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LG Optimus G Pro for Sprint makes a cameo at the FCC
With the Optimus G Pro already available on AT&T and a Verizon variant rubber-stamped by Uncle Sam, Sprint is bringing up the caboose. A smartphone bearing the model number LG LS980 has just passed through the FCC, and it's a dead ringer for a G Pro destined for Big Yellow. Not only does its model number jive with the other carrier-specific incarnations of LG's device, but it packs support for Now Network-friendly CDMA and LTE over band 25, alongside the usual GSM radio. There's no telling when the Now Network will start offering the phone, but federal approval means it's clear to arrive when LG pleases.
LG VS980 emerges at FCC, could be the Optimus G Pro for Verizon
If this recent FCC filing is any indication, it looks like AT&T won't have US exclusivity over the LG Optimus G Pro for much longer. The document points to a LG VS980 that's clearly headed for Verizon; it supports the carrier's LTE bands and the model number is in line with other Verizon LG smartphones like the LG Intuition (VS950). Seeing as the AT&T model is marked as the E980, our Magic 8 Ball says that all signs point to the VS980 being the Big Red version of the Optimus G Pro. So that'd make at least a couple of ways Americans can get their hands on the LG smartphone, which is two more than anyone in the UK.
LG Optimus G Pro due in 40 more countries this quarter, probably not the UK (updated: definitely not)
Having earned some respect here in the US and on its home turf, the LG Optimus G Pro is about ready to hit stores in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Latin America. Reasons to be interested? The big, user-replaceable battery is certainly one, while the remarkably good 1080p 5.5-inch IPS LCD display is another -- oh, and don't forget dual-camera video recording either. Unfortunately, the Korean press release makes no specific mention of availability on UK carriers, and LG has been cautious about supporting the country's "immature" LTE scene in the past, so we're not sure if this handset will ever be available to Brits except on import. We've emailed a UK rep to ask if that stance has perhaps changed at all, and to chat about the (currently glorious) weather. Update: There's "no further update from a UK availability perspective", which sounds like a "no." However, it is indeed sunny. Update two: LG's Head of European Marketing, Tim Beere, has confirmed to Engadget that the Optimus G Pro will not appear in the UK. However, "some countries" in Europe, including Spain and Italy, will definitely see the smartphone hit stores. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
LG Optimus G Pro for AT&T detailed: Snapdragon 600, LTE and a Full HD IPS display
There's not much surprise left to LG's Optimus G Pro reveal set for next Wednesday in New York. We've already seen the device slip through the FCC and recently had a previewed glimpse of the potential hardware. But thanks to a trusted source, we now have more insight into the the upcoming AT&T variant's specifications. Based on the official doc we had a look at, LG's managed to keep this US model mostly in line with its global sibling, porting over the same 5.5-inch form factor, 3,140mAh battery, 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 processor paired with 2GB RAM, a healthy 32GB of internal storage (expandable via microSDXC to 64GB), 2.1-megapixel front-facing / 13-megapixel rear cameras, NFC and WiFi a/b/g/n. What has changed is the actual screen technology used: the AT&T G Pro employs a Full HD IPS panel as opposed to the True HD-IPS+ in the original. Additionally, and unsurprisingly, the device's radios have been tweaked, with the AT&T G Pro now supporting the carrier's flavor of LTE (700/1700 MHz), HSPA+21 (850/1900/2100 MHz) and quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). Though it would be nice to see LG bump this up to a more current version of Android -- namely, 4.2.2 -- the AT&T model will likely ship with the more dated 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Continuing further down the software track, carrier bloat looks to be at a minimum as only two automobile-specific apps are mentioned in the document: AT&T DriveMode and Navigator. Aside from that, LG's own software suite makes the transition, bringing along QSlide 2.0 (a multiwindow feature), Dual Recording (for the picture-in-picture effect), Tag+ for NFC, VuTalk (a note sharing app), QuickMemo, Notebook and the ability to preset the Home Key's LED. That enough of a preview for you? Stay tuned for the formal unveiling next week. [Image credit: @evleaks]
LG Optimus G Pro: hands-on with the new Snapdragon 600 processor and 5.5-inch 1080p display (update: video)
The Pro version of last year's Optimus G comes in two flavors: Japan gets a 5-inch, 1080p phone, while Korea (and the US) is treated to a 5.5-inch phone at the same resolution, but with Qualcomm's latest mobile chip, the Snapdragon 600. We're getting to grips with the Korean flavor here at MWC and while we're still waiting on launch dates more specific than Q2, we couldn't help taking this particular G Pro for a spin. While the original wasn't particularly lacking in the battery department, that increase in resolution has been fortunately accompanied by a bigger battery, up from 2,100mAh to 3,140mAh in the Korean edition and 3,000mAh in the Japanese. Design-wise, the lines are softer, more curved and -- if we're honest -- more like the Galaxy S III. There's now a curved physical home button lodged beneath the screen, with capacitive back and menu buttons on either side of it that light up with the faintest glow. The back of the phone now gently curves into the rest of the phone, with that eye-catching "crystal reflection" effect now subtly shading into the sides. The rear panel goes for a grid pattern that's more reminiscent of the Nexus 4 than it is of the Optimus G. It retains the same surprisingly light build quality of its predecessor, however, that makes us feel like a short fall could render this device a useless pule of glass shards and plastic pieces. After the break, you can check out some more of our impressions, alongside the obligatory hands-on video, of course.
