Wednesday, May 6, 2015

15 Best HD Apps for iPhone6 and 6 plus

15 HD apps and games to showcase your new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

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[Image courtesy of: Shutterstock/Twin Design]

Apple’s release of its new flagships — in the form of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus — brought with them more than just bigger screens and an improved camera. Geared with the new A8 processing chip, the new line of iPhones feature impressive power and performance never before seen in an iPhone. But the best way to see what the new iPhones can do, are to download apps. While some apps received simple patches to take full advantage of the new operating system, other developers created apps from the ground up specifically for iOS 8.
So while some have made the jump to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus’ bigger screens with ease, others weren’t as fortunate. Over time, most apps will get a general update to accommodate the uptick in screen size, but we know you want quality apps now. After taking some time to dig through Apple’s App Store, we’ve found a slew of iOS 8 optimized applications worthy of space on your new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. From news apps taking full advantage of the increased screen size, to games utilizing Apple’s new Metal processing technology, these are the best iPhone 6 and 6 Plus apps currently available in the App Store.
Note: We will update this list periodically once more apps take advantage of iOS 8 and the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus’ increased screen size.
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CNN

CNN2 
 Not only is the CNN app completely free, but it brings worldwide breaking news and in-depth coverage right to your fingertips. With a cable or satellite provider subscription, users even have to the ability to watch live CNN TV shows and events right on their phone. The increased screen size of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus make the photos and videos look absolutely stunning.
 While it’s not quite Starcraft for the iPhone, Anomoly 2 is a worthwhile iOS game for any real-time strategy fan. Utilizing the screen size and graphical power of the new iPhone 6, Anomoly 2 not only runs smoothly on the new device but looks incredible. It’s guaranteed you’ll have a hard time putting this game down once you start playing.
 Of the numerous racers around Apple’s App Store, Asphalt 8: Airborne received the best update for the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Armed with detailed graphics, a deep roster of raceable cars, and the option to participate in live multi-player races, Asphalt 8 is a rousing good time. The game costs nothing to download, though it does feature a bevy of in-game app purchases to help you take your racing skills to the next level.
 As if Pinterest users needed their favorite application to become any more addictive, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus version makes pinning endlessly fun. The application’s larger graphics and cleaner images will make you instantly forget you’re even on an iPhone to begin with. Safari users even have the ability to pin within the browser by just simply hitting the Share button while using iOS 8.

 No matter if it’s daytime or nighttime, Sky Guide is your ticket to gazing at the stars. The app received a giant update for iOS 8 and now features a widget which stores at-a-glance essentials like sunset and sunrise times, meteor shower locations, or times for any upcoming eclipse. With the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus’ new screen, the app features crystal clear sky views and allows for 50 percent deeper zooms than its previous versions.
 Apple finally introduced the ability to replace the default keyboard with iOS 8, so downloading SwiftKey Keyboard is a no-brainer. Like the updated iOS 8 keyboard, SwiftKey reacts to your writing style and actively learns how you type. It predicts your next words with insane accuracy and even auto-corrects based on your writing style, not a default list of words. For international users, SwiftKey supports other languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Italian.
 Even though EA Sports’ popular soccer sim has legions of loyal fans among the major consoles, its iOS iteration is still a blast to play. Not only does the iOS version feature hundreds of playable teams and more than 30 leagues, but EA has also included the insanely addicting Ultimate Team card game. Any soccer fan with a new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus will want to take advantage of the bigger screens and start working on hitting those virtual upper Vs.
 Deus Ex: The Fall takes everything good about the console version — Deus Ex: Human Revolution — and crams it in to a fantastic iOS game. All the action-RPG elements and deep storylines–as well as the option to play stealthily or with guns blazing–are satisfyingly present in The Fall. When played on an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, the graphics are stunning and the various locales pop with vibrant colors and stunning environments.
 
 Angry Birds developer Rovio returns with its newest addicting iOS game, Plunder Pirates. The game tasks players with building their own 3D pirate island and allows them to explore uncharted waters looking for obtainable booty or other pirates to battle. Plunder Pirates even allows you to join Pirate Guilds with your friends and features leaderboards showing how you stack up against other Pirate Guilds from all over the globe.
 Storehouse gives everyone the opportunity to display their visual storytelling prowess with this incredibly fun app. Combine photos, videos, and customized text to create beautiful looking stories. Once you complete a story, Storehouse allows you to upload them to any blogs you have, or share them across the gamut of social media sites.

PCalc

PCalc 
 When the stock calculator on your iPhone just doesn’t cut it, look no further than the app PCalc. PCalc’s developers updated the app to fully support iOS 8 and it takes full advantage of the increased screen sizes of the 6 and 6 Plus. With engineering and scientific notations, an impressive selection of unit conversions, and a multi-line display, PCalc is a must-have for anybody looking to crunch some numbers.
 Telltale Games burst on the scene with 2012’s incredibly popular game The Walking Dead — based on the graphic novel and hit TV show of the same name. It returns with another episodic take on a comic book with The Wolf Among Us. Set across five separate episodes, The Wolf Among Us takes you through an unforgettable adventure in which each choice you make has enormous and lasting consequences.

 Fans of turn-based strategy games should look no further than XCOM: Enemy Unknown for their next gaming addiction. The game tasks you with strategically building an elite group of soldiers to help rid planet Earth of an invading alien species. Level-up your squad, discover new weapons, and perfect your battle tactics in this wildly popular re-imagining of a mid-’90s gem.
 The developers of Day One make keeping a daily journal easy with this intuitive and fun application. No matter the post you create, Day One allows you to upload photos, easily insert the date and time, and even add music to give each entry it’s own unique feel. It even lets you share your random musings with the world by allowing you to post your entries on Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare.
 Who wouldn’t want to turn their everyday routine into a comic book? The makers of Halftone 2 recognized this desire and developed one of the most fun experiences you’ll have with your iPhone. This app lets you give any photo in your Camera Roll the comic book treatment and enhances even the most mundane of pictures. Halftone 2 looks especially crisp and clear after updating for iOS 8.

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How to create slo-mo video on your iPhone 6 Read more:

How to create slo-mo video on your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

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Slo Mo Tutorial copy

Slow motion makes literally everything better, plain and simple. From capturing a massive bellyflop, to just watching beer pour into a pint glass, slow motion adds a layer of drama to even the most mundane of activities. Smartphone users have had the luxury of using this technology for some time, and Apple’s latest release of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus brings with it an updated version of the feature.
Related: How to best shoot panorama photos on your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
When Apple first featured the technology in its line of iPhone 5 (5, 5S, and 5C), users had the ability to choose when to shoot slow motion, but weren’t able to edit the sequence. Now, in Apple’s latest flagship offering, users have the ability to capture and edit any slow motion sequence with ease. Furthermore, the phone shoots at an impressive 240fps and allows for smooth playback at a 1/4 of the speed without sacrificing video quality. To help you start making your own Inception-style scenes, we’ve put together this simple guide on capturing slow motion in Apple’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. (The procedure here also works with older iPhones with slo-mo.)
Step 1. Opening Slo-Mo mode and recording
To access the Slo-Mo mode of your Camera, simply open the camera application on your iPhone 6’s home screen, then swipe twice to the right. You should now see a red record button at the bottom of your phone, and you’ll notice a slightly more zoomed in image than if you were taking a regular picture or video.
With Slo-Mo mode activated, press the record button and the video begins recording at the normal speed of a regular video. Once you finish capturing your desired video, just hit the record button again and the recording stops. The finished video saves to your Camera Roll just like any other video or photo, and shows up as a thumbnail in the bottom left corner of the Camera once it’s complete.
Step 2. Editing the video
Once the video logs to your Camera Roll, simply tap the thumbnail in the bottom left corner of the screen to open the editing screen. When the editing screen opens you’ll notice a preview window of your original video and a series of vertical lines above it. The area where the vertical lines have the largest gaps between them is the portion of the sequence currently in slow motion. You have the ability to adjust the length and location of the slow motion portion by just swiping with your fingers. The preview window gives you the option of seeing the finished product before completing the edit. If you like what you see, simply click Done in the upper right corner of the screen and your new video saves to your Camera Roll. Like any photo or video, you have the option of either sharing it across a wide-range of social media sites, emailing it to friends and family, or sending it out via iMessage.
If you simply transfer the video over to a Mac or PC, it will play as a regular video. If you want to export the video in slow motion, use Apple’s free iMovie app to first open the movie, edit it, and then save it as a new video. The new file will retain the slow motion, and can be viewed on your computer as such.
 

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LG G4 vs Iphone6 Plus : In-Depth Comparison

Big-screen battle: The LG G4 takes on the iPhone 6 Plus

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The LG G4 is here, and it’s a little later to hit the streets than its prime Android competitors such as the HTC One M9 and the Samsung Galaxy S6. However, it’s coming up to six months behind the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, with which it shares its 5.5-inch screen size. We like the iPhone 6 Plus, and have had the chance to spend some time with the LG G4, so how do the two stack up against each other in a series of early tests? Let’s find out.

It’s all in the palm of your hand

Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus is a big phone, and although the G3 looks quite compact in the pictures, it’s actually very close in size and weight. However, there is a considerable difference in the way the two phones feel in your hands. The G4 isn’t curved like the G Flex 2, but it does have a very slight bend to it. It’s barely noticeable, but it’s enough to shape the phone to your palm. The G3 was a comfy phone to hold, but the G4 takes it a step further with its slight curve. It’s not that the iPhone 6 Plus is like holding something covered in spikes, and the rounded edges are a delight, but the G4 has a great shape, which makes it sit just right in your hand.
Related: How does the LG G4 compare to the Samsung Galaxy S6?
The iPhone 6 Plus has a oh-so-expensive aluminum body, that begs to be handled and caressed. With the G4, LG gives us a choice of finishes, ranging from the nondescript metallic rear cases — which are less tactile than the G3 — to the pleasantly chilly white ceramic, and a range of real leather rear panels. Combine the leather with the G4’s minimal curve, and it’s grippy where the iPhone 6 Plus is slippery.
LG G4 iphone side comparison LG has closely followed the G3’s design for the G4. It’s attractive, particularly the razor thin bezels around the screen, and the leather makes sure it looks suitably different. However, the iPhone 6 Plus is a space-age slab of cutting edge design and obsessive attention to detail. The G4 comes apart — it has a removable battery and a MicroSD card slot — which means there are seams and cutouts, where the iPhone 6 Plus is sealed. From a design perspective, that makes the 6 Plus more pleasing, even if there are compromises to the spec.
– Winner: iPhone 6 Plus

LG goes all out with the G4’s camera

LG heavily promoted the G4’s camera at the launch event, and with good reason. It’s technically very impressive, and for once, the extra features seem to make a difference. It’s ideal for those of us who aren’t camera obsessives and just want to take better pictures. You don’t really have to understand about f-stops or manual operation to take great pictures with the G4, but if you are a camera buff, the manual mode is a joy.
Related: Here are our first impressions of the gorgeous LG G4
Even for a novice, it’s very easy to use, and provides tweaks one can only dream of (outside of an app) on the iPhone 6 Plus. What’s more, the shots taken with the manual mode activated looked great, and it was fun and satisfying to mess around with the ISO, focus, aperture, white balance, and other settings. The laser autofocus makes a return on the G4, and is as lightning fast as ever, plus the OIS has been given a Z-axis reading, making for clearer shots.
The iPhone 6 Plus takes excellent low-light images, surpassing the G3 in many cases, so the G4’s f/1.8 aperture could see the two perform similarly in that area. In some tests where we put the G4 against the 6 Plus, the G4 outperformed Apple’s already excellent camera. However, the tests were designed to make the G4 look its best, so real world results may vary. The G4’s 16-megapixel camera beats the iPhone 6 Plus’s 8-megapixel camera on paper, but that’s rarely mattered in the past, with Apple’s camera consistently beating the competition. Only an extended test will reveal how it does this time.
– Winner: Tie — for now

Software will split opinion, but there’s a clear winner on display

LG has installed Android Lollipop on the G4 with a new version of its own user interface. It didn’t seem to be all that different to the G Flex 2 — perhaps a little smoother — and it’ll come down to personal preference (or app store allegiance) whether Android trumps iOS for you. One thing that was noticeable on the G4 was the lack of bloatware. LG has made an effort to cut down on superfluous apps, even getting rid of its own browser and simply using Chrome, albeit with a few LG tweaks. Google’s services are more deeply embedded inside the G4 than any LG phone before it, and new owners even get 100GB of Google Drive space free for two years.
LG G4 iphone comparison
iPhone 6 Plus and LG G4
Malarie Gokey/Digital Trends
The OS is viewed on a 5.5-inch display, regardless of if it’s the G4 or iPhone 6 Plus. The resolution differs though, and while Apple’s 1080p screen is very bright, shows rich colors, and has pleasing depth to its blacks, the G4’s Quad HD screen just edges it out. It’s all thanks to LG’s Quantum Display technology, which it says gets close to the standards laid down in the Digital Cinema Initiative used by Hollywood movie studios. It shows more colors, more brightly, and with a higher contrast than before — and doesn’t suck more battery power when doing so. The results are startling, and the difference was clearly noticeable next to the iPhone.
– Winner: LG G4

The battle isn’t over yet

There are many aspects of the G4 we can’t compare to the iPhone 6 Plus yet, from battery life and the way it runs our favorite apps, to the performance of the new Snapdragon 808 processor against Apple’s proven A8. On paper, the G4 wins. The two batteries are of almost equal size — 3,000mAh inside the G4 and 2,915mAh in the iPhone 6 Plus — but the G4’s cell is removable. It’s interesting to see LG opt for the hexa-core Snapdragon 808 over the octa-core Snapdragon 810 it used for the G Flex 2, suggesting its battle with heat dispersion wasn’t quite the non-issue it made out. The iPhone 6 Plus works its powerful dual-core A8 hard, but the 1GB of RAM is dwarfed by the G4’s 3GB. However, on paper spec wins of this kind rarely translate into quite the same real world advantages, and we’ll find out the truth after fully reviewing the phone.
At this stage, if you’re an ardent iPhone 6 Plus user, the G4 probably won’t convince you to drop Apple’s flagship, but if you’re weighing up between the two, or are considering a change, then the LG G4’s already impressive camera and truly beautiful Quad HD screen make it a compelling alternative.

Spec comparison
iPhone 6 Plus
iphone-6-plus-specs
LG G4
lg-g4-specs
Size 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 (mm) 148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 (mm)
Weight 172g 155g
Screen 5.5-inch 5.5-inch IPS LCD
Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels 1,440 x 2,560 pixels
OS iOS 8 Android 5.1 Lollipop with LG UX 4.0
Storage 16, 64, 128GB 32GB (expandable up to 2 terabytes)
SD Card Slot No Yes
Processor Apple 64-bit, A8 Hexa-core 2×1.8GHz + 4×1.44GHz 64-bit 20nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
RAM 2GB (speculation) 3GB LPDDR4
Connectivity 4G LTE, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+, NFC
Camera 8MP rear, 2.1MP front Front 8MP, Rear 16MP
Bluetooth 4.0 Yes, version 4.1 LE
Sensors
Accelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscop
Fingerprint sensor Touch ID Yes
Battery 24 hours of talk time 3,000mAh (removable)
Charger Lightning USB 2.0, Qi wireless charging with compatible case
Colors  Space Gray, Gold, Silver Grey, White, Gold, Blue, Red, Black, Brown
Marketplace Apple App Store Google Play Store
Ave. Price $750, $300 with 2-year contract TBA
Availability September 19 on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile Late May/early June on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular
DT Review 4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 out of 5 stars

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ZTE Smart Voice:

ZTE Smart Voice: Star 2 gets wider release, voice control software update coming soon

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ZTE Star 2 hands on 1

ZTE’s Smart Voice voice control features on the Star 2 smartphone really impressed us when we tried out the phone earlier this year, but we were frustrated the feature wasn’t available on a phone we could actually buy. The good news is this will all change, because ZTE has announced it will add the feature to all its devices in the future.
Updated on 05-06-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in comments from ZTE regarding the Star 2’s launch outside China, and the availability of Smart Voice on other devices.
Adam Zeng, ZTE’s CTO of mobile devices, called voice control a “core focus” for the company, and said it will continue to develop the technology on the Star series of phones, but “will no longer limit it” to this series alone. When we tried Smart Voice on the Star 2, it was only confirmed for release in China,  although the system responded perfectly to English — using both British and American accents.
Related: ZTE’s voice control system makes Siri look silly
After contacting ZTE about the new Smart Voice developments, we’ve been told the Star 2 is currently being prepared for launch outside China, with plans being finalized for Southeast Asia and Europe. The Star 2 is the only current ZTE phone set up for Smart Voice, which uses a combination of hardware — such as the Audience eS704 voice processor — and software to operate. ZTE’s future smartphones will all feature either the full Smart Voice experience, or a slimmed down version with only the key commands.

Software update will add basic Smart Voice features to older ZTE phones

ZTE hasn’t forgotten about its existing devices. While Smart Voice requires certain hardware components, the company is working on a software-only update which will add some of Smart Voice’s features to certain older phones. Additionally, it intends to use Smart Voice in wearables, smart home hardware, and in cars.
What makes ZTE’s voice control system so great? First, it actually works, and works consistently. It was its continued ability to instantly respond, accurately, to our requests that made it standout. The system doesn’t need a data connection to work, and can be used to perform various functions on the phone, from opening apps to taking photos. It’s even possible to swap between the front and rear camera using a voice command.
The voice control system isn’t the only new ZTE feature we’ve been impressed with recently. We tried out the retina security system on ZTE’s Grand S3 phone at Mobile World Congress, and found it to be an accurate, speedy way of unlocking a smartphone.
There’s no release date for the Star 2 yet, but at least we know it’s coming. Similarly, the software update doesn’t have a release schedule yet. We’ll keep you updated here.

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LG G4 review the New King of all Android phones.

LG G4 review

LG's leather-wrapped G4 is no dominatrix, but it does dominate

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Highs

  • Bright screen with gorgeous contrast
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Shooting in RAW and Manual mode
  • Removable battery and MicroSD card slot
  • Leather battery cover rocks

Rating

Our Score 9
User Score 0

Lows

  • Still made of plastic
  • UX features are a mixed bag
  • Battery life is average
  • Speaker quality is weak

The LG G4 is the best smartphone of 2015, and it’s camera is so good that it often outperforms the iPhone 6 Plus.
“Life’s Good” is LG’s tagline, but life has been tough for the company’s mobile division. Its archrival Samsung has captured a big chunk of the phone market. For several years, LG has tried chipping away at Samsung’s mighty share of the phone market.
The Nexus 5 and G3 proved that LG could play with the big boys, and the G4 expands on that notion, improving features that optimize the user experience in tangible ways. With an impressive camera and more user-friendly software, the G4 makes a strong case for being the dark horse smartphone that could make waves and surprise many in 2015.

Curvy, not flexy

LG likes curves. Every phone it launches seems to stick to that design philosophy, and the G4 essentially maintains its predecessor’s overall look. The contoured back is the same angle, and while slightly taller and wider, the G4 doesn’t deviate from the angular top and bottom. The corners are less rounded and the edges slope outward just enough to give it a slightly inverted look upon closer inspection.
Unlike Samsung, LG hasn’t abandoned plastic, nor a removable back. The back is made of a metal and plastic compound mixture, except it’s clear this cocktail is skewed toward the latter. A patterned design is etched into the metallic and ceramic backs to add some flair. Since gold is in vogue these days, LG got into the act and dipped into that as well, along with white and dark gray versions.
The removable back does serve more than a functional purpose for what lies underneath (battery, SIM and MicroSD), since it’s also used as a way to personalize and augment the phone’s appearance. The full grain leather battery covers are a stylish turn for LG — in a good way. At its launch event in New York, LG noted that it used the same vegetable tanning process for its leather that luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Coach are known to use. Using full grain, rather than genuine leather, also makes the G4 is more durable, so fading and age give it character. Brown, black, beige, and sky blue versions are already confirmed, along with the yellow and crimson red versions shown in New York.
Related: LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6
Having all these back cover options means they can be swapped, so it would be no problem to buy a white G4 and tack on a blue leather battery cover later. My review unit didn’t include one, but after some hands-on time with a few of them in New York, I was impressed. The leather is smooth and silky soft. Every detail of the leather backing, right down to the stitching, is well executed. I would likely switch to the black one when given the chance, personally.
On the front is a 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display with the same resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and pixel density of 538ppi as last year. LG gave the front a slight curve it calls Slim Arc, which is noticeable when looking at the G4 directly from its side. The slight curve makes the phone more comfortable to hold in your hand. The screen is also brighter, both by default and at full brightness, a necessary design tweak to rectify the duller output of the G3. LG says it also has 20 percent greater color reproduction and 50 percent better contrast. In our comparisons to the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6 Plus, LG’s screen definitely held its own or outperformed the competition.

Under the hood

Playing it safe, LG opted not to go with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 processor, which has been dogged by concerns over excessive heating. Instead, it’s the Snapdragon 808 chip that’s inside — which is still a powerful hexa-core processor, though LG hasn’t really explained why it made the change other than to say the chipset is “optimized” for the G4’s features.
There’s no doubt the G4 is the best handset LG has made to date.
There is 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage to help the cause, along with a 16-megapixel rear camera with improved optical image stabilization (OIS) and a color spectrum sensor – more on that later. Interestingly, LG chose to go with a Micro SIM card slot, rather than use the Nano SIM the iPhone and other Android phone manufacturers are starting to embrace. There is also a MicroSD slot (not present on competing phones) that is technically capable of supporting up to 2TB cards.
I don’t know if the Snapdragon 810 processor would’ve made a notable difference in the G4’s performance, but I had little to complain about with the 808. The phone is brisk, speedy, and dependable. I had no problem doing anything I would normally do on a smartphone. Streaming video was fine, downloading and uploading content was fine, and switching between multiple apps was fine. The phone did get a little hot, but never to a point where I had to question why.
LG G4 Phone
Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S6, which uses an octa-core processor, I didn’t notice a drop in overall performance. Both were equally fluid in the same respects, so LG may, in fact, be on the right track in suggesting users wouldn’t notice anything unusual. It’s also easier to compare the two because neither relies on gimmicky features, like they did in the past. Hardline smartphone users may notice intricacies and quirks that might set the G4 back, but I suspect the average person will carry on without missing a beat.
If I did have something to point a finger at, it would be the speaker, found on the rear. It’s easily among the weakest links of the phone’s design, and while the G4’s curved back helps the sound escape when laid flat, fidelity is not in the same league as the HTC One M9.

Software

LG has taken a restrained approach to its software this year, like Samsung. Running on Google’s Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system out of the box, LG’s UX 4.0 user interface features are blended in so everything remains simple. The idea was to include features that make life with the phone easier. Some of LG’s better ideas include faster scrolling through the Gallery app and Event Pocket, an app that can unify calendars from various apps into one place. Those who live and die by their calendars may find this a convenient way to aggregate Facebook event invites with details that can be dragged and dropped from other messaging apps.
Smart Notice is supposed to be more personalized and contextual, offering more than simple weather and traffic updates. By learning my habits, it would ostensibly know that I don’t have to commute to work (I work from home), and prioritize weather and phone usage alerts instead. Perhaps it needed more time to get to know me, because I found it to be too predictable every day, regardless of where I was or what I was doing.
The Quick Help widget is found as a question mark next to Smart Notice. It’s designed to be a mini search engine for the G4 itself, but for whatever reason, none of the queries I tried yielded results. Simple things like “calendar” and “color spectrum” drew blanks.
The true value in LG’s software experience is the bare minimum of alterations it offers. Icons and menus clearly received the Lollipop treatment with flatter designs and vibrant colors. The Settings menus are clear, concise, and easy to navigate. There’s a level of simplicity here that’s easy to appreciate, even if it’s not always patently obvious. I liked the general look and feel of the software more than any features LG added because its apps and features didn’t impact on my daily usage like they were intended to, and tended to only work with other LG apps. Not everyone wants to use LG Health or LG’s Music app. Some of us use Moves and Spotify. In any case, if you ignore some of LG’s apps, much like you’ve ignored some of Samsung or Apple’s apps, you’ll be better off.

This might be the best smartphone camera

The G4’s camera is unquestionably its crowning feature — And it should be, considering that it sports a 16-megapixel sensor, an f/1.8 aperture lens with OIS 2.0 built-in, and a color spectrum sensor. The latter feature is unique to smartphones, and its purpose is to measure the ambient lighting conditions from both the source of the light and where objects are reflected in the scene. This is on top of the sensor’s ability to capture more realistic color tones.
The G4 has one of the best smartphone cameras on the planet.
These features, coupled with the excellent controls in Manual mode, give the G4 one of the best smartphone cameras on the planet. Focusing is very quick, particularly when conditions are bright enough for the lens and sensor to lock on. The Depth of field capturing is impressive, despite the lack of any real optical zoom. And yes, color composition is superb, producing not only vibrant images, but consistently good ones that maintain their tonality after being transferred or shared.
Low-light shooting is perhaps the best available on any smartphone at this point and time, but there is a catch. LG keeps things basic with three distinct shooting modes: Simple, Auto, and Manual. The first two are very similar, except that Auto shows the heads-up display options. White balance, ISO, and shutter are automatically chosen, like any other smartphone camera does. LG claims that users can still expect better results because the color spectrum sensor is still doing its thing. This is generally true, but to fully appreciate what the camera and sensor are capable of, it’s best to learn the Manual mode.
Here, I could toggle the white balance, ISO, shutter, metering, and choose between auto-exposure lock (AE-L) or manual focus (MF). Adjusting any of the settings shows what the photo would look like in real time. Users who might be intimidated by going manual may find that one factor to be the most inviting. Even someone with years of photography experience like myself very much appreciated seeing that.
The photos the G4 captured were impressive across the board. Being able to shoot in RAW was even better, given how much extra detail the sensor was able to take in.
Video capture in 4K or 1080p is fine. You can’t really tinker with image settings before shooting a clip though. I tried to set up a low-light video clip by toggling the different metrics, but once I tap record, everything went automatic, so it was all for naught.

Battery life

Samsung got some flak for not going with a removable battery, whereas LG may earn praise for sticking with it. That’s subjective, of course, since replacing a battery isn’t something every user feels the need to do. The 3,000mAh battery inside performs well enough, but I wouldn’t consider it to exceptionally good. Basic usage saps little, but once more intensive tasks come into play, the juice starts dripping noticeably.
LG G4 Phone
Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends
Not to say that the G4 guzzles battery life because it’s not that bad, it’s only that intensive tasks seem to take more out of the processor than LG lets on. For example, streaming video remotely via Plex chomped on my battery life by a noticeable margin. Even when I initially set up the phone, I lost 20 percent in less than two hours because of everything that had to be downloaded and installed. Overall performance is fine, but for very intense processes, the G4 fares no better than its competitors.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt the G4 is the best handset LG has made to date, not just because of the components, but also because of the thoughtfulness that went into it. Little things, like a brighter screen with better contrast, prettier interface, and useful software tweaks, stood out because I interacted with them every day. For me, the curved back and edges made it easier to pick up the phone off the table, as well, and hold it. The Knock On double tap to wake from sleep has always been a useful feature. Double pressing the volume down button to instantly launch the camera was great for snapping selfies.
I can forgive the plastic design because real leather is an alternative. If not for that, I would dock LG for taking the easy way out. Using real leather in a way that doesn’t cut corners sends the right message, much like the other moves made with the G4. Whether or not consumers will take it to heart and splurge for the G4 is going to be interesting to watch, but we haven’t been this impressed with a smartphone, and it’s camera, for some time.

Highs

  • Bright screen with gorgeous contrast
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Shooting in RAW and Manual mode
  • Removable battery and MicroSD card slot
  • Leather battery cover rocks

Lows

  • Still made of plastic
  • UX features are a mixed bag
  • Battery life is average
  • Speaker quality is weak
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