11 LG G4 Features You’ll Love

The LG G4 is an exciting new smartphone that delivers more choices to consumers who want something different from the Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 or iPhone 6. LG improves on the LG G3 from 2014 in key areas and delivers options that HTC, Apple and Samsung don’t in a svelte new leather, ceramic or metal-like body.

LG announced the new G4 at a special event in New York City and after spending time using the LG G4 here are the new LG G4 features that we think you will love using.

These are the most interesting and what we think will be the most used features on the LG G4. This is not a definitive list of everything that is new on the LG G4, but it is a good place to start if you are thinking about buying the LG G4 as an upgrade from the Galaxy S5 or LG G3.

We’ll see the first LG G4 release dates in June and it will arrive on every major U.S. carrier including T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and US Cellular.

We may see some carriers offer different options with leather or wireless charging coming to some carriers and not to others, but the basic features should land on all the versions that come to U.S. carriers in the near future.

LG G4 Features You’ll Love

These are the most important LG G4 features that we think you will use when you get he new smartphone. Some of these features aren’t exclusive to the G4, but the combination makes the LG G4 a device that deserves your attention and that may make it good enough to be your next device.

Leather LG G4 Back

After spending time using the various LG G4 models today Cory Gunther of Gotta be Mobile reports that the LG G4 leather back is, “awesome.”

LG announce black and brown LG G4 leather back options online as well as a ceramic and a metal-like finish. Leather smartphone backs aren’t the first choice for everyone, but this high-quality genuine leather back draws attention and feels great.

At the event we went hands on with various colors of LG G4 leather backs including stunning red and blue options.

Laser Auto Focus

The LG G4 camera carries over the LG G3’s laser focus to help you focus faster and take better looking photos. This is one of the LG G3 features that we really enjoyed and we are glad to see it come back on the LG G4.

When you take a photo the G4 uses a laser to help focus by measuring the distance to the subject. The result is a fast and accurate focusing system that makes it easier to catch photos of fast-moving subjects.

Low Light Camera Performance & OIS

The LG G4 includes a f1.8 aperture lens and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) that should combine to deliver better low light photos. OIS won’t help with moving objects, but the f1.8 aperture lets in a good deal of light so you can take better looking low light photos.

LG G4 Manual Mode

The LG G4 includes a range of controls in the LG G4 manual mode that allow you to do a lot more with the G4 camera. There is a Light Trail mode that can keep the shutter open for up to 10 seconds and with shutter speed control you can choose from 1/6000 of a second to 30 seconds.  You can also control white balance, ISO, exposure compensation and capture Raw image files. A lot of these features would normally be found in a DSLR, not a smartphone camera, although we are seeing more

Huge Display, Small Size

The LG G4 packs in a 5.5-inch display so you have a lot of room to use apps, watch movies, work and look at the photos you take. A big screen is great, but not everyone wants to commit to carrying a big phone.

The LG G4 isn’t as big as the iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note 4. It’s just a little bigger than the LG G3, which was fairly easy to use one-handed. With the G4, you get a big screen, but not a massive phone.

Better Looking Display

We enjoyed the LG G3 display, but the LG G4 display is better. LG boasts that the 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 resolution G4 display is;

• 25% brighter
• 50% more contrast
• 56% improved color accuracy

Together this combines to deliver a very nice looking mobile screen that can sit right next to the iPhone 6 Plus, Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S6.

Large, Removable Battery

While the competition is no longer offering a removable battery, the LG G4 includes a large, removable battery so you can carry spare power. The LG G4 features a 3,000mAh battery that users can remove and replace with a spare by popping the back off.

The Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 and iPhone 6 don’t offer this option.

Micro SD Card Support

The LG G4 includes support for Micro SD cards up to 2TB. This is something that the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge do not offer and the iPhone 6 doesn’t offer.

HTC delivers Micro SD card support in the HTC One M9, so this isn’t a unique feature, but it is one that potential LG G4 buyers will enjoy.

Better Selfies

If you love taking selfies you can use the new 8MP front facing camera and the gesture shutter control to make a fist to start taking photos.

There is also a soft light option that turns the edges of the preview into a bright white image to deliver better lighting on your face.

LG G4 Software

The LG G4 includes Android 5.1 Lollipop that includes a lot of upgrades from Android 4.4 KitKat and LG focuses on delivering added value with other software features.

Swipe down from the top when the screen is off and you’ll use Glance View to see notifications, the time and date. Smart Settings adjust based on connectivity, locations and other triggers. The LG G4 app Air Drive lets you share files wirelessly to your computer with a companion app and there is a new way to add events to your calendar by dragging them to it.

LG also includes Ringtone ID that automatically creates unique ringtones for contacts based on their phone number. The LG Health app also captures your activity and overall health to help you move towards healthier goals.

Crazy Fast Camera

LG also packs in very fast access to the camera and unlike the Galaxy S6 the camera takes a photo as soon as it opens instead of requiring another button press.

Watch the video above to see how fast the LG G4 can take a photo using the volume button to launch the camera and take a photo.