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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Galaxy S7 Gets Rounder Icons, Icon Masking for Your Non-Samsung Apps

We’re still pouring over all things Samsung Galaxy S7 at the moment, since our hands-on time won’t come until tomorrow, but we found something that icon enthusiasts may appreciate in the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz. Not only has Samsung rounded off all of the icons for its stock apps (they are calling the shape “squircle”), they are also icon masking the rest of your apps to help match their appearances. 

What is icon masking? Think about the icons on your phone for a second. How many come in different shapes and sizes, some without backgrounds, others situated on a square or rounded button? If you are an OCD type, it probably drives you nuts that they don’t all carry the same shape, size, and background. To help fix that, Samsung is adding in icon masking, which takes your apps’ icons that don’t match their theme and then attempts to enhance them by placing each on a similarly shaped rounded square.

Look at the images above and below for examples of the Galaxy S6 icons vs. those on the Galaxy S7.

galaxy s7 icon masking2

S6 (left) vs. S7 (right)

See how Samsung is taking the Instagram icon, shrinking it a bit and then slapping it on a soft, squircle grey icon? That would be icon masking.

Samsung isn’t forcing this change on you, but instead are offering up a “icon customization” function that makes it all happen.

IMAGE

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Samsung Intros Gear 360 Camera for Virtual Reality Enthusiasts

If you are looking into content creation for virtual reality, or maybe you want to begin capturing all of your family’s memories in a full 360-degrees, Samsung announced the Gear 360 today at MWC. The device records video and audio in a complete 360-degrees, allowing those with a Gear VR to feel as if they are right in the room with you when you are celebrating Christmas morning or seeing your child walk for the first time. 

Featuring two CMOS 15-megapixel fisheye cameras (3840×1920), the Gear 360 sees everything taking place inside of a room, then makes that video available on Gear VR. Users of a supported Galaxy smartphone can also watch video in real-time as it is captured on the Gear 360. Videos captured can even be shared to supported social networks, services from Google such as Maps and Street View, and much more.

Samsung states that the Gear 360 will be available for purchase starting Q2, but there is no word on pricing just yet.

Check out the full list of specs below.

Specs

  • Two CMOS 15 megapixel fisheye cameras (Bright Lens F2.0)
  • DRIMe5s Image Processor
  • Dual Lens 3840×1920 (30fps) video
  • Dual Lens 30MP (7776×3888) images
  • MicroSD card (Up to 128GB)
  • 0.5” (72 x 32) PMOLE display
  • IP53 Certified Dust and Water Resistant
  • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), WiFi Direct, Bluetooth v4.1, NFC, USB 2.0
  • 153g (including battery) weight
  • 1,350mAh Li-ion battery

Gear 360 rear Gear 360 Left Gear 360 right Gear 360_glamshot Gear 360 with Tripod

Via: Samsung

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Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Availability at US Carriers

That didn’t long. The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were announced moments ago, yet here we are with all sorts of details on available and a release date from US carriers. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Cricket, and T-Mobile have all weighed in already.

Below, you’ll find the details on when you’ll be able to buy the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge. 

AT&T


Pre-orders open at AT&T on February 23. The phone arrives on March 11 in stores.

  • The Galaxy S7 32GB will cost $23.17 per month when purchased through AT&T Next 24.
  • The Galaxy S7 edge 32GB will cost $26.50 per month when purchased through AT&T Next 24.

AT&T will sell both phones in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum. The S7 Edge will also come in Silver Titanium.

Verizon


Pre-orders open at Verizon on February 23 at 8AM Eastern. The phone arrives on March 11 in stores.

Verizon has not yet announced pricing.

Verizon Galaxy S7 pre-orders will happen here; S7 Edge pre-orders here.

T-Mobile


Coming soon.

Sprint


Coming soon.

Cricket


Coming soon.

Via:  AT&T | Cricket | T-Mobile | Verizon | Sprint

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Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge vs. LG G5

With all of the phones from Samsung and LG now official, let’s take a look at the specs of the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and G5 side-by-side. Without a doubt, each phone defines the high-end and premium tags, featuring top-tier processing power, advanced camera sensors, and much more.

The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge both feature bigger batteries than the LG G5, although, LG tapped the cool factor of modular design, and included USB Type-C. Samsung brought IP68 water and dust resistance to their flagships, as well as adding back the microSD slot for up to 200GB of extra storage. On the other hand, the G5 also features expandable storage, but goes all the way to 2TB.

Yes, as a consumer, your choice for the next smartphone you buy will be tough.

For a complete spec breakdown, look below. 

 
LG G5
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor
Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi) 5.1" Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 X 1440, 577ppi) 5.5" Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 X 1440, 534ppi, Edge Screen)
RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 4GB LPDDR4 4GB LPDDR4
Storage: 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB) 32/64GB (UFS 2.0) + microSD (up to 200GB) 32/64GB (UFS 2.0) + microSD (up to 200GB)
Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP (135-degree)
Front: 8MP
Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP / 5MP, (F1.7), Smart OIS Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP / 5MP, (F1.7), Smart OIS
Battery: 2,800mAh (removable) 3,000mAh (non-removable) 3,600mAh (non-removable)
OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm,
Weight: 159g 152g 157g
Network: LTE / 3G / 2G LTE / 3G / 2G LTE / 3G / 2G
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type-C) / NFC / Bluetooth 4.2 WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MIMO,
Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MIMO,
Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
Colors: Silver / Titanium / Gold / Pink Silver / Black / Gold / White Silver / Black / Gold / White

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Official: Pre-Order the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge and Get a Free Gear VR Bundle

Remember that rumor about pre-orders for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge including a free Gear VR? It’s true – pre-orders do include a free Gear VR bundle with six games at a value of $150.

The pre-order kicks off February 23. Once it goes live, we’ll  be sure to let you know. 

You will be able to pre-order at Samsung’s site.

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Video: Here is the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

Now that the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are announced and we have all of the details, it’s time to welcome these new flagships to this world. Here is the intro video as provided by Samsung.

You can view the full specs here.

Our hands-on coverage will start tomorrow. You won’t want to miss it.

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge Specs (Official)

After all of the leaks and reports, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are official. As the knowledgable Android user you are, you are probably wondering what the official specs look like. Below, we have each one detailed in graphs.

As a quick recap, for the Galaxy S7,  you are looking at a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM, starting point of 32GB built-in storage with microSD support up to 200GB, 3000mAh non-removable battery, 12MP rear-facing camera with OIS, front 5MP shooter, fingerprint sensor, microUSB port, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath Samsung’s latest iteration of TouchWiz. The Galaxy S7 Edge features all of the same hardware specifications, but with a larger 5.5″ Quad HD Super AMOLED display.

Do you think Samsung left anything out? It sure doesn’t seem that way.

 
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 Edge
Processor: Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process - Quad core (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual), 64 bit, 14 nm process
* May differ by markets and mobile operators
Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process - Quad core (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual), 64 bit, 14 nm process
* May differ by markets and mobile operators
Display: 5.1" Quad HD Super AMOLED 5.5" Quad HD Super AMOLED
Storage: 32/64GB (UFS 2.0) + microSD (up to 200GB) 32/64GB (UFS 2.0) + microSD (up to 200GB)
RAM: 4GB (LPDDR4) 4GB (LPDDR4)
Camera: Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP / 5MP, (F1.7), Smart OIS Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP / 5MP, (F1.7), Smart OIS
Battery: 3,000mAh non-removable 3,600mAh non-removable
Software: Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" Android 6.0 "Marshmallow"
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MIMO,
Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), MIMO,
Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location
Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, 152g 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm, 157g
Payment: NFC, MST NFC, MST
Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro,
Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM
Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro,
Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM
Audio: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR,
AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR,
AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
Video: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
Other: IP68 Water & Dust Resistant / Wireless Charging IP68 Water & Dust Resistant / Wireless Charging

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Samsung Announces Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, Available Mid-March

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are now official! Most of the details for each have leaked over past few weeks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t clarify it all. So, we have a “refined design, more advanced camera, streamlined software functionality, and unparalleled connectivity” over last year’s phones. 

With the regular Galaxy S7, you get a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, Exynos Octa-core or Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor depending on the market, 4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage plus microSD support up to 200GB, Dual Pixel 12MP camera (f/1.7) with Smart OIS, 5MP (f/1.7) front camera, 3000mAh battery, fast wired and wireless charging, IP68 water and dust resistance, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The Galaxy S7 Edge isn’t much different, but it does have the bigger 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with dual edges and a bigger 3600mAh battery. The rest is the same.

Samsung says that the S7 and S7 Edge will be available starting in mid-March.

PRESS RELEASE


Samsung Unveils Next Generation Smartphones at the Core of its Connected Galaxy Experience
February 22, 2016

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge couple sleek design with powerful performance including advanced camera features, water resistance, and external memory

BARCELONA – February 21, 2016 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd today announced the newest additions to the Galaxy family of products, Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Created for today’s consumer lifestyle, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge lead the industry with a refined design, more advanced camera, streamlined software functionality and unparalleled connectivity to a galaxy of products, services, and experiences.

“We believe in a world that is brighter, sharper, more convenient, and more fun. We strive to deliver on that vision with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge by marrying elegant design with functionality and providing a seamless mobile experience,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “We empower consumers with technology to help them get more out of life and will continue to push the frontier of what’s possible.”

Advanced Camera: High Quality Images No Matter the Time of Day or Location

Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge introduce the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone, delivering brighter and sharper images, even in low light. Thanks to the revolutionary Dual Pixel technology, brighter lens with wider aperture, and bigger pixel, the camera has a faster shutter speed and a more accurate autofocus even in low-light conditions. Motion Panorama, a new camera mode, brings movement to traditional panoramic photos, giving the user a completely immersive visual experience.

Refined Design and Function

The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge are constructed with 3D glass and metal – all in a sleek design with durability and ergonomic curves for a comfortable grip. From work to play, the device’s new Always-On Display, gives users a simplified, zero touch experience where they don’t need to worry about missing a call or important notification.

Without compromising design, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge both have increased utility with IP68 water and dust resistance. Edge UX, the advanced edge experience available on Galaxy S7 edge, provides convenience and increased efficiency by creating easy shortcuts to users’ most loved functions such as email, selfie mode, panorama mode or third party applications.

Enhanced Performance: From Charging to Gaming

Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge deliver fast wired and wireless charging technology. Additionally, the hybrid SIM card tray allows users to insert a microSD card for up to 200GB of additional storage and in some select countries, the tray can be used with a dual SIM card.

Samsung also made significant hardware and software updates to optimize gaming performance on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The powerful processer and bigger battery capacity ensure longer playing time, and the internal cooling system keeps the device from overheating. Game Launcher, a new add-on for gamers, allows users to manage battery consumption and minimize notifications. Additionally, users can record their gaming experience or share their screen to play with others. Paired with Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, Vulkan API gives users the ability to play high-performance graphic games with lower battery consumption.

The Galaxy Experience

Samsung continues to push the boundaries of hardware, software and services to create devices that are designed to improve how consumers connect, share, organize and get more out of life. The company is redefining what is possible, beyond the limits of today’s technology, by introducing a constellation of seamless mobile experiences.

Whether it’s the seamless connection between Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge and the new Gear S2 Classic to monitor fitness, or connecting with Gear VR to “travel” the world – Samsung redefines what’s possible for the mobile experience and beyond.

Beyond the phone, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge users can also get the best mobile payment service with Samsung Pay; it’s secure, easy-to-use and accepted almost anywhere. Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint scanning and advanced tokenization, Samsung Pay works with NFC (Near Field Communication), MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and Barcode technology, making mobile payments available to more merchants and consumers than ever before.

Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will be available starting mid-March 2016.

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HTC Vive Consumer Edition Pre-Orders Start February 29 for $799

To kick of MWC, HTC announced today that its VR offering, the HTC Vive, goes up for pre-order on February 29 for $799. That price equates to a “complete VR solution,” including two wireless VR controllers, room scale movement sensors, Vive headset (HMD), and two VR titles. HTC expects full commercial availability to start in early April. 

The HTC Vive Consumer Edition has “refreshed branding,” an updated (more comfortable) head strap, and new phone functionality. With Vive Phone Services, you can be engulfed in a world of VR, yet still stay connected to events happening on your phone. You will be able to receive and respond to calls and text messages, but also send replies and see upcoming calendar items from within the headset.

As a reminder, the $799 does not include the ultra-powerful PC that you will need to power Vive. HTC isn’t saying exactly what you’ll need, but if it’s anywhere near the range of Oculus Rift, you could be buying or putting together a computer from $1,000 up to $2,000.

Ready to pre-order?


HTC AND VALVE BRING VIRTUAL REALITY TO LIFE WITH UNVEILING OF VIVE CONSUMER EDITION

HTC reveals complete Vive system at Mobile World Congress, available for pre-order from 29th February 2016

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, February 21, 2016 – HTC, a pioneer in innovative, smart technologies, in partnership with Valve®, today unveiled the consumer edition of its ViveTM virtual reality system. Continuing to build upon the Vive’s exhaustive list of features, this complete Vive system, powered by Steam®VR, introduces yet another new technological innovation – Vive Phone Services – once again setting a new standard in virtual reality.

Enabling you to stay connected to the real world, without exiting the virtual world, Vive Phone Services demonstrates the ability to combine both realities without losing touch of either. By allowing you to receive and respond to both incoming and missed calls, get text messages and send quick replies and check upcoming calendar invites directly through the headset, it creates a hybrid reality opening up a whole new world of possibilities for both consumers and businesses.

Taking Vive one step further, with refreshed branding and an updated headstrap, the Vive consumer edition builds upon the innovative features that were introduced into the Vive Pre. These include updated wireless controllers with haptic feedback and dual stage triggers, a front facing camera that blends physical elements into the virtual world, a redesigned headstrap that offers greater stability and balance and an improved visual system with brighter displays to give a deeper sense of immersion.

Priced at US$799, for a limited time the consumer edition will also ship with two fully-fledged VR experiences to get you started in the VR world:

  • Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives, by Owlchemy Labs: In a firmly tongue-in-cheek world where robots have replaced all human jobs, step into the ‘Job Simulator’ to learn what it was like ‘to job’.
  • Fantastic Contraption, by Northway Games in collaboration with Radial Games: Imagine walking around a grassy island floating in the sky, building a machine the size of a horse with your own hands, and then watching it roll out into the world.

But it’s not just about gaming. In addition to these launch titles, HTC is working with developers to foster the creation of content that spans multiple sectors including entertainment, retail, education, design, healthcare and automotive.

“From the beginning, Vive has been at the forefront of virtual reality, with HTC pioneering several ground breaking technologies,” comments Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC. “Since announcing Vive this time last year, we have worked tirelessly with Valve to deliver the best VR experience on the market, winning multiple awards and receiving critical acclaim from media, consumers and the industry. With the Vive consumer edition we are now able to realize our ultimate vision; bringing Vive into homes around the globe so that people can experience immersive virtual reality in a away that fires the imagination and truly changes the world.”

Pricing, Updates and Availability

The Vive consumer edition will be available to pre-order from 29th February, with pre-order fulfilment and full commercial availability starting in early April. Priced at US$799, the Vive is the first complete VR solution, including two wireless VR controllers, room scale movement sensors, and an HMD featuring a built in camera and phone, plus the two VR titles. The integration of SteamVR into the bundle ensures that all Vive equipment is kept up-to-date with the latest features.

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Live Chat: Samsung “Unpacked” Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge MWC 2016

LG is done for the day, so all focus now moves onto Samsung. During today’s “Unpacked” event at MWC 2016, we should see two new phones, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. Leaks for each have been steady, but there still seems to be a bit of mystery as we try to piece this all together.

Samsung is livestreaming the event on YouTube and we have included the video feed for you below. We also included a live chat, so we can discuss the fun as it unfolds.

As a reminder, Samsung is also streaming the entire event in VR, but you’ll need an app for that. You can grab the Unpacked 360 View app on Google Play here.

This event kicks off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern).

Ready? 

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LG G5 Availability at US Carriers

On LG G5 Day, it only makes sense that US carriers start weighing in with their plans for the device. For whatever reason, everyone is being quite tip-lipped about a potential launch date, so don’t expect this phone to launch within the next couple of weeks. We wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t show up until some time in April.

Still, we’ll update this post as we have info from each carrier. 

At this time, AT&T says they have have plans to carry the phone, but won’t announce details on pricing or a date until later. They are expecting to carry the LG CAM Plus, 360 CAM, 360 VR, and 360 Sound Bluetooth speaker as well.

Verizon says to expect the G5 in the “Spring” and that they will sell the Silver and Titan colors, along with “select” companion device modules and accessories.

Via:  AT&T | Verizon

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LG has a Rolling Bot Robot for Home Monitoring, Cat Torturing

Along with all of LG’s other announcements from today surrounding the G5, they also announced the LG Rolling Bot. Think a bit of BB-8 from Star Wars, only as a reality and a home monitoring system. 

With LG Rolling Bot, you get a WiFi-connected ball that is slightly larger than a softball that can be remotely controlled from anywhere. The Rolling Bot connects to your home WiFi, so even when away, you can monitor your house by rolling the Bot around (controlled via app). All of the monitoring happens through an embedded 8MP camera that is capable of capturing both images and video. It has microphones on board too, so you can have conversations with your pets. Speaking of pets, the Rolling Bot has a pet mode for torturing teasing your animals.

The Rolling Bot has an IR blaster in it too, so if you have appliances with IR sensors, you could turn them off or on remotely. That’s kind of cool, right?

LG hasn’t told us when to expect the Rolling Bot, so it may be a while. We were able to see a demo of the Bot in action, though it was only a rough prototype.

lg rolling bot

lg rolling bot lg rolling bot

lg rolling bot

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Video: LG G5 vs. G4 vs. G3

I mention this in the hands-on comparison video of the LG G5 vs. G4 vs. G3 below, but I’ll say it again here – you just don’t see phones make this big of jumps from one year to the next very often anymore. LG should be applauded for what they have accomplished over the last 10 or so months to get to the G5. The G5, by all means, is a massive upgrade over the G4, which was a very good phone in its own right. 

From the G4 to the G5, we have gone from a cheapish plastic build with questionably sourced “leather,” to a phone that is so perfectly put together in an all-metal unibody casing. The processor isn’t Qualcomm’s 2nd tier and is instead the true flagship Snapdragon 820. It has all of the RAM you could ask for (4GB), a fingerprint reader, buttons in correct places, dual cameras that may be more than just a gimmick, potential for modular expansion, and a next-gen QHD LCD that has an always-on display. It just doesn’t get much better than this.

The G5 also looks almost nothing like the G4 and to me, resembles the G3 more than anything. Obviously, it’s a massive upgrade over the G3 as well, but when you set all of these phones side-by-side, you might think the G4 is some random outlier of a phone. That’s not me dogging on the G4, it’s just that the G5 is in so many ways different.

Below, you’ll find a quick comparison clip of the G5 to the G4 and G3. We’ll go more in-depth later on, but for now, tell me what you think. Is the G5 a big enough upgrade?

 
G5
G4
G3
Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820 Processor Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 801
Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560x1440, 554ppi) 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560×1440, 538ppi) 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)
RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM 3GB RAM 2/3GB DDR3 RAM
Storage: 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB) 32GB ROM / micro SD support (up to 2TB) 16/32GB eMMC ROM / microSD slot (128GB max)
Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP
Front: 8MP
Rear: 16MP f/1.8, OIS 2.0, Laser autofocus, RAW capture, HDR, 1/2.6″ sensor size
Front: 8MP f/2.0
Rear: 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus
Front: 2.1MP
Battery: 2,800mAh (removable) 3,000mAh (removable) 3,000mAh (removable)
OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 5.1 Lollipop Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3-9.8mm 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
Weight: 159g 155g 149g
Network: LTE / 3G / 2G LTE / 3G / 2G LTE / 3G / 2G
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / USB Type-C) / NFC / Bluetooth 4.2 WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, NFC, USB 2.0, 4K Slimport support, GPS-A, Glonass, Bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
Colors: Silver / Titan / Gold / Pink Genuine brown or black leather / Metallic Gray or Ceramic White plastic Metallic Black / Silk White / Shine Gold / Moon Violet / Burgundy Red

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE

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LG’s G5 Gets Modular With Camera Grip and Hi-Fi Audio DAC

Not only is the LG G5 the first all-metal phone from LG, it also may be one of the world’s first modular phones. When we’re talking modular, we are referring to the fact that LG has created a phone that could support additional modules for expanding its capabilities. The first two that LG is introducing with the G5 are the LG CAM Plus and the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY. 

LG CAM Plus

If you want to transform your smartphone – the G5 in this situation – into something that could be mistaken for a point and shoot camera, the LG CAM Plus is something worth looking at. With the CAM Plus, you get a camera grip that slides into the phone’s “magic” slot where the battery is housed, not only adding grip and a more camera-like ergonomic feel to your G5, but it adds some buttons and battery capacity as well.

As you’ll see in the images below, the grip has a zoom wheel, shutter button, video record button, and an LED indicator. You can quickly launch the camera at anytime with the press of a button and hopefully take pictures in a more comfortable, point-and-shoot style.

Outside of all of that, as I mentioned, the grip does add 1200mAh of additional battery juice. When attached, the extra battery will continue to fuel up your G5’s 2800mAh battery.

lg g5 battery camera grip

lg g5 battery camera grip lg g5 battery camera grip

lg g5 battery camera grip

LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY

Maybe turning your smartphone into a point-and-shoot isn’t your thing, so you’d rather your phone turn into the ultimate audio player. With the Hi-Fi Plus, LG has worked with B&O PLAY to create a DAC audio player that includes 32-bit Hi- Fi DAC upsampling technology and 32-bit 384KHz high-definition audio playback. The LG Hi-Fi Plus can be used as a module with the G5 or as a stand-alone DAC for any computer or smartphone.

As of now, those are the two modules that LG is introducing with the G5, but I get the feeling we could see more throughout the rest of the year.


ADDITIONAL COVERAGE

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LG is Ready for VR with the LG 360 VR and 360 CAM

It seems odd that LG has yet to dive into the world of virtual reality (VR), doesn’t it? Everyone else is doing it, from Samsung to Google and HTC, so why the slow movement from LG? I don’t know the answer to that, but with the LG G5, they are fully onboard with VR. This morning, LG announced two VR-ready products, the LG 360 VR and the LG 360 CAM. 

LG 360 VR

With the LG 360 VR, LG is taking on VR quite differently than Samsung and its Gear VR. Instead of using a headset to house the smartphone, LG has instead created a lightweight headset with two lenses that is powered via USB Type-C cable attached to the G5. At this time, the 360 VR is exclusive to the G5, probably because it’s one of the few devices to support Type-C. LG claims that the unit is a third as heavy as competing VR goggles at just 118g, but still delivers a resolution of 639ppi, which is like a simulation of a 130-inch TV.

I spent a few minutes with a non-working unit and can really only report back that the unit is nice and minimal in terms of design, and is also very lightweight. I can’t wait to take it for a spin to see if this experience can top Samsung’s Gear VR.

LG 360 CAM

Along with the 360 VR, LG is introducing a compact camera that is capable of shooting 360-degree imagery, including 2K video. The camera is equipped with two 13MP 200-degree wide angle cameras, 4GB storage (with microSD expansion), and a 1200mAh battery. You can connect it to the G5 to shoot content, including video with 5.1 surround sound, thanks to three microphones on the unit. LG is not only allowing you to view the content through the 360 VR, but also upload it to Google Street View and YouTube 360.

To see a quick look at our hands-on time with the 360 VR, take a look at the short clip below.

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lg 360 vr


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LG G5 First Look and Tour!

The LG G5 is now 100% official, which you are well aware of if you have attempted to take in the massive amount of content we just blasted out related to it. But news and press releases aside, I actually had the opportunity to spend some time with the G5 for more than a couple of minutes, not on a rushed show room floor, and figured you might want to hear all about it.

This is our first look and tour of the LG G5. 

The LG G5 is without a doubt the most premium feeling phone that LG has ever built. It’s all metal, is a joy to hold in hand, and isn’t trying to offend anyone with its clean and minimal appearance. Sure, it has a bulky dual-camera setup on its rear-upper and may be a bit boring to some, but overall, I can’t think of another device that is this simple, outside of the Nexus 5X or 6P. As someone who can appreciate a minimal experience, this phone is right up my alley.

lg g5 in hand

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In my initial session with the G5, I thought it performed well, jumped in and out of apps, was buttery smooth while transitioning, and has a camera that I am dying to get more time with. Of course, this was an early unit that may or may not have final software and certainly hasn’t been put through the daily grind the way we will take it through during a review period. Still, LG’s UI was hiccup-less.

Speaking of the UI…I just don’t know what to say. It’s very much like LG’s UI has been for years, though they are claiming it’s new. They might have re-skinned some items here and there, but the biggest change is the lack of an app drawer. Without an app drawer, you get the experience of an iPhone or a handful of Chinese Android devices, where life on your home screen is what I like to call the “App jukebox” experience. I hate it. It can be fixed with a 3rd party launcher.

As for the modular stuff, I find it very interesting and can’t wait to see where LG can take the idea in new directions to really expand the G5’s capabilities. Right now, I personally, don’t have use for a camera grip or DAC, so I’ll pass on those. I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on this all throughout the rest of the year, though.

Overall, I have to admit that I walked out of the room thinking, “This is my next phone.” Those thoughts could change once I get my hands on Samsung’s latest and greatest within the next 24 hours, but right now, because of what LG did with the size and build of the G5, it’s going to be a tough phone to beat.


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LG G5 is Official With Modular Metal Body, 5.3-Inch QHD Always-On Display, Snapdragon 820 and More

It’s official – the LG G5 is here.

After months of hype, LG took the stage today in Barcelona to unveil its flagship “G” phone for 2016. The phone, because leaks are such a part of this world these days, is in many ways what you expected. I think it’s safe to say that LG also has some tricks up their sleeves with this device as well, though, which has us pretty excited for the year to come. 

With the LG G5, you are getting a metal uni-body design with slideout battery drawer that makes this one of the first modular phones. We say “modular” because that battery drawer will allow LG to add-on accessories or expand the capabilities of the phone. As of today, they plan to do that with a camera module and Hi-Fi audio DAC. More on that here.

As for the phone, along with the all-metal body, we get a 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum display (2560x1440x 554ppi), Snapdragon 820 processor (quad-core, 64-bit), Adreno 530 GPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage with microSD support up to 2TB, 2800mAh (removable) battery, 8MP front camera, dual rear cameras of 16MP and 8MP, fingerprint reader, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath LG’s latest skin. The phone supports LTE, has a USB Type-C port, Quick Charge 3.0, and is just 7.7mm thick. Yes, LG did move the volume rocker back to the side of the phone, but did keep the power button/fingerprint reader on the back. (Full specs)

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The display, as was previously announced, is indeed always-on. Since this is an LCD, you are probably wondering how LG accomplished this? LG says that they “redesigned the display driver IC memory and power management function so that the display’s backlight only illuminates one small part of the overall display.” By doing so, the always-on display only uses 0.8% of the battery per hour while remaining on. The always-on display shows time, date, and battery status and sits in the upper-middle portion of the screen.

With this phone, LG seems to have really listened to customer feedback. For the first time from LG, we got an all-metal body, but the removable battery remains, along with expandable storage. They also shrunk the display slightly, to make for a better in-hand experience, because customers told them that 5.5-inches might have been ever so slightly too big.

LG hasn’t given us a launch date, only that they hope to launch simultaneously across the globe.

You’ll want to watch our hands-on video to be able to fully take in the LG G5 experience.

The massive press release announcing all of LG’s latest and greatest can be found below.

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VIDEO


ADDITIONAL COVERAGE


PRESS RELEASE


LG DEBUTS THE G5, ITS FIRST EVER MODULAR SMARTPHONE

LG’s Newest Idea Revealed At Mobile World Congress 2016 Complete With Friends

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-out Battery 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 surface through 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 better “hand-feel”.

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 developed in 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 LG V10, 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 angle lens, the widest available in any smartphone. The 135-degree lens on the LG G5 offers a viewing angle that is approximately 1.7 times wider than those of existing smartphone cameras and 15 degrees 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 image while Auto Shot is an enhanced camera UX which automatically captures the perfect selfie shot when 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 the LG V10 as the Second Screen and now that feature has evolved on to the main display to show the time, date and battery status 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 power management 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 and supporting 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 onethird as heavy as competing VR goggles while delivering a resolutaion 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- degree wide 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 of their homes with the LG G5 via live streaming.

LG Tone Platinum
The LG TONE Platinum (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 a Balanced 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 active noise cancelling 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 considers audio performance a top-priority in a smartphone, H3 by B&O PLAY works with all Android smartphones.

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 and control 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 nearby LG 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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor that offers advanced features such as 64-bit performance, Adreno 530 graphics and lower-power Hexagon 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 Snapdragon 810, 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. Snapdragon 820 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 Qualcomm 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 byimproving 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 innovative and unique in the smartphone space. I think once customers spend a little time with the LG G5, their answer will be a resounding YES.”

Full LG G5 specs.

# # #

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LG G5 Specs (Official)

Now that the LG G5 is official and you have (hopefully) watched our detailed hands-on video of it, you are probably wondering what the official specs look like. Below, we’ve detailed them all for you in a fancy little table.

As a quick recap, you are looking at a 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum display (2560×1440, 554ppi), Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage with microSD support up to 2TB, 2800mAh removable battery, dual rear cameras of 16MP and 8MP, front 8MP shooter, fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C port, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath LG’s latest skin. The body of the G5 is now metal as well, though you won’t see that mentioned in the table.

Did LG leave anything out? It doesn’t seem like they did. 

LG G5 Specs (Official)

Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820 Processor
Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 554ppi)
RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage: 32GB UFS ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)
Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP (135-degrees)
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

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Live Chat: LG G5 Unveiling at MWC 2016!

Ready for a wild Sunday? Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 kicks off this morning with LG announcing the G5 before Samsung takes the stage a little bit later. It’s going to be a long, long day for some us, but for the rest of you, I hope you can sit back and enjoy the festivities. We are about to see two Korean heavyweights square off in a way we haven’t seen before.

The LG G5 unveiling will go down at 5AM Pacific (8AM Eastern). Below, you’ll find a live embed of the video stream from Barcelona, along with a live chat, so that we can talk about the happenings as they unfold.

Also, you’ll want to stick tight, as we’ll have more G5 coverage than you’ll know what to do with.

Ready? 

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