A product render of LG's upcoming smartphone has surfaced via OnLeaks on Twitter, and the speculation engine revs. It looks very similar to the LG G5, released earlier this year.
Per OnLeaks, the image shows the device LG is currently working on. It might be too early for LG to issue a new phone given the age of the G5, but considering the rapid whirl of new smartphones being released, it might not be far from truth.
While the LV5 bears a similarity to the G5, there are some notable differences. First, the G5's removable bottom is absent on the LV5, likely indicative of the rumored smartphone to do away with modular support. The LV5's camera also has a different design. Beyond that, the LV5 pretty much looks like the offspring of the G5, with its similar form factor and curved edges. The LV5 is purported to be LG's mid-range offering, according to GSMArena. If this is true, then LG might not have to worry about its smartphone lineup competing against one another for shelf space.
Allegedly, the LV5's back cover will be removable, but it's yet to be confirmed if that implies support for battery replacement or just SIM card or MicroSD access.
Not much word about the LV5 has circulated around the web, so detailed specifications are out of the question, at least for now. There's not much to interpret from the image aside from the LED flash and the fingerprint scanner below it. Knowing the design inclinations of LG, the scanner could very well double as a power button. Also, there are speaker grills on the bottom left part of the device's back panel, though it's unsure if it will be stereo speakers. Obviously, the device is going to run Android, though it's uncertain if it's going to come with Nougat out of the box, like the forthcoming LG V20.
Needless to say, all of this is just pure speculation, apart from the obvious features that can be seen in the product render. All of this should be taken with a grain of salt, as all rumors should. It's unclear if LG is indeed set to release a new smartphone, though OnLeaks has been a pretty reputable source for leaks in recent years.
The LV5 might still be a codename, as the phone's reportedly still in development. LG might possibly implement changes to the device's name or even change its specs. As of now, the product renders show a white LV5 and no confirmation about other possible color options.
As more confirmation about the LV5 breaks into the fold in the coming weeks or months even, expect due coverage.
