A Quick Look at LG G4 Leather Back Covers
by Joshua Ho on August 17, 2015 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- LG
- Mobile
- LG G4
With the LG G4 review, our design commentary was mostly targeted towards the G4’s standard polycarbonate back cover. But recently we received some leather back covers from LG designed for the G4.
As far as I can tell, these leather back covers come in two distinct types of textures. Most of the available colors have a relatively stiff and coarse texture to them, but others have a softer, finer texture. However, both back covers use similar processes, namely vegetable tanning with a coating applied over the tanned full-grain leather to keep the leather stain resistant, which is cut down to 0.45mm thick. The whole process is said to take 12 weeks.
Subjectively, the leather covers are actually surprising in terms of how they improve the look and feel of the G4. The stitching on these back covers is probably somewhat controversial as it doesn’t serve much purpose, but it does help somewhat with gripping the phone and the stitching is actually real thread, which is at least somewhat surprising given that we’ve seen phones with fake stitching patterns on the back cover before. If you’re looking for a good way to improve the in-hand feel of the G4 and add some personalization in the process ala Motomaker, these back covers aren’t a bad way to accomplish that.
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Raniz - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
What's the status on wireless charging on the G4, with or without the leather backs?deadmeat2k - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
@raniz: there is only wireless charging receiver built into the quick circle covers. Neither plastic nor leather cover supports it. However I have seen a Youtube video with one guy removing the NFC antenna inside the cover and replacing it with an aftermarket wireless antenna. It is basically just a sticker.Raniz - Friday, August 21, 2015 - link
Good to hear. Thanks!biofishfreak - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
The G4 doesn't come with wireless charging out of the box (you have to buy a replacement "sticker" with NFC + wireless charging, regardless of the back type.) However, once you get that new sticker, it works fine in my experience.soccerballtux - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
I just bought one of these for my G2, but am confused how one can simply replace a sticker. On my Nexus 5 there are 4 contact pads-- 2 for the NFC, 2 for the Qi. It makes sense that you could do both through the same coil--perhaps-- given proper tuning-- but is this what's going on?Or are there 4 contact pads and the stock covers only make use of 2...
nedge2k - Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - link
aliexpress is your friend. the nfc sticker on the leather covers comes right off and you can replace with a qi/nfc special from ali.soccerballtux - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
hey, see my comment to your siblingWithoutWeakness - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
Oh man, that bright orange is a little bit much. The red looks like a nice, deep burgundy color but that orange leather with the coarse texture legitimately looks like an orange peel. Not sure if they intended for it to have that look but it doesn't make it look premium at all, especially compared to the standard polycarbonate backs. It looks like it belongs in a lunch box.Impulses - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
Heh, never had a leather bound lunchbox myself, but I do agree it looks cheap. I don't think the coarse texture in general is a good sign of quality... I like the dark red one too, and I really liked the idea of these when they first came out...However, since then I've seen a few too many user reports about how they only last a few months before wearing out... I understand leather products are made to wear in and show some character, but the leather peeling off entirely on the corners isn't exactly wearing in, more like wearing out.
smorebuds - Monday, August 17, 2015 - link
I associated it with a basketball texture. Still obnoxious, but I could see some people being into that.