Specification

LG X4 Plus (X4+) Review: A forgotten gem or just another budget warrior?

In a market dominated by flashy flagships and AI-packed smartphones, there’s still a segment of users who want durability, simplicity, and reliability without spending a fortune. That’s where LG used to shine — and the LG X4 Plus (X4+), though not a recent release, still stands as a rugged, no-nonsense smartphone designed for a specific kind of user.

So is this phone still relevant? Can it hold its ground in today’s crowded Android space? Let’s break down the LG X4+ in real-life usage — from design to performance, audio, battery, and who it’s really for.

1. Design & Build: Military-grade, classic look

The LG X4+ doesn’t try to be ultra-modern or flashy. It follows a classic and durable design, aimed at users who value ruggedness over aesthetics.

Highlights:

• MIL-STD 810G certification: Built to survive drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures.
• Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor: Simple, fast, and secure.
• Metal body + matte finish: No fingerprint magnet.
• Weight: ~172g — compact and comfortable for one-handed use.
• 3.5mm headphone jack (yes, it’s still here!)

Verdict: Not for style seekers, but great for someone who values strength and practicality.

2. Display: Basic but functional

The X4+ offers a 5.3-inch HD IPS LCD screen. Nothing extraordinary, but good color accuracy and sharpness for the size.

Specs:

• Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (standard)
• Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3

Real-life use:

• Outdoor visibility: Decent in shade, struggles under direct sunlight
• Color tone: Neutral, not oversaturated
• Viewing angles: Acceptable

Not built for Netflix bingers or gamers, but more than enough for calls, browsing, and basic YouTube.

3. Performance: Reliable for basics

Powered by the Snapdragon 425 chipset, paired with 2GB RAM, the X4+ was never meant to compete with high-end phones. It’s designed for day-to-day reliability.

Hardware Specs:

• CPU: Snapdragon 425 (Quad-core, 1.4GHz)
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 32GB (expandable via microSD)
• GPU: Adreno 308

Real-life usage:

• WhatsApp, Facebook, and light browsing work fine
• Multi-tasking: Limited — 2–3 apps max before reloads
• Gaming: Casual titles like Subway Surfers and Temple Run run okay, but don’t expect PUBG or Genshin

Verdict: Great for calls, light apps, and browsing. Not for power users.

4. Camera: Simplicity over gimmicks

The camera setup here is basic but does the job in good lighting.

Specs:

• Rear Camera: 13MP, f/2.2
• Front Camera: 5MP with LED flash

Camera Experience:

• Daylight shots: Clear, decent color accuracy, natural tone
• Low light: Average with visible noise
• Selfies: Usable, especially with front flash
• Video: Max 1080p@30fps, stable enough

Verdict: It’s not cinematic, but if you’re capturing everyday memories or need a reliable camera for documents, it works.

5. Audio: Hi-Fi DAC steals the show

Where LG truly made this phone stand out is audio. The 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC makes wired headphone use a joy.

Sound Features:

• Headphone Jack ✅
• Hi-Fi Quad DAC: Rare in this price range
• Speaker: Mono, clear and loud enough
• FM Radio: Available, with RDS support

Verdict: Audiophiles on a budget will love this. Best sound quality in its class.

6. Battery Life: Lasts longer than expected

Despite the modest specs, the 3000mAh battery delivers surprisingly good results due to lightweight software and an HD screen.

Battery Performance:

• SOT: 6–7 hours (light to moderate use)
• Standby: Excellent — very low drain overnight
• Charging: No fast charging; ~2 hours for full charge

Verdict: One-day battery life without anxiety. Just don’t expect blazing charge speeds.

7. Software & Features: Clean and efficient

The LG X4+ runs Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) out of the box with LG’s minimal custom skin. Not feature-packed, but smooth and stable.

Key Points:

• No bloatware
• Easy Mode for seniors
• LG Pay (Korea version)
• Still gets basic security patches in some regions

Verdict: Simple UI for those who want stability, not bells and whistles.

8. Connectivity and Extras

• Fingerprint sensor: Works well
• NFC: Yes (Korean variant supports T-Money transit cards)
• Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Micro-USB port — feels outdated in 2025

9. Who should buy this phone?

This phone is ideal if you:

• Want a durable and compact phone for daily calls, messaging, and light browsing
• Are buying for parents or seniors
• Need a secondary phone with good battery and audio
• Love wired audio and want Hi-Fi DAC under budget

But don’t buy if:

• You want fast updates or modern Android
• You do heavy multitasking or gaming
• You need modern apps or features like 5G, fast charging, or high refresh rate

Final Verdict:

The LG X4 Plus (X4+) is not a phone for everyone.
But for its rugged build, audio quality, and reliable basics, it still holds value even in 2025 as a secondary or minimalist device.

 Reliable
 Durable
 Audio-focused
 Outdated Android
 Not for power users