Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to meet one of the most exciting new smartphones of 2014… again. Details surrounding LG’s new G3 smartphone have been leaking constantly for the past few months, and things came to a head when LG Netherlands accidentally posted official press images of the G3 as well as the flagship phone’s complete specs.
Thanks to that massive leak, we know we’re in store for one of the most impressive Android phones of all time.
UPDATE: LG’s 2014 flagship phone is now official — LG G3 specs and features: Everything you need to know
The G3 will be the first widely-available smartphone from a major vendor that features a quad HD display, packing twice as many pixels as a 1080p screen into 5.5 inches of canvas. The phone will also include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera, microSDXC support, a 3,000 mAh battery and Android KitKat.
Are there any surprises left?
LG is streaming today’s event from London, and the live video feed is embedded below. Meanwhile, we’re on hand at the New York event and we’ll add in a few key details in the live blog section beneath the video.
The event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. EDT / 10:00 a.m. PDT.
The G3 will launch with a large selection of companion devices: G Pad, G Watch, Wireless Charger, Bluetooth headset, Quick Circle
LG added a kill switch to the G3 so you can make it permanently unusable if it is ever lost or stolen.
Content Lock keeps certain files hidden from public view when you let someone borrow your phone or plug the G3 into a computer.
You can still Knock On to wake up the phone if you’re not as worried about others accessing your phone.
KNOCK Code is LG’s answer to the lockscreen. The screen is divided into four quadrants — make a code by tapping on those quadrants.
Smart Notice offers tips based on your behavior, lets you know if you have apps or files on your phone you never access and reminds you to put the phone into battery saving mode.
Smart Notice provides updates that will remind you when you need to return a call or let you know how to free up memory on your phone.
Select predicted text by swiping up, edit by holding down the space bar.
LG believes the smartphone keyboard deserves more focus than it has received in the past.
KNOCK Code, Smart Keyboard and Smart Notice are some of the software features LG has focused on.
The back cover features a metallic skin with a matte overlay, as well as a rear key to interact with the phone.
The company clearly understands how tired we are of the increasingly crowded Android UI.
LG avoids visual clutter with flat graphics and simple geometric shapes.
The GUI has been redesigned for the G3.
Finally, design. Simplicity is key here.
The camera also automatically chooses the best setting for sound recording while you record video.
Or, as a slightly snappier tagline, “faster than the blink of an eye.”
The laser autofocus on the G3’s camera is similar to the radar guns police officers use to clock your speed on the highway.
LG wants to offer a camera that can shoot quality pictures quickly so you won’t miss anything.
Moving on to the camera.
The G3 is nearly the size of a phablet, but with its thin bezel, it feels more like a 5-inch smartphone in your hand.
The LG G3 optimizes battery usage to save power. The battery of the G3 is about 20% more efficient than the G2 as a result.
538 pixels-per-inch at 2560 x 1440 resolution. That’s Quad HD.
The 3 core technologies LG wants to focus on: display, camera and design.
The G3 also features an upgraded 3,000mAh battery, an adjustable smart keyboard, as well as connectivity with the G Watch and other LG accessories.
The LG G3 has a minimalist design which feels “just perfect” in your hands. There are no buttons on the side this time.
As expected, the G3 features a Quad HD display.
LG is finally ready to show off its “latest innovation,” the G3.
And so it begins! They’ve wasted no time in mentioning the countless leaks, but they’re hoping to show us something impressive regardless.
We’re about 5 minutes from the start of the event. Hopefully.
And that’s all! We’ll have hands-on coverage on the site soon.