April 1 2016 marked the launch of the LG G5 mobile in the US. As usual we will see a lot of reviews, tests, impressions and comparisons for this new smartphone that raised quite an interest from potential customers all around the world, as well as from tech enthusiasts and critics.
One of the first reactions (coming just a couple of days after the launch) was a complete teardown on YouTube by JerryRigEverything that showed the phone metal uni-body to have just a metal finish, or at least an outer layer that differs from the core body material. The controversy clarified soon after, when LG’s Global Communications Director mentioned that the outer layer is actually paint covering the metal. Other extreme tests gave mixed results.
Another pre and during launch reaction were the polls asking readers to choose between Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5.
Nevertheless, let’s focus on the company and the product a bit, as well as on the advertising campaign for the LG G5 mobile, in a brief summary.
LG G5 mobile– the (partially) modular smartphone
Assuming we have never heard of this mobile product before, or that some rumor has vaguely reached our ears, let’s check the rough basics:
- LG Corporation is a longstanding South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation founded in 1947 that makes a wider range of products, from chemicals to telecom gear. The initials stand for its former name Lucky Goldstar, and have been used in marketing to generate the motto for its products “Life’s Good”.
- The LG G5 mobile is LG G4’s successor, announced at MWC 2016 in February. It managed to enter the shortlist of products featured by the reviewers when presenting the novelties from this year’s Mobile World Congress because of its modular characteristic – the lower part of the device has a slider that encases the battery, which can be replaced by another already charged battery or by alternative add-on modules (photo, audio).
Here you can check the GSM Arena full specifications for this product. The LG G5’s full retail price is $624.00 on Verizon’s page and $688.99 on AT&T’s page.
The design is innovative, the processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, the back of the phone holds two powerful cameras and the “magic slot” that allows modularity is a novel approach inspired by the Google’s Ara project. The Key Features listed in G5’s summary presentation are:
- Transformative Design
- Slide-Out Removable 2,800 mAh Battery
- Modular Metal Body
- Dual Rear Cameras with Wide Angle Lens
- 3″ IPS Quantum QHD Display
LG G5 mobile– the marketing campaign
If some information on this product is familiar to you, there are a lot of chances it may be so due to its quite playful and dynamic advertising campaign.
LG hired the Chicago-based Energy BBDO agency to handle the launch of LG G5 – and they did an excellent job with their spot for the G5 smartphone (directed by Fredrik Bond), as well as with the very dynamic and colorful product video.
On April 1 the epic Jason Statham TV commercial hit the market. So unusual and fun that it made some wonder if it is for real or just another April’s Fools joke. Why? Better watch it and enjoy the fun. The ad accomplished its mission and set a quirky, dynamic image for the product – the kind of representation that appeals to the playful side of the viewers.
The official product video, tag-lined “Get busy bringing the excitement into your hands with the LG G5!” is also entertaining and brilliant, although it seems the type of video material that one either loves or hates, judging by the comments on YouTube. Nevertheless, the fans are thrilled – and the products well outlined, as well as the LG lifestyle promoted along with them.
LG G5 mobile –the critics
It is only fair to take into consideration the negative comments to this LG product – of which you should have formed an idea so far if you checked our previous links.
This source considers that LG actually dropped the ball with its new smartphone, and the arguments are based on the price of this device. For almost $700 the expectancy is high, and the new mobile should not disappoint in any way. Instead, it seems that the battery life, the cameras and the design (although this point is mostly subjective) do not raise to the 600-700 dollars inherent standards. While the battery life and the camera are good, but do not amaze in any way nor represent a considerable progress worthy of the latest technology from 2016, some of the testers consider the design plain ugly. If interested, check the same source for in-depth analysis of various features and see their test results.
The default UI would be another thing that polarized the audiences – the UX 5.0 launcher met a cold greeting and the alternative option would be to install the available LG home 4.0. Here are the instructions for installing the more traditional Android launcher. Although for those who deeply dislike this default UI this option might also be disagreeable – getting a new expensive smartphone and having to change part of its software right away might seem a definite hang-up for some of the smartphone owners out there.
For more user reactions you may check this Reddit thread entitled “24 hours with LG G5” – positive and negative feedback altogether might help in underlining qualities and issues in this new and undeniably disputed new LG smartphone.
