LG thinks the LG G5 is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7, but do you?

No company is going to say their smartphone isn’t the best thing to hit the planet since it was discovered bacon was edible, so it comes as no surprise that LG is sending out material to show why their phone — the LG G5 (hands-on) — is better than the Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge (both of which were announced this past Sunday).

The graphic you see above goes over some of the features the LG G5 has and compares them to the Samsung Galaxy S7 (check out our hands-on look). Anyone taking a quick look at the photo will immediately peg LG the winner, but we should always look to our own judgment to decide which phone is best.

Just for funsies, let’s run down the list and see if there’s merit to any of it:
Modular Design: Fair point. The LG G5 can do some very cool stuff. Modular accessories like the camera grip and hi-fidelity audio do add additional important features. Win.
Removable Battery: Another fair point, though this will be up to the user to decide whether it’s important. For yours truly, it isn’t.
16MP rear camera: This is where things get iffy. Megapixels alone don’t count. Yes, the LG G5’s 16 megapixels are more than Samsung, but there are many other important factors to camera quality.
Always-on display: Both devices have them, and LG wasn’t afraid to point it out. Good on them.
5.3-inch display: LG gave themselves the win on this one, but some people (again, yours truly) actually prefer small displays. Toss-up.
Daylight mode: A fancy way to say “auto-brightness.” LG’s display can go a fair bit brighter than most others’, though, so we’ll let them slide with this one.
IP68 and Water Resistance: LG had to throw Samsung a freebie to give off the illusion that they’re being fair.
MicroSD slot: Again, can’t knock Samsung for the lack of expandable storage this year.

Of course, LG left many other things out like wireless charging, Samsung Pay and a heart-rate sensor, all things which they can’t hold a candle to. They did also leave out the fact that the LG G5 has USB Type-C while the Galaxy S7 is still stuck on microUSB 2.0, so we’ll give them that.

At the end of the day, the “best” smartphone is whichever smartphone works best for you. We could make as many comparisons, lists and reviews as we want, but if there’s one aspect of an otherwise “perfect” phone breaking the experience for you, you should try to find the one that fits you best regardless of what anyone thinks. That in mind, would you agree with LG or do you think they’re stretching a bit here? Sound off in the comments below!

LG G5 is official (VIDEO)

We already knew that LG would announce the LG G5, and they just did, showing an incredibly cool modular device allows for a removable battery on a unibody design. But that’s just where it starts.

Some of what LG announced include:
LG CAM Plus
LG Hi-Fi Plus
LG 360 VR
LG 360 Cam
LG Rolling Bot

And it didn’t even end there. Catch it all in the press release below while we get hands-on photos and videos to bring you very soon!

Press release:

BARCELONA, Feb. 21, 2016 ― LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its highly anticipated LG G5 smartphone, a brand new design with not only a sleek, metal uni-body featuring a Slide-outBattery and a Modular Type design that gives a greater smartphone experience. Complete with LG Friends, a collection of companion devices, the G5 can be transformed into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more.

Encased in a sleek metal aluminum body and Slide-out Battery to easily swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in seconds, the LG G5 surpasses the visual experience of its predecessor, the LG G4.

First, the G5’s 135-degree wide angle lens lets you choose between standard or wide angle lens to get more in the shot. Second, the Always-on Display makes notifications just a glance away with the time, date and more available anytime without waking the G5. Third, the 3D Arc Glass featured in the smartphone’s 5.3-inch display creates a gentle curve and a smooth colorful metal surfacethrough an advanced microdizing process which takes anodized aluminum to a whole new level.

Furthermore, the insulative antenna is invisibly integrated into the body without disrupting the seamless look of the metal uni-body. LG designers took the metal body concept one step further by adding a Shiny Cut edge for added contrast and a more comfortable grip.

LG’s First Modular Type Smartphone

LG’s innovative Modular Type design gives the LG G5 the ability to transform into a digital camera, Hi-Fi player and more all while keeping its traditional removable battery in a full metal uni-body design for the first time ever.

LG CAM Plus

The LG CAM Plus is a versatile camera module that can be attached through the battery slot to deliver a comfortable grip and convenient control of a standalone camera. The LG CAM Plus provides physical buttons for power, shutter, record, zoom, LED indicator and comfortable grip. It also offers intuitive auto focus and exposure lock, features usually found on standalone digital cameras. When attached to the LG G5, it provides an additional battery capacity of 1,200mAh to allow for longer shooting times for more fun and enjoyment.

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY

The LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY is an innovative portable Hi-Fi DAC audio player developedin collaboration with B&O PLAY to meet the needs of those who seek to enjoy top-notch sounds that have traditionally only been available through high-end audio devices. LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY stands out for its simple yet elegant Scandinavian design as well as premium sound technology. In addition to the 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC upsampling technology first introduced on the LGV10, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY also 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.

Extreme Wide Angle Lens and Advanced UX

Reflecting LG’s longstanding reputation as a leader in smartphone cameras, the LG G5 has two cameras on the rear: one with a standard 78-degree lens and another with a 135-degree wide anglelens, the widest available in any smartphone. The 135-degree lens on the LG G5 offers a viewingangle that is approximately 1.7 times wider than those of existing smartphone cameras and 15degrees wider than the human eye’s field of view. The wide angle lens makes it easier for users to capture more landscape, taller buildings or larger groups without having to position oneself further from the subject.

The LG G5 features a collection of powerful photo effects including Pop-out Picture, Film Effect and Auto Shot. Pop-out Picture combines images taken by the standard and wide angle lens to create a picture-in-a-frame effect. Film Effect can apply nine different film emulators to an imagewhile Auto Shot is an enhanced camera UX which automatically captures the perfect selfie shotwhen a face is recognized.

Always-on Display for Enhanced Convenience

The 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum display on the LG G5 offers an Always-on feature, the first on a main smartphone display. The concept of the Always-on Display was first introduced in theLG V10 as the Second Screen and now that feature has evolved on to the main display to show thetime and date continuously even when the G5 is in sleep mode. This means that you can always see the time at a glance, even during important meetings or when your hands are full.

To minimize power consumption, LG redesigned the display driver IC memory and powermanagement function so that the display’s backlight only illuminates one small part of the overall display. Thanks to this technology, the Always-on Display requires only 0.8 percent of the battery’s full capacity per hour to operate. With consumers turning on their smartphones up to 150 times a day mostly to just check the time, the G5’s Always-on Display will make a notable difference in the life of the battery over the course of the day.

Another advanced display feature in the LG G5 is Daylight Mode, which gives the G5 exceptional outdoor visibility beyond that of current auto brightness technology. Daylight Mode detects surrounding light conditions and instantaneously increases or decreses the brightness of the display, up to 850 nits. Even before your eyes have adjusted to the different lighting conditions, the G5 will be ready.

Diverse Range of Companion Devices

With the G5, LG is introducing a paradigm-shifting smartphone ecosystem ― the LG Playground. With this, LG aims to strengthen the ties with its partners and introduce various devices andsupporting programs to fully maximize the LG Playground.

As part of the ecosystem, LG is introducing a wide range of companion devices, aptly called LG Friends, to deliver fun while providing a new mobile experience far beyond traditional smartphone boundaries.

LG 360 VR

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 has a stylish design that is foldable so that users can easily carry and watch VR content anytime, anywhere.Unlike other VR devices that require a smartphones to be inserted in the device, the LG 360 VR weighs only 118g (4.16 ounces) and is just one-third as heavy as competing VR goggles while delivering a 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.

LG 360 CAM

The LG 360 CAM is a compact 360-degree angle camera equipped with two 13MP 200-degreewide angle cameras, 1,200mAh battery and 4GB internal memory, which can be supplemented by a microSD card. The LG 360 CAM can be easily connected to the LG G5 allowing users to create 360-degree content. The LG 360 CAM provides 2K video and 5.1 surround channel recording on three microphones to help users effortlessly create high-quality 360-degree contents. Thanks to the partnership with Google, images taken with the 360 CAM can be uploaded to Google Street View and YouTube360, adding the fun of sharing creative contents with others. 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.

LG Rolling Bot

The LG Rolling Bot is a companion device that rolls like a ball while capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera. Not just a toy, the LG Rolling Bot can be used as a monitoring system for the home, pet care companion as well as a remote controller for compatible home appliances. With an IP camera connectable via Wi-Fi, users can remotely monitor the interior oftheir homes with the LG G5 via live streaming.

LG Tone PlatinumTM

The LG TONE PlatinumTM (model HBS-1100), the latest in the LG TONE Series, is a Bluetooth headset that has earned the Harman Kardon? Platinum grade for its superior sound quality. With aBalanced Armature design for minimum distortion, LG Tone PlatinumTM delivers exceptionally sharp and clean sound. What’s more, it is the world’s first Bluetooth headset equipped with aptX™HDcodec, delivering lossless 24-bit audio for sound that is unrivaled in a wireless device.

H3 by B&O PLAY

H3 by B&O PLAY is a set of high-end earphones that is compatible with the high-quality sound of the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY. Designed for audiophiles as well as anyone who considersaudio performance a top-priority in a smartphone, H3 by B&O PLAY works with all Androidsmartphones.

LG Smart Controller

The LG Smart Controller allows users to easily control certain drones. With the LG Smart Controller, users can check the video stream from the drone through the LG G5 in real time andcontrol the unmanned aircraft with the LG Smart Controller joystick.

LG Friends Manager

Only available in the LG G5, Friends Manager is the hub application that allows the G5 to connect with LG Friends with minimal fuss and effort. LG Friends Manager automatically detects nearbyLG Friends and connects quickly and easily in three simple steps, eliminating much of the hassle of pairing devices.

More Performance, More Efficiency

The LG G5 offers many other innovations designed to revolutionize today’s mobile lifestyle, such as:

Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 820 Processor

The LG G5 is equipped with the powerful yet energy-efficient Snapdragon 820 processor whichoffers advanced features such as 64-bit performance, Adreno 530 graphics and lower-power Qualcomm? HexagonTM DSP as well as Qualcomm Spectra™ 14-bit dual image signal processors (ISPs) designed to deliver high resolution DSLR-quality images and additional power savings. The Snapdragon 820 processor also has an integrated X12 LTE modem that supports Category 12 download speeds of up to 600 Mbps and LTE Category 13 uplink speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

Compared to the previous generation Snapdragon processor, Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced CPU architecture offers double the speed and power savings. Adreno 530 graphics demonstrate up to 40 percent faster graphics performance and up to 40 percent more power efficiency compared to the previous generation. The Snapdragon 820 processor also supports 4K capture and playback at four times more than the resolution of 1080p, enabling users to watch and capture their daily moments in stunning detail and clarity. The processor is also optimized for VR, generating quality pixels and life-like colors to deliver the ultimate VR experience to G5 users.

aptX™ HD: 24-bit Hi-Fi Wireless Audio

The LG G5 is equipped with aptX HD, an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit sound over Bluetooth, delivering rich and clear sound over wireless connections without any loss. When paired with the LG TONE Platinum, users can experience superb quality Hi-Fi audio that sounds amazingly close to the original source.

Qualcomm? Quick Charge™ 3.0

The LG G5 offers Quick Charge 3.0 for incredibly fast charging. By employing an intelligent algorithm, Quick Charge 3.0 is 27 percent faster and 45 percent more efficient than the previous generation.

Low Power Location Estimation (LPLE) Technology

The LG G5 has excellent battery life, thanks to the Low Power Location Estimation technology. This solution enhances the battery efficiency by as much as 41.9 percent by improving the power consumption related to location-based apps.

“The new LG G5 will encourage owners to rediscover the true joy of a mobile life,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G5 and LG Friends are the result of many experts inside LG asking themselves if it was still possible to be innovativeand unique in the smartphone space. I think once customers spend a little time with the LG G5, their answer will be a resounding yes.”

Key Specifications:*

• Chipset: Qualcomm?Snapdragon™ 820 Processor
• Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi)
• Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)
• Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP / Front: 8MP
• Battery: 2,800mAh (removable)
• OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
• Weight: 159g
• Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type-C / NFC / Bluetooth 4.2
• Colors: Silver / Titan / Gold / Pink

3D renders of the LG G5 give us a good idea of what to expect [VIDEO]

All the leaks and rumors to date have painted a very vivid picture of what to expect from the LG G5, but if stationary imagery isn’t enough to jog your imagination then perhaps a video of a 3D render will.
The video comes from TechConfigurations, who put the render together based on specifications and leaks (which means this model is not based on official information obtained by the publication).


Still, it does a nice job to paint an accurate picture of what’s to come. LG is likely to use metal for the LG G5, and they’ll be ditching the rear-facing volume buttons to place a fingerprint scanner on the rear. We’re also expecting dual cameras, a secondary display and a slide-out battery.

The video is sitting  bellow if you’re curious to see how this thing might look in motion, so take a look by hitting the play button.

LG trolls Samsung about removable batteries, so the LG G5 better have one

Don’t you just love it when two big companies start taking jabs at each other? That’s what LG did when Samsung started touting their devices’ fast charging capabilities on Twitter. Samsung talked up the ability to go from 0% to 100% in just 90 minutes.

LG’s rebuttal?

And that says it all. As fun as a quick ribbing like this is, though, we’re hoping that LG’s bold banter is a sign to us that they’re not going to waver on their commitment to deliver flexibility in their smartphones. We’d be absolutely shocked if the LG G5 were to launch without a removable battery after this stunt. Then again, there’s solid evidence that LG is looking to stick with removable batteries for future smartphones, so there shouldn’t be much to worry about.

Here are the first cases for the LG G5

MobileFun has revealed the first cases they’ll be offering for the LG G5. These are some of the first cases we’re seeing period, and with LG said to be making their big splash at Mobile World Congress this year we wouldn’t be surprised if more flooded in from here on out.

This particular case is by Olixar, and features a 2-piece rugged design that should absorb a lot of shock in the event of a fall. There’s also the addition of a kickstand which will be nice for those who like to prop their devices up on their desk.

As always, it’s worth noting that case manufacturers might be using renders and leaks to put their early photos together, so the design of the phone in the product photos might not be totally accurate. This case in particular doesn’t make much room for imagination, though, so there’s nothing to take from it anyway. MobileFun will sell this particular case for $14.95 if you’re interested, so place an order for oneif you want to ensure you’ll get it by the time your device makes its way to your doorstep.

These photos might be our first real look at the LG G5 (JPG)

We have a general idea of what the LG G5 is supposed to look like by now, but we haven’t yet gotten many full looks at the thing in the flesh. We sort of still don’t with the latest leak, but it’s the most we’ll get for now.




The device — which you can see in the photo above draped in a case designed to protect its identity (clearly not working) — sports a lot of the design traits we’ve heard and seen to date. There are dual REAR cameras with a flash in between, and a rear-facing fingerprint scanner below those. The front shows a slot for the same



The front shows a slot for the same secondary display we saw on the LG V10. The speakers on the underside (sitting next to a beautiful USB Type-C port) indicate LG is looking to stick to the new industry trend. That doesn’t mean the LG G5 won’t be plenty loud, of course. We even see the slit on the side of the device which exposes the volume buttons which now exist on the left edge of the device (compared to rear placement on the previous 2 devices in the lineup).

We have to remember that this could be a prototype from any stage of development, so something might end up completely different by the time it hits retail. How are you feeling about this thing?

New leak suggests LG G5 will feature dual rear camera setup

LG's upcoming G5 flagship smartphone, which has been the subject of some rumors and leaks until now, will come with a dual camera set-up (16MP + 8MP) at the back.
This was revealed in a new leak, which came courtesy of a Reddit user who also shared the following image that apparently shows the device's body partially obscured by a black box.

A number of other specs were also revealed, including 5.3-inch Quad HD display, SD820 SoC with 3GB RAM, 8MP front camera, as well as a SIM and microSD slot. In addition, the leakster said that the device will also have a color spectrum and a heart rate sensor fitted in the camera assembly, as well as a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button.

Other features that were revealed include a USB-C port, bottom firing speaker, as well as IR blaster on top. There was no word on the launch time frame though - recent reports have suggested that will happen in February.

Rumors: LG G5 next year comes with a Snapdragon 820 and Sony 20 MP camera

The LG G4 was universally praised for its camera output and we were big fans of it ourselves. About 5 months after it was made official, we're beginning to hear its successor mentioned every now and then.


An anonymous source, who claims to have inside information, is now shedding light on two of the most important bits of the potential G5's hardware. The camera, for one, will use a new Sony-made 20MP sensor with a half-inch diagonal - one of the largest around.

For example the G4 has a 1/2.6" diagonal, this year's Samsung Galaxies (S6/S6 edge/S6 edge+/Note5) and the iPhone 6/6 Plus use a smaller 1/3" chip, and Sony's own Xperia Z5 series boast a 1/2.3" imager. All those are of course miniature compared to the 1/1.2" sensor of the Nokia PureView 808, but iconic or not, the 808 is ancient history. What's even more interesting though, is that the new sensor will only be provided to LG, and won't be used by other manufacturers.

The source also states that the upcoming LG flagship will be powered by the Snapdragon 820 chip. That's an easy assumption to make without insider information, but reports have been surfacing that LG is in development of its own top-end chipset. Apparently though, LG will stay in Qualcomm's camp for yet another generation.

The source has been deemed trustworthy, but even if the above is correct at the time of writing, there's no less than 6 months before we get to see the LG G5, so bear in mind that things may change.