LG G6 smartphone: Everything we know so far

1/9

Goodbye to modular accessories

LG has confirmed its upcoming G6 flagship to be launched at MWC 2017, so it’s time to round-up what we know so far.

Unlike its predecessor, the G6 is expected to come with a traditional handset design. ETNews reported in October 2016 that LG would be ditching the modular design of the G5. Poor sales of its add-on modules (LG Friends) convinced LG that modular phones are just a fad.

2/9

World's first QHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio

LG’s playbook for drumming up interest includes releasing some of the official specs that will be introduced on its next flagship smartphone.

For the G6, LG has confirmed that it will have the world’s first QHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. The G6 is stated to provide a more immersive viewing experience and more optimized multitasking.

3/9

New display, new interface

To take full advantage of the 5.7-inch QHD+ display, LG specifically designed a new mobile user interface, UX 6.0 for the G6. LG touts three major benefits of the new interface: 1. view more information; 2. an improved camera UX with Square Camera; and 3. enhanced multitasking.

4/9

Audiophiles cheer!

LG confirmed that the G6 will have a 32-bit quad-DAC system. The technology gives superior control over each ear bud independently, resulting in a clearer, more balanced sound. The DAC is likely to be similar to the quad-DAC we saw in last year's LG V20, and is being made by the same high-performance audio chipset specialist, ESS.

5/9

Heat pipes and stricter product testing

After the Samsung Galaxy Note7 fiasco, LG is doubling up on product testing and making sure its flagship phones will not suffer the same fate.

The G6 is said to come with heat pipes to minimize heat buildup in an area and reduce the possibility of any component overheating.

6/9

Missing out on Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

Although Qualcomm states that the Snapdragon 835 will be in commercial devices by the first half of the year, the G6 is unlikely to come with it as Samsung reportedly managed to secure the bulk of the stocks for the Galaxy S8. The G6 should be running on the Snapdragon 821 processor, which is also the same chipset powering the current OnePlus 3T.

This isn’t the first time LG is using a slightly older processor for its flagship smartphones. Back in 2014, its G4 flagship smartphone came with the Snapdragon 808 chipset while rival phone makers equipped their flagship devices with Snapdragon 810.

7/9

 iPhone-like design?

LG itself says the G6 has "a metal frame that wraps around the perimeter of the phone," and that the back is "perfectly flat, with no camera bump". A leaked photo obtained by The Verge suggests rounded corners with antenna bands at the side. Other rumored specs include a non-removable battery, water/dust resistance, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual rear cameras, and USB Type-C support.

8/9

G6 to be IPX7 rated?

LG has confirmed another new feature of the G6 smartphone through its 11-second YouTube clip. The video clip is titled "LG G6: Pool" with the caption, "Taking a day off at the pool? Just relax and enjoy LG G6". 

While the video clip does not specify the rating of water resistance for the G6, we expect it to be on-par with the competition which means that the G6 should boast IPX7- rating. 

9/9

When is it launched?

LG will be holding an event on 26 February, a day before MWC 2017 starts. Retail availability is said to be on March 10. If you've made up your mind to buy the G6 even before the event, you can actually pre-order any of the 6 Spigen cases for the phone. Some of them are available as early as 24 February and prices range from US$12.99 to US$18.99.