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 The 2015 Moto G is now available for around $150, so it's a decent point of comparison even if it has been replaced by a newer but not really better model.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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KAKAnuran - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
You don't understand? Money talks here. If anandtech does not receive the check from HTC, they would hold the review until the next generation is coming while no one is paying any attention to the current gen. EVEN THE REVIEWER THINKS THAT HTC 10 IS AN AMAZING PHONEjtang97 - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
Yeah, and people are wondering why the HTC 10 doesn't seem to be selling well.Could it be because a very respected website appears to be stalling in publishing their review of the phone?
In my many years of visiting this site and reading their phone reviews (some of which I agree with and some I don't), I've not seen a phone review delayed for so long. Over 3 months and counting now.
I think we are entitled to an explanation a bit more than just "life". Whatever it is, it hasn't stopped him releasing other articles and reviews.
It's almost like you are deliberately delaying the review now.
Meteor2 - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
^This.sprockkets - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
I saw this phone at cricket. It surprisingly is lightweight. But the screen on it compared to the Escape 3 is horrible. I wouldn't buy it. I basically can confirm the poor light and colors tested here, and you will notice it next to other phones.shadarlo - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
I wish my S7 or any high end phone would go 1-2mm thicker and make that entire space extra battery capacity. I really really really don't need a phone any thinner than my S7.... what I do need is a full day of USAGE on my phone.I have to carry a giant ass battery brick with me just to keep my S7 topped up on trips when I am driving around and going in and out of good coverage zones. I've had my battery drop from 90%-30% just driving around a national park for a few hours. This is the type of thing phone companies need to work on.... stopping massive drains and giving bigger batteries, not making a tiny phone even tinier.
Notmyusualid - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
As I alluded to earlier, check A9 Pro. I go more than a day with ease.fanofanand - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
A7????? I am a fan of inexpensive phones but this is preposterous.zeeBomb - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
When a phone like this uses a snap 212...huuuge turnoff. I wonder if it's rootable.And Brandon, any foresight of a Moto G play review? Kinda curious how it'll be.
zeeBomb - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Can anyone who has this (or Brandon) use the AIDA64 app and see what camera sensor it uses?slashbinslashbash - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - link
Good idea but poor execution. If this phone had all of its limitations but 2X or 3X the battery life of everything else on the market, it might find its niche. But having all of its limitations and only 1.5X the battery life, why would anybody bother?