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LG G3 deals and reviews

LG G3

LG G3 deals and reviews

90/100
44 Critic Reviews
As one of only a very small number of handsets on the market that boasts a quad HD screen, the LG G3 is certainly a beautiful and stylish high-end smartphone. LG's flagship phone of 2014 also uses so... read more

Release Date (UK): June 2014

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Should you buy the LG G3?

As one of only a very small number of handsets on the market that boasts a quad HD screen, the LG G3 is certainly a beautiful and stylish high-end smartphone. LG's flagship phone of 2014 also uses some clever technology, like laser auto-focus, to ensure that photos capture your memories accurately.


Being so heavily focused on the screen and camera, the LG G3 is probably best suited to photographers or people who love to enjoy their media files on the move.

Reviewers liked

  • The incredible resolution (quad HD) and pixel density which give the LG G3 one of the sharpest displays available.
  • The split screen multi-tasking - this makes the most of the 5.5" screen.
  • The laser auto-focus and optical image stabilization - these give the resulting photos a professional touch.
  • The improved security features which help to keep personal information safe.

Reviewers disliked

  • The plastic casing - even though it's good quality, some reviewers felt this was disappointing for a flagship handset.
  • The battery which is quickly drained by the power demands of the QHD screen, especially compared to its predecessor, the G2.

The LG G3: in more detail

With the G3, LG has used up-to-date technology to try to win customers from their high-end smartphone competitors. With a heavy emphasis on the visual details of the screen and camera, the LG G3 has plenty to offer smartphone photographers or those who like to watch movies on the go.

Quad core processor

Packing one of the fastest mobile processors available, the Snapdragon 2.5GHz quad core CPU is reasonably good, although some reviewers note that the power required for the screen seems to cause some lagging at times. The LG G3 comes with 2GB of RAM helping to improve operations and responsiveness.

Casing

Although the casing is made primarily of plastic, reviewers have been impressed by its overall quality. "The smooth polycarbonate used for the exterior of the G3 may not be decidedly premium, but it's still a notch above your typical plastic finish", PhoneArena wrote. The rear plastic cover of the LG G3 can be removed and allows for the battery to be replaced when it no longer holds charge.

QHD display & 5.5" screen

The quad HD display packs an amazing 538 pixels into every inch of screen to ensure that text is rendered sharply. Everything on the 5.5" screen is crisp and clear, leading Carly Page from the Inquirer, to crown it the handset's "standout feature".

Laser-guided camera

The 13MP camera is on a par with other high-end smartphones, but LG has included some clever technology to help improve photo quality. Lightning fast focusing is provided by laser auto-focus, similar to the technology used in police speed cameras. Optical image stabilization ensures that pictures don't blur when your hand shakes. Alastair Stephenson said in his review for V3: "Images shot on the G3 generally came out looking sharp and were detailed enough to use on social networks and company blogs. Outside of a few rare occasions when shooting in either mixed or low light, images taken on the G3 also featured decent colour balance and contrast levels."

Security

LG has looked at ways to boost security for its flagship smartphone, from the Knock Code system for unlocking the handset based on a series of taps, to the Content Lock solution which encrypts files. Should the LG G3 be stolen, thieves will have a more difficult time trying to recover data.

Interface for Android KitKat

Although based on Android KitKat 4.4, the LG G3 has its own interface intended to improve the user experience. Unlike previous handsets, the LG G3 comes with much less bundled "bloatware" that takes up value storage space, leading Callum Tennent from What Mobile to crown the LG G3 the best possible Android device on the market."

What the critics say (scores are out of 100)

100/100

AndroidPit | Kris Carlon

The LG G3 is, in my opinion, one of the best Android smartphones I've seen this year.

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100/100

Techdissected | Fred Scholl

For now, I'm inclined to give the LG G3 my vote for the best smartphone to date.

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100/100

Expert Reviews | Christopher Minasians

For a handset with such a great, high-res display, innovative features and excellent performance, it clearly outguns the competition, which were also launched in 2014... The LG G3 has definitely had very good innings.

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100/100

Recombu | Chris Barraclough

There's an awful lot packed inside that gorgeous faux-metallic frame, and most of it is absolutely marvellous. If you're after mobile entertainment, the ultra-sharp screen and games-worthy performance will more than satisfy.

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100/100

S21

Take a cutting-edge design, skin it in a choice of metallic finishes, give it the highest definition screen on any smartphone, a superfast processor and the latest version of Android and you have a recipe for an amazing phone.

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100/100

Digital Versus | Florence Legrand

The LG G3 is a more-than-worthy follow-up to the fantastic G2. Both highly competent and versatile, the G3 is easily one of the best smartphones of this year, if not the best!

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100/100

The Guardian | Samuel Gibbs

The G3 is still a little bit too big for my taste, but LG's done a very good job of making a phablet useable with one hand in a way that rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Note series have not.

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100/100

Pocket-lint | Chris Hall

Overall the LG G3 strikes a balance between smartphone and phablet, which means it might be too big for some. To us it feels more like a smartphone because of good design, but with the big screen advantages of a phablet.

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100/100

The Gadget Show

It's well priced among its peers such as the Sony Xperia Z2 and Samsung Galaxy S5, and it's easily one of the top Android blowers out at the moment thanks to its blistering performance and smart features. We just wish its battery life was better and that LG would leave behind its plastic construction, but if you're after the bleeding edge of phone tech, you won't find anything sharper than the G3 right now.

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100/100

Mobile Choice | Alistair Charlton

A uncompromising powerhouse of a smartphone, LG has squared up to its better-known rivals and knocked the ball out of the park. The G3 has, by some margin, the best screen of any smartphone and garnishes it with a powerful processor, expandable storage, a removable battery, some clever and intuitive software tweaks, and a camera which focusses literally in the blink of an eye.

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100/100

What Hi-Fi?

Its size won't be for everyone, and we do wish LG would take a closer look at the audio side of things, but there's no denying that its high-res capabilities, mixed in with a stunning video performance, great design and superb user experience make it a very tempting choice.

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95/100

TechnoBuffalo | Brandon Russell

Ultimately, I don't really have any complaints about the G3. I'm not the biggest fan of the rear button placement, but that's about the only thing I can immediately think of. The overall design is just average, though the bezels around the screen are something to behold. When put next to its biggest competitors, the G3 looks in a different league because of the smaller bezels. The QuadHD screen, however, isn't noticeably better than a Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One M8 even though it packs more pixels per inch.

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92/100

phoneArena | Ray S

This is not the best phone of 2014, as some would rush to say. But it's definitely one of the best Android handsets thus far.

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91/100

Engadget | James Trew

In the G3, LG has almost produced a power user's dream. That QHD display, responsive performance and decent battery life make for a fully loaded handset that should have broad appeal.

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90/100

Australian PC World | Tony Ibrahim

Those with piqued intrigue should consider living with a phone that has half to almost one-day battery life. If the sacrifice isn't too much, then buy the G3.

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90/100

TechDissected | Fred Scholl

To this writer, they've raised the bar for rival manufacturers, and I'll be eager to see what the other players respond with. But for now, I'm inclined to give the LG G3 my vote for the best smartphone to date.

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90/100

Know Your Mobile | Paul Briden

A really excellent high-end Android smartphone with one of the best displays currently available and a rewarding user experience... The LG G3 is a really quite impressive device and I've enjoyed using it. It has one or two odd little quirks which hamper the experience a bit – for me these have been relatively minor gripes which I've been able to cope with, but I can imagine them being more irritating for some users.

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90/100

Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman

The G3 is a classy, well-made phone that offers the best display currently available from a smartphone. The materials are better, the button design is cleaner, and everything about the phone functions well. Perhaps the only downside of the hardware is the large size, which sometimes requires two hands for proper use.

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90/100

Android Authority | Joshua Vergara

With its best in class display, incredible camera, and refined software, LG has succeeded in creating one of the best smartphones of 2014. For these reasons, the LG G3 receives our Editors' Choice award... If there was ever a time to buy into the LG ecosystem, this great smartphone certainly deserves the title of flagship to light your way.

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90/100

Trusted Reviews | Evan Kypreos

The LG G3 is LG's best phone yet. The screen is special but we'd have been happy for a 1080p display and better battery life. However the LG G3 has no real weaknesses, it's an all-round great phone.

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90/100

SlashGear | Chris Burns

The LG G3 brings the finest Android has to offer with robust hardware without frills. It's a solid phone well worth the cash you're going to lay down on it.

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90/100

Digital Trends | Andy Boxall

LG's renaissance continues with the G3, which could be the best Android phone of 2014. The G3's stunning Quad HD screen, high-quality camera, and sleek design should put it on everyone's wish list.

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90/100

The Next Web | Ben Woods

I'm impressed by the G3. Without a firm SIM-free price to measure it up against, it's hard to say if it represents good value for money or not. However, it's a premium smartphone from a premium brand.

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90/100

ITProPortal | Alysia Judge

An unbeatable spec sheet, razor sharp and screen and beautifully simple interface are only marred by slight issues with the camera and aggressive battery saving.

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90/100

What Mobile | Callum Tennent

With the strength and competition of smartphones available today, it's conscientious additions like [the LG G3's additional features] which help distinguish one technologically identical handset from another. The G3 looks the part, too, even if the plastic build isn't exactly in keeping with its overall premium feel.

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90/100

International Business Times | David Gilbert

A true high-end smartphone with the best smartphone screen on the market

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90/100

CNET UK | Aloysius Low

Possessing the right blend of features and design, the G3 finally gives LG the right phone with which to challenge Korean rival Samsung.

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90/100

TechRadar | Gareth Beavis

The LG G3 is a great smartphone - like its predecessor, if you're after power and precision, perhaps over design and form, then this is a winner.

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90/100

PC Advisor | Chris Martin

The device is surprisingly small considering the 5.5in display and we like the more premium design. It's another winner from LG.

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90/100

Digital Spy | Hunter Skipworth

This is a fantastic device that only really needs a little bit more of a premium build to sit at the number one slot of our favorite smartphones. If you are interested in a top of the line Android handset, the G3 is the best thing out there right now.

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90/100

The Inquirer | Carly Page

The LG G3 is arguably one of the best smartphones of 2014 so far. While it might be too large for some and its custom UI likely won't appeal to all, the G3's QHD screen and gorgeous design put the Galaxy S5 to shame, despite being priced lower than its Samsung rival.

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86/100

NotebookCheck | Daniel Schmidt

Without a doubt, the LG G3 is a great smartphone with superb design and lots of versatile (and yet simple) input controls. In addition, LG has managed to improve upon the already good predecessor (the LG G2) in many regards, implementing expandable storage as well as swappable batteries.

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85/100

TechSpot | Tim Schiesser

The G3's solid hardware offering and strong software feature set is enough to make it one of the better premium handsets available today.

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83/100

Mobile Syrup | Daniel Bader

With the G3, LG has fashioned a beautiful smartphone that proves customer consideration is the highest form of flattery.

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83/100

The Verge | Vlad Savov

The LG G3 may not make the best first impression with everyone, but spend some time using it and you'll quickly find a lot to like about it. Whether it's the fun of a quick, laser-guided camera, the reassurance of a long-lasting battery, or the fast performance of a mature Android OS, this phone does everything well.

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80/100

The Mobile Indian | Anil Satapathy

The LG G3 outperforms or at least matches all leading smartphones in almost all department but it isn't an eye candy.

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80/100

Gadgets Now | Ravi Sharma

LG G3 has a nice set of features that make it a smartphone worth considering even at such a high price tag. The display quality, camera, design, user interface and media experience make it a smartphone that you can bet on. In all other respects, it easily matches whatever other rivals have to offer.

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80/100

YourTechExplained | Ben Schoon

The G3 is a great phone with a tremendous screen and is capable of about anything you throw at it. If you are currently in the market for a new Android phone, this is definitely a solid option.

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80/100

Brighthand | Jeff Dunn

The LG G3 is well-rounded behemoth. There are some niggling annoyances about, but the luscious display, sensible software, and intelligent build on show are too strong for those to overcome.

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80/100

AnandTech | Joshua Ho & Anand Lal Shimpi

Overall, the G3 is frustratingly close to perfect. A much-improved 1080p display, smaller size, and staying with the stacked battery design would've made this phone much easier to recommend as the best phone of the Snapdragon 801 generation [high end 2014 phones]. Unfortunately, as-is I can only say that it's equal to everything else on the market.

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80/100

Wired UK | Dave Oliver

The LG G3 deserves its place at the big table. It has a stonking screen, a terrifically powerful processor and it manages the tricky compromise between style and functionality with aplomb.

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80/100

V3 | Alastair Stevenson

The LG G3's simple to use, but effective camera, top-end super-sharp display and innovative security services make it one of the best bring your own device options currently available to businesses.

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78/100

Coolsmartphone | James Pearce

Overall the LG G3 is a great phone, being a high spec well designed flagship device you can but only like it. But LG seemed to have a way to go with the G3, it is in desperate need of a few firmware updates.

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70/100

LAPTOP | Dan Howley

LG's G3 boasts a super-sharp QHD display, a fast laser-focus camera and improved design, making it a very strong Android flagship phone.

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Every day, we search through thousands of tariffs and offers from UK online retailers to find the best LG G3 deals and contracts across a selection of price points and needs.

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Unique Features

Quad HD display, laser guided imaging, 'Knock Code' screen unlocking, wireless charging (requires wireless charging unit)


Runs

android


Dimensions

146.3 x 74.6 x 9.3 mm
5.76 x 2.94 x 0.37 in


Weight

149 g
5.26 oz


Screen

Size: 5.5 inches diagonal
Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Screen Density: 534 ppi
Screen-to-Body Ratio: 76.4 %


Storage

Built-in Storage: 16GB
Expandable Storage: MicroSD


Camera

Main Camera: 13MP Optical Image Stabilization with Laser Auto Focus and Dual Flash, 4K video recording
Secondary Camera: 2.1MP


SIM standard

Micro SIM
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Water & Dust Resistance

Not Available


Battery & Charging

Capacity: 3,000mAh
Removable Battery: Yes - you can take out the battery and swap it for a new one easily
Wireless Charging: Available
Quick Charge: Not Available


More info

Official website

Photos taken with the LG G3

We've used Flickr to find a selection of pictures taken by the LG G3 camera. Here is a selection of photos taken by users from around the world so you can see what kind of picture quality you can expect from real-world use of the LG G3.

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All images shown are used under the rights and terms specified by the Creative Commons.

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Last Updated: 19th May 2020

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Important notes

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