The lg g5 is not a normal upgrade pick anymore, but it still shows up in used-phone searches because it tried hardware ideas most flagships later dropped. If you follow older phones, repairable devices, or unusual Android hardware, the Devices section is a useful place to see where this model sits in 2026.
Released in 2016, the LG G5 was sold as a premium Android phone with a removable battery, a slide-out modular base, dual rear cameras, and Qualcomm’s flagship chip at that time. That still sounds different now, because many expensive phones are sealed glass slabs with little room for user repair. Still, old charm does not remove practical problems. Software age, battery condition, app support, and carrier rules matter more than the metal body when you are spending real money.
Why Does the LG G5 Still Get Attention in 2026?
The LG G5 still comes up in phone talks because it belongs to a short period when large brands were willing to try risky hardware. It was not just another flat black phone. LG Global Newsroom announced it in February 2016 as the company’s first modular smartphone, and that line followed the product for years. Some buyers liked the idea right away. Others saw a good concept that never got enough accessories.
A Modular Design That Still Feels Rare
The G5’s bottom section could slide out, so users could remove the battery and attach LG “Friends” modules. The main add-on most people remember is LG CAM Plus, a camera grip with physical controls and extra battery capacity. In normal use, the module idea did not become a large phone trend. Even so, the design still matters because a mass-market brand tried to make a phone feel more like a small hardware system than a sealed product.
A Removable Battery for Real Daily Use
The removable 2,800mAh battery is still the feature buyers ask about first. A weak battery is one of the main reasons old phones become annoying, and the G5 made replacement much faster than glued modern phones. That does not mean every battery sold today is fresh or safe. In 2026, many LG G5 batteries may be old warehouse stock, so it is better to buy from sellers that show manufacturing dates or offer a clear return policy.
A Small Flagship Shape Before Giant Phones Took Over
The 5.3-inch display gives the G5 a size that now feels close to compact. Many current phones are taller, heavier, and harder to use with one hand. If you want a pocket-friendly device for music, offline maps, or a quick camera walk, the G5 still feels comfortable. That may sound like a small point, but it matters when you just want to take a photo without carrying a tablet-sized phone.
What Specs Does the LG G5 Offer?
Specs do not explain the whole phone, but they help set the right expectation. In 2016, the LG G5 was a real flagship. In 2026, it is an old device that can handle light tasks, but it should not be compared with modern mid-range phones that have longer support and much better battery life.
Snapdragon 820 and 4GB RAM
LG’s official 2016 specification sheet listed the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 32GB of UFS storage. Qualcomm also published a February 2016 post saying Snapdragon 820 powered the G5 and its companion devices. At launch, that was high-end hardware. Today, it is still fine for calls, local media, basic browsing, and simple apps, but heavy games and busy social apps can feel slow. The problem is worse if the phone still has carrier software or years of background clutter.
5.3 Inch QHD Display and 32GB Storage
The G5 used a 5.3-inch QHD IPS LCD, and it remains sharp enough for its size. Text can still look clean, and photos keep fair detail in good light. The 32GB internal storage is the bigger limit. LG listed microSD support up to 2TB in its launch material, so music, photos, and offline files can sit on a card. App storage is not as easy because some apps still need internal space, and 32GB fills up quickly.
Dual Rear Cameras With a Wide Angle Lens
The rear camera setup paired a standard 16MP camera with an 8MP wide-angle camera. That second lens is still the more interesting part of the phone. Before ultra-wide cameras became common, the G5 made it simple to shoot buildings, cars, rooms, and group photos without stepping far back. The results are not as clean as a 2026 flagship, but the camera has its own older digital look. If you like that style, the G5 can still be fun to use.
How Good Is the LG G5 Camera Today?
The camera is one of the better reasons to buy an LG G5 for hobby use. It will not replace a modern phone with larger sensors and stronger night processing. Still, it can produce useful photos when the light is good. The main point is knowing when it works well and when it is better to use another phone.
Daylight Photos Still Look Natural
In good light, the main camera can still take decent photos with enough detail for social posts or simple records. Colors often look less processed than on many newer phones, which some users prefer. That can be a benefit if you dislike images that look too sharp or too bright. It can also mean you may need to adjust exposure after the shot. A sunny street, a parked motorcycle, or a product photo near a window is where the G5 is most comfortable.
Wide Angle Shots Remain the Fun Part
The wide-angle lens is still the feature that makes the G5 feel different from many old phones. It works well for travel shots, tight indoor spaces, and roadside views where you cannot step back. Reviewers in 2016, including Ars Technica, noted the phone’s unusual mix of a removable battery, metal body, and modular accessory plan. The wide camera gave that plan a clearer purpose because the phone already felt like a camera-focused experiment.
Low Light Video Shows Its Age
Low-light photos and video are where the G5 shows its age quickly. You should expect noise, slower focus, and less stable results indoors. The phone can record usable clips in daylight, but evening video will not match newer phones with modern image processing. If you need clean concert footage, night street clips, or steady family videos indoors, the G5 should not be your main device.
Is the LG G5 Easy to Repair?
Repairability is one of the stronger points for the LG G5. It was built when removable batteries were already disappearing from flagship phones, so the design stands out more now. Still, easy battery access does not mean the phone can be repaired forever. Parts age, adhesives dry, and replacement modules can vary a lot from seller to seller.
iFixit Scored It 8 out of 10
iFixit’s 2016 teardown gave the LG G5 a repairability score of 8 out of 10, with 10 being the easiest to repair. The teardown pointed to the slide-out battery as a major benefit for phone lifespan. That score is still one of the clearest third-party data points for this model. It also explains why repair hobbyists still respect the G5, even though the modular ecosystem did not grow much.
Battery Swaps Are the Main Win
For normal users, the best repair feature is simple: you can change the battery without heating the back glass, cutting glue, or paying a repair shop. If the battery drains by lunch, you can swap it instead of opening the whole phone. That old-style design is still useful. Before buying, check the bottom latch and fit of the phone’s chin. A loose chin can make the device feel worn out and may cause fit issues after years of use. See also: AI.
Parts Quality Needs Careful Checking
Replacement parts are the risky side of the G5 market. Screens, charging modules, camera glass, and batteries may come from old stock or suppliers with mixed quality. There is no reliable public database showing current LG G5 replacement part failure rates in 2026, so seller claims need to be checked carefully. Ask for photos, test results, and return terms before paying. If the listing looks too perfect for the price, it probably has a catch.
What Are the Big Risks Before You Buy an LG G5?
The G5 can be enjoyable, but it is not a stress-free purchase. A phone from 2016 now lives in a different software and network market. Before buying one, decide whether it will be a collector device, a backup phone, or something you plan to rely on every day. That choice changes how much risk is acceptable.
Old Android Software and App Limits
The LG G5 launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, according to LG’s launch specifications, and later updates varied by region and carrier. In April 2021, LG announced that it would close its mobile phone business and provide service support and software updates for existing devices for a period that varied by region. By 2026, the G5 should not be treated as a secure main phone for banking, work email, password managers, or sensitive accounts. It may still run some apps, but that is not the same as being safe for important use.
Network Bands and Carrier Rules
Carrier support is another real issue. T-Mobile’s March 2016 launch release placed the LG G5 in the U.S. market for the April 1 national launch that year, but mobile networks have changed a lot since then. Before buying, check the exact model number, unlocked status, VoLTE support, and your carrier’s device checker. A phone that turns on is not always a phone that can make stable calls on a 2026 network.
Battery Age, Screen Wear, and Random Faults
Any used G5 can have hidden wear. Check for screen retention, weak charging ports, faulty cameras, swollen batteries, dead pixels, and random restarts. There are owner reports of random faults online, but there is no single reliable public dataset that proves a current failure rate for used LG G5 units. The safer move is basic but important: buy only with returns, test every function on day one, and do not keep a swollen battery indoors.
Who Should Buy the LG G5 and Who Should Skip It?
The answer depends on the job you want the phone to do. The LG G5 is a poor choice if you need a secure daily phone with years of updates. It makes more sense as a low-cost hobby phone, a repair project, or a reminder that phone design once had more unusual ideas. Unusual is not always bad; in this case, it is a big reason the device is still remembered.
A Good Pick for Collectors and Tinkerers
If you collect important Android phones, the G5 deserves a place in the box. It shows LG’s most direct hardware thinking: modular base, removable battery, wide-angle camera, USB-C, and flagship silicon. Tinkerers may also like how easy it feels compared with sealed phones. Just do not overpay, because nostalgia can add a few extra dollars to a listing very quickly.
A Weak Pick for Banking and Work
If you need a dependable work phone, it is better to skip the G5. The old software situation alone is enough reason. Many companies block outdated Android versions from email and device management tools. Banking apps may work today and stop after the next update. Even if setup goes well at first, one app change can create a problem you cannot fix.
A Better Fit as a Spare Camera Phone
The best fit is a spare camera phone or an offline media device. Put in a microSD card, load music, use it for daylight photos, or keep it in a drawer with a charged battery for simple tasks. That role uses the G5’s strengths without asking too much from old hardware. As a main phone, it carries too much risk. As a small piece of device history, it still has real appeal.
FAQ
Q1: Is the LG G5 Still Usable in 2026? A: Yes, but mainly for light tasks, collecting, offline media, and casual photos. It is not a smart pick for banking, work accounts, or anything that needs current security updates.
Q2: Does the LG G5 Have a Removable Battery? A: Yes. LG listed a removable 2,800mAh battery in the official 2016 specifications, and the slide-out design is still the phone’s most useful feature.
Q3: Is the LG G5 Camera Still Good? A: It can still take good daylight photos, especially with the wide-angle lens. Low-light photos and video show their age, so expectations need to stay realistic.
Q4: Can the LG G5 Work on Modern U.S. Carriers? A: Sometimes, but it depends on the exact model, VoLTE support, unlock status, and carrier rules. Always check the IMEI with your carrier before buying.
Q5: Should You Buy an LG G5 or a New Budget Phone? A: Buy a new budget phone if you need reliability, security, and app support. Buy the LG G5 only if you want a low-cost hobby device with rare hardware features.