OnePlus 5 vs. Google Pixel XL: Can the OnePlus workhorse defeat the Android darling?

The so-called “flagship killer” is back for 2017 — after months of rumors, OnePlus has finally unveiled the OnePlus 5. The Chinese manufacturer is known for offering flagship-tier phones at a reasonable price, and that trend continues with its latest addition. The OnePlus 5 boasts the latest processor, copious amounts of RAM, and a strong camera.

The OnePlus 5 may be one of the best Android phones on the market right now, but it’s not the only great device on the market. Google’s proprietary set of smartphones, the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, were widely praised, and the Pixel sits as our favorite Android smartphone at the moment. Can the OnePlus 5 take that crown? We put the two phones to the test to find out.

Specs

OnePlus 5

Google Pixel XL

Size
154.2 × 74.1 × 7.25 mm (6.07 × 2.92 × 0.28 in)
154.7 × 75.7 × 8.5 mm (6 × 2.9 × 0.3 in)
Weight
5.39 ounces (153 grams)
5.92 ounces (168 grams)
Screen
5.5-inch AMOLED
5.5-inch AMOLED
Resolution
1,920 × 1,080 pixels (401 pixels per inch)
2,560 × 1,440 pixels (534ppi)
OS
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Android 7.1.2 Nougat
Storage
64GB or 128GB
32GB or 128GB
SD Card Slot
No
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM
6GB or 8GB
4GB
Connectivity
GSM / HSPA / LTE
GSM / HSPA / LTE / CDMA
Camera
Front 8MP, Rear Dual 16MP and 20MP
Front 8MP, Rear 12.3MP
Video
4K
4K
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, barometer, proximity sensor
Water Resistant
No
No
Battery
3,300mAh
3,450mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
USB Type-C
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
No
No
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, gray
Black, silver
Availability
Unlocked, OnePlus

Unlocked, AT&T, Verizon

Price
Starts at $480
Starts at $770
DT Review
4 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars

There’s no point beating around the bush here — no matter how you look at it, the OnePlus 5 is a more powerful phone.

There are a few reasons for this. For starters, the OnePlus 5 makes use of Qualcomm’s latest chip, the Snapdragon 835. This is a top-tier chip that powers many of the flagship phones for the year, including the Samsung Galaxy S8, HTC U11, and — if the rumors prove true — Google’s successor to the Pixel. The Pixel XL, on the other hand, boasts last year’s processor, the Snapdragon 821. Now, the Snapdragon 821 is an excellent chip in its own right, but the fact remains that it just doesn’t beat the Snapdragon 835.

The onslaught doesn’t stop with the processor; the OnePlus 5 also boasts tons of RAM and storage. There are two variants of the OnePlus 5 — one with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and one with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Compared to the Pixel’s 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 128GB of storage, the OnePlus 5 is the clear winner here.

Between the better processor and the ability to get up to double the amount of RAM as the Pixel, the OnePlus 5 scores the win here.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Design, display, and durability

The OnePlus 5 has been criticized as being an “iPhone copy,” and while that certainly looks to be the case, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a sleek look, one based on simplicity. The device features the OnePlus logo squarely on the back, along with a dual camera in the upper-left corner, which is raised slightly from the body. The front is also a little basic. Here, you’ll find the display, which sits in at 5.5-inches, as well as a home button on the bottom of the device. Some are likely to be disappointed that OnePlus hasn’t adopted a full-width display like that of the Galaxy S8, but the display is one of the primary ways in which OnePlus cuts costs, so it’s not all that surprising to see it stick with what it has.

The design of the Pixel XL is also somewhat basic, but a little different than the OnePlus 5. On the back, you’ll find the top half is made of glass, while the bottom half is metal. You’ll also find the fingerprint sensor toward the top of the back, whereas the OnePlus 5’s fingerprint sensor is built directly into the home button. The front of the Pixel does away with the home button in favor of software controls.

Design is subjective, but some aspects of design are not. For example, the OnePlus 5 is significantly thinner than the Pixel XL, coming in at just 7.25mm, whereas the Pixel XL comes in at 8.5mm. The Pixel XL excels in display — while both have the same 5.5-inch screen, the Pixel XL has a higher resolution. The OnePlus 5 offers a 5.5-inch display with a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution.

Durability is also an important thing to consider, though it’s a little harder to determine a winner in this category. Neither the Pixel or the OnePlus 5 are explicitly water-resistant, so you won’t want to use them near a pool or in the bath. That leaves only breakage — and considering the fact that half of the Pixel’s back is glass, we think the OnePlus 5 will probably prove to be more durable.

We’re giving the win here to the OnePlus 5 because it’s thinner and less fragile, but the Pixel XL has a higher resolution, and sharper screen. Keep in mind there’s also the $650 Pixel, which has a 5-inch screen with a 1,080 pixel resolution. If you prefer a higher resolution screen, and you like the look of the Pixel XL more — go for it.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Battery life and charging

While the Pixel XL has a bigger battery (3,450mAh) than the OnePlus 5 (3,300mAh), it also has a higher-resolution screen — that drains the battery faster. In our usage, we’ve found the OnePlus 5 to have better battery life. It’s likely also the work of the Snapdragon 835, which is a more battery-efficient processor.

The OnePlus 5 also boasts OnePlus’ proprietary fast-charging technology called Dash Charge, which is one of the best quick-charging methods available. The Pixel does feature fast-charging tech, but it’s not as fast as the OnePlus 5.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Camera

The camera has become one of the more important aspects to consider when buying a smartphone, likely because it allows us to leave our traditional point-and-shoot camera at home. Thankfully, the OnePlus 5 boasts an excellent camera, but it can’t quite match the Pixel XL.

The rear camera on the OnePlus 5 is a dual camera, one that features both a 16-megapixel main lens and 20-megapixel telephoto lens, which helps it impart photos with a “bokeh” or blur effect. The main lens also has an aperture of f/1.7, which is relatively large, and should help the camera in low-light situations. The front-facing camera is rated at 8 megapixels.

The Pixel, on the other hand, is slightly less technical. There’s only one 12.3 megapixel camera on the rear with an aperture of f/2.0. The front-facing camera sits at 8 megapixels, like the OnePlus 5. Based on our usage, the Pixel XL still reigns king as the best smartphone camera. It take snappy, incredible photos in varying environments. That doesn’t mean the OnePlus 5 is bad — you can still take some great shots, and you may find the portrait mode to be more useful than Lens Blur on the Pixel.

Winner: Pixel XL

Software

The software on these two phones is fairly similar, and for many, that’s a good thing. More and more customers are beginning to demand so-called “stock Android,” or plain Android as Google intended it. That’s largely what the Pixel offers — a plain yet easy-to-use Android experience. The OnePlus 5 offers a similar experience with OxygenOS. The Pixel XL runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat, while the OnePlus 5’s OS is based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Using OxygenOS, you’ll find a few differences that you won’t find elsewhere. For example, the Oxygen Shelf feature is hidden to the left of the home screen where you would otherwise find Google Now, and it’s aimed at giving you bite-sized pieces of information when you need them. It can also be deactivated, if you so choose. OxygenOS also offers a ton more customization than the Pixel’s software, which gives it an edge.

But there’s another thing to consider here, and it’s updates. If you’re into quick and reliable updates, then the Pixel XL is the better option. As a Google-built device, it’ll get updates as soon as they’re available. OnePlus hasn’t been bad with software updates, but the OnePlus 5 won’t beat the Pixel in this regard. OnePlus seems to also cut off support for its older devices quicker than Google.

Winner: Pixel XL

Price and availability

OnePlus is known for offering top-tier specs at a reasonable price point, and this year is no different. While the 32GB and 128GB configurations of the Pixel sits in at $649 and $749, respectively, the OnePlus 5 undercuts both by a mile. A 128GB model of the OnePlus 5 with 8GB of RAM will only set you back $540, and there’s a cheaper version for $480, which comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

Now, the price makes the OnePlus a clear winner here, but there are a few caveats. For starters, the Pixel is available online, from both Best Buy and Verizon, and is compatible with all four major carriers in the United States. The OnePlus 5 is only available from the OnePlus website, and is not compatible with CMDA networks, which cuts out Verizon and Sprint.

Still, if you are willing to buy the phone outright, and are taking it to a GSM network, the OnePlus 5 is the clear winner here.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Overall winner: OnePlus 5

This one is pretty easy to judge — and that’s because one of these phones is a 2017 flagship, while the other is a 2016 flagship. It will be a harder decision when the Pixel’s successor enters the mix, but for now, the OnePlus 5 is the phone to get if you’re deciding between these two, especially if you’re on a GSM network.

LG gram 15Z970 15.6-Inch laptop review

Research Center:
LG Gram 15Z970-A.AAS7U1 Laptop

LG introduced its next generation of Gram-branded ultra-thin laptops in February of 2017. They aim to bring the thin-and-light form factor to the next level by offering LG’s lightest designs yet. The latest refresh spans six models in three screen sizes weighing between 2.07 pounds to 2.40 pounds. On top of that, the refresh promises high performance backed by a long battery life. Our LG Gram review unit, the 15Z970 model, packed a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-500U processor, 16GB of system memory (DDR4), a 512GB solid state drive, and a touch-enabled 15.6-inch display with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. All of this is backed by a 60 Watt hour battery promising up to 12.5 hours of up-time. The price? A hefty $1,600, making it the most expensive and powerful LG Gram in the new 2017 batch.

Ultra-slim on an entirely new level

Let’s not beat around the bush here: the LG Gram is incredibly thin and light. It’s about as heavy as your typical ceramic dinner plate, with its weight equally distributed throughout the device, instead of the weight mostly residing in the battery area. Its overall dimensions are 14.1 x 9.0 x 0.6 inches, which is on par with the competition, but not remarkably svelte.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

While the laptop sports a clamshell form factor, the screen can bend back up to 150 degrees, enabling you to easily share the on-screen content. Adding to this factor is the use of a panel based on In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology that’s known for its rich colors and wide viewing angles.

The laptop boasts a dark silver magnesium alloy body. The lid is highly polished, while the bottom sports a fine metallic carbon-fiber-like finish, as does the keyboard area. The rounded hinge connecting the display to the laptop body measures roughly around 0.50 inches in diameter, which plays host to the built-in 1MP webcam and microphones. Yes, that means you’ll have to deal with the dreaded “up-the-nose” camera angle.

Of course, because this laptop is so thin and light, it may not be the ideal computing solution for students. It honestly feels like a toy, despite the fact it is built from durable materials. The LG Gram is ideal for controlled environments like the home office, airplane trips, business meetings, and so on, where having a super-thin and super-light device is necessary.

Packs plenty of ports despite a super-slim design

Despite its thinness, the LG Gram 15 provides several outputs for peripherals and video. On the left side, users will find the power connector, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, one HDMI port, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C port, and two LEDs for power/battery and storage access.

Despite its thinness, the LG Gram 15 provides several outputs for peripherals and video.

One note about the power connection. It felt wobbly and frail, and during our testing the slightest movement of the laptop caused the plug to unseat and push the device onto battery power.  We recall this same issue occurring with LG’s previous model of Gram. We’d like to see LG switch to a different connector, or just use USB Type-C.

On the right side of the laptop, users will find a Micro SD card slot, one headphone jack, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, and one USB 2.0 Type-A port. Notice that this laptop doesn’t include an Ethernet port for wired networking. That’s because LG is routing the connectivity through the Type-C port, and provides a Type-C to Ethernet adapter in the box. Unfortunately, this arrangement’s speed is capped at 100 megabits per second (Mbps), rather than the normal Ethernet maximum of one gigabit per second.

Those seeking a fast network connection will need to switch over to the laptop’s Wireless AC component, supporting wireless speeds of up to 867Mbps. That means it has two internal outgoing antennas and two incoming antennas (2×2), locking it to 867Mbps even if the laptop is connected to a 3×3 or 4×4 router. This component also supports MU-MIMO technology, and includes Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.

The Gram 15Z970 will light up your life

As for manual input, the touchpad is just over four inches wide and under three inches deep. It features a glassy smooth surface and two seemingly invisible “mouse” buttons. It felt extremely precise in our testing, as the slightest touch gracefully moved the cursor across the screen. Unfortunately, there’s no indication that it’s Windows Precision Touchpad compatible, which means it lacks support for every multi-touch gesture available to Windows 10. Yet we have no complaints about its responsiveness, or a lack thereof.

Moving up, each squared keyboard key is lit with a white LED underneath. The backlighting is activated/deactivated by pressing FN + F8, which also provides two brightness levels. This backlighting provides just enough brightness to barely illuminate the fonts and key borders so they’re easier to find in any lighting condition. It’s not extraordinarily bright in normal office use, but does provide great illumination in low-light scenarios.

Each key, when touched and pressed, feels rather firm in its place. The keys are responsive, so it doesn’t take too firm press to input a letter. The keyboard layout itself feels wide enough to not cause any input issues unless you’re a professional wrestler.

The LG Gram 15Z970 also includes a touchscreen. Using Paint, we verified that it accurately tracks ten simultaneous inputs, making this laptop fun when drawing with fingers directly on the screen. Still, because the LG Gram is a clamshell laptop, this feature seems somewhat unnecessary, pushing users to reach across the keyboard rather than use the built-in touchpad.

The biggest selling point is the screen

The LG Gram comes with a 15.6-inch 1080p panel. While respectable, that resolution won’t turn heads in 2017. Of course, the quality also depends on the color spaces the panel supports, and how much. In the case of the LG Gram laptop, we discovered that the panel supports 81 percent of the sRGB color space and 60 percent of the Adobe RGB color space. It also has an average color accuracy of 1.58, making it slightly better than the HP EliteBook x360 G2, but nowhere near as accurate as the most recent MacBook Pro 15 with the cool touch bar.

Screen brightness came in at 302 nits, which is average for laptops with IPS screens. That means the screen is tolerable outside on an overcast day, but reading bright pages and documents may become visually annoying. In a normal office environment, the screen is extremely clear, with deep blacks and brilliant, rich colors. The screen has a contrast ratio of 830:1, which puts it between the latest MacBook Pro 15, and the Asus Zenbook UX330UA.

The screen doesn’t stand out in any one area, but it also lacks any serious weakness.

The display provides wide viewing angles, meaning no matter the position of your head relative to the screen, the image doesn’t wash out.

Despite its mundane resolution, we were pleased by the LG Gram’s overall display quality. Its solid color accuracy, good contrast, and reasonable maximum brightness meld together for a pleasant experience in movies and games. The screen doesn’t stand out in any one area, but it also lacks any serious weakness.

Thin laptop, thin speakers

Of course, with a great screen, you need great audio to fully enjoy your media. The laptop includes two one-watt speakers, which are mostly invisible. The quality of the sound is very treble-dependent, so you won’t hear high levels of bass.

Lots of horses under that super-thin hood

As previously stated, the meat of this new LG Gram laptop is the Intel Core i7-7500U processor. It’s a two-core chip with as base speed of 2.7GHzm and a boost speed of 3.5GHz. In a single-core test, the laptop scored 4,253 points in Geekbench 4, placing it just under the latest HP Spectre x360 15 laptop performance-wise, and slightly above the Surface Book with Performance Boost. Meanwhile, the LG scored 8,495 points in the multi-core test, showing that it outperforms the HP Spectre x360 15, and the recent Samsung Galaxy Book.

We also tested how fast the processor can convert a 4K movie trailer using the H.265 video codec. We did this using the open-source Handbrake software, and saw that the processor could transform the 420MB trailer in 1,017 seconds. By comparison, the Surface Book with Performance Boost converted the same trailer in 983 seconds whereas the Hp Spectre x360 15 did the same in 1,018 seconds.

Hard drive performance

Backing the laptop’s Core i7-7500U processor is the M.2-class Samsung MZNLN512HMJP solid state drive, connected via a SATA 3 interface. The specifications state that it has a sequential read speed of up to 540MB per second and a sequential write speed of up to 520MB per second. We saw that to some degree in our tests — an average of 520.3 megabytes per second (MB/s) in reading data, and an average of 513.4MB/s while writing.

Compared to the competition, LG’s laptop read speed lags the Lenovo Yoga 720 13 (2,060MB/s), the HP Spectre x360 15 (1,280MB/s), and the Surface Book with Performance Boost (1,003MB/s). The same goes for its write speeds, although it performs better than the Samsung Galaxy Book and Acer Spin 7.

Still, from pressing the power button to the Windows 10 login screen, the boot process takes under seven seconds at best, and around 10 seconds from the time you choose to shut down Windows 10 until the power LED goes out. The drive’s lackluster speed will only be a concern under heavy load, a situation this laptop is unlikely to see, anyway.

Graphics performance

The LG Gram’s graphics are powered by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 620, which can produce a resolution of 4,096 x 2,304 through the HDMI port. This graphics component isn’t meant for high definition PC gaming, but it does crank out okay frame rates in games played at 1,366 x 768. For high resolution video, however, the HD Graphics 620 should work just fine.

To see the capabilities of the built-in graphics component, we put it through grueling 3DMark tests built to push graphics to their limits. In the Fire Strike test, the laptop scored 1,012 points, which is higher than what we saw with the Samsung Galaxy Book and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13.

The battery that seemingly lasts forever

A good laptop needs a great, long-lasting battery. LG promises up to 12.5 hours with its latest Gram refresh, and we saw nearly that when looping a 1080p video until the battery fully drained (12.31 hours). That’s impressive for a laptop measuring just 0.6 inches thick and weighing a mere 2.4 pounds, and will seem like the laptop will never die for customers moving from thicker, heavier laptops that only have three or four hours of battery uptime.

Overall, the LG Gram 15Z970 outperformed the Samsung Galaxy Book, the HP Spectre x360 15, and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13 in that specific battery test. Meanwhile, in our browser test, the LG Gram’s battery lasted for eight hours and four minutes. It outperformed the Surface Book with Performance Boost, the Samsung Galaxy Book, and the HP Spectre x360 15 laptops. Not bad.

Not much bloat

LG didn’t install tons of bloatware to bottleneck performance right out of the box. The Windows 10 apps already installed include Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Fallout Shelter, Asphalt 8: Airborne, March of Empires, Sling, Facebook, Twitter, and so on. On the software front, LG pre-installed four programs: LG Control Center, LG PC Help (Easy Guide, Troubleshooting), LG Power Manager, and LG Update Center.

One thing we’d like to note is that within the LG Control Center panel, users will find a toggle for instant booting. When switched on, this feature will automatically boot up the PC when users open the lid. It’s off by default, and merely eliminates the steps of opening the lid and pressing the power button.

Warranty

The LG Gram is covered by a one-year parts and labor warranty. That means if there’s something wrong with the device out of the box for exactly one year starting from the moment users make the purchase and register the product, LG will cover the repairs, including all shipment costs. The battery is a different story though, as LG will only cover it for six months.

LG Gram 15Z970-A.AAS7U1 Laptop Compared To

Lenovo Yoga 720 15-inch

Lenovo Yoga 720 13-inch

Alienware 15 R3 (2017)

Acer Aspire VX 5-591G 5652

Dell Precision 5520

Acer Predator 15

Asus Zenbook 3 UX390UA

Samsung Notebook 7 spin

Origin EON17-SLX

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (Late 2015)

Asus VivoBook V551LB-DB71T

Acer Aspire V7

Sony Vaio Pro 13

HP Spectre XT TouchSmart

Sony Vaio S Series

Our Take

The LG Gram 15Z970 is a crazy-thin, crazy-light laptop pushing the ultra-thin envelope without sacrificing performance. It feels like a toy playing host to powerful components, and a brilliant 15.6-inch screen. Based on our tests, it performs admirably, as it should for its hefty $1,600. We weren’t too thrilled with the power connector, though. Moreover, we would have preferred a wider color space and a solid-state drive that accessed the super-fast PCI Express interface rather than the traditional SATA storage interface.

Is there a better alternative?

We saw that the LG Gram 15Z970 outperform the HP Spectre x360 15, Samsung Galaxy Book, and the Surface Book with Performance Boost in multi-core testing. However, in our single-core tests, it fell behind the HP Spectre x360 15.

The same goes with the graphics performance, although to be fair, the Spectre x360 15 model we tested had a discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics chip, whereas the LG Gram 15Z970 relies in a slower Intel HD graphics component residing within the Core i7 CPU.

Customers searching for better display than what is offered on LG’s laptop may want to check out the the HP Spectre x360 15, the Surface Book with Performance Boost, and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13. Still, the LG Gram 15Z970’s screen isn’t bad.

How long will it last?

The LG Gram 15Z970 sports the latest components, so it should last for a couple of years before becoming obsolete. We’re concerned about the super-thin form factor, though, as it simply doesn’t feel sturdy enough for everyday travel and possible damage stemming from bumps and drops.

Should you buy it?

Honestly, $1,600 seems like a lot of money for this laptop. A similar stack of cash will buy a Dell XPS 15 or HP Spectre x360 15-inch. While neither is as thin or light, those systems otherwise compare favorably. The Dell offers quad-core processor options and fast graphics, while the HP provides 2-in-1 versatility in a robust chassis. LG’s incredibly light design is nice to have, but it’s not as compelling as faster hardware or a better display.

LG gram 15Z970 15.6-Inch laptop review

Research Center:
LG Gram 15Z970-A.AAS7U1 Laptop

LG introduced its next generation of Gram-branded ultra-thin laptops in February of 2017. They aim to bring the thin-and-light form factor to the next level by offering LG’s lightest designs yet. The latest refresh spans six models in three screen sizes weighing between 2.07 pounds to 2.40 pounds. On top of that, the refresh promises high performance backed by a long battery life. Our LG Gram review unit, the 15Z970 model, packed a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-500U processor, 16GB of system memory (DDR4), a 512GB solid state drive, and a touch-enabled 15.6-inch display with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. All of this is backed by a 60 Watt hour battery promising up to 12.5 hours of up-time. The price? A hefty $1,600, making it the most expensive and powerful LG Gram in the new 2017 batch.

Ultra-slim on an entirely new level

Let’s not beat around the bush here: the LG Gram is incredibly thin and light. It’s about as heavy as your typical ceramic dinner plate, with its weight equally distributed throughout the device, instead of the weight mostly residing in the battery area. Its overall dimensions are 14.1 x 9.0 x 0.6 inches, which is on par with the competition, but not remarkably svelte.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

While the laptop sports a clamshell form factor, the screen can bend back up to 150 degrees, enabling you to easily share the on-screen content. Adding to this factor is the use of a panel based on In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology that’s known for its rich colors and wide viewing angles.

The laptop boasts a dark silver magnesium alloy body. The lid is highly polished, while the bottom sports a fine metallic carbon-fiber-like finish, as does the keyboard area. The rounded hinge connecting the display to the laptop body measures roughly around 0.50 inches in diameter, which plays host to the built-in 1MP webcam and microphones. Yes, that means you’ll have to deal with the dreaded “up-the-nose” camera angle.

Of course, because this laptop is so thin and light, it may not be the ideal computing solution for students. It honestly feels like a toy, despite the fact it is built from durable materials. The LG Gram is ideal for controlled environments like the home office, airplane trips, business meetings, and so on, where having a super-thin and super-light device is necessary.

Packs plenty of ports despite a super-slim design

Despite its thinness, the LG Gram 15 provides several outputs for peripherals and video. On the left side, users will find the power connector, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, one HDMI port, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C port, and two LEDs for power/battery and storage access.

Despite its thinness, the LG Gram 15 provides several outputs for peripherals and video.

One note about the power connection. It felt wobbly and frail, and during our testing the slightest movement of the laptop caused the plug to unseat and push the device onto battery power.  We recall this same issue occurring with LG’s previous model of Gram. We’d like to see LG switch to a different connector, or just use USB Type-C.

On the right side of the laptop, users will find a Micro SD card slot, one headphone jack, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, and one USB 2.0 Type-A port. Notice that this laptop doesn’t include an Ethernet port for wired networking. That’s because LG is routing the connectivity through the Type-C port, and provides a Type-C to Ethernet adapter in the box. Unfortunately, this arrangement’s speed is capped at 100 megabits per second (Mbps), rather than the normal Ethernet maximum of one gigabit per second.

Those seeking a fast network connection will need to switch over to the laptop’s Wireless AC component, supporting wireless speeds of up to 867Mbps. That means it has two internal outgoing antennas and two incoming antennas (2×2), locking it to 867Mbps even if the laptop is connected to a 3×3 or 4×4 router. This component also supports MU-MIMO technology, and includes Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.

The Gram 15Z970 will light up your life

As for manual input, the touchpad is just over four inches wide and under three inches deep. It features a glassy smooth surface and two seemingly invisible “mouse” buttons. It felt extremely precise in our testing, as the slightest touch gracefully moved the cursor across the screen. Unfortunately, there’s no indication that it’s Windows Precision Touchpad compatible, which means it lacks support for every multi-touch gesture available to Windows 10. Yet we have no complaints about its responsiveness, or a lack thereof.

Moving up, each squared keyboard key is lit with a white LED underneath. The backlighting is activated/deactivated by pressing FN + F8, which also provides two brightness levels. This backlighting provides just enough brightness to barely illuminate the fonts and key borders so they’re easier to find in any lighting condition. It’s not extraordinarily bright in normal office use, but does provide great illumination in low-light scenarios.

Each key, when touched and pressed, feels rather firm in its place. The keys are responsive, so it doesn’t take too firm press to input a letter. The keyboard layout itself feels wide enough to not cause any input issues unless you’re a professional wrestler.

The LG Gram 15Z970 also includes a touchscreen. Using Paint, we verified that it accurately tracks ten simultaneous inputs, making this laptop fun when drawing with fingers directly on the screen. Still, because the LG Gram is a clamshell laptop, this feature seems somewhat unnecessary, pushing users to reach across the keyboard rather than use the built-in touchpad.

The biggest selling point is the screen

The LG Gram comes with a 15.6-inch 1080p panel. While respectable, that resolution won’t turn heads in 2017. Of course, the quality also depends on the color spaces the panel supports, and how much. In the case of the LG Gram laptop, we discovered that the panel supports 81 percent of the sRGB color space and 60 percent of the Adobe RGB color space. It also has an average color accuracy of 1.58, making it slightly better than the HP EliteBook x360 G2, but nowhere near as accurate as the most recent MacBook Pro 15 with the cool touch bar.

Screen brightness came in at 302 nits, which is average for laptops with IPS screens. That means the screen is tolerable outside on an overcast day, but reading bright pages and documents may become visually annoying. In a normal office environment, the screen is extremely clear, with deep blacks and brilliant, rich colors. The screen has a contrast ratio of 830:1, which puts it between the latest MacBook Pro 15, and the Asus Zenbook UX330UA.

The screen doesn’t stand out in any one area, but it also lacks any serious weakness.

The display provides wide viewing angles, meaning no matter the position of your head relative to the screen, the image doesn’t wash out.

Despite its mundane resolution, we were pleased by the LG Gram’s overall display quality. Its solid color accuracy, good contrast, and reasonable maximum brightness meld together for a pleasant experience in movies and games. The screen doesn’t stand out in any one area, but it also lacks any serious weakness.

Thin laptop, thin speakers

Of course, with a great screen, you need great audio to fully enjoy your media. The laptop includes two one-watt speakers, which are mostly invisible. The quality of the sound is very treble-dependent, so you won’t hear high levels of bass.

Lots of horses under that super-thin hood

As previously stated, the meat of this new LG Gram laptop is the Intel Core i7-7500U processor. It’s a two-core chip with as base speed of 2.7GHzm and a boost speed of 3.5GHz. In a single-core test, the laptop scored 4,253 points in Geekbench 4, placing it just under the latest HP Spectre x360 15 laptop performance-wise, and slightly above the Surface Book with Performance Boost. Meanwhile, the LG scored 8,495 points in the multi-core test, showing that it outperforms the HP Spectre x360 15, and the recent Samsung Galaxy Book.

We also tested how fast the processor can convert a 4K movie trailer using the H.265 video codec. We did this using the open-source Handbrake software, and saw that the processor could transform the 420MB trailer in 1,017 seconds. By comparison, the Surface Book with Performance Boost converted the same trailer in 983 seconds whereas the Hp Spectre x360 15 did the same in 1,018 seconds.

Hard drive performance

Backing the laptop’s Core i7-7500U processor is the M.2-class Samsung MZNLN512HMJP solid state drive, connected via a SATA 3 interface. The specifications state that it has a sequential read speed of up to 540MB per second and a sequential write speed of up to 520MB per second. We saw that to some degree in our tests — an average of 520.3 megabytes per second (MB/s) in reading data, and an average of 513.4MB/s while writing.

Compared to the competition, LG’s laptop read speed lags the Lenovo Yoga 720 13 (2,060MB/s), the HP Spectre x360 15 (1,280MB/s), and the Surface Book with Performance Boost (1,003MB/s). The same goes for its write speeds, although it performs better than the Samsung Galaxy Book and Acer Spin 7.

Still, from pressing the power button to the Windows 10 login screen, the boot process takes under seven seconds at best, and around 10 seconds from the time you choose to shut down Windows 10 until the power LED goes out. The drive’s lackluster speed will only be a concern under heavy load, a situation this laptop is unlikely to see, anyway.

Graphics performance

The LG Gram’s graphics are powered by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 620, which can produce a resolution of 4,096 x 2,304 through the HDMI port. This graphics component isn’t meant for high definition PC gaming, but it does crank out okay frame rates in games played at 1,366 x 768. For high resolution video, however, the HD Graphics 620 should work just fine.

To see the capabilities of the built-in graphics component, we put it through grueling 3DMark tests built to push graphics to their limits. In the Fire Strike test, the laptop scored 1,012 points, which is higher than what we saw with the Samsung Galaxy Book and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13.

The battery that seemingly lasts forever

A good laptop needs a great, long-lasting battery. LG promises up to 12.5 hours with its latest Gram refresh, and we saw nearly that when looping a 1080p video until the battery fully drained (12.31 hours). That’s impressive for a laptop measuring just 0.6 inches thick and weighing a mere 2.4 pounds, and will seem like the laptop will never die for customers moving from thicker, heavier laptops that only have three or four hours of battery uptime.

Overall, the LG Gram 15Z970 outperformed the Samsung Galaxy Book, the HP Spectre x360 15, and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13 in that specific battery test. Meanwhile, in our browser test, the LG Gram’s battery lasted for eight hours and four minutes. It outperformed the Surface Book with Performance Boost, the Samsung Galaxy Book, and the HP Spectre x360 15 laptops. Not bad.

Not much bloat

LG didn’t install tons of bloatware to bottleneck performance right out of the box. The Windows 10 apps already installed include Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Fallout Shelter, Asphalt 8: Airborne, March of Empires, Sling, Facebook, Twitter, and so on. On the software front, LG pre-installed four programs: LG Control Center, LG PC Help (Easy Guide, Troubleshooting), LG Power Manager, and LG Update Center.

One thing we’d like to note is that within the LG Control Center panel, users will find a toggle for instant booting. When switched on, this feature will automatically boot up the PC when users open the lid. It’s off by default, and merely eliminates the steps of opening the lid and pressing the power button.

Warranty

The LG Gram is covered by a one-year parts and labor warranty. That means if there’s something wrong with the device out of the box for exactly one year starting from the moment users make the purchase and register the product, LG will cover the repairs, including all shipment costs. The battery is a different story though, as LG will only cover it for six months.

LG Gram 15Z970-A.AAS7U1 Laptop Compared To

Lenovo Yoga 720 15-inch

Lenovo Yoga 720 13-inch

Alienware 15 R3 (2017)

Acer Aspire VX 5-591G 5652

Dell Precision 5520

Acer Predator 15

Asus Zenbook 3 UX390UA

Samsung Notebook 7 spin

Origin EON17-SLX

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (Late 2015)

Asus VivoBook V551LB-DB71T

Acer Aspire V7

Sony Vaio Pro 13

HP Spectre XT TouchSmart

Sony Vaio S Series

Our Take

The LG Gram 15Z970 is a crazy-thin, crazy-light laptop pushing the ultra-thin envelope without sacrificing performance. It feels like a toy playing host to powerful components, and a brilliant 15.6-inch screen. Based on our tests, it performs admirably, as it should for its hefty $1,600. We weren’t too thrilled with the power connector, though. Moreover, we would have preferred a wider color space and a solid-state drive that accessed the super-fast PCI Express interface rather than the traditional SATA storage interface.

Is there a better alternative?

We saw that the LG Gram 15Z970 outperform the HP Spectre x360 15, Samsung Galaxy Book, and the Surface Book with Performance Boost in multi-core testing. However, in our single-core tests, it fell behind the HP Spectre x360 15.

The same goes with the graphics performance, although to be fair, the Spectre x360 15 model we tested had a discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics chip, whereas the LG Gram 15Z970 relies in a slower Intel HD graphics component residing within the Core i7 CPU.

Customers searching for better display than what is offered on LG’s laptop may want to check out the the HP Spectre x360 15, the Surface Book with Performance Boost, and the Lenovo Yoga 720 13. Still, the LG Gram 15Z970’s screen isn’t bad.

How long will it last?

The LG Gram 15Z970 sports the latest components, so it should last for a couple of years before becoming obsolete. We’re concerned about the super-thin form factor, though, as it simply doesn’t feel sturdy enough for everyday travel and possible damage stemming from bumps and drops.

Should you buy it?

Honestly, $1,600 seems like a lot of money for this laptop. A similar stack of cash will buy a Dell XPS 15 or HP Spectre x360 15-inch. While neither is as thin or light, those systems otherwise compare favorably. The Dell offers quad-core processor options and fast graphics, while the HP provides 2-in-1 versatility in a robust chassis. LG’s incredibly light design is nice to have, but it’s not as compelling as faster hardware or a better display.

Facebook creators will soon have access to extra live tools through a new app

Why it matters to you

Facebook creators will soon gain more tools and analytics while users may start seeing custom stickers during live broadcasts.

Videos are expected to make up 74 percent of online traffic by the end of 2017 and Facebook is continuing to push the medium by launching a new app dedicated to creating videos. The app, which has yet to be named, was teased during VidCon, with Facebook sharing that the app is under development with a release expected before the end of the year.

The app is designed specifically for the creators behind Facebook videos and not as another viewing platform. The app is expected to include exclusive tools within Facebook Live, including the ability to add intros and ending outros. App users can also design custom frames and stickers, allowing viewers to use them during the live broadcast.

Along with expanding on features for actually creating the video, the upcoming app is also expected to include more analytical data that reveals more about who is watching the video and how. Facebook says the app will have a Community tab for connecting with followers.

The announcement is just one of the ways the social media platform is pushing video as the medium continues to grow. Along with focusing on adding features for live-streaming, Facebook has entered several agreements for original shows. Reports indicate that Facebook is testing new categories for the recent video tab in the app, while the platform is also reported to be testing the ability to download videos. Facebook also launched a video-focused app for Samsung smart TVs and Apple TV earlier this year.

The upcoming video app has several things in common with Facebook Mentions, a separate app for verified public profiles, including journalists and celebrities. Like Facebook Mentions, the upcoming video app is not designed for every Facebook user but geared toward the content creator with more analytics and features. Facebook originally launched live video capability inside the Mentions app before making the feature universally available.

Separating video creation tools into an entirely different app is an interesting move, but one that could gain traction with enough unique tools. Since Twitter launched the ability to go live without the Periscope app, users have questioned if Periscope would continue to stick around or become part of the Twitter app completely. With enough distinct features, the app could potentially encourage more — or perhaps better — videos on Facebook.

In case you missed that LOL, Facebook Messenger video now has emoji reactions

Why it matters to you

Messenger chats can now be a bit more creative with live filters, animated masks, and emoji reactions.

Video chats inside Facebook Messenger are starting to look a lot like, well, the rest of Facebook. On Monday, the social media platform launched several special effects inside Messenger’s video capability, including emoji reactions, camera filters, and masks that respond to movements and facial expressions.

In case the visual cues from a video chat isn’t enough, Messenger users can now turn themselves into an emoji reaction while chatting via video. The five new reactions don’t just pop up as a simple like but are added to the video itself. Tapping love will bring up hearts around your head, for example, while the sad icon will sprout fake crocodile tears from your eyes. The emoji reactions include the same ones Facebook users find on status updates and comments, including love, haha, wow, sad, and angry.

Since the reactions use facial recognition to add special effects, there’s also a version for when there’s no face on the screen. All five of the emoji reactions disappear after their original animated stint on the screen.

Video chats are also getting several new features that are not too far unlike the new Facebook Camera. Users can add filters to their video chats in real time. The effects are previewed first before the user applies the effects live. Along with more bold options from duo-tone and black and white, the feature also includes more subtle lighting tweaks as well.

Masks aren’t exactly a new feature inside of Messenger’s video chats, but with this update they are even more interactive. Like some of the live masks inside Facebook Camera (the latest of which is a Justice League themed set), the masks will react to specific motions on camera. Waving an arm, opening your mouth or raising an eyebrow alters the special effect. Unlike emoji reactions, Facebook says the new masks stay put until you use another one or switch the mask off.

The final feature added with today’s update is a bit less fun and a bit more practical — recognizing many people like to screenshot video chats, Facebook now makes it easier to do so with a dedicated photo button. Now, a camera icon appears inside the video chat which allows the user to grab a screenshot and quickly save it to the camera roll or, of course, share it. The image is also easily shared with other members of the chat, Facebook says.

Using satellites and solar power, education portal brings teachers to refugee camps

Why it matters to you

New charity initiative is using smart tech to deliver education to children who would otherwise have no access to it.

As much as we enjoy geeking out over giant mech robot battles and stories about 3D printing in space, one of the most amazing — and amazingly easy to take for granted — aspects of modern technology is the ability to convey information anywhere in the world. That’s something that a new project aimed at teaching kids in the Ampain refugee camp in Western Ghana is taking full advantage of with an education portal.

The organizers are using smart tech — including satellites, solar-powered computer hardware, and an interactive live feed — to deliver two-way lessons to people who otherwise would miss out. According to its organizers at the Varkey Foundation, this is the world’s first satellite-enabled live two-way interactive distance-learning program for children living in refugee camps.

“The Ampain primary school has been fitted with a satellite dish, which, through solar-powered technology, receives a live link to highly qualified teachers in a studio in Accra, who broadcast lessons direct to the refugee camp,” Leonora Dowley, country director for Ghana at the Varkey Foundation, told Digital Trends. “Each classroom has a projector so all the children can see the teacher giving the lessons, and each classroom has also been provided with a computer so that children can interact with the teacher in a direct, live, two-way link. This is much more effective than simply providing children with textbooks, as nothing can beat access to a great teacher.”

The interactive classes have been running since April, with the express aim of helping kids who are currently out of school, or at risk of dropping out of education altogether. The hope is that the project will enable these students to catch up with their basic classes, continue on with secondary education, and learn the language of their host country.

In addition to offering literacy and numeracy lessons, the program also offers after-school sessions aimed at teaching subjects like reproductive health, human rights awareness, financial literacy, and leadership.

“We believe this is a highly replicable solution that could be deployed in other settings,” said Dowley. “Given the extent of the refugee crisis, it will be exciting to see how things could develop on this front in future.”

Google holds contest to feature Pixel photography on Chromecast

Why it matters to you

If you own a Google Pixel, you have a chance to broadcast your original photography to millions on Chromecast by entering Google’s photo contest.

Google Chromecast users can probably admit they are often mesmerized by the backdrop content that appears on the screen when there is nothing streaming on the device. With a new contest by Google, Pixel users now have a chance to see their own photography featured in the Chromecast lineup.

Posted on the Pixel User Community in a Google Forums post last week, a Google employee announced the opportunity for users to have their photos seen by millions around the world. According to the forum, the contest is only open to owners of the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Even though HTC manufactured the devices, Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are the first phones “made by Google.” This means Google chose internal components for the devices which were then integrated with the Android operating system. With Google having control over the process, the device gives users an Android experience unlike any other.

The Pixel has 12.3 megapixels in the rear camera –with 1.55-micron pixels that are great for taking photos in low-light — and eight megapixels packed into the front camera. Similar to past Nexus devices, the Pixel also includes HDR+ — Google’s software used to capture multiple photos at once to produce an image with little noise by picking the best one to use as a base and layering the rest.

To have your photos considered for the Chromecast backdrop contest, the post explains users need to hashtag their photos on any social channels — Google+, Instagram, and Twitter — using #teampixel. A Google employee will reach out to potential candidates through a direct message on the platform the photo was posted on with additional instructions.

If you are planning on taking tons of photos to submit the perfect shot, you will be happy to know Google offers full-resolution storage in Google Photos for free. While this is also available in the app, for Pixel owners it will not take up your Google account storage. So, you will not have to worry about losing any of those precious outdoor photos if you don’t back them up.

According to the forum post, any photos submitted should stick to the same aesthetics as the ones already on Google Chromcast. The tips include submitting photos featuring landscapes, cities, nature, and animals — but asks to forego people and branded content.

Best Battery Cases for Google Pixel

Keep your Pixel’s battery topped up with these battery cases.

The Google Pixel has been out for a while now, and you might be finding its 2,770mAh battery struggling to make it through a full day of usage without needing a charge.

Battery cases are one option to consider, if you’re alright with the added bulk. While your options are quite limited, here are the best we’ve found, which include options for both the Pixel and Pixel XL!

Mophie Juice Pack for the Pixel XL

We were waiting for Mophie to release a charging case for Google’s latest smartphones and they finally delivered with with the Mophie Juice Pack — available for the Pixel XL only.

The Juice Pack includes a 2,950 mAh battery that will add at least 60% more battery capacity as a back up for the Pixel XL’s already ample 3,450 mAh battery. It also adds a key feature missing on the Google Pixel for some — wireless charging. Mophie says their case will work with Qi technology, and other wireless services, letting you charge both your phone and the case without dealing with the hassle of wires. For those times you do plug your phone in, pass-through fast charge technology via USB-C lets you charge up your Pixel XL first before recharging the case battery.

Like Modern Dad says in his review, this thing is a big honking case that’s going to make your phone thicker, longer, and heavier — to be expected with any battery. But if you’re keep for a great battery case that supports both wireless and fast-charging (and are willing to pay $100 for the privilege), get yours today for the Pixel XL.

See at Mophie

ALCLAP Portable Charger Case

This case from ALCLAP offers a 4,000mAh lithium-ion battery to power your 5-inch Pixel, with a look and feel that’s as slim as you can make a case like this. ALCLAP offers dual charging capabilities, meaning you’ll be able to plug your case in at night and wake up to a full battery on your phone and the case.

Simply press the button on the back of the case to start the charging and you’ll get many hours of extra usage from your phone when you’d otherwise be stuck plugging into a wall. This case also adds about a half-inch of bulk, but will also keep your phone protected from drops, and also accommodates a screen protector for full protection. This case regularly sells for $130 but you can get it for $60 from Amazon.

ALCLAP also offers a 5,000 mAh battery case for the larger Pixel XL.

See at Amazon

ZeroLemon Google Pixel Charger Case

This gargantuan battery case for the standard Google Pixel includes a massive 6,500 mAh battery and some… shall we say unique design decisions, with an archway of sorts on the back for access to the fingerprint scanner.

As you’d expect, packing a battery this big into a case means completely changes the dimensions of your sleek Google-designed phone. This case will make your phone nearly an inch thick and also adds an extra inch to the height of your device — but you’ve probably made peace with that fact if you’re in the market for a battery case. If maximum battery capacity is your aim, you simply won’t find a bigger battery case for the Pixel than this offering from ZeroLemon.

Zero Lemon also offers an appropriately larger 8,000 mAh battery case for the Pixel XL if that’s what you’re after.

See at Amazon

Update June 2017: Added Mophie’s offering for the Pixel XL, added the ZeroLemon case for the Pixel, and removed the products no longer available on Amazon.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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OnePlus team fields OnePlus 5 questions in Reddit AMA, reveals little

Every once and a while it’s great to get a feel for what’s going on behind the scenes of a smartphone launch.

As they have done before, a handful of high-level people from OnePlus fired up a Reddit AMA to field questions from some of the most die-hard fans of the company. This time, it’s all about the OnePlus 5 of course.

As is typically the case with Reddit AMAs, there’s a whole lot of cruft to wade through to find the “good stuff.” But nestled within all of the strategically unanswered questions, there are a few good nuggets in there relating to decisions on the camera, design, accessories and overall marketing of the phone.

If you’re interested in getting some additional insight into the OnePlus 5’s creation and future prospects from the OnePlus team itself, the Reddit thread is definitely worth browsing. After taking a look through I don’t see any major bombshells, nor was I expecting any, but it’s still worth seeing how some of the OnePlus engineering, software and product team feel about the phone.

OnePlus 5

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• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
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• Which OnePlus 5 model should you buy?
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The Elders Scrolls: Legends offering ‘legendary’ gift for Android pre-registers

Pre-register for The Elders Scrolls: Legends and get a free legendary card at launch!

The Elders Scrolls: Legends is a free-to-play collectible card battling game, similar to the popular Hearthstone franchise, that will soon be available for Android. Pre-registration is currently open in the Google Play Store, and those who pre-register will be gifted a legendary card to start building your deck around.

Developed by Dire Wolf Digital and published by Bethesda, this game is based on the creatures, characters, and lore from The Elder Scrolls and has you collect and upgrade your cards as you battle against AI opponents as well as PvP battles against other players. There’s a single player story mode along with a multiplayer arena so Elder Scroll fans or simply fans of this style of game will have plenty to do when the game launches on Android.

Bethesda has also unveiled the first expansion for the game, Heroes of Skyrim at E3 2017 which is scheduled to drop on the other platforms June 29.

Our friend’s over at iMore have reviewed the game on iOS and considered it a fresh take on the mobile genre. Check out their review and then be sure you’re pre-registered on the Google Play Store to secure your free gift.

Pre-register at Google Play Store

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