LG recently unveiled the LG G5. The flagship was redesigned and features a sleek a aluminum body and a new modular type design.
LG has been pushing the mobile innovation envelope for some time. They were one of the first to try something different by placing the home and volume keys at the back of a smartphone. With the modular type design, they are innovating again with something new. Granted that its not fully modular (ala Project Ara), but it is still a welcome change that the industry needs.
The LG G5
The LG G5 comes in a sleek aluminum uni-body build and a very smooth looking profile (I actually find it quite attractive). The new modular type design allows users to remove the device’s “chin” where modules can be connected to add new functionality. This is also where you can access and replace the device’s new Slide-out Battery.
The LG G5 also features a fingerprint sensor and a camera module, placed at the back. The implementation looks a bit like it was borrowed from a Nexus 6p, but otherwise looks good.
The specs are what you would expect on a 2016 flagship. It is equipped with a powerful 64-bit Snapdragon 820 processor, Adreno 520 graphics and 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. The display is of the IPS variety, and features a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution with a pixel density of 554 ppi. It also has the Always-on Display first introduced on the LG V10.
Interestingly, the LG G5 comes with two cameras — a standard 16MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 75 degree field of view, and a wider 8MP sensor with f/2.4 and a 135 degree field of view.
LG G5 key specs:
- 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440; 554 ppi)
- Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 Processor (Dual-core 2.15 GHz Kryo & dual-core 1.6 GHz Kryo)
- Adreno 530 GPU
- 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB Storage / microSD (up to 2TB)
- Dual Main Camera — Standard 16MP (f/1.8), and Wide 8MP (f/2.4)
- 8MP Front Camera
- LTE; 3G; 2G
- USB Type-C
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.2; NFC; GPS, AGPS
- FM Radio
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow with LG Optimus UX 5.0
- 2,800mAh battery (removable) with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
- Dimension: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm; 159g
- Colors: Silver, Titan, Gold, Pink
New Modular Type Design
The bottom of the LG G5 (the “chin”) is removable, allowing users to modify the device by replacing it with different modules. So far, LG has a two modules — the LG CAM Plus and the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play.
The LG CAM Plus turns the LG G5 into a point and shoot camera hybrid. The module adds a camera grip and comes with additional camera controls and a 1,200mAh battery capacity.
The LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play equips the LG G5 with a Hi-Fi DAC. Developed in collaboration with Bang and Olufsen, the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY supports 32-bit 384KHz high-definition audio playback. LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY can be used either as a module with the LG G5 or as a separate Hi-Fi DAC by connecting to any smartphone or PC.
See related posts:
- Samsung Officially Unveils Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge; Complete Specs, Philippine Price
- LG introduces the LG V10 in the Philippines with dual front cameras and Dura Skin back cover
Companion Devices
LG also introduced an ecosystem of new companion devices called the LG Playground. These new devices, collectively called LG Friends, aim to deliver new mobile experience to go with the LG G5.
The LG 360 VR is a VR goggle that can be connected with the G5 via a dedicated cable and works exclusively with the G5 to simulate a 130-inch TV viewed from two meters away. It is smaller than the traditional VR goggles and weighs only 118g. It also has resolution of 639 ppi. The device is compatible with 360-degree images and videos captured with LG 360 CAM as well as all Google Cardboard content.
The LG 360 CAM is a compact 360-degree angle camera equipped with two 13MP 200-degree wide angle cameras, 1,200mAh battery and 4GB internal memory, supplemented with a microSD card. It allows users to create 360-degree content. The LG 360 CAM also provides 2K video and 5.1 surround channel recording on three microphones. Thanks to the partnership with Google, images taken with the 360 CAM can be uploaded to Google Street View and YouTube360. The images will also be available to view on the LG 360 VR or other smartphones or devices that are capable of 360-degree content.
The LG Rolling Bot is a companion device that rolls like a ball while capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera. With an IP camera connectable via Wi-Fi, users can remotely monitor the interior of their homes with the LG G5 via live streaming.
Availability
LG has yet to reveal the price or availability of the LG G5. Hopefully, it won’t be more expensive than when its predecessor came out.
LG G5 Infographic
Here’s an infographic of the LG G5 detailing some of the possibilities from the new flagship.
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