Pages

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • RSS Feed
Showing posts with label lg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lg. Show all posts

Friday, June 13, 2014

Even though the LG G3 hasn't yet appeared in any markets outside of Korea, rumors of a model that sports a more robust Snapdragon 805 processor have surfaced. Even more compelling is that the device could come as early as July - the same month that the current LG G3 is expected to hit most retailers.


A Snapdragon 805 chip could be just the boost the G3 needs, as the higher resolution causes the Snapdragon 801 SoC to perform below what its 1080p rivals manage. The QHD display requires more processing power, which the Snapdragon 805 should provide plenty of, as well as a theoretical download speed of 225Mbps thanks to the integrated Qualcomm MDM9635 modem.
Samsung has also been rumored to be in development of a Snapdragon 805 variant of its Galaxy S5 flagship, which could go by the nickname Galaxy S5 Prime, or Galaxy F.
The "Prime" moniker has also been tossed around in LG's camp, and the upcoming G3 variant could be the G Prime, a name that LG has recently trademarked.
We'll have more on this story as it develops, so stick around.

Source1, Source2, and GSM Arena
It looks like LG is really hitting its stride. The Korean cell phone manufacturer is expected to ship 15-16 million smartphones this quarter alone. This is will be a 20-30% increase from last quarter.
The increase in sales come courtesy of LG's recently released flagship, the G3. 100,000 G3's were sold just five days into its launch in the phone's native Korea alone. Sources predict that LG will ship 10-12 million units of the G3 during the lifespan of the phone.


It's not crazy to think that the phone will be a large success, especially considering how many units the G2 sold. The G3 is also the first smartphone to ship with a 5.5" display with a QHD resolution.

Source1, Source2, and GSM Arena

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The LG G3 is finally official and is ready to take the duties as the company's 2014 flagship Android smartphone.

Hardware

The LG G3 features a 5.5" True HD-IPS+ LCD display with a QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution. This results in the eye-watering (in a good sense) pixel density of 534 pixels per inch. The company states that there really is a difference when looking at the display this sharp and that the Retina display wasn't even close to the final frontier, as the Steve Jobs claimed.


Inside the phone, there's a Snapdragon 801 (MSM8975AC) chipset with a 2.5GHz quad-core Krait 400 processor and Adreno 330 GPU. The version of the G3 with 16GB of internal memory sports 2GB of RAM, while the 32GB model has 3GB of RAM. Both versions will pack microSD card slots supporting up to 128GB cards.
On the connectivity side, there's Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, NFC and an IR blaster.
LG continues the trend set by the G2 with rear-mounted volume controls and Power/Lock and has refined them a bit. On top of them is the main camera, which sports a 13MP sensor with OIS. Next to it is a dual-LED flash, while on the left LG has fitted a special laser that measures distance and speeds up autofocus. In addition the company has also implemented phase detection autofocus for ultra fast 276ms focusing.

LG G3 official photos
It seems the company has turned equal attention to the 2MP front-facing camera, which sports bigger pixels and a brighter lens than the main one. It also promises the perfect viewing angle angle for selfies, which LG says is 77 degrees.

Design

The LG G3 is made out of polycarbonate with a special layer on top that gives it a finish close to metal. Additionally, it is scratch resitant and helps keep fingerprints away. Sadly, it's not self-healing as the one of the LG G Flex. It is worth noting that the G3 isn't water-proof.
While those of you expecting actual metal finish might be disappointed, going for plastic has allowed the LG G3 to keep its weight in check - the smartphone weighs just 150 grams, which is pretty decent for the size. Full measurements are 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm, which is also very compact for a 5.5" smartphone. In comparison, the Oppo Find 7 measures 152.6 x 75 x 9.2 mm while packing the same display.
Audio fans will appreciate the 1W speaker at the back of the G3, which is similar to the one found in the LG G Pro 2. However this time LG has also enabled a boost mode, which brings its power to 1.5W.
The battery of the LG G3 is 3,000mAh and is user-removable. There's optional wireless charging support that comes with a different back panel.

LG G3 official photos

Software

The LG G3 runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat with the completely redesigned Optimus UI skin on top with a ton of new features. It is now boasting flat design, new icons and overall streamlined feel. There are a number of new apps and key features here, too.
One of them is called Smart Notice and it is LG's attempt to compete with Google Now's convenience. To do so, the service silently collects information tidbits and tells you useful things it believes might help you in your day. For example, it tells you if it's raining outside, sets location-based reminders and will even automatically erase apps that haven't been used for a couple of months, if you tell it to do so. One cool feature is that it can also automatically switch Wi-Fi on when you arrive home or at the office.


The keyboard is redesigned and you can now adjust its height to your personal preference. The company's proprietary KnockCode and Knock On features are also present, as is a new Health app that keeps track of your exercise regime and counts your daily steps.

Availability

LG launches the G3 in South Korea next week, while in Europe the phone will launch in June. We got no specific time-frame for the US launch, but LG promised it will be faster than that of the G2. Pricing information is yet to be detailed.

Source

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Another day, another LG G3 leak. We have already seen it all - press renders, live images, official accessories and what not? Today, we get to see the dummy unit of the upcoming LG G3 smartphone, which was spotted in a store in Korea.
The images reconfirm that the smartphone will come out with ultra-thin bezels and will feature redesigned back buttons as compared to the G2. The dummy unit also shows the positioning of the USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack and the IR blaster. We also get to see the default wallpaper of the G3.

We know that the G3 will sport a 5.5-inch IPS QHD display and will pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with quad-core CPU and 3GB of RAM. The 13 megapixel rear snapper with OIS and the 2.1 megapixel front facing shooter will complete the camera department.
A recent leak also confirmed the price of the device. LG G3 will house a 3,000mAh removable battery and will run on the new Optimus UI out of the box.
Meanwhile, LG has released three promo videos to build up hype before the official announcement, but with most of the information already out, the company has less room for pulling any surprises at its event on May 27.
We will be bringing you all the latest news from the event along with our first impressions on the LG G3. So, stay tuned!

Source and GSM Arena
A listing on LG U, a South Korean mobile carrier operated by LG, has appeared online confirming the G3's pricing and specs. The domestic version of the phone carries a model number F400L and it is going to cost $635 (KRW650,000).


The Korean LG G3 will be available in white, titan and gold color options and will pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with 3GB of RAM and quad-core CPU, a 5.5" IPS QHD display and a 13MP main camera with OIS. The battery is 3,000mAh in size and is removable, just as a recent leak confirmed.
These key specifications are in line with what we found out just a few days ago and LG U confirms the G3's measurements too - 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.95mm. Sadly, the weight of the phone isn't specified yet.
The closer we get to the official LG G3 event, the more information we get of the phone leaving the company less and less room for pulling any surprises. LG officially unveiled the phone's Quick Circle case and we saw it in the flesh in addition to the phone's official wireless charging accessory.
Not only that, but LG already released three promo videos to build a hype before the G3's official announcement. It is scheduled for May 27 and we'll be covering every single bit of it, so stay tuned for everything LG G3 related as next week approaches.

Source and GSM Arena

Thursday, May 8, 2014

We've received yet another batch of exclusive LG G3 photos. This time, the phone sports a gold paint job and although the photos are a bit on the blurry side, they reveal all about the phone's design.
Our insider tells us that the main camera and its features are going to be one of the highlights of the phone. Rumors have it we're looking at a 13MP camera with the latest OIS+ stabilization found on the G Pro 2. Naturally, it is also going to be are capable of recording 4K video.
Interestingly, what we initially thought was either a second LED flash or an IR blaster located on the left of the camera is actually something completely different. It is a laser beam that is intended to help the camera produce better night shots. We don't know if this is based on infrared technology and how exactly it is going to work on the G3.
In addition to the feature-rich rear camera, the front camera also has a few tricks on its own. For example, you will be able take a selfie by clapping your hands or by twisting your finger. It also supports voice commands and words like "cheese", "chica", and "whisky" will trigger the camera to take a photo.

As you can see in the photos above, there's very little bezels surrounding the 5.5" QHD display (2560 x 1440 pixels, 534ppi). The LG logo is below the display as well as at the back of the phone. LG has redesigned its rear-mounted volume keys and Power/Lock configuration and its looks more premium than the initial version found on the LG G2, G2 mini and G Pro 2.
So far, we saw the LG G3 in white, grey and now gold. A recently leaked photo by @evleaks suggest there's a version of the phone with brushed metal finish in the works. We don't have confirmed information on the build materials that LG is using for the G3, but it appears that the phone is made out of plastic that's imitating brushed metal.
Under the great looking body of the LG G3, there's a Snapdragon 801 chipset with 3GB of RAM. Internal memory is 32GB with microSD expansion, while the battery has 3,000mAh capacity. The phone is rumored to have a water-resistance rating of IPX7, too.
As for the software, LG has revamped its Optimus UI to sport a cleaner look with flat elements. You check out our exclusive screenshots for more information on how it will look like. LG will also debut its Google Now-like service that can give you recommendations on restaurants, nearby places and advise you to take an umbrella when you go outside.
We have an invite for LG's press event on May 27, so stay tuned for even more in-depth coverage of the company's upcoming flagship.
Great thanks to our tipster!

Source

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Alleged image of LG G3 posted on Twitter reveals that the upcoming Android powerhouse will be available with brushed metal finish. The photo was posted on the social network by @evleaks.

The latest LG G3 leaked image (click to enlarge)
The leaked image comes with a message that the LG G3 will not be prone to fingerprints, thus addressing one of its predecessor’s shortcomings. The LG G2 as we noted in our review, is highly susceptible to smudges.
The leaked image does not mean that the LG G3 will sport brushed metal finish like the HTC One (M8). We expect the handset to be made of polycarbonate with the special treatment.
LG G3 has already appeared on a number of occasions. The smartphone will be officially unveiled later this month, on May 27 with 5.5” QHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, and 3,000 mAh battery.

Source| @evleaks and GSM Arena 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

With the new season well under way, the LG G2 mini is trying to have the last word in the compact class just like the original did last year at the high end. With the same design as the flagship (slim bezel, rear buttons and such) and the biggest screen among the minis, LG's compact smartphone is putting its best foot forward.
But then, just like the flagship, the LG G2 mini is going after a certain competitor and not exactly keeping it a secret. The screen resolution, the chipset, the imaging skill are the same as the Galaxy S4 mini's. In other words, if anyone was hoping for something along the lines of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, they'll be disappointed.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
LG G2 mini official photos
No, the G2 mini isn't a compact powerhouse. It's a well-rounded package still, and one that even does a couple of things better than the flagship, in hope to find a place in the crowded place where minis have to deal with ex-flagships and aggressively priced mid-rangers.

Key features

  • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
  • Quad-band 3G with HSPA; Optional Penta-band LTE cat4
  • 4.7" 16M-color qHD (960 x 540) IPS LCD, Gorilla Glass 2 display protection
  • Android OS v4.4.2 KitKat; LG Optimus UI
  • Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, 1 GB RAM, Adreno 305 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset
  • 8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geotagging, smart shutter and VR panoramas
  • 1080p video recording @ 30fps with stereo sound; HDR mode
  • 1.3 MP front-facing camera, 720p video recording
  • 8GB of built-in storage
  • microUSB port, USB host support, USB on-the-go, SlimPort TV-out
  • Bluetooth v4.0
  • NFC (in the LTE version only)
  • Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA
  • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
  • Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Stereo FM radio with RDS
  • Voice commands
  • Multi-tasking with mini-apps and optional transparency (QSlide)
  • Knock Code unlocks the phone with a screen tap combination
  • Accelerometer and proximity sensor
  • Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
  • User-replaceable 2440mAh Li-Ion battery
  • IR emitter for remote control of home appliances

Main disadvantages

  • Screen could've used some extra resolution at that size
  • Snapdragon 400 is blatantly midrange stuff
  • Below average loudspeaker performance
  • No ambient light sensor
  • Confusingly comes in different versions with different internal hardware
The qHD resolution is only just enough for the 4.7" diagonal, especially considering the competition will offer 720p screens in the same price range. The Snapdragon 400 chipset places the G2 mini squarely in the Android midrange - in fact, the quad-core variety (four Cortex-A7's at 1.2GHz) is not necessarily better than the dual Krait setup in the Galaxy S4 mini.
What's definitely a step in the right direction is the removable battery and the added microSD card slot - the phone could've been slimmer perhaps without them but we'd have the added flexibility any day over a couple of millimeters less around the waistline. The latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat and the matching edition of the Optimus skin are another point in favor, offering some features that are only available on the premium G2 and G Pro 2.
The LG G2 mini is quite compact for the screen size as well - and handling quite comfortably - the rear-mounted keys contributing handsomely.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
The LG G2 mini hanging around in our office
Follow us for a tour of the exterior to find out more about how the LG G2 mini feels and handles. The usual stops include the display and battery performance.

Design and build quality and handling

The G2 mini is a shrunk down version of the larger G2, but you already knew that, didn't you? It goes without saying that the G2 mini carries over pretty much the same design language as its flagship brethren. We are pretty fond of this design, which brings along a very thin side screen bezel and lack of hardware buttons on the front and sides of the phone.
It's a nice change of pace for the mid-range smartphone spectrum and allows LG to boast some of the highest screen-to-body ratios around. To show you just how eager LG is to cram the largest possible display on the smallest possible body, here's a comparison with another mini - the HTC One mini - and its 4.3" display.

LG G2 mini next to the HTC One mini
The G2 mini is made out of plastic, just like its larger brethren - the G Pro 2 and G2. It is offered in a variety of colors, but our test unit is the classic dark grey one and it's really good-looking. There's a silver rim going around the sides, which widens around the bottom, which creates a cool kind of a teardrop effect. Another cool design treat is the dual speaker grills on the bottom of the phone. Sadly, there's only one speaker there, as the second grille hides the main microphone.
The edges of the phone are very round and smooth allowing for easy handling. LG has chosen a similar plastic to that of the G Pro 2, but it's still as slippery despite LG claiming otherwise. The good part is that it doesn't allow for fingerprints to show and that keeps it looking cool after prolonged use.
It's also very solidly built. We didn't encounter any creaks or misalignments in the plastic whatsoever. The back is made out of polycarbonate making it extremely lightweight and resistant to breaking. We should add it's also very easy to remove when you need to swap out a microSD card or pop a new battery in.
Then, there're the rear controls. You know the configuration by now from the G Pro 2 and G2, and it works here just as expected. The smaller footprint of the G2 mini means there's less distance your index finger has to travel and it's even more comfortable. Buttons are firm and provide a solid feedback when pressed.
Back in February at the Mobile World Congress where the device was unveiled we snapped it alongside its bigger brothers for a full family portrait. Like father, like son (and like grandpa, we guess).

An LG G family portrait: G2 mini, G2 and G Pro
Overall, LG hasn't tried to reinvent second-generation G-family design language with the G2 mini. Not that it had to, really. Why fix something that's not broken? We would've liked to see a bit more effort on the back cover plastic to make it less slippery as well as make the phone just a tad thinner. Those are just small caveats that can't take away from the fact the G2 mini is a well-built mini.

Handling the LG G2 mini

Controls

Besides the 4.7" IPS display, the G2 mini front panel accommodates the earpiece, the 1.3 MP secondary camera, capable of 1080p video capture and the proximity sensor. Sadly, the status LED light of the G2 is missing here, so is the ambient light sensor.
LG G2 Mini
LG G2 mini front
The left and right side of the LG G2 is completely bare.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
LG G2 mini left and right sides
The top of the LG G2 houses the secondary mic and the IR emitter for the remote control functionality.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
LG G2's top with the IR blaster
The bottom has the primary microphone, the loudspeaker and the MHL-enabled microUSB port. The G2 mini's connectivity port supports TV-out, USB on-the-go and USB host.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
LG G2 mini's bottom looks the part
LG G2 mini's back is where things get interesting. As we already mentioned, there's the trademark LG configuration that includes the volume-rocker with the Power/Lock key located in the middle. On top of that button trio is the 8MP camera and the LED flash are here. The G2 also has a 13MP version.
When the screen is locked a long press on the Volume Up key launches the Quick Memo tool, while a long press on the Volume Down control fires up the camera. You can use this key as a shutter button, too.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
LG G2 innovative take on the back
The Power/Lock button lacks a LED-lit rim that doubles as a notification LED on the LG G2. That's a pity, really, as this leaves the phone without any notification light to speak of.
The key placement spares you lots of unnecessary finger stretching, the location of all three keys is really convenient but it takes a bit of time getting used to it.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
The battery, microSD and SIM card slots.
You can pop the battery cover and get access to the 2440 mAh battery, which, fortunately, is user replaceable. We're happy to report that the microSD card slot and SIM card slot are on the top left and are hot swappable.

Display

The LG G2 mini is built around a 4.7" display. It's an IPS LCD unit with a nice quality. Unfortunately, we are a bit let down by the resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. As a result of the relatively subpar resolution, the pixel density is just 234 ppi.
LG G2 Mini LG G2 Mini
The 4.7" display is of qHD resolution
It's not the sharpest around, which is understandable. Nevertheless, it's a fairly bright screen with good viewing angles, although there's contrast compression and color shift at extreme angles.

Battery

The LG G2 mini houses a 2440mAh battery, which LG says is the largest in its class and we are inclined to agree (the Moto X packs a 2200mAh battery in a similarly sized package). LG has been doing very well in the battery department ever since the LG G2 and it has done the very best it can in the G2 mini as well.
As a result, the phone's endurance rating is 76 hours, which is one of the best scores any mid-ranger has ever posted. This means you can easily get two days of 1 hour web browsing, video playback and 3G talk each in a single charge.
LG G2 mini battery endurance test

Android 4.4.2 KitKat is brimmed with features

The LG G2 mini runs on LG's own, deeply-customized launcher dubbed Optimus UI on top of Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The company has enabled more than skin-deep customization, including themes, icon sets, and various effects. Here's a quick hands-on video to showcase what the G2 mini can do.
The G2 mini may only be a mid-range phone, but it comes with all the features that its bigger flagship brothers are so proud of.
Let's start with the lockscreen. The lock key at the rear is still a novelty and one that works well on the bigger body of the G2 mini. You can wake the screen with a double tap on it. To lock the phone you don't need to use the hardware key either. You just double tap on an empty area of your homescreen or on the status bar no matter where you are - it will lock your G2 mini.
The lockscreen can span across multiple panes, each containing one full-screen widget. The page to the right is special and fires up the camera, but you can easily disable it in the widget menu.
The pages to the left contain different widgets - four different clocks, Gmail, Google Now, Calendar, Google+ posts, Quick Remote and Weather. More apps can be downloaded off the Play Store to add new widgets.

Source
GSM Arena LG G2 Mini Reviews
 
© 2012. Design by Main-Blogger - Blogger Template and Blogging Stuff