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LG eyeing end of April release date for the LG G4, analysts optimistic about its success

posted by Luis D. / Mar 27, 2015, 5:45 AM

LG eyeing end of April release date for the LG G4, analysts optimistic about its success

The Korea Herald reports that LG is eyeing an end-of-April launch date for its next flagship smartphone, the LG G4. This way, LG will have a timely response to arch-rival Samsung's competing products, shipping a high-end product about two weeks after the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge go on sale globally.

Reportedly, the LG G4 will have a sub 5.5-inch 1440x2560 display, and the device will have a slight curve for a more natural fit in the hand. If the (reasonably authentic looking) leaked photos below are anything to judge by, LG also modified the rear panel with a rugged texture for a non-slippery hold. The shape of the power button has been changed from circular to oval, and the volume keys have been redesigned yet again.

Otherwise, the smartphone seems quite familiar to the LG G3, which probably won't please users expecting LG to rethink its design with more metal and plastic in mind. On the positive side, retaining a plastic build could let LG position the LG G4 as a more cost-effective path to high-end mobile performance - at least for users outside of China.

The Galaxy S6 devices, the HTC One M9, and the upcoming Sony Xperia Z4 are considerably expensive smartphones due to their complicated production. LG could benefit from this situation by offering a cheaper device with many of the same, or even better features. However, LG and the rest of the industry may have a hard time matching the Galaxy S6's 14nm SoC, exorbitant flash storage speeds, and 10 minute charging ability, as all three are technologies proprietary to Samsung.

Still, Korean analysts remain optimistic for the LG G3's successor. Kiwoom Securities Co forecasts 15 million LG G4 units sold annually, while fellow firm Korea Investment & Securities Co. predicts 9.2 million units sold this year.

As a late comer to the smartphone market, LG certainly doesn't command as much attention among the industry and smartphone userbase as Samsung, but its brand and mobile business is steadily growing. In 2011, LG shipped 20 million smartphones worldwide. In 2014, backed by the LG G3's good market performance, it racked up 59.6 million units, which is a rewarding 33.56% increase over two years.

So, what do you think of the LG G4 so far? Do you think it will the best LG has to show in 2014, or the company is saving the best for the alleged LG G Note phablet?

Photos allegedly showing the LG G4 (or G4 Note)

source: Korea Herald via G For Games

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32 Comments

1. LeBrownJames

Posts: 201; Member since: Mar 17, 2014

LG should step up to match or exceed these analysts' forecast, but I'm pretty sure G4 will be a great device. Also, I see a lot of "Samsung" in this article.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 5:55 AM 5

2. Moose

Posts: 418; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

Loved the G3 but wouldn't be interested in the new one if the screen is smaller than 5.5.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 5:56 AM 0

3. merry-prankster

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 27, 2015

There is a typo: next flagship smartphone, the LG G3. Not G3, LG G4

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 5:59 AM 0

4. kassi

Posts: 109; Member since: May 25, 2013

if this is the real g4, lg will die very soon

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:15 AM 3

12. Nebice

Posts: 68; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

no. why would they^^

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 7:13 AM 0

21. V1nC3

Posts: 109; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

This is not.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 9:46 AM 0

31. LGisgood

Posts: 833; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

this is not the real G4. this is a upcomng midrange phone by lg. g4 does look very elegant and beautiful .,..

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 3:31 PM 0

35. Neo_Huang

Posts: 1067; Member since: Dec 06, 2013

I think the buttons of the G3 look better than this, but the new finish is better than the old one, which seemed to be of very cheap quality.

posted on Mar 29, 2015, 12:11 AM 0

5. Japultra

Posts: 133; Member since: May 16, 2014

I have a hard time believing the G4 is going to do that well, especially without having a dramatic redesign. The S6 just blows all other phones on the market currently out of the water. Processor, RAM, and storage speed faster than any other phone on the market and one of the best, if not the best, camera as well. Add to that it's premium finish and universally praised design, it's very very hard to see how LG can match the success of the G3. The G3 came out in a year where HTC rehashed the old M7 design and where the S5 was a horridly ugly phone. This year's competition has heightened much more than last year and LG needs to come out with a product that will not only need to be good, but needs to be damn impressive. With the leaks coming out thus far, coupled with the 810, I just don't see how this is going to happen for them. All that being said, I am no Sammy fanboy as I currently own a G3 and had a G2 prior. I loved both phones and the G3 is the best phone I've ever owned, but Samsung has managed to win me back with the S6.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:15 AM 10

9. Sauce5 unregistered

Worked at Samsung mobile kiosk in Best Buy 18+ months ago. When people came in looking for phones, I never, ever, ran into a customer asking about processors, RAM, storage speeds, etc. Most people care about design, the camera, and the battery (not so much). Of the entire time Ive worked there, Ive never ran into anyone who even knew what a Snapdragon was, let alone the model of the chip. These things barely effect the majority of consumers choice when purchasing a smartphone.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:53 AM 7

25. datguyglad

Posts: 98; Member since: Aug 29, 2014

Agreed. I've also owned a G2 and then a G3, the G3 wasn't that great of a follow up though. Thinking about that S6 next.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 10:34 AM 0

26. refillable

Posts: 1071; Member since: Mar 10, 2014

'S6 just blows all other phones on the market currently out of the water. Processor, RAM, and storage speed faster...' This is an incorrect argument. You can't judge on how successful a smartphone will be by comparing RAM, CPU, etc. Look at the iPhone, Slow @multicore CPU and GPU, small RAM, bendy, outdated resolution/screen, nothing breathtakingly new, but the sale numbers are breathtaking. 'With the leaks coming out thus far, coupled with the 810, I just don't see how this is going to happen for them' It is true that LG was quite lucky last year, by the slowing down of Samsung sales (HTC doesn't matter). But, doesn't necessarily mean that they can't be successful this year. If it comes curved (but not terribly curved) and/or with metal (or at least, premium design), it has the chance to be successful this year. The 810 fiasco doesn't matter if it doesn't overheat or throttle in apps.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 10:55 AM 0

37. alouden unregistered

Agree with everything you said. Owned the G2 and G3. Tried the GS5 briefly. The only phoned to hold my attention over the past couple years has been LG. So I am going to keep the G3 for a while and eventually switch to the GS6. The G4 with the 810 just worries me, so I will pass.

posted on Mar 29, 2015, 4:14 PM 0

6. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

Take your time LG, but release the G4 on the very next day after launch.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:27 AM 0

7. Commandant

Posts: 30; Member since: Jan 31, 2015

Why should I by this rather than the G3 which is cheaper, yet I won't lose anything. -Still low quality plastic that wont survive a hard fall - no fingerprint scanner - same speaker - same boring design - curve ! No tanx. I would by M9 or S edge in a heartbeat.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:31 AM 0

27. refillable

Posts: 1071; Member since: Mar 10, 2014

How did you know these? Are you a time traveller?

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 10:56 AM 0

8. yonith

Posts: 226; Member since: Sep 11, 2012

I'm intrigued by the reports that it will have a sub 5.5in screen. Not so excited about the SD810 after seeing the anantech report.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:43 AM 0

10. marbog

Posts: 14; Member since: Oct 01, 2014

I have Lg, i love Lg brand, BUT if this device is Real... sorry I not buy this ugly phone. wtf is this???

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 6:54 AM 0

11. Moose

Posts: 418; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

Looks like I will be giving the G4 a miss, not interested in a smaller screen, a curved screen or a device with a stylus, that I would never use. I think LG is into gimmick-land with these "innovations" when all we want is high quality and great battery life.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 7:09 AM 0

14. Denco

Posts: 118; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

This G4 looks bland, boring and ugly especially from the back. It can't hold a candle to Galaxy S6, M9 or iPhone 6.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 7:36 AM 0

15. tiara6918

Posts: 2263; Member since: Apr 26, 2012

Just don't put crapdragon 810 and i'll add it to my wishlist

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 7:48 AM 0

30. fyahking

Posts: 1146; Member since: Jan 28, 2015

What will they use?

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 12:32 PM 0

38. alouden unregistered

They may not have a choice. I guess they could put the 805, but no one seems to be seriously considering the 805.

posted on Mar 29, 2015, 6:39 PM 0

16. yoosufmuneer

Posts: 1518; Member since: Feb 14, 2015

Man,those bezels! If those leaked pics turn out to be real, LG's one of the best asset is gone.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 8:15 AM 0

18. 1eye4u

Posts: 35; Member since: Nov 17, 2009

Got two LG G3's (Verizon and TMobile) in my family and very impressed with them, what won me over were the 128gb SD cards and removable batteries. That said, LG G3 are behind in the Android update to Lollipop, and that could make me re-think LG G4 when it's time to upgrade our phones.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 8:59 AM 0

19. UNC_BOOYAH

Posts: 2; Member since: Jan 06, 2015

Wait a minute is that a stylus on the top left hand corner in picture number 3?

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 9:14 AM 0

20. luis.d

Posts: 354; Member since: Dec 04, 2013

Nope, TV antenna. They have these in Korea.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 9:19 AM 1

22. V1nC3

Posts: 109; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

And on some others market soon.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 9:47 AM 1

23. Sprissy

Posts: 193; Member since: Feb 11, 2012

If the battery is not removable then put one in there that will last all day, I like LG and will more then likely get the G4, although I am hoping that they use something else other then the snapdragon 810.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 10:02 AM 0

32. julz17ronald

Posts: 52; Member since: Apr 26, 2013

I have a G3 but I am serioulsy thinking of getting the S6 Edge later this year. I had a chance to play with the demo unit of S6 Edge and it's awesome. I am hoping that LG will do a better job with G4 especially with battery life and software optimization.

posted on Mar 27, 2015, 8:24 PM 0

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