The LG X Power Review
by Brandon Chester on August 31, 2016 9:03 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- LG
- LG X Power
Camera Quality
The camera is another aspect of the LG X Power that differs between the international and North American models. The international model sports a 13MP camera with a f/2.2 aperture and 1.12µm pixels, while the North American model drops down to an 8MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. The North American model also gives up 1080p video support and can only record at 720p, which is honestly sad for a smartphone launching in late 2016. The reason for this is simply a limitation of the SoC's image signal processor, and so it's just another situation where the North American model is crippled as a result of its SoC.
I'm really not a fan of LG selling two different phones under the exact same name just because they look the same, but I can really only work with what I have. I've done two photo comparisons with the LG X Power just to get an idea of what one can expect from the 8MP rear-facing camera on the North American model.
I actually haven't reviewed many phones in the $100-150 price bracket lately, so it's difficult to find direct comparisons to the LG X Power as far as camera quality goes. The 2015 Moto G is now available for around $150, so it's a decent point of comparison even if it has been replaced by a newer but not really better model. In this situation, the LG X Power's image quality leaves much to be desired. The overall sharpness isn't really any better than the 5MP Moto E from early 2015, and it's not near as good as the 2015 Moto G with its 13MP IMX 214 sensor from Sony. LG is likely running into ISP limitations as well, but that's what happens when you put an SoC for $50 phones in a $150 phone.
Low light photos on the LG X Power actually aren't that bad considering the phone's price. In this scene it's able to hit focus, which is something other phones actually struggle with. There's clearly chroma noise throughout the frame, but detail isn't being washed away by heavy noise reduction like it is in the Moto G4's photo. I think the quality and overall exposure is actually very similar to that of the 2015 Moto G despite the difference in resolution between the two. As far as low-end smartphones go, the LG X Power actually isn't half bad shooting in the dark, although it's not going to be at the level of a $250 smartphone like the Moto G4 Plus.
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sorten - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Impressive battery life, but 3.5 hours charge time? I charge my Lumia 950 for 30 minutes in the morning and I'm good for the full day.MonkeyPaw - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Not quite a fair comparison. I've used both the 950 and the 950XL, and while they charge very fast, they also will burn through the battery quickly in some circumstances (Edge can really use the juice with Disqus sites). The Lumia 640 rubs circles around either of those devices when it comes to battery life. A low power SOC (SD400/212) and a 720p screen will never push the power draw limits. A phone like this will have very predictable battery life, regardless of use case.Tams80 - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
I thought we had put the removable battery argument to bed, but apparently not.All you had to do was add 'may be seen as' before "good" and you'd have a perfectly good argument.
Samus - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Yeah, comparing battery charge times is inherently bias. I mean the iPhone battery is 1/4th the capacity of course it's going to charge in less than half the time.Systab - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
The idea of focusing on a single aspect while keeping rest cheap is an intriguing one.However, I was disappointed to learn that LG X Screen has some sort of gimmicky 2nd screen not a great primary screen as I was expecting.
Where is a phone with a fantastic screen suitable for prolonged reading while keeping the rest of phone in low/midrange?
ToTTenTranz - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Wow, this is quite the random uninteresting phone IMO...Have you guys completely given up on the HTC 10 review?
JoshHo - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Brandon isn't responsible for the HTC 10 review. I'm working to finish the HTC 10 review but life often gets in the way of such things.Vagabondjonez - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
I understand.jtang97 - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
If you don't have the time to finish the review, why not pass it on to someone else, instead of constantly delaying it?fanta666 - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Why not take time to review the HTC 10, instead of random phones?