship, namely a color spectrum sensor, laser autofocus, optical image stabilization and advanced manual camera settings. The resolution of the main camera is 8 MP, and the front camera is 5 MP.

The quality of the pictures is at a good level: good color rendition and frame sharpness. Light areas appear slightly overexposed, and there is clearly not enough light in dark scenes. Despite these disadvantages, the camera quality is significantly higher than that of other mid-range smartphones.








Frontalka:

Autonomy of work

The LG G4s is not only smaller in size and weight, it sheds battery capacity decently. Instead of a 3000 mAh battery from the flagship model, a 2300 mAh battery is installed here. In our standard test, the smartphone lasted 9 hours 7 minutes in WiFi surfing mode.

The time is quite expected for most smartphones of the middle price segment with batteries of similar capacity. The test results indicate that one charge should be enough for 1 day of intensive use.

Communication and sensors

LG G4s supports LTE networks with a maximum download speed of 150 Mbps and uploads of 50 Mbps, and 42 Mbps / 5.67 in UMTS networks, respectively. Both slots for SIM cards are microSIM.

The Wi-Fi module can operate in the 5 GHz range according to the ac standard, but at 2.4 GHz only in 802.11 b / g / n networks. The signal transmission quality is excellent, the maximum data transfer rate on my home network has reached 26 Mbps. Bluetooth 4.1 transmitter allows you to fully unleash the full potential of LTE, as the new module creates less interference than the previous version.

The smartphone supports two positioning systems, American GPS and Russian GLONASS. In open space, A-GPS finds the required number of satellites in seconds and determines your location. Even indoors, if you are close to a window, the smartphone only needs 30 seconds to exact search position.

Outcome

After several days of use, the LG G4s left only a pleasant impression. The device has a nice design that it inherited from the company's flagship model. In addition to its looks, the G4s has received some camera enhancements that set it apart from its class.

The performance allows you to play any modern games without any difficulties. The only thing really frustrating is the lack of automatic screen backlight adjustment, but for most buyers this is hardly key function when choosing.