Overview

Launched in early 2016, the LG G5 represented one of the most audacious design gambits in smartphone history. Moving away from the curved backs and rear volume keys of the G4, LG engineered a sleek metal chassis featuring an experimental push-button detachable chin. This mechanism allowed users to slide out the factory 2800 mAh battery or swap in hardware modules like camera grips and dedicated DAC audio gear.

Under the hood, the G5 was equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a sharp 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS LCD. It also introduced a dual rear camera system featuring an 8 MP ultra-wide sensor alongside its primary 16 MP lens—a setup that predicted the camera layout of modern smartphones. Evaluated today, the G5 stands as a fascinating case study in modular ambition versus practical hardware endurance.

Design and build

The LG G5 transitioned the series to an aluminum body, though LG coated the metal frame in a heavy primer and paint layer to conceal antenna bands. As a result, the body feels surprisingly warm and smooth, though it lacks the cool, cold-touch aluminum feel of its contemporaries and is prone to chipping along painted edges over time.

The centerpiece of the design is the mechanical release button on the lower left edge. Depressing it unlocks the bottom chin, allowing the user to pull the entire module out from the main assembly. While the idea of swapping batteries in under ten seconds without tools was revolutionary for an aluminum-clad phone, the physical tolerance of the connection often degraded with age, leaving a slight gap or uneven alignment where the module meets the body.

Everyday performance

In daily operation, the Snapdragon 820 and 4GB RAM paired well with Android 6.0 Marshmallow (upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo with LG UX 5). Navigating the interface, managing productivity applications, and streaming high-resolution media were effortless during its original release window, and basic app tasks remain responsive for lightweight utility today.

The 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS panel delivers clean color reproduction and sharp pixel density. LG's inclusion of an Always-On Display mode provided a quick glance at notifications and time without fully waking the display, though it contributed to modest standby battery drain. The dual-camera setup remains its strongest practical feature: the primary 16 MP lens paired with optical image stabilization produces crisp stills, while the 8 MP ultra-wide lens offers a fun, sweeping perspective that was years ahead of mainstream rivals.

Battery, durability, and longevity

The original 2800 mAh Li-Ion battery provided average single-day endurance out of the box, but the slide-out design meant carrying a charged spare eliminated screen-on time anxiety entirely. Replacing a depleted or degraded lithium-ion cell requires zero heat, adhesives, or teardown picks—simply snap the old cell off the chin assembly and click a fresh unit into place.

However, long-term longevity is hampered by the physical spring contacts that bridge the modular chin to the mainboard. Over years of use and swapping, these pogo pins can loosen or accumulate surface oxidation, leading to erratic USB-C charging, high resistance, or spontaneous power loss when the chassis is flexed in a pocket. You can inspect detailed component layouts on our LG G5 device page or check standard modular disassembly steps across our hardware guides.

Common issues owners hit

Maintaining an LG G5 over extended periods involves navigating a few well-documented hardware failure modes:

• Modular Chin Contact Wear: Repeated removal or physical strain on the USB-C port can loosen the retention clips, causing power interruptions or failure to pass fast-charging signals.
• Bootlooping and Thermal Fatigue: Like several chipsets from this era, repeated heat cycles can stress internal solder points beneath the Snapdragon 820 board, resulting in unexpected crash loops or failure to boot past the LG logo.
• IPS Display Image Retention: The Quantum IPS panel frequently exhibits temporary ghosting or image retention around static elements like the navigation bar or clock after prolonged display activation.
• Power Button Switch Wear: The rear-mounted power button doubles as the fingerprint scanner; over time, internal dome switch fatigue can cause unreliable click registration.

If your device exhibits strange charging or power behavior, review our centralized problems hub for step-by-step troubleshooting concepts.

Who it's for

The LG G5 is ideal for hardware collectors, Android modders, and mobile history enthusiasts who want to experience the peak era of modular smartphone experimentation. Its removable battery mechanism makes it an easy project device for those who enjoy keeping legacy equipment functional without dealing with glued-in glass panels.

Bottom line

The LG G5 is an admirable, flawed monument to engineering risk-taking. While mechanical chin tolerances and motherboard thermal issues prevent it from being a reliable primary daily phone today, its tool-free battery replacement and visionary ultra-wide camera keep it relevant as a unique legacy handset.

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