Don't fly like an LG G6: only US and Canada models will get wireless charging, only Asian ones will get Hi-Fi audio

by Peter Kostadinov / Feb 26, 2017, 7:55 AM

Don't fly like an LG G6: only US and Canada models will get wireless charging, only Asian ones will get Hi-Fi audio

LG described its weird decision to make certain appealing features of its new G6 flagship exclusive to select markets the result of an extensive research. And we're not sure we're liking that.

Yes, you read that right, not all G6 units that will be out and about will be equal in terms of features. As LG described it, there will be two main versions of the G6: one with wireless charging and another one with a Hi-Fi DAC.

Wireless charging

Only the US version (UPDATE: And the Canadian one too!) of the LG G6 will support wireless charging. LG described its decision to make this feature exclusive to these markets only due to local consumers' love for this charging solution. G6 users sporting a different unit will have to resort to wired charging like it's 2007. At least Quick Charging 3.0 is present on all units - a minor consolation price!

Hi-Fi DAC

LG G6 with Hi-Fi DAC on board for high-quality audio will only be sold in South Korea and select other Asian markets. Again, LG claimed that this move was necessary due to the local consumers love for higher quality audio. Again, this data is coming from a research LG made on its own.

Other differences

The LG G6 that hit the shelves in South Korea, Asia (except Optus and Telstra models in Australia), India, and CIS (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) will come with 64GB of native storage, whereas the rest get a measly 32GB. A dual-SIM G6 will reportedly make an appearance in select markets later on, too.

From what we can gather, there doesn't seem to be a G6 unit that simultaneously features both a Hi-Fi DAC and wireless charging. There is no info on a possible subsequent release of such a version of the phone, either. We can't lie - as much as we like the G6, we find LG's marketing strategy a bit disappointing, especially in this regard. The G6 would have been a way better phone if it came with all the features in the all the markets it's going to be available on.

How do you feel about that?

LG G6

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.7

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User Rating:

8.5

Based on 18 Reviews

Display 5.7" 1440 x 2880 pixels

Camera 13 MP / 5 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, Quad-core, 2350 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3300 mAh(20.5h talk time)

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41 Comments

3. wando77

Posts: 1168; Member since: Aug 23, 2012

Why do you care what features it does it doesn't have? You're just going to slag it off and tell people the king of bezels is better anyway

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:02 AM 1

36. mikehunta727 unregistered

What a silly statement

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:45 AM 3

4. Mreveryphone

Posts: 1850; Member since: Apr 22, 2014

The G6 seems rushed... Looks like I was right when I said the V30 will be LG's flagship of 2017... I'm sure the G6 will perform fine but why fragment different specs for different countries? Just doesn't make sense.... Especially with the internal storage...

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:03 AM 12

5. tango_charlie

Posts: 347; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

So there could be a LG 6 with 64GB, Dual SIM support, Wireless Charging and Hi-Fi DAC all in one device?! and they don't offer it??? FAIL!!!

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:05 AM 11

6. surethom

Posts: 1731; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

There research is so wrong the UK wants wireless charging it is not used much because lack of it on phone & once the iPhone comes with it this year every cafe will add it to there premise.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:07 AM 1

7. Lenny86

Posts: 301; Member since: Sep 20, 2012

F.C.U.K.!Lol Lg decides who likes and what.good to know they are mind readers.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:08 AM 5

8. Arch_Fiend

Posts: 3951; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

I'm still hoping LG will launch some sorta G6 Deluxe or whatever with the SD835 when it becomes available to them and perhaps while they are at it, they can combine both wireless charging and hi-fi audio into one phone.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:08 AM 1

12. det_bradlee

Posts: 163; Member since: Jun 08, 2015

They got it right. In the US, and I will never use headphones on my cell. I do however ALWAYS wirelessly charge my phone.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:18 AM 1

34. jmonteiro829

Posts: 270; Member since: Feb 13, 2012

You sir...are in the minority.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:29 AM 1

39. aegislash

Posts: 1535; Member since: Jan 27, 2015

You never use headphones with your cell phone? So huh...you're one of those rude, inconsiderate people who listens to music from the built-in speaker in public places?

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 2:12 PM 0

14. liberalsnowflake

Posts: 273; Member since: Feb 24, 2017

Lol lg you trolled your small following fanboy base .

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:22 AM 8

20. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

64GB - only available in select Asian markets Quad DAC - select markets only FM radio - select markets only Wireless charging - US only Cheap, 2015 image sensor - all markets WTF LG. Love the screen and (sea)waterproofing though, but I'm really disappointed with the combination of 2015 (!) IMX258, 32GB, SD821 and 3300 mAh.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:36 AM 2

26. Tyrion_Lannister unregistered

FM radio in phones is a software limitation, not hardware. If the manufacturers want, they can add it via a software update. However, those assholes won't do it to promote online radio stations.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:48 AM 3

30. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

True, it's mostly a software limitation, but not always as e.g. Samsung grounds the antenna pin in their Exynos chipsets. It's sad indeed that manufacturers and carriers force the consumers to use streaming services..

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:08 AM 1

42. thunder18

Posts: 156; Member since: Aug 06, 2009

Both my G4 and V20 have working FM receiver. However, carriers in the US are able to dictate to the manufacturer whether or not to disable it. Typically, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T leave it enabled, but Verizon disables it for some odd reason. Probably to increase your chances of blowing through your data allotment. Of course now that they offer "unlimited" again, perhaps they will see fit to re-enable them.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 4:48 PM 0

21. kylooski

Posts: 4; Member since: Feb 21, 2016

WTF LG ?! Why Hi-Fi audio would only be available for selected Asian markets ?

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:36 AM 1

24. jellmoo

Posts: 2660; Member since: Oct 31, 2011

I don't care at all about wireless charging, and barely about a Hi-Fi DAC. What I do care about is a flagship phone, going for a flagship price, with only 32GB of storage. That's a trend that needs to stop in 2017.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:40 AM 1

27. Sealblaighter

Posts: 432; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

I believe we will still be able to buy the high quality Hi-Fi Audio version online, when the phone will go on sale.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:49 AM 0

28. blehkwide

Posts: 22; Member since: Feb 24, 2016

Sounds like bogus research, more like cost cutting here and there

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 8:50 AM 1

29. ashrafalhujaili

Posts: 73; Member since: Oct 03, 2014

what about middle east ! i guess it will not get any of these it will come with 32gb , 4 gb ram and no HiFi and no wirless charging LG is a mess

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:02 AM 3

35. liberalsnowflake

Posts: 273; Member since: Feb 24, 2017

I thought you already had note 7 there in large quantities. I guess i was wrong

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:42 AM 0

31. Shubham1221

Posts: 153; Member since: Jul 29, 2015

This is not right approach.Just give all the features in one phone.I think Lg G6 has no ground to stand against upcoming galaxy S8.It has old processor and also cut short features depending on specific regions.I haf high hopes with Lg G6 but sadly it doesnt meets my expectations.If u keep aside the screen and aspect ratio,it just follows the samsung path by having glass back and non removable battery.Glass back is so impractical and fingerprint magnet and forces users to put a protective cover on it.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:12 AM 1

32. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

but why? to reduce cost? :-/

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:16 AM 0

33. Joosty

Posts: 491; Member since: Mar 14, 2013

This is malarkey!!!!! I'd rather have better audio any day! The reason I am even using the V20. EFF wireless charging. This is ridiculous.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 9:28 AM 1

37. Macready

Posts: 1830; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

So Europe gets the stripped version : no great DAC, no wireless charging. Nice move, good luck selling that thought.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 12:01 PM 0

38. jest30

Posts: 3; Member since: Feb 26, 2017

So europe will get completly stripped device and we will have the highest price of all? (and 2y garantie true). I am also assuming no headphones cos we dont listen to music. And judging by G4/V10 (not to mention flex line) 1 year of updates? Yeah thx LG, moving on...

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 1:49 PM 1

40. aegislash

Posts: 1535; Member since: Jan 27, 2015

Audio quality isn't something I've ever really cared about, nor is wireless charging (I've yet to shell out any money on a wireless charging pad for any of my Galaxy devices to date) If Samsung's announcement next month on the 29th ends up being disappointing, than the LG G6 will be my next device. Hell, even if I love the S8/S8+, I still might pick up a G6 to use alongside it because I am so in love with everything about this phone.

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 2:15 PM 0

41. yalokiy

Posts: 1116; Member since: Aug 01, 2016

Lol, so Europe will get the worst version for the highest price!

posted on Feb 26, 2017, 4:02 PM 0

43. Otacon

Posts: 1; Member since: May 21, 2017

Here in Europe, we actually get NONE of the options. wtf lg ??? really ? that's a pass for me. I was really looking forward to this model but this is just stupid

posted on May 21, 2017, 11:32 AM 0

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