LG G4: Better screen, better camera and leather (pictures)

Our hands-on photos of the new flagship phone from LG, from all angles.

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The G4 is LG's newest flagship phone, the follow-up to the G3. Intriguingly, it comes in leather.

Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET / Caption by: Scott Stein

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The back panels are removable: this optional one is covered in vegetable-dyed stitched leather, and feels pretty good...but underneath, the G4 is plastic.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET / Caption by: Scott Stein

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The back of the G4 still has the power button and volume buttons on it like last year's G3, centered near the camera lens.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET / Caption by: Scott Stein

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A 5.5-inch IPS Quantum Display has a quad-HD resolution: 2,560x1,440 pixel at 534 pixels per inch. It boasts improved brightness, contrast and color accuracy over last year.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

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The rear camera's been boosted to 16 megapixels, with an improved f/1.8 aperture for lower light photography, a larger sensor, and better optical image stabilization.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET / Caption by: Scott Stein

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The bottom of the G4, up close.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

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New camera modes include full manual control, with full access to adjusting ISO, white balance and other settings. Photos can now be shot in raw and JPEG format, too.

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The slightly curved display isn't as pronounced as the Flex, but feels good to hold.

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There are three different styles of back designs: a metal G3-like finish seen here, a ceramic painted back, and the leather back.

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The G4 is slightly wider than last year's G3, but feels comfortable and not too large.

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Trying to take a selfie with gesture-based selfie timers: the 8-meagpixel selfie cam looks good.

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A demo of strawberries aims to prove how good color quality is. The display looked impressive in our limited time with it.

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The LG G4 runs on Android Lollipop without too much extra -- LG intends it to be a streamlined, clean version of Google's software. Chrome is now the pre-installed browser of choice.

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Published: April 28, 2015 8:50 AM PDT

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A look at the slightly curved design from the side.

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And from the bottom.

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The rear buttons can trigger the camera with a double-click for fast photos.

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A look at the box it comes in.

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A screen comparison, side by side: the Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4 and iPhone 6 Plus (left to right).

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A look at the three phones from the back: G4 (top), iPhone 6 Plus (middle), Galaxy S6 (bottom).

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The rear panel can pop off, because the 3,000 mAh battery is replaceable. There's a microSD card slot, too, to expand the onboard 32GB of storage further.

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The G4 in its box.

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A sideways view of the leather-backed LG G4.

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