Phone LG g2 mini. Review of the mini version of the flagship LG G2 mini. OS and software

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

Width

Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use.

66 mm (millimeters)
6.6 cm (centimeters)
0.22 ft (feet)
2.6 in (inches)
Height

Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use.

129.6 mm (millimeters)
12.96 cm (centimeters)
0.43 ft (feet)
5.1 in (inches)
Thickness

Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement.

9.8 mm (millimeters)
0.98 cm (centimeters)
0.03 ft (feet)
0.39 in (inches)
Weight

Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement.

121 g (grams)
0.27 lbs
4.27 oz (ounces)
Volume

The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

83.83 cm³ (cubic centimeters)
5.09 in³ (cubic inches)
Colors

Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale.

Black
White
Materials for making the case

Materials used to make the device body.

Plastic

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226
Technological process

Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor.

28 nm (nanometers)
Processor (CPU)

The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications.

ARM Cortex-A7
Processor size

The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors.

32 bit
Instruction Set Architecture

Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute.

ARMv7
Level 1 cache (L1)

Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2.

16 kB + 16 kB (kilobytes)
Level 2 cache (L2)

L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory.

1024 kB (kilobytes)
1 MB (megabytes)
Number of processor cores

The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel.

4
CPU clock speed

The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).

1200 MHz (megahertz)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc.

Qualcomm Adreno 305
Number of GPU cores

Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications.

1
GPU clock speed

Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).

450 MHz (megahertz)
Amount of random access memory (RAM)

Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted.

1 GB (gigabytes)

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type/technology

One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends.

IPS
Diagonal

For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches.

4.7 in (inches)
119.38 mm (millimeters)
11.94 cm (centimeters)
Width

Approximate screen width

2.3 in (inches)
58.53 mm (millimeters)
5.85 cm (centimeters)
Height

Approximate screen height

4.1 in (inches)
104.05 mm (millimeters)
10.4 cm (centimeters)
Aspect Ratio

The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side

1.778:1
16:9
Permission

Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail.

540 x 960 pixels
Pixel Density

Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail.

234 ppi (pixels per inch)
91 ppcm (pixels per centimeter)
Color depth

Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors the screen can display.

24 bit
16777216 flowers
Screen area

Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device.

71.42% (percent)
Other characteristics

Information about other screen features and characteristics.

Capacitive
Multi-touch
Oleophobic (lipophobic) coating

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Main camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.

Sensor type

Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device.

CMOS BSI (backside illumination)
ISO (light sensitivity)

ISO indicators determine the level of light sensitivity of the photosensor. A lower value means weaker light sensitivity and vice versa - higher values ​​mean higher light sensitivity, i.e. better ability of the sensor to work in low light conditions.

100 - 3200
Diaphragm

Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger.

f/2.4
Excerpt

Shutter speed (exposure time) refers to the amount of time the camera's shutter is open while taking pictures. The longer it is open, the more light reaches the photosensor. Shutter speed is measured in seconds (eg 5, 2, 1) or fractions of a second (eg 1/2, 1/8, 1/8000).

1/14 - 1/30000
Flash type

The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting.

LED
Image Resolution

One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image.

3264 x 2448 pixels
7.99 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution

Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device.

1920 x 1080 pixels
2.07 MP (megapixels)
Video - frame rate/frames per second.

Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p.

30fps (frames per second)
Characteristics

Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality.

Autofocus
Digital zoom
Geographical tags
Panoramic photography
HDR shooting
Touch Focus
Face recognition
White Balance Adjustment
ISO Setting
Exposure compensation
Self-timer
Macro mode

Additional camera

Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

Version

There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device.

4.0
Characteristics

Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here.

A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile)
DIP (Device ID Profile)
FTP (File Transfer Profile)
GAVDP (Generic Audio/Video Distribution Profile)
HDP (Health Device Profile)
HFP (Hands-Free Profile)
HID (Human Interface Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
MAP (Message Access Profile)
OPP (Object Push Profile)
PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile)
PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile)
SAP/SIM/rSAP (SIM Access Profile)

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Capacity

A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours.

2440 mAh (milliamp-hours)
Type

The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices.

Li-Ion (Lithium-ion)
2G talk time

2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network.

12 h (hours)
720 min (minutes)
0.5 days
2G latency

2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network.

700 h (hours)
42000 min (minutes)
29.2 days
3G talk time

3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network.

16 h (hours)
960 min (minutes)
0.7 days
3G latency

3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network.

600 h (hours)
36000 min (minutes)
25 days
Characteristics

Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery.

Removable
SiO+

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.

Head SAR level (EU)

The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998.

0.361 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Body SAR level (EU)

The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by the CENELEC Committee in compliance with the ICNIRP 1998 guidelines and IEC standards.

0.46 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Head SAR level (US)

The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values.

0.63 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Body SAR level (US)

The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard.

1.09 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)

LG is one of those companies that are fighting for the title of the best smartphone manufacturer on the planet. In 2014, the Korean giant of electronics and household appliances presented to buyers and experts a very interesting LG model, which was very positive and which is a smaller version of the flagship LG G2. The phone turned out to be very interesting, so it’s impossible not to make a review dedicated to it.

Specifications

The manufacturing company from South Korea tried to do everything to make this smartphone the best, at least among the “small copies” of flagships. Therefore, the developers have equipped the phone with very strong characteristics. The processor consists of four cores, each of which has a clock speed of 1.2 GHz. It was decided to install 1 gigabyte as RAM, and 8 gigabytes as internal built-in memory. If this volume is not enough, then this smartphone supports MicroSD flash cards up to 32 gigabytes. The device itself has a screen diagonal of 4.7 inches, but its resolution is not very high, only 540 x 960. In addition, the operating system uses the latest version of Android - 4.4.

This smartphone has several names. One of them is the LG Optimus G2 mini, as a tribute to the corporation's previous line of smartphones - Optimus. The 8-megapixel camera of this smartphone adorns its back side, while the quality of the images remains at a fairly good level.

Ergonomics

Many people liked the design of the LG G2 mini. The appearance characteristics of the smartphone are very attractive. The entire phone is made of plastic. At first glance, everything is done at a fairly high level. The material itself is of very high quality, the phone fits very comfortably in your hands. On the front of the smartphone there are touch control buttons, as well as a speaker, and by turning the device over, you can find a rather interesting panel of the phone along with the main camera. The panel attracts special attention. The fact is that this is not just an ordinary piece of plastic, but slightly corrugated. This was probably done in order to avoid unnecessary soiling of the phone and to improve the grip of the LG d618 G2 mini white smartphone with the hand. If you look at the bottom end of the smartphone, you can find several holes. Two of them are speakers for talking, and one is a connector designed both for charging the phone and for connecting the smartphone to a personal computer. At the top end of the device there is a headset jack. It’s also worth noting that the phone’s power button (and is also located in an innovative way, namely on the back panel, right under the camera. This may seem a little unusual, but at the same time it’s quite convenient.

Display

LG G2 mini (technical characteristics of the display and its size) surprised everyone even at its announcement, because the screen diagonal is not the standard 4 or 4.3 inches, like other “younger brothers” of flagships, but 4.7. However, despite such a large size, the developers skimped on making its resolution 1280 x 960. Instead, we get an prohibitive 960 x 540. The glass coating of the screen itself is very pleasant tactilely and does not scratch too much, which is a definite plus. The screen brightness is at a very good level, and the colors displayed on the smartphone's display look very realistic. The problem occurs in bright sunlight. In this case, the image becomes faded and detail decreases. But this is a problem with many smartphones, so this fact should not be considered a particular disadvantage.

Software

The mini, which has quite good reviews from both buyers and respected experts, has the latest version of Android installed, namely Android 4.4. In addition, the company has developed several interesting programs that will facilitate not only the use of a smartphone, but also the use of various household and electronic appliances that are turned on using the control panel. The program can control almost every electronic item in your home via infrared. Another feature of the developers from South Korea is the KnockOn program, which allows you to turn on and off the screen of your smartphone with a few taps on the screen. This moment is very convenient and does not require much effort.

LG G2 mini, characteristics: battery and operating time

This is where the real plus and advantage of this model is in its battery. The battery capacity of the device is large enough for those smartphones that currently exist on the market. It is 2440 mAh. This suggests that you can use your smartphone for almost a whole working day for various purposes, and it will not require immediate charging. If you use your smartphone adequately, the battery charge can easily last for two working days.

Audio and video

The sound quality of this device is good, but still inferior to the clear leaders in these characteristics, which are NTS and Samsung. As for video, thanks to a fairly strong processor and a gigabyte of RAM, videos are played quickly and without stuttering. But there are problems related to screen resolution. Due to the fact that it is only 960 x 540, there are sometimes slight ripples in the frames.

Camera and photo quality

LG G2 mini, the technical characteristics of which do not raise any questions, has two cameras: the main one and the front one. The main camera has eight million pixels, which is quite normal for a small copy of a flagship. The quality of photographs taken by this camera is kept at a fairly high level. It should be noted that the detail and clarity of the image when shooting with a smartphone from LG is better than with similar smartphones from other companies. This cannot but please the first owners of this device, especially if for them the camera and the quality of photos in a smartphone are the most important factor.

Communications and Internet

Let's look at such an important factor for a phone as communication on the LG G2 mini smartphone. Reviews from many owners say that this is one of the best devices for accessing the Internet and chatting with friends. And perhaps they are right. The fact is that when you access the Internet, the connection occurs almost immediately, and the initial connection speed is always at a very high level. As for the Wi-Fi network, the situation is similar. When you find the required access point, the connection occurs instantly.

As for conversational communication, which is the main function of any phone, there are no problems here either. The interlocutor can be heard perfectly even at a speaker volume level of fifty percent. If you are on a busy street, an 80 percent volume level is enough to hear a friend located on the other side of the connection.

Equipment and prices for this gadget

After purchasing a smartphone from a South Korean company, you will receive a box with all the necessary components for the LG G2 mini. The paper instructions are the first thing you will see when you open the box. It may be useful for those people who are faced with the issue of using a smartphone for the first time. In this manual you can find all the necessary information regarding the device, its functions and capabilities. In addition to the documentation, you will also receive a headset in the form of headphones. Moreover, this accessory is of very good quality. Of course, if you are a music lover, then it is preferable to buy something better, but for the average listener these headphones are a pretty decent option. Another component in the box is a USB adapter designed to connect your smartphone to a computer. Well, the final item in the box is the charger. A case for the LG G2 mini is not included, but you can always buy one almost anywhere.

As for the prices for this product, they are set independently by different stores. In some cases, the price of a given phone may vary depending on the additional flash memory. The average price of this smartphone is $275, which is quite reasonable, especially considering the characteristics it has.

LG G2 mini. Customer reviews and expert opinion

The smartphone from the South Korean manufacturer LG has collected a very good harvest in terms of reviews. Of course, each user was based on the price-quality ratio, so it is not surprising that the majority of reviews are very positive. Many ordinary users note the excellent battery as an advantage of the device. Some of them claim that they can go without charging for more than two days. Also, many buyers note the quality of photographs taken using the phone’s camera. The only factor, some users, is the design of the back panel of the smartphone. They claim that this design is not typical of ultra-modern smartphones, but of their grandmother’s glasses case. As “compensation”, some users suggest that the company also provide a case for the LG G2 mini in the package, but this is a bit excessive.

The opinion of experts largely coincides with the opinion of ordinary smartphone users. After conducting several comparative analyses, they came to the conclusion that this phone option is almost the best for the price of $275. The only drawback that they could not keep silent about is the small screen resolution. Although many people do not pay attention to how flawless the image on their screen is.

Let's summarize the review

LG is gradually starting to increase its share of the overall high-tech smartphone market, and it's safe to say that the LG G2 mini phone will be able to make this share even larger. This model has a 4-core processor, and each core is 1.2 GHz. Despite the fact that the smartphone has one gigabyte of RAM, its performance is at a very high level. Don't forget about his camera. Despite the fact that, unlike the flagship, it is only 8 MP, the image quality is at a very good level. Moreover, no matter what time of day it was during the shooting. The new programs are very convenient. As for sound and communication, they are also at the proper level. Do not forget that we were only considering a budget version of a smartphone, the price of which does not exceed $300. And for such a price it is not always possible to find a high-quality device that can fully satisfy your needs.

It is clear that this LG d618 G2 mini white phone is not a clear leader among smartphones in terms of its characteristics, but it was produced as a competitor to similar smartphones from other companies. And it's safe to say that this product is a very interesting option for those who don't have the money for the LG G2, but like its design.

When the first rumors about the LG G2 Mini first appeared, I wanted it like no other smartphone. Of course, it promised to have the same characteristics as the LG G2, only significantly smaller. But a miracle did not happen - the official announcement brought the LG G2 Mini into the same rank with other “mini-versions” of flagships: the screen is far from Full HD, the processor is simpler, there is less RAM, and the battery is not so capacious. It's a shame, annoying, but still interesting how it turned out in the end. Moreover, the sizes are really smaller, as well as the price.

Impressions from the appearance

The LG G2 Mini does look similar to its big brother, but only when you look at it as a whole. They differ greatly in detail. For example, the indicators above the screen are mirrored: in the LG G2 they are located to the left of the speaker, in its mini version they are on the right. The headset jack has moved from the bottom to the top. At the back - instead of a glossy panel with a texture effect somewhere under the varnish coating - there is a really textured cover. The plastic, in my opinion, is a little simpler, so the smartphone itself overall looks simpler and cheaper.

The most important feature has also changed – the buttons on the rear panel. The two-position volume control has become more convex, it protrudes more above the surface and because of this it is easier to press. This is both a plus and a minus at the same time. On the one hand, volume control has become more convenient. On the other hand, the key works much easier in your pocket or when you type on a phone lying on the table. The LG G2 had the same problem, only to a much lesser extent. It can be solved simply: with a protective cover or a back panel. It is thick enough to protect the protruding button.

Another significant difference lies in the design itself. The LG G2 had a non-removable back cover, and the micro-SIM slot was located on the side panel. The LG G2 Mini has a removable back panel, the slots are hidden under it, and there are several more of them: two for microformat SIM cards, one for a micro SD memory card.

The decoration of the bottom panel remains unchanged - two grilles on either side of the USB port. It looks like the smartphone has stereo speakers. In fact, like the LG G2, the LG G2 Mini only has one speaker. The second grille hides the microphone behind it. It’s a bit of a shame because of such deception, but even in such conditions there is no need to complain about the sound: the smartphone “sings” quite well, only at high volume levels one can hear a strong drift into metallic notes.

Speaking of sound. Through headphones it becomes even more enjoyable. Since I had a non-sale version in my hands, I can’t say anything about the quality of the included headset and tested the sound with my own headphones. For a smartphone, it's quite good, especially considering that the LG G2 Mini is not positioned as a music device.

On the top panel there is a headphone jack, a second microphone and another remarkable detail - an infrared port. Thanks to it, the LG G2 Mini can be used instead of a remote control for home appliances.

Camera

The camera visually looks the same as the LG G2. But in fact, she is significantly inferior to her. Instead of a 13-megapixel matrix, there is only 8 MP, there is no sapphire glass, and there is no optical stabilization. But there is still multi-point autofocus, which in my opinion is very nice. The matrix is ​​not simple, but BSI type.

The camera takes pictures quite well by smartphone standards. The photos are bright, noise and significant distortion are noticeable only with a strong lack of light.

The menus and settings in the camera are similar, there are many modes. Just like in other new smartphones from the manufacturer, you can quickly activate the camera by long pressing the volume button.

The second, front camera, is also a little simpler than the flagship: standard 1.3 megapixels versus 2.1 megapixels.

Screen

If you look at the numbers, the weakest point of the LG G2 Mini is its screen. In the younger version of the flagship I would really like to see an HD format screen, but instead it is only 960x540 pixels, pixel density is 234 ppi.

Device nameWhite field brightness,
cd/m2
The brightness of the black field,
cd/m2
Contrast
LG G2 Mini 307.59 0.57 540:1
LG L90 D405 308.55 0.44 701:1
LG G2 323.81 0.4 810:1
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact 383.2 0.42 534:1
Sony Xperia Z1 400.81 0.75 534:1
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini 288 0 ?
Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 336.41 0.52 647:1
Huawei Ascend Mate 454.76 0.58 791:1
Samsung Galaxy S4 320 0 ?
Sony Xperia T 421 0.28 1503:1
iPhone 4S 434 0.53 818:1

If we forget about the numbers as such, then I personally did not notice graininess, lack of clarity or anything like that. A solid picture, with rich colors and wide viewing angles – this is due to the IPS matrix. However, the brightness and saturation of the picture as such does not mean that the display transmits the image accurately and efficiently. The graphs made using the equipment in the editorial office immediately show that the color gamut of the LG G2 Mini is less than sRGB. The color temperature graph is strongly shifted upward from the ideal value of 6500k, which means there is a strong shift towards cool shades. The graph of the color components of a monochrome gradient is also very far from ideal. And only the gamma curve hints that the screen is not entirely bad. In general, if you focus not only on the subjective beauty/ugliness, then the screen in the LG G2 Mini can safely be considered its weak points.

Performance and Features

The smartphone has a quad-core processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz and 1 GB of RAM. The configuration is standard for a mid-class device, although from the “compact version of the flagship,” as the manufacturer itself calls it, you expect something a little more. However, during the entire testing period I did not have a single complaint about the performance and smooth operation of the LG G2 Mini. It never froze, never slowed down, and never failed when passing toys.

The results of testing with special applications also turned out to be very pleasant. In AnTuTu Benchmark, the smartphone received 16882 points, slightly inferior to the flagships of the year before. In comparison with Mini smartphones, this is a very good result; for example, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini received only 11,696 points in the same utility.

Quadrant rated the potential of the LG G2 Mini at 8561 points, Nena Mark 2 gave it 59.9 fps. Next, I ran more graphically intensive tests from the 3D Mark program. In Ice Storm, the smartphone received 4377 points, in the Extreme version - 2540, and in Unlimited 4258 points. Overall, these results indicate that the smartphone handles games and graphics applications quite adequately. Another test program I ran on the LG G2 Mini was Vellamo. In performance testing mode when working with HTML5, the smartphone received 1203 points, in the Metal test - 541 points. Compared to last year's Mini flagship from Samsung, it is somewhat inferior (it had 2053 and 689 points, respectively), but the results are far from bad.

To be honest, I don’t see the point in talking a lot about the shell and menu of the smartphone. It remains the same as in previous models. The set of preinstalled programs remains unchanged.

I’ll say a few words about the proprietary Knock Code blocking utility. The function is first activated in the settings menu, and the smartphone asks you to repeat the code twice and twice you will have to enter an additional PIN code. It will come in handy if you suddenly forget the combination and cannot enter it even the fifth time.

You need to “knock” on the screen to unlock it in the area designated for this. But at the same time, you do not need to fall strictly into its corners, the main thing is that the direction relative to the original point is chosen correctly. There are a total of 8 consecutive touches in the combination, so, as the manufacturer writes on its website, there can be a lot of options for tapping the code.

During the entire testing of the function, the LG G2 Mini never made a mistake in perceiving the code: it recognized it all those times when I entered it correctly, and was not provoked when I confused the sequence. In general, the function is very reliable and pleasant to use.

Working with two SIM cards is implemented in active mode and is quite convenient for the user. At the bottom of the screen there is a row of touch buttons, the rightmost of which leads to the SIM profile management menu. Simple and convenient - on the one hand. On the other hand, it is enough to remove one “tick” to fall out of the network. And for some ridiculous reason, I managed to do this by accident several times, without noticing it. Then I turned my smartphone off and on so that it could find the network again, and only the third time I realized what was going on.

Finally, as usual, I’ll tell you about the working hours. Despite the fact that the battery capacity of the LG G2 Mini is not very large (2440 mAh), it held up very well throughout testing. In active daily use mode, it can work for about 2 days. At the same time, by use I mean three to four hours of music at a volume above average (through headphones), a couple of hours of surfing the Internet (browser), active Instagram surfing, communicating for an hour and a half a day on the phone and other mobile joys of life. The smartphone was rarely able to lie quietly. At the same time, the pedometer was turned on all the time, which eats up a lot of battery resources. Without it, the operating time is even a little longer - up to 3 days. In general, there is definitely nothing to complain about the operating time of the LG G2 Mini.

Bottom line

Despite the fact that my initial expectations about the LG G2 Mini were not met, I liked the smartphone. Reliable, fast, comfortable in the hands, with a good interface and a very good camera. I didn’t want to part with it at the end of testing. It fully justifies its cost of 3,500 hryvnia ($275). But at the same time, I cannot say that it is without shortcomings. The most important of them is the screen. In a modern smartphone, especially of this class and presented with such words (a compact version of the Flamag, in case anyone has forgotten), it would be worth using a better solution. At a minimum, with HD resolution, which is already actively used in devices from other manufacturers. Another drawback of the smartphone is its performance, which is somewhat inferior to last year’s mini-versions of the flagships. True, this minus is most likely noticeable only for those who are chasing performance or using very resource-intensive programs (I didn’t come across any of those). I can recommend the LG G2 Mini to those who are looking for a beautiful, compact and reliable mid-class smartphone.

5 reasons to buy LG G2 Mini

  • the same original housing solution as the LG G2
  • excellent work without lags or slowdowns
  • matte, textured back panel
  • many proprietary features, including equipment control and Knock Code
  • support for 2 SIM cards in active mode

2 reasons not to buy LG G2 Mini

  • far from the best, albeit IPS, screen
  • performance unworthy of the compact version of the flagship

General characteristics

Type

Deciding on the type of device (phone or smartphone?) is quite simple. If you need a simple and inexpensive device for calls and SMS, it is recommended to choose a telephone. A smartphone is more expensive, but it offers a wide variety of options: games, videos, the Internet, thousands of programs for all occasions. However, its battery life is significantly less than that of a regular phone.

smartphone operating system Android OS version at the start of sales Android 4.4 Case type classic Controls touch buttons Number of SIM cards 2 SIM card type

Modern smartphones can use not only regular SIM cards, but also their more compact versions micro SIM and nano SIM. An eSIM is a SIM card integrated into the phone. It takes up virtually no space and does not require a separate tray for installation. eSIM is not yet supported in Russia. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

micro SIM Weight 121 g Dimensions (WxHxD) 66x129.6x9.99 mm

Screen

Screen type color IPS, touch Touch screen type multi-touch, capacitive Diagonal 4.7 inches. Image Size 960x540 Pixels per inch (PPI) 234 Aspect Ratio 16:9

Multimedia capabilities

Number of main (rear) cameras 1 Main (rear) camera resolution 8 MP Functions of the main (rear) camera autofocus Recording videos There is Max. video resolution 1920x1080 Max. video frame rate 30 fps Front-camera yes, 1.3 MP Audio MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio Headphone jack 3.5 mm

Connection

Standard GSM 900/1800, 3G Interfaces

Almost all modern smartphones have Wi-Fi and USB interfaces. Bluetooth and IRDA are a little less common. Wi-Fi is used to connect to the Internet. USB is used to connect your phone to a computer. Bluetooth is also found in many phones. It is used to connect wireless headphones, to connect your phone to wireless speakers, and also to transfer files. A smartphone equipped with an IRDA interface can be used as a universal remote control. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, USB Satellite navigation

Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules allow you to determine the coordinates of your phone using signals from satellites. In the absence of GPS, a modern smartphone can determine its own location using signals from cellular operator base stations. However, finding coordinates using satellite signals is usually much more accurate. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

GPS DLNA support yes

Memory and processor

CPU

Modern phones and smartphones usually use special processors - SoC (System on Chip, system on a chip), which, in addition to the processor itself, houses the graphics core, memory controller, input/output device controller, etc. Therefore, the processor largely determines the set of functions and device performance. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

Qualcomm MSM8226, 1200 MHz Number of processor cores 4 Video processor Adreno 305 Built-in memory capacity 8 GB RAM capacity 1 GB Memory card slot Yes, up to 32 GB

Nutrition

Battery capacity 2440 mAh Removable battery Talk time 22 h Standby time

Recently, some smartphone manufacturers have started releasing smaller versions of their flagship devices with the “mini” prefix. And if at first glance you might think that this is just a smaller copy of a “top-end” smartphone, then looking at the technical characteristics, you can find many differences, sometimes quite significant. LG also took this path and released a smaller version of the “top” model LG G2, which we have already tested, leaving a lot of positive impressions.

Note that the LG G2 mini was presented back in February at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2014). The smartphone is available in three modifications. Two of them are equipped with a very similar processor, namely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 in the MSM8226 or MSM8926 modification, carrying four cores and Adreno 305 graphics. In addition, the latter has support for the fourth generation of LTE mobile networks with data transfer rates of up to 150 Mbit/s. The third modification received a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4i processor and a graphics chip with 72 streaming cores, and also boasts LTE support. It should be noted that the Snapdragon-based versions have an 8-megapixel main camera, while the Tegra version has a 13-megapixel sensor.

We are testing a version that is relevant for our market, built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226 processor. We suggest starting the review of the new product with technical characteristics:

Manufacturer

Type, form factor

Smartphone, monoblock

Communication standards

900 / 1800 MHz

900 / 2100 MHz

High speed data transfer

GPRS (32-48 Kbps), EDGE (236 Kbps), HSDPA+ (up to 21.6 Mbps), HSUPA (up to 5.76 Mbps)

SIM card type

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226: 4 cores ARM Cortex-A7, up to 1.2 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache

Graphics adapter

Qualcomm Adreno 305, up to 450 MHz

IPS, 4.7", 960 x 540 pixels (234 ppi), touch, capacitive, multi-touch up to 8 touches, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 2

RAM

Card reader

microSD (up to 32 GB)

Interfaces

1 x 3.5mm mini-jack audio jack

Multimedia

Acoustics

Audio processing

Microphone

Main

8 MP, back-illuminated matrix, autofocus, face detection, LED flash, video recording in 1080p (30 FPS)

Frontal

1.3 MP, video recording at 720p

Communication capabilities

802.11b/g/n (Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot)

Proximity sensor

Battery

Li-ion: 2440 mAh

Charger

Input: 100~240V AC eg at 50/60 Hz

Output: 5 VDC e.g. 1 A

129.6 x 66 x 9.99 mm

operating system

Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

User interface

LG Optimus UI 3.0

Official guarantee

12 months

Products webpage

All prices for LG+G2+mini+DualSim

Delivery and configuration

We received the LG G2 mini for testing without packaging or any delivery kit. Therefore, the configuration of the retail version of the new product can only be judged from the official website. In addition to the smartphone itself, the kit will include the following accessories:

  • Charger;
  • micro-USB cable;
  • user instructions.

Appearance, arrangement of elements

The LG G2 mini is a classic all-in-one design with a touch screen. The younger model clearly recognizes the features inherent in the powerful “top-end” LG G2 smartphone: rounded corners and beveled edges. Most of the front side is occupied by the display, which has fairly thin side frames - only 3.6 mm. At the top there is a speaker grid with a metal insert above it, which quickly collects dust and requires proper care. Nearby is a proximity sensor (there are no lighting or notification sensors) and a front camera. There are no function keys at the bottom of the display, as they are virtual. The only thing that attracts attention is the chrome LG logo. The front panel uses glossy plastic with its inherent advantages and disadvantages.

The sides are devoid of any controls, but attract attention with a thin chrome strip that imitates metal. It's just plastic, but this design move adds solidity to the smartphone.

The back side of the LG G2 mini, unlike the LG G2, is not made of glossy plastic and is collapsible. The plastic is matte and has a texture that actively resists fingerprints and scratches, and also fits well in the hand.

At the very top is the main camera lens, framed in a metal ring. Below is the proprietary control unit, well known from the flagship model - the Rear Key. It combines the power/lock keys and volume rocker. But with the missing notification sensor that was in the LG G2. The keys are protected from accidental pressing by small protrusions that rise above the body. In addition, this solution ensures fewer contacts of the camera’s protective glass with surfaces and thereby prevents scratches. Next to the camera there is a single-section LED flash (there is no flashlight software).

The rocker has several additional functions. So, by long pressing the volume up key, the Quick Memo program is called up, which allows you to create quick handwritten notes. Holding the volume down key launches the camera, in which the same keys can be used to take pictures or zoom (the operating mode is changed in the application itself). But you cannot assign any other function.

You get used to this arrangement of controls after just a few hours of use. The keys feel good to the touch and have a clear stroke. As an alternative, the smartphone provides a faster and more convenient unlocking method - KnockON - double tap anywhere on the screen to unlock and double tap on an empty space on the desktop or on the message panel to lock it back.

The back cover can be removed by prying the micro-USB hole, which is quite convenient. It holds tightly, there are no backlashes or crunches. Under the cover there are two slots for Micro-SIM. Moreover, one of them is located directly under the microSD connector, which complicates the removal of the SIM card and requires additional tools. Although the battery does not interfere with the replacement of SIM cards, “hot” replacement is not expected: the cards are not recognized until the device is rebooted.

At the top end there are: an IR transmitter, a noise-canceling microphone and a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack audio jack. The bottom edge contains: a micro-USB 2.0 connector and two perforated grilles, under which, it would seem, stereo speakers should be located. However, there is only one speaker, and it is hidden under the right grille, while the main microphone is located under the left one.

With its relatively small dimensions and low thickness (129.6 x 66 x 9.99 mm), the smartphone fits well in the average palm. It is very comfortable and pleasant to hold, also thanks to its relatively small weight of 121 grams. Thanks to this, the smartphone can be controlled quite well with one hand, although in order to reach the opposite edge of the display you will have to change its position in your hand. In these parameters, it is similar to Huawei Ascend P6.

In general, the LG G2 mini is assembled very well: without any gaps or backlash. The rigidity of the case is good: it is very monolithic, does not bend or change its geometry under moderate torsion, the glass does not press through, and there are no streaks on the screen.

The display in the LG G2 mini has a diagonal of 4.7 inches, although traditionally “mini” is installed at 4.3 inches. At the same time, its matrix is ​​made using IPS technology and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2. Not only has the diagonal decreased (compared to the LG G2), but the resolution is no longer Full HD (1920 x 1080), but only 960 x 540, that is, qHD . At the same time, the pixel density is 234 ppi, that is, if you really want to, you can see individual points, but in real conditions of using a smartphone they are almost invisible.

In any case, the display is pleasant: bright, very contrasty, with excellent viewing angles and correct color rendition. The maximum brightness of the backlight is more than enough for working on a bright sunny day, and the minimum brightness for comfortable reading in a completely dark environment.

The main inconvenience is the absence of a light sensor. Instead, the proprietary OS firmware uses a special mode that automatically reduces the brightness to a user-specified level, but only during the allotted time (from 00:00 to 06:00). At other times, you have to change the brightness manually, which creates some discomfort.

The touch substrate has good sensitivity (although it is not possible to work with gloves) and responds flawlessly to touch, including gestures. The number of simultaneous touches looks non-standard - 8, instead of the usual 5 or 10. Sliding along the glass with a finger is good, but due to the lack of oleophobic (grease-repellent) standing, it quickly becomes covered with fingerprints, which will be removed with a certain effort.

In general, according to subjective impressions, the display of the LG G2 mini is quite good. Despite the low (by modern standards) resolution, you can get a relatively detailed picture with natural colors.

Sound

As already mentioned, the smartphone is equipped with only one speaker, which is located at the bottom end. Thanks to this placement, the sound is not muffled if the gadget lies on a horizontal surface. We also note the absence of the progressive Wolfson WM5110 audio chip, which is one of the main advantages of the LG G2 model.

The overall music listening experience is quite good. The speaker is moderately loud, but does not stand out as anything special. Depending on the style of the composition, you can hear the presence of low frequencies and quite acceptable highs. The middle ones cannot boast of much detail. Although for games, videos and speakerphone such a speaker should be more than enough.

The standard audio player has advanced settings for additional effects. But to listen to them you need to have good headphones. The smartphone has a built-in radio module that allows you to listen to and record FM radio stations operating in the frequency range from 87.5 to 108 MHz. Traditionally, to turn on the radio, you must connect a headset, which is used as an antenna.

The speaker did not show any shortcomings during testing: speech transmission is clear, moderately loud and quite detailed. The new product has a standard voice recorder, which is useful when creating audio notes, but it is not capable of recording telephone conversations.

LG G2 mini is traditionally equipped with two digital cameras. The front module has a 1.3 megapixel sensor and is capable of taking photos and videos with a resolution of 1280 × 960 and 1280 × 720 (24 FPS), respectively. The camera does not stand out in anything special, but its capabilities are quite sufficient for video communication and self-portraits. The image detail is quite good. The viewing angle is not very large, but quite sufficient and does not cause complaints.

The main camera has an 8-megapixel matrix and an F2.4 lens. Available ISO values ​​in manual mode range from 100 to 800, while in automatic mode you can get significantly higher numbers. There is an LED flash, which is useful in low light conditions. Photos have a resolution of 3264 × 2448. Videos are shot at 1920 × 1080 (30 FPS) and are in MPEG4 format. Video quality is quite pleasant: focusing is fast and details are at an average level. Mono sound.

The BSI sensor of the main camera is quite good and allows you to get fairly high-quality images, especially under favorable conditions. Photos come out especially well in HDR mode (“Dynamic mode”), which allows you to combine several frames with different exposures and thereby obtain a balanced image without overexposure or darkening.

Like the older model, the new product has a wide range of settings (white balance, color effects, etc.), which have intuitive icons. It is possible to take a series of pictures, activate sports and panorama modes. The function of changing exposure and focusing type (manual, automatic or face tracking) is also available. Separately, it should be noted 9-point autofocus, which is useful for group photos (quite fast, but in low light it can blur the image). The module's light sensitivity is at a good level: you can shoot in the evening, but in this case you should expect high ISO values, which in turn increases the noise level in the image.

In general, the camera is worthy of praise, as for the middle class. With its help, you can get photos with good sharpness, natural color reproduction and sufficient detail throughout the frame. It is useful for capturing everyday photos that you are not ashamed to post on social networks.

Examples of photography

Video examples

LG G2 Mini - daytime shooting in normal mode

Example of daytime shooting from an LG G2 mini smartphone at 1080p resolution with basic settings

LG G2 Mini - evening shooting in normal mode

An example of evening shooting from an LG G2 mini smartphone at 1080p resolution with basic settings

User interface

LG G2 mini runs on the latest Android 4.4.2 Kitkat operating system. The proprietary Optimus UI 3.0 shell is used as the user interface, which provides significantly greater opportunities for customizing a wide range of functions that we also encountered in the flagship (LG G2). We will dwell only on the most interesting features, and for everyone who wants to receive more comprehensive information, we provide a link to the previous review.

It implements a multi-window feature called QSlide and allows you to run multiple applications in smaller windows on one screen. Thanks to the presence of an infrared port and the necessary software, the possibility of a remote control for equipment (TVs, Blu-ray and DVD players) has been implemented, which is very convenient.

Worthy of attention is the proprietary KnockCode technology, which allows you to set a locking password by selecting where you touch the screen in several zones. The thing is very interesting, but you should be careful when setting a password so as not to forget it.

The device can track the user’s face (“Smart Screen” and “Smart Video”). The screen remains on when the phone recognizes your face, and the video pauses when you are away.

You should also remember about the flexible configuration options for SIM cards. They both can work with 3G, but not at the same time (the priority card is set in the settings). You can customize the color of SIM cards and call tones, and turn them on and off.

The on-screen keyboard, which has a top row of numbers, also looks very convenient, thereby eliminating the need to switch to the number pad every time. When you dial a number, you immediately search the phone book. This technology is called Smart Dial.

Many users will appreciate the ability to change the location of the touch buttons and the style of their background, as well as the output of additional ones for quick access to QuickMemo and opening the message curtain without having to reach for it.

In general, the interface works quickly and quite smoothly, but sometimes there may be hitches and twitches. This is especially noticeable when there are many open applications in the background that use system resources.

Hardware platform and performance

The smartphone is powered by a mid-performance quad-core processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8226) with integrated Qualcomm Adreno 305 graphics. It is based on the ARM Cortex-A7 microarchitecture using a 28 nm LP process technology. The maximum processor clock speed is 1.2 GHz, and the graphics adapter is 450 MHz. The latter supports API Direct3D 9.0, OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenCL CL 1.2.

The amount of installed RAM is 1 GB. When turned on, a little more than 400 MB is available, which is quite enough to support the operation of the OS and various applications. To store user data, 3.87 GB of internal storage is provided out of 8 GB installed. You can expand this space using a microSD card up to 32 GB. This platform does not support OTG mode, so you will not be able to connect an external USB drive.

This configuration is very similar to the widespread platform of the Taiwanese giant MediaTek - SoC MT6589. The only difference is the weaker PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, which is inferior in computing capabilities to the Qualcomm Adreno 305.

Overall, the performance is sufficient for almost all everyday tasks. At the same time, everything works quickly and quite smoothly. The only exceptions are games, the most demanding of which may slow down, in particular Dead Trigger 2 at high graphics settings or Real Racing 3, but only in some places. Simpler games, including Asphalt 8, play without problems.

Communications

The smartphone works in modern mobile networks GSM, WCDMA / HSPA+ (this modification does not have LTE). Work with two SIM cards is implemented according to the Dual SIM Dual Standby standard. There is only one radio module, so when talking from one SIM card, the second one will be temporarily unavailable. Call quality is at a high level: there are no interruptions or self-drops, and voice transmission is clear, but depends on the user’s location.

The range of communication capabilities is represented only by IrLED, Bluetooth V4.0 and Wi-Fi modules. The latter has support for 802.11b/g/n protocols and Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Hotspot functions, but is only capable of operating in the 2.4 GHz band. DLNA support is also present. The operation of the wireless network modules does not cause any complaints: everything connects quickly and keeps the connection well, although the speed is at an average level. In particular, the data transfer speed on the home network was recorded at 18 Mbit/s when receiving and 23 Mbit/s when sending information (with a total wire line of 100 Mbit/s).

Navigation systems are represented by GPS and GLONASS modules. The GPS module in an open area quickly identifies about 20 satellites, or even more. Connecting to them takes a little longer, but the connection is stable with half of them. Connection is possible even in residential buildings, but only to 3-4 satellites.

The LG G2 mini smartphone is powered by a replaceable lithium-ion battery BL-59UH. The battery capacity is 2440 mAh (9.3 Wh) - not a record, but quite capacious, especially considering the mid-segment platform used.

As a result, watching HD video at 50% display brightness and Wi-Fi and GPS modules turned on drained the battery in almost 8.5 hours. A gaming simulation using the Epic Citadel application (Guided Tour mode) with 100% display brightness and Wi-Fi and GPS modules turned on was repeated for almost 4 hours until the battery charge was exhausted. The estimated operating time of the smartphone according to the GFXBench benchmark is 217 minutes, that is, about 3.5 hours.

A full battery charge is enough for one day of active work or two less intense days. Technically, the LG G2 mini can easily work for three days if you use its functions to a minimum.

The charging time of the battery from the supplied power supply is unknown (since our test unit arrived without the delivery kit). Charging from a USB port with a base current of 1 A takes about 3-4 hours.

turned out to be a classic representative of the middle segment, which meets most modern market requirements. It combines a very interesting and ergonomic design, which was inherited from the older model, a good camera, a powerful processor that is enough for most everyday tasks, and the current version of the operating system with the functional shell LG Optimus UI 3.0. It is equally important to remember that the smartphone has fairly good battery life, which under average load can work for up to two days without recharging. And also about the infrared port inherent in more expensive models with the ability to control household appliances.

But, unfortunately, there were a few moments that slightly blurred the overall positive impression of the new product. We are talking about the absence of an oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating and lighting and warning sensors. Such flaws can be forgiven for representatives of the budget line, but not for a smaller version of the flagship.

Overall, if you want a reliable dual-SIM smartphone from a top-tier manufacturer that has its own charisma and charm, then the LG G2 mini is a good candidate for purchase. In addition, it will help to emphasize your own style, thanks to several color variations: titanium black, moon white, red and gold.

Advantages:

  • interesting and ergonomic design;
  • two SIM cards;
  • implementation of a block of rear keys and the KnockON function (unlock with double tap);
  • good photographic capabilities of both cameras;
  • published 06/14/2014

    Article read 5697 times

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