Update: The LG G5 launch date is February 21 at MWC, and we know almost all of the news before its official unveiling. LG has even shown off an official Quick cover case There's an always-on display, mysterious expansion slot, two rear cameras and removable battery. Plus the phone has been benchmarked, showing off impressive performance. Here it is in great detail.
The LG G4 got a lot right, but with a couple of significant missteps and a few other minor niggles it didn't quite reach the heights of greatness we'd hoped for. But 2016 is another year, and the LG G5 is another chance for LG to deliver the handset we all know it's capable of.
As we saw with the G4, LG won't be drawn into following the norm of metal and glass bodies, happily slapping plastic and leather on its latest flagship handset – but something is going to have to give in the design department, as LG is getting left behind somewhat by Apple, Samsung, HTC and Sony.
Rumors around the phone are starting to heat up and on top of that we've created our dream LG G5, and listed what we'd love to see in the handset.
LG G5 release date
You won't have to wait very long for the LG G5 release date. The company's flagship Android phone is now confirmed to launch two months earlier than its typical annual refresh cycle.
A late February launch and March release date makes sense. Last year, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9 were announced at MWC and got a two-month headstart on April's LG G4.
LG isn't allowing the Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC One M9 to do the same all over again, so it's clear that we'll have our first look at the LG G5 later this month. This is going to be the first of two LG flapships phones this year, the company has confirmed, so it could be a big year for LG.
LG G5 display
You're never have to turn on the LG G5 display to check the time because the company has confirmed that it'll feature an always on display that shows dimly lit critical information, even when it's off.
Touting it as the screen that never sleeps, LG revealed a photo of the LG G5 showing the time, date and up to four notifications icons. It reminds us of the much-loved Moto Display on the moto X Style
There's reason to believe that LG is switching up its display technology based on this information. While the company has stuck with LCDs for its phones, OLEDs show black pixels using less energy use.
Besides this helpful always-on functionality, there's no one answer as to how big the screen size of the LG G5 will be, but one rumor suggests it will have a 5.6-inch QHD display. The LG G4 is already at that resolution, so so the size would only be a slight jump on the 5.5-inch G4.
That would bring it even more into phablet territory, but if LG can slim down the bezels it could potentially up the screen size without increasing the footprint of the phone.
LG G5 camera and battery
We're hearing a couple of different camera rumors. One source claims the G5 will have a 20MP snapper with a custom Sony 1/2-inch sensor.
Another rumor suggests it will have a 21MP snapper on the back and a 5MP one on the front. Either way, it sounds like it should be an upgrade on the 16MP snapper that the LG G4 has.
These megapixel numbers aren't as important as the latest leak though: the LG G5 may have a dual-camera on the back, as seen in the leaked case shot above.
We don't know what size the battery will be yet, but as mentioned in the design section it looks like it could be removable.
LG G5 Quick Cover
As you can see, there are going to several third-party LG5 cases to protect your new phone, but the South Korean company is also touting its own first-party LG G5 Quick Cover case
This form-fitting metallic case not only gives us a better idea of what the phone will look like, it features a window to see the always-on display notifications and touch controls it answer incoming calls.
Its see-through mesh lets you answer (or dismiss) calls without ever having to flip open the top part of the case. LG says its "metallic finish" matches the luxurious LG G5, further hinting at the metal-based Android phone.
LG G5 OS and power
No surprises when it comes to the processor, as the LG G5 has been benchmarked with a Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM, just like we're expecting to see in other flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7.
The benchmark also revealed that it runs Android Marshmallow, as expected, though it will of course be heavily skinned by LG. Beyond the specs the LG G5's scores are promising, beating early S7 scores in its multi-core test.
If that benchmark wasn't enough, a source with a solid track record has also claimed that the G5 will have a Snapdragon 820 chip. That should be a big upgrade on the Snapdragon 808 chip found in the LG G4.
LG G5 other features
The LG G5 may take some cues from the Nexus 5X design, as it's rumored to sport a fingerprint scanner on the back, along with a new USB-C port on the bottom, moving it away from the standard micro USB data and charging port,
Even more excitingly, the LG G5 could suposdley have an iris scanner, allowing it to recognise you by your eyes.
We've already seen similar tech in the Microsoft Lumia Xl and LG hasn't been afraid to innovate or be among the first to do things in the past, so it's possible that the LG G5 will pack one, especially as that same rumor has popped up again However, iris scanning doesn't seem to be as speedy as fingerprint recognition, so we're sceptical on this one.
According to sources speaking to The Verge, the LG G5 could also have an "accessory slot", allowing for hardware expansion, possibly a bit like we'll be seeing on a larger scale with the Project Ara modular phone.
LG G5 rivals
The LG G5's biggest rival is likely to be the Samsung Galaxy S7. This phone is expected to arrive at around the same time as the G5, possibly even being announced on the same day.
Not only does it have a huge name behind it, but rumors point to a sleek, premium design, a QHD screen, an improved camera and a whole lot of power, so LG could have its work cut out to compete.
The HTc One M10 will also probably be launching soon and while not much is yet known about that it's sure to have a stylish look and flagship specs.
LG G5 cost
There's no word yet on what the LG G5 will cost, but it's a flagship phone, so it won't come cheap. If it's as packed full of tech and features as rumors suggest it could easily come in at over £500/$600/AU$1000.
However, the great thing about LG's phones is the cost will plummet quickly over the course of the year, so it could be well worth waiting.
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