Hands-On

LG G7 ThinQ Hands-on: Ticks all the boxes

It’s never too late

Published

May 2, 2018

There’s a lesson to be learned from the tortoise and the hare, and it seems like LG took this to heart when it developed its 2018 flagship.

Launched today in New York, the LG G7 ThinQ comes two months later than what we’re used to. But it’s these two extra months that could have been exactly the right pace needed for it to finish first.

For us tech journalists, these two months mean time for LG to sort out its artificial intelligence strategy, work out supply chain challenges so that the phone ships with all the best parts and hits stores soon after its launch, and carve out the space for it to have its own moment in the spotlight.

LG G7 ThinQ (left), LG G6 (right)

For everybody else, this means extra time that’s allowed LG to produce a solid smartphone that ticks off many, if not all, of the important boxes that we consider when looking for a smartphone.

It’s built well, has a great camera, has a bright screen and loud speakers, and is backed up by artificial intelligence that simplifies all this tech for you.

Design

2017 was a renaissance year for LG in terms of smartphone design. Both of its flagships were smashing, well-built smartphones, with each release being iteratively better than the last.

Earlier this year, reps from LG’s design team told me that the design of the V30 was so strong and so well received, that it could be one they could settle in for a few generations. And so it comes as no surprise that the G7 and V30 feel like they’re from the same family.

The G7 ThinQ is made mostly of glass, with an aluminum frame, soft rounded corners, and a subtle amount of curves. In the hands, it has just the right amount of heft giving it a more premium feel, fits well in the hands, and is slightly taller and squeezes in more screen.

And of course, because its 2018, it has a notch, which one might argue gives you more screen real estate. If that’s notch your cup of tea, you could turn it off completely, so that the part of the your screen that displays your signal bars and battery status are filled with black. LG also lets you adjust the amount of curvature of the inside corners of your display, a teeny tiny aesthetic change that we’ve nitpicked about in the past and are thrilled to see addressed.

The LCD display itself fills most of the screen apart from a small chin on the bottom of the phone. It’s super bright and has great outdoor visibility.

There are no physical buttons in front; instead, you rely on traditional on-screen buttons to go back, home, and dive into your list of open apps. There’s a fingerprint sensor on the back, a headphone jack on its bottom, wireless charging support, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Yep, pretty much the essentials.

Artificial Intelligence

But what makes the G7 an upgrade is its new artificial intelligence-based features.

Earlier this year, LG launched its own AI brand called ThinQ, first seen on its lineup of consumer home appliances. That G7 is the final part of the ThinQ puzzle, hence it officially goes by a longer name.

The phone should be able to identify LG appliances in your living space and allow you to control them from the phone.

While ThinQ today represents only a small part of what LG wants to do in the area of artificial intelligence space, LG’s vision is to use these technologies to create a device that’s hyper personalized to your needs.

We like how LG’s not reinventing the wheel by forcing users on yet another (half-baked) personal assistant, and instead keeping its platform open, giving Google Assistant even tighter integration. There’s now a dedicated button to summon Google — just press and speak a command. Or if the “Okay/Hey, Google” hot word is more to your liking, they’ve also improved improved the phone’s ability to hear you from much father away.

Cameras

Of course, the biggest AI changes come via the phone’s cameras, which have also been improved. It’s still got the same dual camera setup, one of which has a wide-angle lens. Both now shoot at 16 megapixels, meaning you don’t have to scrimp on quality if you’d rather shoot wide.

There’s a new image sensor that supposedly shoots better low-light photos, although I have yet to test those claims.

What I can tell you for sure is that, through AI, the phone can detect up to 19 objects and scenes and offer you four different filters that it thinks best match what you are taking a photo of. You can also choose to ignore any of these suggestions and shoot, just as the camera sees it.

There’s a new selfie camera too, one that’s usable, and I say that with plenty of thankfulness in my heart, as the selfie camera has long been a weak spot on a whole string of recent LG phones. Portrait mode is available on both the front and main cameras.

BoomBox Speaker

Another area where the G7 shines is its new BoomBox Speaker. They’re not stereo speakers unfortunately, but these bottom-firing speakers are sufficiently loud and of great quality. LG says they’ve utilized the cavity inside the phone as a chamber used to amplify the sound. We tried it, and are pretty impressed.

The phone also supports DTS:X audio for 3D surround sound and Quad DAC (on both Asian and North American variants and not just the former).

Specifications

That’s a theme with the G7 ThinQ: The phone doesn’t compromise on specs, including a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 3000 mAh battery.

The LG G7 will come in four colors, namely Moroccan Blue, Aurora Black, Platinum Grey, and Raspberry Rose.

Prices will differ depending on region, but LG promises it will retail for less than the V30 and closer to last year’s G6 pricing.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

It sure is too early to tell, but as early as now, it’s safe to say LG’s built a great phone they can be proud of, one that you would enjoy using.

We particularly like LG’s approach to an ecosystem of AI devices. Because LG makes so many other home appliances, it’s in a unique position to provide tighter integration. And because it’s also embracing the open approach, you’re not locked in to a single platform.

There’s a lot of promise here, and it’s exciting.

Related Topics:featured G7 ThinQ LG LG G7 LG G7 ThinQ

Accessories

Marshall Major V: Reasons Why I Love It

After a month of using

Published

April 17, 2024

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

I’ve got a new favorite pair of headphones.

They look good, sound good, last long, are compact and portable.

Most of all? They are from a brand that I truly love.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s are V Major reasons why I love the new Marshall Major V!

Hands-On

ZTE nubia Neo 5G: Decent for gaming

But needs improvement

Published

April 4, 2024

GadgetMatch and Levi Verora Jr

Photos c/o Deric Claveria

If you’re looking to buy a smartphone specifically for gaming, you’ll typically need to shell out more. You have to spend extra for capable hardware and software to fuel the mobile gaming experience. That doesn’t mean manufacturers aren’t trying their best to bring more affordable gaming phones to customers. Enter the ZTE nubia Neo 5G.

Known for their higher-end devices like the Redmagic series, ZTE introduced a budget-level choice that promises better gaming for all. Appearance-wise, it straight up looks like a gaming phone. But does it really deliver on being a great value device for mobile gamers?

ZTE nubia Neo 5G specs

Unisoc T820 chipset, up to 2.7GHz
Android 13
8GB+10GB RAM
256GB RAM
6.6-inch FHD+ display
120Hz refresh rate
50MP main camera + 2MP depth camera, 8MP front camera
4,500mAh battery
22.W fast-charging
3.5mm jack
2 SIM card slots

On paper, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G has the usual specs expected of a smartphone of its price point. There’s the usual 50MP main camera, FHD+ display, and and even a 3.5mm jack. On the positive end, it differs from other competitors by offering a higher refresh rate and a more spacious internal storage. However, it has a smaller battery capacity and a slightly slower “fast-charging” output.

WATCH: ZTE nubia Neo 5G Unboxing Reel

Appearance, feel

This budget gaming phone immediately stands out with its gold-and-black, Mecha-like finish at the back. The protruding camera lenses somehow mimic machine gears. The unit we tested came in War-Damaged Yellow. It somehow reminds us of Bumblebee from the Transformers franchise. There is also a Phantom Black option for those wanting black to be the dominant color.

The phone itself has just the proper amount of sleekness into it. It’s not slippery. It’s comfortable to hold. However, the placement of its speakers on the lower left does not help when holding the phone horizontally. Fingers tend to have it blocked, lessening the gaming experience.

Camera

As usual, this budget offering has as 50MP main shooter, with the 2MP extra camera standing in vain. The main camera works well with stills, and leans more on the natural side when it comes to color. Not too saturated, not too pale, just about right. Of course, you’ll need to be ultra steady when capturing as this phone does not support advanced stabilization features.

Additionally, you’ll need sufficient lighting to retain details. Shoot against the light, and the camera’s low dynamic range won’t help in preserving details in the darker parts. Shake your hand a bit, and you’ll get blurred captures. It’s pretty much expected for a handset in this segment.

Check out these sample photos:

Usage

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G does have a simple user interface that’s familiar long-time for Android users. It is able to work well for casual browsing, switching from one app to another, and having a few apps open.

On the downside, there are a few instances that hopping from one app to the other takes a bit more than a split second. I kind of expected that already, especially with watching livestreams or apps involving videos like YouTube and TikTok.

Of course, for optimal performance, it’s best to have just a few apps running at a time. And even with its slightly “smaller” battery, the phone can last you up to a full day for light to moderate use.

Gaming

We tested multiple titles on the ZTE nubia Neo 5G, ranging from slightly to highly demanding, to check its promise of better gaming on an affordable device. Apparently, games will run on the phone under low settings by default.

The phone held its own quite smoothly for usual MOBA and FPS titles, for as long as the graphics settings are set to low.

But where there are more simultaneous things going on, like in a mad Call of Duty scramble, that’s where the effects begin to experience lagging.

Moreover, with titles like Asphalt 9: Legends and Genshin Impact, which both push capabilities to the limit, the phone barely was able to support high settings.

To be fair, the phone did not get very hot throughout about an hour of gameplay, which is quite a plus. All things considered, including its price point and aesthetic that screams gaming, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G can be a decent gaming choice for those who are on a budget but still want to enjoy such games.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Overall, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G is a serviceable budget phone, especially when it comes to usual performance. There are, however, some aspects that need to be improved. It wouldn’t hurt to improve the fast-charging capabilities, change the placement of its speakers, or sneak an extra ultra-wide lens to the setup.

But we fully understand that this device was meant for gaming. Higher-end models aren’t perfect either. This is a decent choice, considering that incorporating better specs to cheaper devices is still an ongoing process. It can only get better from here.

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G is available starting at PhP 9,999 on ZTE’s official Shopee store.

Hands-On

Found: Cute smartphone to match your coquette aesthetic

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G deserves that cute, pink bow

Published

March 4, 2024

MJ Jucutan

If you like it, then you should’ve put a ~pink bow~ on it!

At least, that’s what we did with the newest OPPO Reno11 F 5G painted in Coral Purple.

That soft, lilac hue bodes well with the coquette aesthetic — social media girlies’ cute (and crazy) obsession now.

Originally, the term “coquette” means “a woman who flirts,” which is also referenced at Robert Greene’s book called “The Art of Seduction.”

But the Generation Z knows how to put a spin on everything, with the trend now leaning into more playful and romantic approach to everything they see.

Think: pastel, pink, bows, and everything about girlhood.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G fits in that dainty aesthetic. It’s a smartphone that looks playful from the get-go.

The frame’s slender, and it’s light enough for some chicly usage. Taking mirror selfies like a supermodel can be an achievable flex.

The flat sides look polished, befitting someone who looks bejeweled and ready to step into the world with confidence.

The buttons on the right side are easily reachable — for adjusting your music’s volume and for taking quick selfies.

It also comes in USB-C sitting on its bottom side along with mic and speakers.

Forget 11:11

Up front, the Reno11 F 5G comes with a flat display. Just like the coquette aesthetic, flat displays are being revived.

Curves are getting overrated, though. The flat, 6.7-inch AMOLED display is easier for watching and streaming your favorite shows and films.

Streaming a 2000s film like Mean Girls in 2024 didn’t feel like I was watching a movie from two decades ago. The visuals look as punchy and vibrant as it gets.

I enjoyed rewatching Devil Wears Prada as well, which can be streamed on Netflix. Even when I was sitting by the windows during noontime, the phone’s brightness kept up with the harsh light coming through.

It maintained that dynamic color despite struggling with glares.

What surprised me was the Ultra Volume mode, which boosts the audio up to 300%. The bimbo in me thought it was specifically for Netflix’s content, but I was wrong.

While using TikTok to think of new coquette style and watching my mother Taylor Swift’s performance since I wouldn’t be able to go to the Eras Tour, I activated the ultra volume once more.

The speaker’s as powerful as it gets but frankly, it might hurt your ears. It’s a back-up feature for when you forget your cute, full-toned speakers.

Living life like you’re in a rom-com film

Having a playful smartphone doesn’t end with putting pink bows and looking cute. It should let you romanticize life and let you live like you’re in a rom-com film.

We got to take the smartphone out for a whole day and its 5000mAh battery capacity didn’t even drop to one-fourth. Yup, even with mobile data on, taking pictures and videos, and browsing endlessly on TikTok and Instagram.

The 256GB internal storage is also sufficient for storing all your favorite moments. And more importantly, it’s got a camera that lets you record your everyday life.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G comes with a 64-megapixel Ultra-Clear Triple Camera, which is also capable of recording a 4K Ultra-Clear Video apt for your TikTok and Instagram Reels.

There’s an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera using a Sony IMX355 sensor, if you want to capture your views.

And for some details, there’s a 2-megapixel macro camera for when you want to zoom in a little. Up front, you can enjoy a 32-megapixel selfie camera which uses a Sony IMX615 sensor.

Moreover, there are built-in filters that you can select for your photos. Here are glimpses of our lives romanticized.

A match made for coquette girlies

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G takes anyone easily in their lover era, thanks to its playful vibe. The coquette aesthetic may fit it well, but it’s still a versatile phone that any girlies and their oomfs can take advantage of.

It’s just like any midrange phone, capable of multi-tasking from morning to night. Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7050, you can certainly swipe continuously and power through the day.

You can even play some games if you’re bored from doomscrolling.

And when you’re in dire need of recharging, you can let it charge with its 67W SUPERVOOC. Before you’re done with your makeup, the phone’s already back to a hundred.

So, if you’re up for a smartphone that can easily take on your day-to-day life while looking coquette, the OPPO Reno11 F 5G just might be the dainty gizmo of your dreams.

Pricing and availability for the OPPO Reno11 F 5G will be announced soon. Stay tuned.