LG G3 release date, OS, screen and camera
LG surprised us all with last year’s LG G2. It combined top flight specs with innovative features and alongside the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 it really put LG back on the mobile map.
But the company faces a bigger challenge now as it’s got to keep that momentum going with an even more impressive successor – the LG G3.
It looks like LG is more than up to the task though as we’ve had confirmation that the G3 will have a razor sharp 5.5 inch Quad HD screen, which gives it one-up on competing flagships. Nothing else has yet been confirmed but there are enough rumors and leaks floating around that we’re getting a pretty clear picture of what to expect and it’s all looking mighty impressive. So read on for all the juicy, up to date details.
First of all, to get the completely unsurprising bit out of the way, the handset will indeed be called the LG G3, as LG has applied to trademark ‘G3′ and has referred to it as the LG G3 in its Q1 2014 financial results. With that said, let’s get down to business.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The sequel to 2013′s excellent LG G2
When is it out? The launch is planned for May 27
What will it cost? It may be slightly cheaper than direct rivals
LG G3 release date and price
We have a LG G3 launch date! LG has sent out save the date cards for an event on May 27, which is highly likely to be the announcement of the firm’s next generation smartphone.
LG is holding events in San Francisco, New York, London, Istanbul, Seoul and Singapore and TechRadar will be reporting live to bring you all the latest.
There are also reports from South Korean site Etnews that the LG G3 has entered mass production, which would make sense if a late May launch is on the cards. The same site claims that LG has set a sales target of 10 million for the G3, which is quite an ambitious number, but off the back of the LG G2 and the Nexus 5 it’s entirely possible that LG will achieve it.
There’s no word on what it might sell for yet, but this is a flagship phone we’re talking about, so it will cost a lot. However LG’s flagships have tended to slightly undercut Samsung and HTC rivals, so keep your fingers crossed.
LG G3 display
LG has confirmed that the LG G3 will have a 5.5 inch 2560 x 1440 display with a pixel density of 538 pixels per inch. This is the one thing we know for sure about the handset and it’s a huge deal as it’s the first major flagship with such a high resolution display.
While this is big news it’s also not at all surprising, as such a screen has been extensively rumored. We first heard that it would have a 1440 x 2560 QHD display from the same "industry source" as the May release date rumors.
We were a little skeptical about this at first as it felt like wishful thinking rather than anything grounded in reality.
The rumors surrounding the high-res display then ramped up with LG telling PC Advisor that it will launch a Quad HD smartphone in the second half of 2014 and it now seems clear that the company was referring to the LG G3.
A user agent profile leak listed a QHD display on a handset sporting the LG D850 model ID and a "source at LG" told Phone Arena we’ll see a 2K screen on the G3.
As if all that wasn’t enough, some potential LG G3 specs have been spotted on US carrier Sprint’s website, with a screen resolution of the LG LG990 quoted at 1440 x 2560.
We’ve also caught our first glimpse of what is supposedly the LG G3 itself and it handily had a benchmark up on the screen, which listed a 1440 x 2560 resolution. Ubergizmo, which received the image, also claims to have got confirmation from LG that it will indeed have a 2K screen and The Verge has received a similar confirmation.
So a QHD display was already looking very likely, though a recent rumor initially cast some doubts. AnTuTu seems to have two versions of the LG G3 listed in its benchmarks, one of which does indeed have that ludicrously high-res display, while the other has a more standard 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Weirder still the Quad HD version only has 2GB of RAM, while the 1080p one is listed as having 3GB, which seem odd pairings. Whether this means that buyers will have to choose between RAM and resolution, or that different markets will be stuck with one or the other, or indeed whether one of these phones is a different handset entirely, remains to be seen.
1080 x 1920 is the current go-to resolution for flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2, but if the LG G3 intends to stand out from the crowd then the QHD screen that it’s now been confirmed as having could certainly help.
LG G3 processor and RAM
The LG G2 has a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, which is still pretty impressive, but early rumors hinted at LG using its in-house Odin processor and an octa-core version of it is tipped for the LG G3.
The existence of that processor has recently been confirmed by the Korea Herald, which spoke to a representative of LG and learnt that the company’s Odin processor would launch "soon", so the timing could certainly work for an LG G3 debut.
While the speed of the processor hasn’t been confirmed, reports claim that the octa-core version will have four cores clocked at 2.2GHz and the other four clocked at 1.7GHz, which should give it a sizable boost over the LG G2.
It’s worth noting that most new flagships get tipped for octa-core processors at the moment and it doesn’t always pan out, while it could equally be that only certain variants of the handset will get octa-core power, as we’ve seen in the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4.
Indeed that could happen again here as other recent reports have been toned down to a more believable 2.3GHz quad-core offering, although reports of the G3 only using the Snapdragon 800 chipset and not the 801 which appears in the Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and One M8 are a little disappointing.
In terms of RAM the LG G3 is being tipped to come with 3GB, up from 2GB in the G2 and keeping it inline with its direct rivals. Though what might be a variant of the phone has now appeared on AnTuTu with just 2GB of RAM. Apparently it’ll also sport 32GB of internal storage and a microSD slot.
That G3 variant has cropped up again, this time in a UA Profile from American network Sprint, which originally pegged the LG G3 as having 3GB of RAM, but it’s now been amended to say 2GB.
The rivals
Samsung Galaxy S5 | Sony Xperia Z2 | HTC One M8
LG G3 operating system
A benchmark for a mystery Android handset believed to be the LG G3 due to its model number of LG-D830 (which is similar to the G2′s D802 model number) showed that it ran Android 4.4 KitKat. No surprise there, this is a flagship after all.
It seems a safe bet that the G3 will use LG’s Optimus UI and include recent innovations like Knock Code, which takes KnockOn to the next level by allowing users to tap a pattern on the screen when it’s off, to both turn it on and unlock it.
LG is tipped to be overhauling its smartphone UI especially for the G3, with a screenshot appearing online claiming to be the firm’s next generation interface.
If legit, you can expect the LG G3 to sport a flatter user interface which looks less childish than the overlay on the G2, while the clock and weather widget has an air of Samsung’s TouchWiz about it.
According to a Phone Arena source the new LG G3 will have advanced personalization features, allowing it to learn your usage patterns and adapt the interface based on your needs at any given time.
That sounds similar to features we see on Samsung, Sony and Motorola handsets which can trigger certain settings at particular locations or time of day, but it looks like LG might be taking things a step further on the G3.
According to leaks, the features are part of what’s being called a "concierge service," which also provides contextual information to help you throughout the day. An example given is that when checking the weather forecast the G3 could point out that "you may want to take an umbrella, since rain is expected this afternoon."
The same leak shed more light on the G3′s new-look interface, showing circular icons and a new notifications menu, with toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, mobile data and access to the Q Remote.
LG G3 camera
Initial rumors coming out of ZDNet Korea pointed towards a 16MP sensor, but more recent leaks suggest a 13MP one.
What will probably be the first of many photos supposedly taken on the handset appeared the other day. The picture was an impressively detailed image of a cat and had a resolution of 4260 x 2342 according to the EXIF data.
That equates to 9.6MP at a 16:9 aspect ratio, which would mean the camera should be capable of taking 13MP photos at a 4:3 ratio.
The photo was posted on the ortud.com forum by someone going by the name ‘Geek’. The poster claimed their friend was testing the phone and that it had a 13MP camera with optical image stabilization plus (OIS+) and that it’s very similar to the snapper in the LG G Pro 2.
The posters megapixel claims match those revealed by the EXIF data, but that’s something that’s very easy to fake. Not to mention the fact that the device is listed as an LG-D972, which isn’t a model number that we’ve ever come across.
If it does turn out to be real then it will have the same number of megapixels as the LG G2, but given the quality of the leaked image it looks like it could still be capable of taking significantly better photos.
Phone Arena also received a User Agent profile from an anonymous source which showed a device going by the name LG D830 (the same device as appeared in benchmarks) as having a 13MP camera along with support for 4K video playback and 120fps slow motion video.
An anonymous source who apparently got a hands on look at the phone also reported to the Bulgarian blog Nixanbal that the LG G3 will have a 13MP camera, along with a dual-LED flash.
Meanwhile the front-facing camera is being pegged at 2MP, based on information found in an AnTuTu benchmark. The same benchmark listed a 13MP main snapper, matching most previous rumors.
While the majority of the rumors are pointing towards a 13MP snapper on the LG G3, there have also been reports that it may match its Korean rival – the Galaxy S5 – with a 16MP offering on the rear.
This comes via an updated UA Profile on US carrier Sprint’s website, which also cites a 2.4MP front facing camera.
Chassis, security and what we want
LG G3 chassis
LG did a fairly good job of keeping the design of the G3 quiet, but information is finally starting to slip out. What appears to be a photo of the LG G3 has emerged, showing that it retains the rear volume buttons, but they seem to have a flatter design this time, hopefully leading to a sleeker build.
A second photo has also popped up. It was posted on the ortud.com forum and this one shows both the front and back of the LG G3, but the phone is in a case so much of the build remains hidden.
It matches the previous photos of the handset though, with its redesigned volume buttons and dual-LED flash.
The front of the phone is also an exact replica of an interface screenshot that we’ve already seen, which does make us wonder if it’s just been pasted on.
According to an anonymous source the LG G3 will have a polycarbonate back, just like the LG G2. But while the G2′s back had a glossy finish, this time it will be matte and look a lot like the brushed metal exterior of the HTC One (M8).
Those back buttons have made another appearance too, with @evleaks posting an image claiming to show the rear of the G3 and it looks very similar to the image above. Polycarbonate looks to be the material of choice as the clearest shots of the supposed G3 leaked online.
The back cover will also apparently be removable and the handset will retain its rear keys, with no buttons on the front or side. There will be a slight change though as the power key now has an LED in it and apparently the buttons have been shrunk in size, which fits with what the image above shows.
We’ve now also caught a glimpse of the top edge of the LG G3, or at least a photo purportedly of the LG G3. As with so many other G3 photos the phone is in a case here, but there’s a cut-out for something in the top right corner. What it is isn’t entirely clear. It could be a headphone port but we’ve already seen what looks like a headphone port in a picture showing the bottom edge of the handset.
Other possibilities are that this is a Japanese version of the handset and it’s an antenna hole or perhaps that it could even be for a stylus. We wouldn’t hold our breath on that, but the phone certainly looks big enough to warrant one.
Moving on to the front of the handset it will apparently have very small bezels, allowing LG to fit that rumored 5.5 inch screen into a body no larger than the Samsung Galaxy S5. A recent image revealed by smartfan.pl adds credence to that as it shows the LG G2 in what is supposedly an LG G3 case, with just a tiny gap at the edge, suggesting the phone is only marginally bigger than the G2.
A separate rumor points to the LG G3 launching in a choice of black, white or gold. It also looks like the LG G3 might have a water and dust proof body, according to a source who spoke to ETNews.
It’s a feature that seems to be all the rage these days, with both Samsung and Sony building flagships that can withstand the elements, so it wouldn’t be surprising if LG did the same. Beyond that you know as much as we do.
That LG G3 mockup above starts to look a little more legit now that LG has unveiled the Isai FL.
The original LG Isai launched in 2013 and sported almost identical specs to the LG G2, so this could be a taster of what’s to come in the G3.
The Isai FL sports a quad-core Snapdragon 801 chip, a 5.5-inch QHD display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 3000 mAh battery, a 13.2 megapixel camera and Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
Interestingly though we’ve now seen what appears to be a metal-clad LG G3. This is the first real suggestion that the G3 will be housed in anything other than plastic, so take it with a pinch of salt, but it’s been posted by the often reliable @evleaks.
That metal effect rear has shown up for a second time, this time in a gold finish after GSM Arena got hold of a couple of leaked shots. Of course the G3 could still be plastic and just have the brushed metal effect etched onto it.
LG G3 fingerprint or eye scanner
Back in January we heard from South Korean site ETNews that the LG G3 might have a fingerprint scanner.
It would make sense, as the iPhone 5S, HTC One Max and Samsung Galaxy S5 all sport one and you’d think LG would want to be part of the club.
Still, we’d take the rumor with a pinch of salt as the same report claimed that the LG G Pro 2 was likely to feature a fingerprint scanner and it didn’t.
But the rumors don’t end there. More recently ZDNet Korea reported that LG was considering biometric authentication (specifically either fingerprint or iris scanners) in its future products.
Expressing interest in something is hardly a confirmation that it’s happening, but that hasn’t stopped certain corners of the internet from concluding that it will be a feature of the LG G3.
5 things we want to see
That’s all we’ve heard so far, but while we wait for more rumors to emerge here are five things that LG really should include in the G3:
1. A metal chassis
There was a time when it was only Apple making truly stunning smartphones, but now HTC and Sony have got in on the act too.
Samsung might be stubbornly sticking to plastic but then it’s got enough market share that it can pretty much do whatever it wants. LG doesn’t have that luxury and if it wants to turn heads an all-metal LG G3 would be a good start.
2. An iris scanner
There’s the ghost of a whisper that this might happen, but we’re far from convinced. It should though.
If done well it could be an even slicker alternative to the fingerprint scanners that manufacturers are currently going mad for and it would put LG ahead of the game, rather than playing catch-up.
3. A beastly battery
The LG G2 has pretty great battery life as it is, so we’re hopeful that the LG G3 will follow suit. Battery life is one of the last remaining hurdles manufacturers need to overcome, but it’s a big one.
We’d take a battery which can last several days between charges over increased power or screen size in a heartbeat.
4. A 64-bit processor
There was talk that Samsung might include a 64-bit processor in the Galaxy S5, but that didn’t happen, which now gives LG the chance to beat Samsung to the punch.
It’s debatable how useful a 64-bit processor would even be right now, but it would help to future proof it at least.
5. Bulked up storage
We’re not too sold on microSD cards, but we are fans of plenty of storage space, so a bigger hard drive would be great. The iPad Air comes with up to 128GB, as does a phone in China, so why not the LG G3?
Like LG but want something a little smaller? Check out the LG G2 mini
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