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Remembering LG's finest (and strangest) phones
LG has never been the biggest, most important smartphone maker, but consumers always benefit from more competition — it drives smartphone makers to innovate faster, and to make those innovations more affordable. But nothing lasts forever. Rather than sit around all glum, though, I think our time is better spent remembering some of the truly great — and truly wild — phones LG has made over the years.
Dell's latest gaming PCs include large G7 laptops and a G5 desktop
Dell has unveiled a trio of gaming PCs, including its upsized G7 laptops and a G5 desktop.
Dell debuts an AMD Ryzen version of its G5 gaming laptop
Dell is expanding its G5 gaming laptop line with an unusual addition: AMD hardware under the hood. Its new G5 15 Special Edition will run on AMD's new "Renoir-H" Ryzen laptop processors and Radeon RX 5600M graphics, giving you solid mid-tier performance if you don't care much for the Intel/NVIDIA combos that often dictate gaming portables. Not surprisingly, there's an option for a FreeSync-compatible 144Hz display to help deliver tear-free visuals.
The new Mac Pro: What's changed?
The last Mac Pro came out in 2013 and, while opinions on its trash can-shaped exterior were decidedly mixed, we couldn't fault it on its power. It delivered top of the line specs worthy of the most demanding creative projects, but after almost six years it's definitely time for an update, both inside and out. The new Mac Pro is bigger, boxier and looking a bit like the old Power Mac G5. But of course, it's way more powerful than any Mac we've ever seen. Just how powerful? Check out the specs below, stacked up against the 2013 model, to see how much heat this new "cheese grater" is packing.
Dell unveils G-Series and Alienware laptops with NVIDIA's latest GPUs
Dell is taking advantage of the launch of new Intel 9th-generation CPUs and NVIDIA's latest GTX 16-series GPUs to refresh some of its gaming laptops. First up, it's introducing new G5 and G7 laptops today with GeForce GTX 1660 Ti and 1650 Max-Q GPUs, and will introduce RTX models with 9th-generation Intel CPUs starting in June. Those should be speedier than the current GTX 1050 Ti and 1060 models, and cheaper than the RTX-powered laptops. Both models will soon be available with four-zone RGB keyboards and 240 Hz 1080p or 4K OLED displays. Dell has yet to say how much any of these mid-range models will cost, but the current G5 15-inch gaming laptop with GTX 1050 Ti graphics starts at $900.
Dell's XPS 13 is its first laptop with Dolby Vision
As it does nearly every CES, Dell has unveiled its latest, revamped XPS 13 laptops. Last year's models were already solid, but there are a few welcome changes. The webcam has been redesigned and is now on the top again, so you'll no longer look like Boris Karloff on Skype calls. Dell managed to shrink the bezels to 4mm and fit it into the size of an 11-inch laptop, despite the 13.3-inch display. And one of the screen options is a full HDR 4K Ultra HD version (3,840 x 2,160) that supports Dolby Vision -- the first for a Dell laptop -- which pumps out 400 nits of brightness.
Moto G5 and G5 Plus review: Still the best budget phones
The year was 2013, the company was Motorola, and the device was the Moto G. It set a new standard for affordable smartphones, offering a user experience that left the existing sea of cheap, crappy Android handsets in the dust. Years later, it seems the Moto G bloodline can do no wrong. As another generation of G emerges, can Motorola do with the G5 and G5 Plus what it does best, striking an ideal balance between hardware and price point? Of course it can.
LG will back away from modular phones with the G6
To put it mildly, the LG G5 has struggled in the market. While it's not a terrible phone, it clearly leans on its modularity as its main selling point -- and there just aren't that many people willing to pay extra for a camera grip or sound module. Thankfully, LG has realized the error of its ways. A company spokesperson tells the Wall Street Journal that LG is aware of that less-than-positive feedback on the G5, and is "scaling back" the modularity for the G6. Instead, the focus is on "aesthetics and usability" -- making a good phone, in other words. It's not clear that this means killing modules outright, but it certainly sounds like that could happen.
LG's V20 smartphone may be as modular as the G5 (updated)
Just a few days ago, LG revealed that it will introduce its first Android Nougat phone in San Francisco on September 6th. The V20 is said to come with similar dual-screen, dual-selfie camera features as its predecessor, the V10. And now, thanks to OnLeaks and Android Authority, we're getting a first look at purported renders of the device. Most notably, the 5.7-inch V20 appears to have a modular design, based on a button placement reminiscent to that of LG's newly minted G5.
LG G5's VR headset, 360 camera and other accessories hit the US
When LG announced its modular G5 phone last month, it also revealed a line of "Friends" companion devices to go along with it (See what it did there?). Included in the lineup are the 360 VR headset, 360 Cam, the Harman Kardon-powered Tone Platinum audio headset and the Cam Plus camera grip. While the phone itself is already available in the US, these gadgets that the company intends for you to use with the handset were not until now.
Engadget UK giveaway: Win an LG G5 and HDTV courtesy of Virgin Media
Of all the new smartphones launched this year, LG's G5 is by far the most audacious. With two rear-facing cameras and a wacky, removable bottom bezel that can we swapped out for LG's "Friends" accessories, the G5 is nothing if not different. And thanks to Virgin Media, we've got one to give away this week, with the added bonus of a 32-inch LG LED HDTV if a free flagship wasn't enough. In fact, it's the same deal currently available on Virgin Mobile right now: Pick up an LG G5 on any pay-monthly contract before May 31st, and get a free TV to boot. As per usual, you can enter the competition via the Rafflecopter widget below... after you've read the rules, that is.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the LG G5 in about a minute
LG's latest flagship phone, the G5, is a fascinating device. Just plug in optional modules -- excuse us, "Friend" accessories -- and you can enjoy extra functionality when you need it: everything from a camera grip with a secondary battery to an audio DAC that upscales sound quality. It also offers fast performance and a dual-camera setup that's actually a lot of fun to use. But while the phone wins points for innovation, the first modules fail to impress in real-world testing. Meanwhile, it's clear LG cut corners in other areas, with the forgettable design and middling battery life being the biggest offenders. As our reviewer Chris Velazco notes, the device has the potential to improve over time as new and improved Friend modules come out, but for now, it's a work in progress.
LG G5 review: Bolder doesn't always mean better
LG thinks it's time for a change. Rather than build just another thin, fast flagship, the company's latest work lets you augment it with purpose-built, snap-on accessories. Say hello to the G5, a phone with the potential to grow with you. A lot of chutzpah went into LG's decision, and it's almost like LG had no choice but to be provocative: Recent figures indicate the company is still struggling to crack the upper tiers of the global smartphone market. To paraphrase a bit from the best television show of all time, ambition and overreaching are good. The problem is, LG had to somehow build a smartphone that's both functional and powerful now and easy to improve later. Alas, LG didn't quite clear the high bar it set for itself.
Where to buy LG's G5 in the UK
If LG flagships have played it relatively safe over the past few years, then the new G5 is downright dangerous. Like any top-of-the-range smartphone, its specs tick all the right boxes, but otherwise it's not exactly typical. First, there's the handset's dual-camera arrangement for super-wide-angle shots, and then, there are "Friends." That's LG's cute/creepy term for a range of quirky accessories that compliment the kind-of-modular G5, which has a removable, replaceable bottom bezel. If you're looking for something different, the G5 is far from generic, and it's now available to buy in the UK.
LG's Jason Statham ad is as weird as the G5
There's no denying it: the LG G5 is weird. The Korean company is pitching its latest flagship as a do-everything device and selling a bunch of accessories called "Friends" that expand its capabilities. There's a swappable battery, a camera grip, a VR headset, a VR camera, a high-res audio attachment and even a rolling robot. Our first impressions of the device, and its Friends, were good, but one question remained: How exactly would LG market the G5? The answer, at least initially, is an equally weird ad with Jason Statham:
LG's Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE returns to AT&T
AT&T isn't just banking on the LG G5 to start its spring with a bang. After months of sorting out glitches, LG is re-launching the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE on AT&T as of today. The cellular-linked, NumberSync-friendly Android Wear piece is available for $18 per month on a 20-month installment plan ($360 total), or $100 if you buy it alongside a G5 on an AT&T Next plan. That's before the $10 per month you'll need to pay to add the smartwatch to your shared data plan, we'd add. If you absolutely need to stay online when your phone is at home, though, this might hit the spot.
The next big thing in smartphones is uncertainty
You've probably noticed something about smartphones. They haven't been exciting lately. Chances are, your current smartphone looks and works a lot like your last one. Your next will probably seem pretty familiar, too. But there are signs that smartphones, and the ways we use them, could be about to significantly change -- even if no one can quite agree on exactly how.
LG G5 will hit the US in early April, and it's bringing 'Friends'
Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are getting rave reviews, but don't forget about the other, more ambitious Korean flagship barreling down the pipeline. Though it fell short of offering a firm release date, LG just confirmed that its modular G5 will hit the US in "early April." Yeah, not exactly a surprise, especially since LG Canada already confirmed our friends to the north will get the G5 on April 8.
MWC Revisited: The best phones in Barcelona this year
The booths have been dismantled, the bigwigs have boarded their planes and the doors have been closed. That's a wrap for Mobile World Congress 2016. Now that our team has had a chance to kick back and reflect on the mobile maelstrom we've just waded through, meet the four smartphones (in no particular order) that stole our hearts and stole the show.
LG came out fighting at Mobile World Congress
MWC proper hadn't even started, yet LG was already poised to be the talk of the show. Its G5 flagship surprised everyone with its snap-on accessories, but that wasn't the main talking point. The company also introduced a dizzying array of accessories that covers everything from audio to aerial drones. There was a lot to cover, but we break it all down for you right here.
