LG's flagship smartphone - the LG G5 - may launch at the 2016 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which will start Feb. 22.
LG announced and released the LG G4 in April 2015. The phone packs top-end features that have attracted millions of customers worldwide. Now the company seems all set to launch the successor of the LG G4.
LG G5 Launch At The MWC
LG did not launch the LG G4 at the MWC 2015. However, the smartphone maker has already sent out an official press invites for an event a day before the official beginning of the MWC 2016, which makes the launch of the LG G5 highly likely.
"A day ahead of the official opening of the MWC, LG plans to unveil a new flagship mobile via a press event," says an unnamed LG executive.
LG is also very optimistic that its upcoming smartphone will give stiff competition to rivals, especially Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7.
"The unveiling of LG's new flagship handset was delayed months after the release of the new Samsung flagship handset," added the LG executive. "But this year will be different. LG Electronics is ready to take on Samsung."
LG G5 Hardware Rumors
LG has not confirmed any details of the LG G5, but there are numerous rumors circling the tech industry about the upcoming LG device.
Display - The LG G5 may sport a 5.5-inch or a 5.6-inch True HD IPS flexible touchscreen. The handset is expected to feature a 4K display resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, which is currently found only in a limited number of smartphones, for example, the Sony Xperia Z5. However, 4K displays are expected to be a standard in all top-end mobile phones to be launched in 2016.
Processor And RAM - LG used a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor in the LG G4 due to over-heating issues with the Snapdragon 810 processor. However, some rumors suggest that the latest Snapdragon 820 chipset and 4 GB of RAM will power the LG G5.
Storage - The LG G5 may be available in 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB internal memory options. The flagship will still have a microSD card slot to enable storage expansion.
Eye Scanner - Security of smartphones has become a great issue for handset owners. Fingerprint scanner has become a commonplace in many top-end smartphones. However, the LG G4 does not have a fingerprint scanner.
LG is reported to be working with a Korean technology firm called IRIENCE, which specializes in eye-scanning technology. Rumors claim that IRIENCE will provide the eye scanner to be used in the G5, which will be able to scan the user's eye from a distance of 50 centimeters (19.69 inches).
Users are widely using fingerprint scanners to unlock phones and to make mobile payments. If rumors are true, then the LG G5 will be the first to come with an eye scanner; however, it remains to be seen if the technology will become as widely used as fingerprint scanners and sensors on mobile devices.
Design - LG is also said to be working on enhancing the design of its next-gen flagship smartphone. The LG G5 may have a full-metal case, which will bring a premium feel to the device.
The leaked design of the LG G5, which shows that the mobile device will have a removal section that will allow replacing the battery.
Camera - LG is speculated to beef up the rear-facing camera of the LG G5 to 20 megapixels, which will allow users to take high-quality images.
Battery - The LG G5 is estimated to get power from a large 4,000 mAh battery, which is one of the biggest found in existing phones.
Price And Availability
LG is swift in releasing handsets soon after they are unveiled. If the LG G5 is launched at MWC 2016, then users can expect the smartphone to hit the shelves even in late February or March this year.
A top-end smartphone normally has a premium price. The LG G5, which is rumored to pack in high-end features, is expected to bear a steep price tag of about $900. However, customers should wait till LG officially confirms the cost of the handset.
Mobile Payment Platform
Mobile payments are gaining traction and Apple and Samsung have already launched their mobile payment platform.
Another report says that LG is developing its own mobile payment platform and is already in talks with card companies to launch its mobile payment service.
"We will sign a deal with some of the country's major card companies before officially launching our mobile payment platform," says an LG official.
However, details of the mobile payment service, name of the service and expected launch remains unknown. LG may announce the service along with the LG G5 at the MWC 2016.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
