i was first of all skeptical of LG’s V10. each the second display and twin selfie cameras struck me asclassic cellphone gimmicks inside the vein of the Samsung Continuum or Kyocera Echo: They look likeexact ideas whilst you‘re in the store, but you’ll overlook that they exist in a matter of weeks. howeverare they truely that frivolous? and could the fingerprint reader, tougher frame and higher video recording controls come in handy, too? there may be handiest one manner to discover. i’ve spent several weeksdwelling with the V10, and i was pleasantly surprised: it is clear that LG’s extras can be virtuallybeneficial. This isn’t a wonderful phone, although, and you may nonetheless want to assume carefullybefore picking one up for your self.
Gallery: LG V10 | 20 snap shots
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i’ll say this up the front: The V10 has the first-rate 2nd–display screen implementation i have visible to date. this is partly due to the fact in advance tactics tended to be completely impractical (who reallywrote dual–display apps for the Echo?), however i used to be nonetheless happier to use LG’s 1,040 x160 mini show than I had anticipated. At a fundamental level, it became accessible for notifications. Icould glimpse at a down load progress meter or e-mail challenge line while not having to pull down the notification bar and distract myself. The always-on passive mode changed into useful, too, for the reason that I could see if there has been a brand new message without waking the display.
As for the second–display screen features that require your active interest? they’re a mixed bag. I were given the most use out of the audio controls, which made it clean to check tune titles or begin gamblingwith only a tap. The app shortcuts helped make the maximum of my screen real property, too, even supposing it took ages to teach myself to launch apps from there rather than the primary display.however, I struggled to get lots mileage out of the other functions. No, LG, I don’t need to have mypreferred contacts and upcoming appointments in consistent view. The V10’s greater liquid crystal displayis in the end profitable, don’t get me wrong; it’s simply quick on continually beneficial functions that might make it a must-have.
The rest of the promoting points left me further conflicted. the 2 the front–side camera lenses struck me as overkill, for one thing. i’m no longer a habitual selfie shooter, however I nevertheless struggled to justify flipping among close-cropped and huge–attitude photograph modes in my assessments. i would insteadjust leave it on one mode the entire time, and i think the majority will do the same issue. The guide video controls are neatly rendered, letting me refocus photographs or music the white balance, however Isimply didn’t find almost as tons want for them as I did for the equally extremely good controls fornevertheless shots. they’ll definitely assist if you‘re a budding filmmaker or video blogger, but not as an awful lot if you‘re just seeking to submit a quick clip to facebook or Vine.
The fingerprint reader, meanwhile, every so often drives me mad. it is rapid and handy while everythingworks efficaciously, but it is each located within the incorrect location (you can’t use it while yourcellphone is for your desk) and too small to be dependable. There were more than a few times where Ihad to tap the reader a couple of instances to release my telephone, all due to the fact my fingertip wasn’t positioned on the power button simply so. The front–going through fingerprint readers on theiPhone 6s Plus and Galaxy be aware 5 are a good deal higher in case you need to avoid PIN codes orstyles.
LG’s a great deal-vaunted design left me torn, too. I did not have to test the V10’s advanced drop resistance, happily, however I did respect the grippier-textured lower back. The metallic rails, however?now not so much. even as they do supply the handset a sturdier, more top rate sense, they’re by some means both slippery and susceptible to biting into my fingers. This isn’t the smartphone you want tomaintain in the course of a lengthy call, oldsters. and even among large smartphones, the V10 is at thelarge side. The extra show and facet rails result in a tall, huge tool it really is no longer very forgiving to smaller pockets.
it would sound like i’m trashing the V10, however i’m no longer. At its coronary heart, it is still an exceedingly capable cellphone. The Snapdragon 808 processor isn’t5bf1289bdb38b4a57d54c435c7e4aa1c, but it and the 4GB of RAM supposed that i used to be neverhurting for overall performance. LG’s custom interface stays different without being overly burdensome, the battery lifestyles is ok for maximum days and the decision quality is above-common. And sure, the16-megapixel rear camera (first visible at the G4) is first rate. blended with the manual controls, I may want to take snap shots that are difficult to manipulate on any phone, along with extraclose macros andlong exposures. The V10 won’t have the plentiful decision of legendary digicam telephones just like theLumia 1020, however it has just about everything else and then a few.
might I recommend the V10, then? this is a tough name. it is clearly the closing expression of LG’s circa-2015 layout. if you preferred the concept of the G4 but needed that it had a piece extra overall performance and resilience, you have met your dream device. it is also really worth picking over the Galaxy observe 5 or S6 aspect+ if you‘d decide upon a second screen, a semirugged layout, aremovable battery or expandable storage over Samsung’s prettier our bodies and (at the notice five) stylus enter. i have yet to peer what Samsung’s 2016 lineup will carry as of this writing, however the V10 is your fine wager if you need a large, brawny telephone that also lets you switch power packs and microSD cards.
The hassle, as I see it, is that the V10 would not cross pretty as some distance as it must in justifying itslife. except you genuinely need to get that 2d display screen, more selfie cam or fingerprint reader, the G4will get you nearly all of the way there for extensively less cash. it’s approximately as speedy, takes in addition extraordinary snap shots and isn’t always that plenty smaller. you may even pick it in case youfind the V10 too unwieldy.
moreover, it’s awkwardly timed. except you obtain the V10 right while it arrived in midfall, you are likelyhigher off ready to see if the G5 offers you a number of the functions (a fingerprint reader and manualvideo controls appear like shoo-ins) on pinnacle of CPU and digicam improvements. that’s now not eventogether with what rivals like HTC, Samsung and Sony would possibly provide. by way of all means, get the V10 if you want it. it’s a very good cellphone whose unique features usually transcend gimmickry —i’ll omit that second display, although it’s now not a lifesaver. simply recognize that LG’s flagship may not be the pinnacle dog for a good deal longer.