Many would have thought that the LG V10 was a preview on what was to come of the LG G5. But scratch that. Today, LG dropped the G5, and it turned out to be more of an overhaul than a progression. Let’s breakdown the differences. I have a V10 myself and I’m honestly conflicted on whether to upgrade or not.
Design
The V10 and G5 are back-to-back releases, but you wouldn’t be able to guess it. The V10’s design was a progression from the G4, adding a rubbery, textured plastic back cover and metal rails on the sides, while the new G5 has a rounded metal uni-body.
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We know that LG’s G series has the smaller display, but now they’re further apart. Last year’s G4 had a 5.5″ inch display while the G5 has shrunk down to 5.3″ (still QHD resolution). This move may be to add a better distinction between the G and V series, as the V10’s 5.7″ display wasn’t too far off from the G4.
The G5 gave up on LG’s established back physical button layout, present in every flagship since the G2 in 2013. And the dual cameras that the V10 had on the front (standard and wide angle) are now swapped over to the back as the primary cameras (16MP standard and 8MP wide angle).
You may think that the V10’s removable back cover gives it a functional advantage. Fortunately, LG incorporated an innovative modular design in the G5 (the bottom bezel is a slot that pops out) and still allows for a swappable battery.
It goes even further to allow for accessory add-on’s into the slot, like a physical camera control attachment (called LG CAM Plus) or Bang &Â Olufsen HiFi DAC/AMP module.
Click here to read about the LG G5 ‘Friends’ modules
Internals
It should be expected that the G5 would best the V10 in the performance department, that’s just how technology works. Qualcomm finally got the Snapdragon 820 SoC released, and it should sweep the floor with the V10’s Snapdragon 808 chipset. On the RAM side, although they both have 4GB, the G5 has LPDDR4 speeds while the V10 uses the older LPDDR3 memory spec.
However, the V10 still holds its own in a couple ways. The G5’s battery is smaller, at 2,800mAh (vs. 3,000mAh). The HiFi DAC in the V10 is standard, while it will be an add-on on the G5 (at probably an extra cost). And the V10 has a nifty secondary 2.1″ display above the main 5.7″ display, that provides some useful conveniences.
Along with the removable battery, LG was also able to keep microSD expansion support. It’s incorporated into the SIM tray and expandable up to 2 TB.
An important mention is the G5’s adoption of the new USB Type-C standard, which is a buzz right now in mobiles.
Features
As of this writing, the V10 has yet to taste the sweet Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The G5, being the new hotness, of course comes with Google’s latest. Both devices have LG’s custom UX user interface skin on top of Android, albeit, LG has supposedly lightened up the latest iteration (even taking away the app drawer).
If you were a fan of the V10’s Always-On display, you’ll be glad to hear that LG found a way to retain it, even though the G5 doesn’t have a secondary screen. LG cleverly only lights up a third of the display for the Always-On feature, to minimize the impact of battery from the IPS LCD display. LG says that Always-On on the G5 will only cost you 0.8% of battery life per hour.
Thoughts?
Do you think that the G5 went in the right direction, or would you have preferred to see an evolved V10? I’m a V10 owner and I’m left somewhat ambivalent. The G5’s display is considerably smaller, the body is most likely less grippy, the battery is smaller, and the HiFi DAC is an add-on.
Let us know your thoughts in comments section below!
LG had better not take away the app drawer in the second generation V10, or even in updates to V10’s firmware.
Its a different audience, G5 is addressing a different target compared to V series. As a V10 dual sim user, my only struggle has been with the V10 battery life (for which I carry a spare), since I was using a Sony Z3 earlier. I prefer the V series design language and I hope they retain that. Next V series device would be perfect if they manage to make battery life last 15 hours. Amoled screen. Add dual front facing very loud speakers. F/1.7 dual front and dual rear cameras. Rest all can look the same.
I’ll be keeping my V10, and if Samsung puts the SD card back in the Note 6, I may be going back to them. The G5 slide our battery tray is kind of cool. But what keeps it from sliding out all the time, unintended. I forsee that mechanism messing up in the future, and the battery keeps sliding out. I do appreciate them still keeping the removable battery & SD card though, may stick with LG for that
While I was sold on the V10 from the first video I saw with every feature you could ask for and then some, the G5 isn’t nearly as appealing. In fact, I’d switch back to Samsung 2016 phone lineup before going to the G5. Its just not appealing. Hopefully they don’t mess up the V10 successor because LG has a repeat buyer in me every year if they just improve it rather than start over from the ground up like they did on the G5.
New phone specs I would suggest for 2016 version of the V10. aluminum side rails to cut down on weight to offset a bigger 3500 mAh battery, 820 snapdraggon, 530 GPU, 6GB memory, better battery management by improved software AND an Ultra Battery Power Saver mode like on Samsung phones!, and finally IP68 water resistance. I’d even pay more for this phone (I got a steal on V10 at 500 plus free 200gb SD, battery, and battery cradle).
I’ve owned the V10 since Nov.2, 2015. I’m definitely enjoying (practically) everything about the V10. Seeing the G5 has definitely put a wrinkle in the hopes that LG may improve the V10. The latest evolution of the ‘G’ series (G5) is a let-down,.. but a disappointment almost solely based on the G5’s design (as opposed to it’s features). Kudos to LG for their bravery and boldness.
V10 Design is great. Next improvement would be double loudspeaker. Double main camera. 3500 mah Battery. Newer Processor. Integrated Stick like samsung note?
The V10 is a very capable phone. I have been using since the day it was released and have yet to have any issues with processing or lock ups. The extra battery and memory card promotion was an excellent feature to add. I still have a CD/tape player in my Ford Expedition so the HiFi audio feature is key for me. I use a tape adapter to listen to Pandora and the quality is amazing. On my newer Acura the Bluetooth works flawlessly. Removable Memory and Battery is a must for me. I’m always on the go and don’t want to plug in or use a power pack. A simple battery swap and I’m rolling right along. Also I prefer a larger screen and don’t mind carrying a large device. I use the Incipio two piece case to protect it which makes it slightly larger but still I’m ok with it. The second screen is amazing. Message previews, music controls and calender events all show here without turning the main screen on. This saves the battery life enormously. The G5 appears to be speaking to a different crowd. Slimmer with less features standard. For example, my sister who has nothing but iPhones since the first model, just bought the G5 and loves it. She claims the V10 us “too much phone for her.” I pray that LG decided to take the G series in a different direction and incorporates the larger features with removable optioned phones to the V series. Thus appealing to both sides of the coin and keeping all their customers happy. Maybe LG can finally turn these goofy iPhone users…lol. I was an avid HTC fan since the 8235 Windows smart phone all the way to the Sensation and Amaze. The G2 sold me minus the lack of removable battery and memory but LG got it right with the G3. I have used all LG in the following order: G2, G-Flex, G3, Flex2 (very briefly), G4 and now the V10. I will not be upgrading to the G5. It is in fact a redesign compared to the V10. I will also add that moving buttons to the side of the phone is off putting. After using all the prior LG devices, it really needs to stay on the back to keep me happy. My finger is already there, don’t make me feel around on the side to adjust. Keep moving foward with the V series packing in large screens and all the creature comforts you can support and I promise to be a life time user.