LG G2: outside and inside the new Korean flagship

Until recently, the main parameter in the race for flagship Android devices was only hardware power. The changes concerned only the processor clock speed and the presence of more RAM than competitors and, of course, more cores. But the presentation of the Galaxy S IV made its own adjustments; now the main emphasis was placed on the emergence of some software innovations. We all remember that strange presentation in New York with a small theatrical show. Since then, the race has included software innovation and improvements in user experience.

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Unveiled in September, the South Korean company's new flagship, the LG G2, continues the arms race and is more powerful than the SGS IV and HTC One. The main innovative feature was the non-standard placement of control buttons. In the usual layout, the lock and volume buttons are located on the side edges of the smartphone, but here they are located on the back, right under the camera. The camera has a cooler image stabilization mechanism, which allows you to take clearer pictures in low-light conditions.

Specifications:

• Case materials: plastic and glass
• Operating system: Android 4.2.2
• Network: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, LTE
• Processor: quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800, 2.26 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Data storage memory: 16/32 GB
• Screen: capacitive, True HD-IPS, 5.2”, 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Camera: 13 MP main with flash and autofocus, 2.1 MP front
• Additionally: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, IR port
• Battery: 3000 mAh
• Dimensions: 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm
• Weight: 143 g
• Device price: 18,000 rub. / 4800 UAH.

Equipment

The smartphone comes in a box with a very discreet design, which does not outwardly show that a rather expensive flagship device is hidden inside. The equipment is quite standard and modest:

• Charger
• USB cable
• Headset
• Instructions
• Clip

The headset here is an in-ear type, with remote control buttons, volume and answering an outgoing call. QuadBeat v2 has a convenient flat cable and two additional pairs of earbuds.

Dimensions. Contents of delivery

The first thing you notice when you pick up the LG G2 is its small thickness. Taking into account the large 5.2-inch screen, it is worth noting that the designers and designers have coped with the task. The device does not look overly bulky. Although you can’t call it compact.

The dimensions of the device are 70.9 × 138.5 mm, and the thickness is 9.1 mm. Weight – 143 grams. The dimensions make it easy to carry the device in the pockets of tight clothing, in the pocket of a shirt, jacket or bag. True, phone pockets should be spacious and large. It won't fit in small ones!

The scope of delivery includes:

• Phone LG G2 (D802)
• USB charger adapter
• Cable for synchronization with computer
• Master key for SIM card
• Instructions

No headphones included.

Appearance and ease of use

In terms of dimensions, the G2 is a couple of millimeters longer and wider than the Galaxy S IV, but thanks to the thinner frame, the screen is 0.2 inches larger. The smartphone is 13 grams heavier than the 130 gram flagship from Samsung, but this is fully justified by the installation of a more capacious battery.

Externally, the LG G2 is very similar to its predecessor, the G Pro, but with some improvements. The device has incredibly thin screen edges and this gives it a certain charm. In fact, this is a smartphone with the best ratio of screen area to the total area of ​​​​the front panel; the display occupies almost the entire surface.

LG claims that the smartphone has a maximum screen diagonal while maintaining ease of use with one hand. In fact, it cannot be said that a smartphone is completely convenient to use, but it is possible. The function of unblocking with a double tap comes in very handy.

The front of the smartphone is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which is very scratch-resistant. The back cover of the G2 is not removable and is made of glossy plastic with a texture of diagonal stripes and small dots. Looks great, but collects fingerprints very quickly. So if you want your smartphone to look consistently cool, you'll have to wipe it down before putting it on the table in an expensive restaurant.

Despite the fact that the display occupies almost the entire space of the front panel, the engineers managed to place a proximity sensor with a front camera, and even a special LED that lights up in different colors when receiving notifications or other events.

On the left side of the device there is a slot for a microSIM card, which can only be opened using a paperclip that comes in the kit. On the top edge you can see two small dots, one of them is an IR port for controlling household appliances, and the second is an additional microphone.

The bottom edge of the device is equipped with two speakers, a 3.5 mm headset jack, a main microphone and a microUSB port.

The back is, of course, the most interesting. Here is the main 13 MP camera with an optical stabilizer and LED flash, and right next to it is the main innovation - the lock and volume control button. By the way, the lock button has a white LED backlight and flashes when new messages or calls arrive. This allows you not to miss a call, even if the sound and vibration are turned off, and the smartphone is lying face down.

LG has made a lot of noise around this very button placement. In their opinion, the location of the lock button will be more convenient precisely at the back of the device, where the index finger lies, with a standard hand grip. In addition, according to the company, this solution will reduce the number of accidental drops of the smartphone from the hands, which allegedly occur when using the buttons on the side panel.

We want to make LG happy, in fact, everything turned out that way. The button is really conveniently located and when unlocking the smartphone does not try to jump out of your hands. You get used to this control very quickly and understand all the advantages. This is a great example of how a simple concept breaks the mold and becomes a really good usability improvement.

LG G2 design and build quality

With a simple but far-reaching decision to move the hardware buttons to the back of the device, LG has created quite a buzz. Long before its New York premiere last month, G2 dominated headlines and comment columns, with skeptics and supporters of the solution fairly evenly balanced.

Now that I'm here in the office, I can only congratulate LG on this decision: the operation works better than expected and takes surprisingly little getting used to.

Even ignoring this design decision, LG has left the G2's design rather bare. Despite the large 5.2-inch display, the body is very compact, for example the Xperia Z is almost the same size despite the smaller display, and the Xperia Z1 (with the same display as the Xperia Z: 5 inches) is even longer and wider. This is due to the extremely narrow bezel around the display: the G2 probably has the best display-to-total area ratio I've ever seen on an Android smartphone - it's 75.9% display on the front, but more like 90%.

With tiny bezels, the front of the G2 is almost entirely screen-based.

The front of the G2 sits somewhere between the S4 and the Galaxy Nexus 4, with the screen raised slightly so sharp edges are avoided around the edges, but this exposes the Gorilla Glass 3 panel to more scratch potential. The plastic back has a fine texture, the hardware buttons are centrally located below the camera, the power button is slightly raised and consists of an LED ring that flashes when there are calls or beeps.

An indicator on the front to the right of the front camera also keeps you informed about missed calls and other events.

The G2's production is impeccable: searching for loose parts or gaps in the assembly is futile. The rounded back makes it feel very good in the hand, the weight and size are just right for my tastes and give it a high quality feel without affecting it in any way in terms of coarseness.

Screen

LG G2 is equipped with a beautiful 5.2-inch True IPS display and Full HD resolution (1080 x 1920 pixels). At the presentation of the device, a lot was said about the fact that IPS screens from LG have an order of magnitude better color reproduction than the same AMOLED from Samsung. According to tests conducted by GSMArena, the SGS IV screen in comparison with the LG G2 still has greater brightness and contrast, but the colors are slightly oversaturated (this is a plus or minus, only the user can decide).

The color rendition and clarity of the display is truly pleasing to the eye. As for me, AMOLED from Samsung have too sharp color shades and the picture seems completely doll-like, but IPS from LG has vibrant colors and more or less close to reality.

The minimum and maximum display brightness levels are optimally selected. In direct sunlight, the screen remains readable, and when reading from it at night, the backlight does not burn your eyes. There is a slight drop in contrast at maximum viewing angles, but this does not detract from the excellent image quality.

The only negative that can be noted is the automatic brightness adjustment system. The light sensor is too sensitive to any change in lighting and in the same position can tirelessly change the brightness, sometimes this becomes annoying.

Enthusiast's Corner

A little more than a month has passed since the global announcement on August 7, but we can already say that the G2 will be a friendly smartphone for enthusiasts. For example, you can get root rights without any special perversions. To do this you need to: download and install proprietary LG drivers called LG United Mobile Driver version 3.8.1 and higher, activate developer mode in your smartphone (settings - about phone - software information - click on the build number 10 times), activate USB debugging (settings - developer options - USB debugging), download the script to get root (easily found by searching for “ioroot6.zip G2 xda”), run root.bat and then do whatever the script asks. Superuser will be installed, root rights will work even without a reboot.

Once again, I would like to warn inexperienced users: by getting root, you will lose the warranty. Root rights allow you to change the device's firmware files from the device itself. With this you can either improve its performance and convenience, or kill your smartphone into the state of a hopeless glossy brick for 25 thousand rubles. If you don't know why you need root, don't activate it. Everyone else can happily go into Titanium Backup and “cut out” all the annoying pre-installed applications from the firmware, adapting the device to suit themselves.

But there are no custom firmwares yet. There is only recovery TWRP 2.6.3.1, which is already nice, but opponents of the Optimus UI design cannot yet get rid of it entirely. The entire set of non-standard firmware is only edited versions of foreign “operator” LG G2 like Verizon with removed apk for fashionable ringtones, etc.

Nothing is known about processor overclocking. Most likely, MSM8974 does not support it in principle, since it is a “stuffed” Snapdragon 600 with factory overclocking and a modified GPU.

In general, it is worth mentioning the fact that Qualcomm really does not like users of third-party firmware and maliciously prevents developers of free firmware from distributing drivers. Because of this, one of the most influential developers of the Android Open-Source Project not long ago slammed the door and sowed a little panic among Android programmers. However, let's hope for the best, because the Snapdragon 600-based Optimus G Pro, introduced in January, has already received an unofficial Cyanogenmod 10.1 and is quite open to further manipulations with the software.

System

G2 became the first LG smartphone to receive Android version 4.2.2. At the moment, this version remains relevant, at least for users in the CIS there is no update to 4.3 yet. Like all smartphones from LG, it uses the Optimus UI interface shell, but has received some software improvements.

The flagship received the following functions:

Guest Mode will be very useful when you give a smartphone to your child or friends and don’t want them to see the “friend sent her boobs”/“this is what happened after drinking” photo or read your email correspondence. When a smartphone is unlocked with a guest key, the user has access only to authorized applications, and there are no widgets or shortcuts on the desktop.

Slide Aside - allows you to slide three fingers across the screen to minimize the current application and return to it with a reverse gesture.

KnockON - allows you to unlock the screen without a lock button, just tap on the screen 2 times.

Lockscreen Widgets - allows you to install widgets directly on your device's lock screen, allowing you to view the weather or the latest news even without unlocking the screen.

Quiet mode - allows you to turn sound notifications on or off depending on the time.

Now the standard launcher allows you to change application icons and their size. For people who are interested in replacing icons that are dissatisfied with the standard set, there is a special function - Photo icons. Optimus UI allows you to change themes, keyboard appearance, and download additional fonts.

When you first start the system, the smartphone offers various options for placing the standard functional buttons Menu, Home and Back. It’s very convenient, especially considering that LG’s buttons are usually in reverse logical order.

Q-Slide, Smart Screen, Smart Video, Quick Memo, Clip Tray, Quiet mode, One-handed control mode, Quiet mode inherited from its predecessors are also present and work perfectly.

First acquaintance with the flagship smartphone LG G2

“Where is his button?”

Content

• Specifications LG G2
• Appearance and ease of use
• Contents of delivery
• Sound
• Telephone and communications
• OS and software

The hero of today's review, the new flagship smartphone from LG, does not need any special introduction.
Thanks to last year's resounding success of its predecessor, LG's top device Optimus G, today's test subject was destined for, if not unambiguous popularity, then certainly increased attention. After all, it is only in our country that LG mobile products, by tradition, are still not considered first-class by everyone, although abroad they are not much inferior in popularity to the same Samsung. LG's position is now very strong: the company makes excellent screens for everyone, and develops many more unique things on its own within the depths of its vast factory walls, and has been selling smartphones very successfully lately (LG now ranks third in the world in smartphone sales, after Samsung and Apple). It’s enough to remember how many awards Optimus G has received since its release in the third quarter of 2012, that is, just a year ago. Notably, the smartphone was awarded in the innovation category at the Korea Electronics Show (KES) for its Zerogap Touch technology, which improves screen durability and clarity by eliminating the air gaps found in other touchscreens. The LG Optimus G smartphone also received the iF Design Product Award in November 2012. In addition, Optimus G, distributed by telecommunications company Sprint in the United States, is ULE Platinum Certified by UL Environment and Sprint for its outstanding environmental performance. This device has also received the CarbonFree Product Certification from the Carbonfund.org Foundation, a leading organization that fights global warming and evaluates the environmental impact of companies. At the very beginning of this year, the smartphone received an award at CES 2013 in Las Vegas for innovation in design and technology in the wireless phone category. In general, the developers of LG G2 had a worthy example before their eyes. Let’s take it for comparison, especially since LG Optimus G still remains quite relevant and, most importantly, an affordable top-segment mobile device (the price in our stores for certified Optimus G is now set at 18 thousand rubles). Note that the new flagship LG G2 is starting to be sold in our country at a not very high price of 25 thousand rubles.

In pictures: LG Optimus G compared to LG G2

Key Features of LG G2 (Model D802)

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2.2 GHz, 4 Krait 400 cores
• GPU Adreno 330
• Operating system Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• Touch display IPS, 5.2″, 1920×1080, 424 ppi
• Random access memory (RAM) 2 GB, internal memory 32 GB
• 3G (HSPA+), 4G (LTE)
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4 + 5 GHz), Wi-Fi hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct
• NFC, Miracast, OTG
• GPS, IRDA
• Camera 13 MP, autofocus
• Camera 2 MP (front)
• Battery 3000 mAh
• Dimensions 138.5×70.9×8.9 mm
• Weight 143 g

LG G2	LG Optimus G	Sony Xperia Z1	Samsung Galaxy S4	HTC One	Lenovo K900
Screen	5.2″, IPS	4.7″, IPS	5″, ASV?	4.99″, S-AMOLED	4.7″, S-LCD3 (IPS)	5.5″, AH-IPS
Permission	1920×1080, 424 ppi	1280×768, 317 ppi	1920×1080, 440 ppi	1920×1080, 441 ppi	1920×1080, 469 ppi	1920×1080, 400 ppi
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 @2.2 GHz (4 Krait 400 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 @1.5 GHz (4 Krait cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 @2.2 GHz (4 Krait 400 cores)	Samsung Exynos 5410 @1.8 GHz (4+4 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 @1.7 GHz (4 Krait 300 cores)	Intel Atom Z2580 @2 GHz (2 cores/4 threads, x86)
GPU	Adreno 330	Adreno 320	Adreno 330	PowerVR SGX544MP3	Adreno 320	PowerVR SGX 544MP2
RAM	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Flash memory	32 GB	32 GB	16 GB	16/32/64 GB	16/32/64 GB	16/32 GB
Memory card support	No	No	microSD	microSD	No	No
operating system	Google Android 4.2	Google Android 4.1	Google Android 4.2	Google Android 4.2	Google Android 4.1	Google Android 4.2
Battery	non-removable, 3000 mAh	non-removable, 2100 mAh	non-removable, 3000 mAh	removable, 2600 mAh	non-removable, 2300 mAh	non-removable, 2500 mAh
Cameras	rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP)	rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (1.3 MP)	rear (20.7 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP)	rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP)	rear (4 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP)	rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP)
Dimensions	139×71×8.9 mm, 143 g	132×69×8.5 mm, 145 g	144×74×8.5 mm, 170 g	137×70×7.9 mm, 130 g	137×68×9.3 mm, 143 g	157×78×6.9 mm, 162 g

Appearance and ease of use

Attentive readers have probably already noticed that the long subname “Optimus” has disappeared from the name of the second model of the G series. That’s right: both in the documentation and at official presentations the device is simply called “LG G2” without any prefixes - the company deliberately decided to abandon excessive “letter weaving”, leaving only a short, like a shot, “G2”. A premium product loves brevity: a minimum of information on the packaging, a short but catchy and therefore more memorable name, a minimal variety of details - all these are constant “fellow travelers” of good taste. LG strives to consolidate its position in the Hi-End smartphone segment, and is doing everything possible to achieve this.

The main direction for delivering their blow, the Koreans chose the topic of improving the logic of communication between man and technology. “Human behavior and habits determine the development of products. That's why we at LG believe that today's innovations must meet the desires of users. Our newest smartphone seeks to understand, learn and better match human behavior,” said Dahyun Song, president of LG Electronics in Russia, at a recent presentation in Moscow. That is why the phrase “Inspired by you” was chosen as the main slogan for promoting the new product. However, we will return to this issue a little later, but for now we will consider the appearance of the new Korean flagship.

If it weren't for one unusual, distinctive detail, the LG G2's body could be called inconspicuous or ordinary: an ordinary plastic “boat” forms the back of the smartphone, strongly reminiscent of the tired “bathroom tile” design that Samsung is so famous for. At this point we have to admit that the Koreans turned out to be more stubborn than us: we are already exhausted, over and over again criticizing their primitive glossy “design without zest,” but they don’t even listen. In 2013, LG released its most sophisticated flagship with an appearance that is no different from Samsung Galaxy S series devices, and this is sad: after all, the first Optimus G had a much more interesting, original and original design - and suddenly such a “downgrade”. The body of the LG G2 looks truly primitive: glossy, extremely easily soiled, streamlined and rounded on all sides like a pebble from the beach, in which there is nothing for the eye to catch on. However, the lack of an original design is perhaps the only negative (and even then not entirely objective—someone probably still likes it) of the new flagship LG smartphone. Otherwise, the new product turned out to be simply luxurious: a powerful platform, a magnificent screen with record-breaking thin frames and powered by graphical RAM (GRAM), a lot of software improvements and improvements, a price that turned out to be lower than that of competing flagships, and on top of that, an innovative system device control - all this makes the smartphone stand out from its peers.

The way the new LG smartphone has organized control using hardware buttons is the very unusual distinguishing feature mentioned above. The thing is that traditional hardware control buttons, which are usually located on the side and top edges of all smartphones, are assembled here as a single unit and placed on the back wall of the device. This is how they explain their innovative decision in the most.

In principle, everything is logical: after overcoming your “muscle memory”, which has become accustomed over many years to looking for keys on the sidewalls, you quickly get used to the new arrangement of controls. Now the smartphone is held in the fingers more securely, because there is no longer a need to constantly finger the body to get to any of the keys, especially when this key is located at the top end. Given the size of modern smartphones, getting to the top keys can be problematic, but this should not be the case here, because all the buttons are located in one place under the pad of the index finger, and it is equally convenient for both right-handed and left-handed people.

The main functions of these buttons are standard: the central key turns on and locks the smartphone, and the other two, top and bottom, are responsible for adjusting the volume. Expanded capabilities of the block of hardware buttons provide additional functionality in control: holding the top button for a long time launches the Qmemo application, and the bottom button calls the camera from sleep mode. A long press of the center button activates photo or video shooting. You can now take a screenshot of the screen using just one finger - the usual simultaneous pressing of the power and volume down buttons. Let us note, by the way, that other manufacturers are also considering the idea of ​​moving control elements to the rear panel of the case: for example, in the new flagship Oppo N1 there is a touch pad that allows, among other things, to adjust the volume.

By the way, the organization of the block of buttons under the screen can also be called innovative: now on the front panel there is not a fixed set of three or four specific buttons, but a combination of them that suits you. LG engineers took advantage of the fact that the block of familiar touch buttons was transferred here from the body to the display in the form of virtual icons, giving the user the opportunity to organize their number and order. This is very convenient: now everyone can choose the location and combination of control buttons to suit their taste. For example, on Samsung devices the buttons are mixed up (arranged in the wrong order) relative to their location on other manufacturers - but here you can organize both options for yourself.

Thus, on all four side faces of the LG G2 there are no buttons at all, and this makes the smartphone body held in the hands much more confidently and reliably. The case itself, by the way, is so well thought out in terms of its combination of dimensions and weight that it can be called the best solution among large-diagonal models on the market. Not big and not small, not heavy, but not weightlessly light, and also quite thin and with a sloping back wall, the smartphone fits in the palm like a glove. And this despite the fact that the screen diagonal here is as much as 5.2 inches, that is, larger than most modern flagships. However, the LG G2 has so thin frames around the screen that they made it possible to fit such a large screen into a body of very manageable dimensions. Sometimes you simply cannot see the side frames - they are so thin here. The Koreans even came up with a separate name for this topic: it was stated that LG's innovative Dual Routing technology made it possible to reduce the frame around the display to 2.65 mm.

The screen itself is also not simple here: the protective glass on top of the display has slightly sloping edges, which is why the front panel as a whole benefits from looking richer. As already mentioned, there are no hardware buttons under the screen, so nothing prevented the developers from making the lower part of the front panel under the screen quite narrow. Even the speaker grille here is not simple, but double: the usual black mesh is covered on top by a silver, finer mesh. In general, the front panel of the smartphone looks noble and fully corresponds to the premium level of the product.

The LG G2 case is a monoblock monolithic solution, and from this follows the corresponding method of installing a SIM card: the card slides into its slot on a metal slide, and is removed by the usual pressing of a hidden button using a paper clip/key. This was not found in our test kit, so we cannot say exactly what this tool will look like, but it will, of course, be present in commercial samples. The SIM card here is of the usual Micro-SIM size, but there is no slot for a memory card, and the ability to independently replace the battery is not provided.

In principle, this is where the description of the external data of the new product can end, but in the place where we traditionally talk about the color differences of models, I would like to note something else. Despite the fact that the body of the new flagship with its easily soiled, slippery gloss did not live up to our expectations in terms of any innovations in design, it is still not so ugly - primitive in its shape, yes, but not ugly. Here we use plastic with a “double bottom”, that is, the surface is smooth to the touch, and inside, under the varnish, a complex texture can be seen, shimmering in the sun with sparks. In the photo of a smartphone with a white color option, this is clearly visible, although in real life we ​​found the black version more interesting: the paint there is not completely black, but with a deep bluish tint of blued steel, and all this is interspersed with sparkling golden lights of the internal texture. It looks expensive, although it does not change the overall primitiveness of the design of this rounded tablet itself.

Warning the logical fear of users whether the back lock key will not be pressed if they press on the screen of a smartphone lying [screen up] on the table, we immediately inform you: it will be checked. However, it will be just as easy to put the smartphone back to sleep. The thing is that the LG G2 provides not only the ability to wake up the device by double-tapping on the display glass (which has already been found in other smartphones), but also the ability to put the smartphone back to sleep using the same double-tapping on the screen (and this no one has done it yet). This function even got its own name - KnockOn. By the way, you can unlock the switched-on screen here, as in previous models, by touching anywhere on the display, and not using just one specific gesture. On the LG G2, the screen saver image seems to evaporate under your finger, gradually revealing the desktop image - it looks very nice.

Equipment

The LG G2 smartphone is delivered to store shelves in a fairly simple-looking small rectangular package made of thick unvarnished cardboard. The kit is not rich: a powerful charger (1.8 A), a connecting cable and some paper documentation in a bag. It is not entirely clear whether any headphones will be included in the Russian kit - most likely they will, although in the Asian market it is already becoming the norm to sell smartphones without adding headphones to the package.

It’s also worth mentioning an additional accessory that LG is starting to produce specifically for its new G2 model. This cover case, called QuickWindow, is similar to that of Samsung products and has similar functionality. In a separate window on the front cover of the case, the smartphone displays some information that is available to the user even when the cover is closed. In the window, the user can not only see information about incoming events, the current time or weather, but also interact with the screen by turning pages. The accessory enters the market simultaneously with the device itself and will be presented in many colors to suit every taste.

Sound

The sound of the LG G2 is quite loud and clear throughout the entire range, and there seem to be no problems with this. True, the external speaker is not very good at low frequencies - high frequencies predominate, so the sound is ringing and squeaky, although loud. But on the contrary, I really liked the sound of the earpiece: the bass is audible, and the interlocutor’s voice is transmitted clearly and believably. So it’s comfortable to talk on the LG G2 phone, but it’s better to listen to music, of course, with headphones. The external speaker grille is located not at the back, but on the side - embedded directly into the bottom end. Accordingly, the sound will not be blocked by the surface when the phone is lying on the table (in any position). The standard audio player has several preset equalizer values; you can set your own, as well as enable virtual surround sound (Pure surround). At the presentation, it was specifically noted that the LG G2 is the first smartphone capable of reproducing audio in 24-bit/192 kHz Hi-Fi studio quality.

The smartphone comes standard with an FM radio, and there is also a voice recorder. The radio only works with connected headphones, which act as an antenna. The voice recorder cannot record a conversation from a line using standard means.

Telephone and communications

The smartphone works as standard in modern 2G GSM and 3G WCDMA networks, supports the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, can use NFC technology, and also supports fourth generation networks (LTE) used in Russia - the most complete set of popular modern capabilities. With a SIM card from the domestic operator Megafon, the smartphone in practice confidently finds and works with the LTE network.

The radio part of the tested smartphone is stable; no spontaneous signal losses or dropouts from the telecom operator’s network were noticed. The screen of the smartphone is large, the drawing of virtual keys, numbers and letters of the number dialing and the keyboard for typing SMS is quite comfortable, there are no erroneous presses. It’s very convenient that the developers added a separate top row with numbers to the virtual keyboard - you don’t need to switch from letters and back all the time. To make it more convenient to operate the on-screen keyboard with one finger, here, as in previous LG models, it is possible to make the keyboard block smaller and move it closer to one of the edges of the screen. Only here the developers went even further by implementing a sliding block in the form of a separate window, which can not only be moved to any location on the screen, but also its size and transparency can be changed. This whole thing is called Qslide. In order to narrow the standard application window to a small one, you just need to click the corresponding cross button in the upper left corner. You can transfer not only the on-screen keyboard to a separate Qslide window, but also some other standard applications - for example, Notes.

OS and software

LG G2 currently runs on Google Android software platform version 4.2.2. On top of the standard OS interface, the company installed its own user interface, significantly modifying and complementing the standard one. The arrangement of all elements, the drawing of icons, the number and selection of additional pre-installed programs - everything is very familiar from previous LG models with the Optimus UI 3.0 shell. The difference lies in a large number of small but functional additions that significantly add convenience to communicating with a smartphone. For example, as soon as you connect your headphones, a bar immediately appears on the screen with a choice of application (Plug & Pop), which is most associated with working with headphones. As standard, the strip contains icons for music and video players, telephone dialing, and the YouTube player, but, of course, you can display any others here at your discretion. Another little thing that may be extremely useful for someone is Guest Mode. That is, you can let them use your smartphone without fear for your personal information, which will be password-protected. An infrared port, coupled with the appropriate pre-installed software, will help turn your smartphone into a remote control. Text link is another additional feature that allows you to quickly transfer text from a message to other programs (for example, a calendar). That is, you don’t even need to copy - when you click on a message, a context menu pops up with a choice of other applications to which this text will automatically be transferred.

As for gesture control, among the mass of already familiar ones, such as automatic answering when you bring the smartphone to your ear or muting the volume of an incoming call by lifting it from the surface, more unusual ones have appeared here. For example, when you swipe horizontally with three fingers, the running application is hidden from view, but remains running, and you can bring it back at any time with the same reverse gesture of three fingers at the same time (Slide Aside). There are many more little tricks like this in the LG G2, but you need to make an effort to learn them all and begin to successfully apply them in practice, then it can become convenient.

This concludes the first introductory part of the review. We will tell you the rest of the details about the LG G2 smartphone in the very near future, after completing all standard procedures for testing the device in our laboratory. Now we can say that the LG G2 smartphone has been available for sale in Euroset since the end of September at a price of 24,990 rubles.

In the second part of the review, we will present detailed results of testing the screen, camera, hardware platform and battery life of this extraordinary device.

Performance

The LG G2 is one of several flagships powered by the latest and most powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.26 GHz. The Adreno 330 accelerator is used here to process graphics.

Enough talking about the specifications, let's look at the test results of the smartphone.

Test results in various benchmarks:

• AnTuTu Benchmark: 32630
• AnTuTu 3DRating: 4373
• Quadrant Benchmark: 13611
• SQL Benchmark: 12.371 sec
• BenchmarkPi: 113 ms
• Linpack: 916.667 MFlops
• Vellamo: 2730 / 983
• SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark (Chrome): 934.3 ms
• NenaMark 2.4: 57.9 fps
• Epic Citadel, High Performance: 56.8 fps
• 3DMark - The Gamer`s Benchmark: - / 9826 / 13194
• Basemark ES 2.0 Taiji Free: 58.17 fps
• Basemark X 1.0: 14.339 fps / 12.510 fps

AnTuTu Benchmark

Epic Citadel, High Performance

Sunspider and Vellamo

The results show that the G2 performs better than the Sony Xperia Z Ultra on the same processor because it doesn't lock the maximum frequency at which the processor cores operate. Concessions in some graphics tests can only be explained by the fact that Sony allocates 50 MB more RAM to the graphics coprocessor than LG.

Specifications

As far as I understand, the LG G2 is the first smartphone that is already available for purchase and is available with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.26 GHz. The graphics are also new - Adreno 330. RAM - 2 GB, ROM - 16 or 32, I have 32. There is no slot for memory cards, which is a pity. Need I say how fast the smartphone is? I think not, in this case, the tests speak for themselves. Even the Extreme test in 3DMark said that the test was too simple for the device.

But the most interesting thing in all this is that the G2 does not heat up. Even in games it is very difficult to heat it up. In particular, I played 3 matches in FIFA 14 and the smartphone remained cold. After all the benchmarks - cold. When shooting video at 60 fps - cold. Well, the most surprising thing is that after three matches in FIFA 14 while charging the phone, it is cold! Again, I've never seen anything like this before.

And let's move on to one of the most significant and unexpected advantages of the device - its autonomy. The LG G2 has a large capacity battery - 3000 mAh. But it’s not the number itself that is surprising, although the placement of such a battery in a compact case is also a merit of LG; after them, only Xiaomi placed the battery so tightly in its new flagship.

The smartphone lasts longer on a single charge than any other smartphone I've ever owned. It’s not for nothing that G2 is the first in the autonomy test of the GSMArena website. The results are as follows: I don’t charge it every day, but do it right at night on the second day. This is already a breakthrough for me, because I use my smartphone very actively. Total, 40-42 hours with 5-6 hours of display operation, an hour of Wi-Fi distribution, half an hour of games, watching Youtube, reading Twitter and news, Email, etc. Not a single smartphone could withstand this. If you use the G2 constantly, the screen will work for more than 10(!) hours! In fact, there is a logical explanation for such autonomy. The device has a separate GRAM memory stack, which contains a static image currently displayed on the screen. Thanks to this, processor resources are used less frequently.

• Dimensions: 138.5 x 70.9 x 9.1 mm.
• Weight: 143 g.
• Operating system: Android 4.2.2 JB.
• Processor: Quad-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974), 2.26 GHz
• Graphics: Adreno 330.
• Display: IPS, 5.2″, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 424 ppi
• Memory: 32 GB flash
• RAM: 2 GB.
• Camera: main - 13 MP, video recording in 1080p, 60 fps, front - 2.1 MP.
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0.
• Interface connectors: 3.5 mm headphone jack, Micro USB.
• Battery: Li-Pol battery 3000 mAh.

Autonomy

In our standard battery life test, the G2 performed amazingly. In web surfing mode, the smartphone was discharged in 12 hours and 7 minutes.

For a smartphone with a 5.2-inch screen and a 3000 mAh battery, this is a very good result. With standard use of 1 hour of voice calls, 1 hour of video viewing and 1 hour of web surfing, the battery will last for 2.5 days.

Display

The LG G2's huge 5.2-inch IPS screen with wide viewing angles and Full HD resolution (424 ppi) without air gap is one of the best displays I've ever seen. The maximum brightness is enough to see everything clearly in the sun, but the minimum brightness could be reduced. Of course, the narrow frames affected the perception of the smartphone - it feels like you are not using a smartphone, but a separate screen.

The display is covered with protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 2 with oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings, making the smartphone screen difficult to scratch, and marks and fingerprints will be easily removed.

Camera

The camera app has a redesigned interface similar to the one used on the G Pro. There really are a lot of settings here.

Of the 12 shooting modes, I would like to highlight the following:

• Shot & Clear - allows you to remove passers-by or other objects that may have entered the frame during shooting.
• Panoramic – panoramic mode works perfectly.
• Dual camera - allows you to take one photo with two cameras at once. You can simultaneously photograph the Eiffel Tower and your facial expression when you see it.
• Shot time - allows you to select the best photo out of five received with one click of a button.

The camera settings allow you to adjust absolutely everything, from brightness and ISO to manual focus. There is even a voice recording function that responds to the saying “CHIIIZ”.

The quality of pictures from the main 13 MP camera of the LG G2 is excellent. The pictures are obtained with very good detail and little noise. Color reproduction is realistic, white balance is fine.

Thanks to the image stabilization system, evening and night photos are not blurred, and the video does not shake like your hands. The LED flash works well and does not highlight objects when shooting.

The camera supports video recording in 1080p format with a frame rate of 60fps.

The front camera does its job well and is enough for HD communication on Skype.

Main camera in action:

Photo from the front camera:

Functional Features

The interface has been thoroughly redesigned, transformed and significantly sped up. New applications and branded widgets have appeared. The company's main focus is on making the large screen easier to use. For example, double-clicking on a black screen will unlock the device.

Gestures have been improved, now they work more correctly and faster. A nice feature of the new LG G2 will be its multimedia capabilities. The company has taken headphone sound to a new level. The device can reproduce 24-bit Hi-Fi sound. Even licensed CDs cannot deliver this quality.

Much attention was paid to the calendar. Any message or note can be added to the calendar, and all you need to do is long press the volume key. Another feature was the appearance of a guest mode, which hides your personal information from another user. Now you can safely let your son or friend play with your smartphone without fear that personal information will be deleted or read. The manufacturer did not forget about such a feature as the infrared port, which is increasingly gaining popularity.

With it you can control your TV, music player, projector and even your air conditioner. The smartphone runs on the Android 4.2.2 operating system; an update to 4.3 should be released soon after the start of sales.

Communications and sensors

LG G2 supports GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, LTE networks. There were no problems with picking up 2G or 3G mobile networks; the smartphone holds the signal perfectly, the sound is clear and crisp.

The Wi-Fi module operates in a/b/g/n/ac modes and supports the following functions: Miracast, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Hotspot. According to tests, the maximum data transfer speed through the Wi-Fi module reached 67 Mbit/s.

Bluetooth 4.0 works great with headsets and other devices, and NFC supports Android Beam out of the box for transferring files between devices.

The infrared port allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for any household appliance. The list of devices includes TVs, air conditioners, proctors, stereo systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and TV receivers. Sony home TV and LG Conder accepted the G2 as their own and obeyed without question.

When you connect any headset or headphones to your smartphone via a 3.5 mm jack, a line immediately pops up asking you to open one of the multimedia applications, such as an audio player, Youtube, or make a phone call. Convenient and even on iPhone there is no such thing.

The USB port supports SlimPort technology and can be connected to any monitor or TV using a special adapter. In addition, USB Host support allows you to connect flash drives, mice, keyboards or other USB gadgets via an OTG cable.

⇡#Iron and communications

LG did not try to be original and used the fastest existing processor for its flagship - Qualcomm Snapdragon 800. To be completely precise, the version with a built-in modem is MSM8974. Let us remind you, just in case, that this system-on-chip is produced using a progressive 28 nm HPm technological process, which makes it possible to simultaneously achieve very high frequencies and very moderate power consumption.

The chip is manufactured using High-k technology - with a gate dielectric made of a material with high dielectric constant

On board the MSM8974 there are four processor cores based on the Qualcomm Krait-400 architecture - before the advent of the Apple A7, this was the most advanced of the ARM family architectures. The chip also includes a very fast Qualcomm Adreno 330 graphics adapter.

RAM, as is customary these days, is located directly on the processor case - on the second floor. In this case, its type is interesting - it is LPDDR3-1600: LG G2 is the first Android smartphone in which we encounter such a fast mobile RAM. In fact, even on the official website of the manufacturer - the SK Hynix company - there is no mention of this product. There is only relatively recent news that talks about the release of a more modest version of the chip, 8 Gbit (that is, 1 GB) - World's First High Density 8Gb LPDDR3. But in our case it is 16 Gbit - that is, 2 GB. That is, everything is completely cool.

Photo of an 8-gigabit LPDDR3 chip manufactured by SK Hynix - these are installed in the iPhone 5s. And in LG G2 the chip is twice as capacious

In addition, the G2 has a specific memory that is not yet found in any other mobile device - GRAM, graphics memory, from which the LCD panel controller directly takes information about what it should display on the display. According to LG, this allows you to save up to 26% of energy (however, it is not specified how these percentages were calculated) if the picture on the display does not change. The graphics processor does not participate in the process of displaying images on the display and remains in a state of minimal power consumption.

Among the short-range wireless standards, the LG G2 supports Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, the mandatory Bluetooth slow but energy-efficient version 4.0 and NFC. There is also an infrared port that allows you to turn your smartphone into a universal remote control. The system comes pre-installed with a very intelligent program that is familiar with an impressive list of home appliances - and is ready to learn how to work with any other.

With support for cellular networks, the situation is approximately the same as in the Sony Xperia Z1 tested not so long ago. Which is not surprising: the reason smartphone manufacturers love Qualcomm chips is that the Californians offer a ready-made solution for organizing compatibility with the most advanced standards. The processor has a built-in absolutely omnivorous modem that supports DC-HSPA+ and LTE category four - accordingly, theoretically peak speeds can reach 84 Mbit/s in 3G networks and 150 Mbit/s in 4G networks.

SIM card in LG G2 micro format - installed in a tray a la iPhone

The modem works in conjunction with the Qualcomm WTR1605L transceiver, which helps ensure support for all current 2G and 3G frequencies and the widest possible list of LTE bands. True, there is a shortage of space inside the G2 case: not as many signal amplifiers were installed in the smartphone as in the Xperia Z1. So the list of 4G frequencies in the tested version of the D802 is limited to only five “bands”. This smartphone is almost completely suitable for Europe - including Russia - and will work in most Asian countries. But in America you will have to limit yourself to 3G networks - the Xperia Z1 is much more versatile in this regard.

However, if the quantity didn’t work out very well, the quality was very successful: the LG G2 holds the network surprisingly tenaciously. There was no question of losing connection “out of the blue” - on the contrary, the “ski” managed to work even in places where other smartphones begged for mercy.

The LG G2 was the only one of the three smartphones on hand that was able to provide data transmission at the bottom of this pit in the middle of a mountainous desert.

Bottom line

For LG, the G2 smartphone has become not just a new flagship, it is an attempt to give a worthy answer to competitors, after several very boring releases. It is worth noting that they succeeded, because the G2 is currently the most powerful device on the market. The right step was to wait a short pause after the release of devices from HTC and Samsung. This allowed LG to introduce a smartphone with the best chipset from Qualcomm and actually introduce the 2014 flagship at the end of 2013.

The smartphone is interesting not only for its performance, but also for its excellent IPS display with excellent color reproduction, high resolution, good brightness, contrast and readability in direct sunlight.

Don't forget about the 13 MP camera with optical stabilization and the ability to shoot 1080p video at 60 frames per second. The resulting images show that the smartphone is not inferior to camera phones like the Galaxy Zoom or Nokia 1020.

LG has done a lot of work to improve ergonomics, offering a new approach to the placement of the lock and volume buttons. The decision to place buttons on the back of the smartphone seems very strange, but in fact it turned out to be very elegant and functional. Perhaps this really is one of the cool features of a smartphone.

For a long time, LG has been trying to surpass Samsung's TouchWiz shell. It looks like Optimus UI is now one step away from its goal. The shell has become more logical and functional, and has also acquired many additional functions.

The LG G2 is a good successor to the Optimus G and a worthy answer to HTC and Samsung's flagships. The only drawback of the smartphone is the lack of a slot for microSD memory cards. Of the 32 GB of internal memory, only 24.80 GB is available for storing user data, the rest of the space is occupied by the system. With the 16 GB version, everything will be even sadder; a simple arithmetic operation makes us understand that only 8.8 GB of memory will be available.

Installing the most powerful chipset to date also makes itself felt in the form of strong heating of the smartphone when running games with heavy 3D graphics. During testing, the G2 was a real hot cake and not very pleasant to hold in your hands.

The LG G2 will definitely top the list of the best smartphones this year and is of course a 100% winner of the season.

Pros:

• Better performance
• Great display
• Camera with optical stabilization system
• Battery life
• Software chips

Minuses:

• Lack of memory card slot
• Extremely hot when performing demanding tasks
• Non-removable battery

Rating of LG washing machines

Let's consider the best models depending on size and functionality according to customer reviews and ratings.

The best standard models in terms of price/quality ratio

LG F-1096ND3

An innovative model with a reliable direct-drive motor, horizontal loading, and a large set of basic functions.

With this machine you can wash almost all types of heavily soiled fabrics. It is possible to regulate a wide temperature range and select a variety of functions. Self-cleaning of the drum is provided.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x44x85 cm;
• loading volume - 6 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A+;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 53/73 dB;
• weight - 60 kg.

Advantages

• quiet in operation;
• large set of functions;
• low price;
• stylish design;
• unusual drum pattern, which allows you to wash things more efficiently;
• ease of operation.

Flaws

• after washing there is some water left around the bottom of the drum;
• rinses poorly;
• fingerprints remain on the door;
• There is no “Synthetic” mode.

LG F-10B8MD

The machine has good capacity, front loading and direct drive.

The elements of the unit are made of high-quality plastic and stainless steel, thanks to which it will last for many years.

There are many basic and additional programs. Thanks to the removable cover, you can install the device in the kitchen. It is possible to control the wash remotely via a smartphone.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x44x85 cm;
• loading volume - 5.5 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A+;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 56/74 dB;
• weight - 59 kg.

Advantages

• self-cleaning drum;
• convenient control;
• does not make noise during operation;
• low price;
• removes dirt well;
• clear display;
• ability to control via phone.

Flaws

• water and foam remain at the bottom of the cuff after washing;
• no additional rinse function;
• not always high-quality assembly;
• does not remember modes after switching off;
• no child protection.

LG F-1096TD3

Direct drive washing machine with a durable electric motor and good capacity.

The model is equipped with 13 programs for comfortable washing. You can choose the speed of the mode yourself. It is also possible to control the foam level. There is also a delayed wash timer.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x55x85 cm;
• loading volume - 8 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 52/75 dB;
• weight - 62 kg.

Advantages

• it is possible to control remotely;
• low cost;
• removable cover;
• low noise level;
• You can manually select the temperature and spin speed;
• large drum volume;
• high-quality assembly and materials.

Flaws

• even the slightest dirt is visible on the shiny surface;
• short drain hose;
• valve activation causes loud noise;
• The end signal sounds too early, the wash itself ends after a few minutes.

Narrow models

Rating of narrow models of washing machines that allow you to save space in small apartments without losing the quality of washing.

LG F-1096SD3

A popular model with a large range of programs for comfortable washing, allowing you to efficiently clean silk, wool, and children's items.

With this machine you can wash soiled pillows, blankets, outerwear and sportswear. The process can be controlled via a smartphone. The device is highly safe from leaks, excessive amounts of foam, and children.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x36x85 cm;
• loading volume - 4 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 57/74 dB;
• weight - 56 kg.

Advantages

• beautiful exterior;
• stability during spinning;
• quiet in operation;
• can be controlled via smartphone;
• low price;
• washes things efficiently.

Flaws

• beeps are too loud;
• Child lock does not block the off/on button;
• water remains in the elastic band around the drum after washing;
• does not save the set program after shutdown.

LG F1096SDS0

A compact model with convenient electronic controls is an excellent choice for small families.

The machine allows you to wash delicate fabrics well, including children's clothes. Additional functions include steam washing, which is relevant today. You can manually select the required temperature.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x36x85 cm;
• loading volume - 4 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 57/74 dB;
• weight - 56 kg.

Advantages

• low water consumption;
• a large number of additional functions;
• low cost;
• compactness;
• stylish design.

Flaws

• water remains on the elastic band near the bottom of the drum after washing;
• Powder is poorly washed out of the compartment;
• After turning off the system, the washing settings are lost.

LG F-10B8ND

Direct drive washing machine is small in size with a good load capacity.

The model has a number of programs that expand the possibilities of high-quality washing. The cover on the machine is removable, so it can be installed under the countertop. When you install the application on your smartphone, you can control the washing of clothes remotely.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x44x85 cm;
• loading volume - 6 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1000 rpm;
• noise level - 56/74 dB;
• weight - 59 kg.

Advantages

• a large number of programs;
• low cost;
• does not make noise during operation;
• wrings out laundry well;
• stylish exterior;
• convenient timer mode.

Flaws

• programs with additional functions take a very long time to wash;
• after the end of the wash, the display turns off without a sound warning;
• no spin with a minimum number of revolutions;
• If large items are unbalanced, it does not immediately alert you to the problem.

With drying function

Drying is a fairly new feature in washing machines. The principle of its operation is that after spinning, high-temperature air is supplied. Special fans are responsible for directing the air flows inside the drum and moving them. The degree of drying of the laundry is determined by special built-in humidity sensors. The condensate is removed into a container, which must be cleaned after drying.

LG Steam F4J6TG1W

This model has absolutely everything for comfortable washing of things - from removing stains to complete drying.

A special feature of the device is that it is equipped with a bubble drum that effectively cleans fabric fibers. It is possible to control the machine contactlessly via a smartphone.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x56x85 cm;
• loading volume - 8 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1400 rpm;
• noise level - 54/75 dB;
• weight - 66 kg.

Advantages

• large loading volume;
• clear and convenient control;
• works quietly;
• multifunctionality;
• Beautiful design;
• good washing quality.

Flaws

• when selecting a mode, it does not immediately show the time;
• high price;
• there is no separate “Spin” mode;
• dries unevenly.

LG F-2J6HG0W

Quite a compact model with a stylish design and good capacity.

Equipped with a useful anti-crease function, which is very important when washing bed linen, blankets, and duvet covers. Made of high quality plastic, ensuring trouble-free operation for many years.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x45x85 cm;
• loading volume - 7 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - C;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1200 rpm;
• noise level - 55/74 dB;
• weight - 61 kg.

Advantages

• high quality of washing and drying of things;
• good capacity with compact dimensions;
• quiet in operation;
• Beautiful design;
• multifunctionality.

Flaws

• unpleasant factory smell after using the dryer;
• high price;
• after drying, things are difficult to smooth;
• long cooling after drying;
• The water pours loudly.

LG FH-4G1JCH2N

This model has the functionality necessary for a full wash, after which the output is dry, clean clothes.

A special feature of the unit is that it is very suitable for large families with several children. Large capacity, the ability to reload items - all this makes it easier to properly care for children's clothing, which does not take much time.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x64x85 cm;
• loading volume - 10.5 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1600 rpm;
• noise level - 56/74 dB;
• weight - 73 kg.

Advantages

• high quality washing;
• makes virtually no noise during operation;
• stylish exterior;
• large set of programs;
• capacity;
• ease of operation.

Flaws

• high price;
• wrinkles clothes heavily after spinning;
• After drying the towels, you need to wipe the inner surface of the drum and the elastic band.

With steam function

The essence of the steam function is that there is a steam generator at the back of the device. A fill valve tube is attached to it, from where water enters the container. On the other hand, a tube connected to the tank is attached to the steam generator. Through it, hot steam has access to things.

The steam function is designed to disinfect things. Steam penetrates deep into the fibers of fabrics, as a result of which allergens and bacteria are killed. Clothes and linen are refreshed without creating creases.

LG F-2H5HS6W

An innovative model with electronic control and the ability to reload laundry.

The quiet machine operates almost silently. And by turning on the night mode, you can leave cleaning things overnight - no notifications in the form of sound signals will interfere with sleep. The unit is great for washing blankets and down jackets.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x45x85 cm;
• loading volume - 7 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1200 rpm;
• noise level - 55/74 dB;
• weight - 60 kg.

Advantages

• good capacity;
• does not make noise during washing;
• low price;
• washes things perfectly;
• multifunctionality;
• stylish exterior;
• convenient control.

Flaws

• washing in steam mode for too long;
• difficult to connect to the control application via smartphone;
• water accumulates in the rubber band at the bottom of the drum;
• The touch control panel is too sensitive.

LG F-4H5VS6W

Compact model with many programs, including steam processing.

The device is equipped with protection against leaks and children's curiosity about buttons and levers. It is possible to control washing remotely via a smartphone. A special program prevents laundry from creasing.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x56x85 cm;
• loading volume - 9 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1400 rpm;
• noise level - 53/74 dB;
• weight - 62 kg.

Advantages

• good capacity;
• multifunctionality;
• high build quality;
• quiet in operation;
• stylish design;
• convenient control panel;
• Ideally washes heavily soiled items.

Flaws

• high price;
• The sensor on the panel is too sensitive;
• Steam processing takes a long time.

LG F-2V5HS0W

A model with a nice design and good capacity, equipped with a “smart home” function for remote monitoring and control.

Excellent for gentle but thorough washing of delicate fabrics. It can also work in mixed mode. Compact but at the same time roomy model, a good choice for a family of 4-6 people.

Specifications:

• dimensions - 60x45x85 cm;
• loading volume - 7 kg;
• energy consumption indicator - A;
• loading type - horizontal;
• maximum spin - 1200 rpm;
• noise level - 59/75 dB;
• weight - 62 kg.

Advantages

• beautiful exterior;
• pleasant sound signals;
• practically no noise during washing;
• work in “smart home” mode;
• many programs;
• high quality build and materials.

Flaws

• high price;
• difficult to connect to the application on a smartphone;
• water accumulates in the rubber band between the door and the drum after washing;
• After steam treatment, wrinkles remain that are difficult to smooth out with an iron.

Alternatives

Samsung Galaxy S IV - RUB 21,000. / 5000 UAH

Galaxy S IV in the CIS comes with an Exynos 5410 4(+4) core processor with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz, which is inferior in power to the 2.26 GHz Qualcomm 800. The screens of both smartphones are of excellent quality, AMOLED or IPS - a matter of taste. The SGS IV camera is no less cool than the G2, although it does not have optical stabilization. In terms of battery life, the Samsung flagship is very inferior, 9 hours of web surfing versus 12 for the G2. The Galaxy S IV has a memory card slot and a similar amount of cool software stuff.

HTC One - 20,000 rub. / 4600 UAH. and HTC Butterfly S - 21,000 rubles. / 5000 UAH

Both smartphones run on the previous generation Qualcomm chip - Snapdragon 600. HTC devices are equipped with 4 MP cameras with UltraPixel technology, which are significantly worse than the G2 camera. Comparing price tags, it immediately becomes clear that the LG G2 will be much more interesting for the user.

Sony Xperia Z1 — 28,000 rub. / 5900 UAH.

The newly released Xperia Z1 runs on exactly the same Qualcomm 800 processor. The smartphone is equipped with a 20 MP camera, which is slightly ahead of the G2 in image quality. Don't forget that the smartphone out of the box runs Android 4.2.2 and has a waterproof case. The Z1's screen is very cool and perhaps actually better than the G2's. After a little work on the bugs, Sony began installing memory card slots in its smartphones, and for many users this will be the determining factor. The price of the device is still a little high.

Test device provided by LG.

Bonus! SHOCKING VIDEO ABOUT HOW OPTICAL STABILIZATION REALLY WORKS!!!

Software

LG G2 runs Android 4.2.2 with LG's proprietary interface. The Korean manufacturer has made a special effort here, releasing many additional applications that you can use right out of the box.

For example, you are reading a book in English and don’t know a word. If you are too lazy to look into a dictionary or enter text, then you simply take out the LG G2, point its camera at an unfamiliar word, and the smartphone itself translates it in real time.

Or another example - you are scrolling through Twitter or reading the news and then they call you. So, any other smartphone will redirect you to the incoming call mode, and the smart LG G2 will open a small window on top with the option to reset or answer. The same situation happens with SMS.

As I already said, thanks to the infrared port you can control various equipment, turning your smartphone into your own remote control. Very comfortably!

In addition, there is a cool notepad in which you can draw, a safe Safety Care mode, and a separate feed of what you have done with your smartphone recently. Cool, isn't it?