Not only does the G5 finally switch to a metal body, but LG has chosen to go with a modular design, which it says allows you to transform your G5 into a “digital camera, hi-fi player, and more.”
LG revealed only two such modules:
- CAM Plus: This camera can be attached through the battery slot to “deliver a comfortable grip and convenient control of a DSLR.” The LG CAM Plus offers auto focus, exposure lock, and provides physical buttons for power, shutter, record, and zoom. It also gives the G5 additional battery capacity of 1,200mAh.
- Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play: This portable Hi-Fi audio player developed in collaboration with B&O Play supports 32-bit, 384KHz high-definition audio playback. It can be used as a module with the LG G5 or even as a separate Hi-Fi digital audio chip (DAC) that connects to any smartphone or PC.
Furthermore, the G5 has an always-on display so you can check the time, battery status, and your notifications without waking the phone. LG says the display’s backlight only illuminates one small part of the overall display, which translates into the always-on section draining only 0.8 percent of the phone’s battery every hour.
- 360 CAM: Connects to the LG G5 for shooting 360-degree content. It features two 13MP wide angle cameras, built-in 1,200mAh battery, 4GB of internal memory, a manual mode, 2K video, and 5.1 surround channel recording via three microphones. Images taken with the 360 CAM can be uploaded to Google Maps Street View and YouTube.
- 360 VR: This virtual reality headset can be connected exclusively to the G5. The foldable goggles are meant for watching VR content on the go, and LG claims the accessory is “one-third as heavy as competing smartphone VR goggles.” Presumably, Google Cardboard is excluded from this claim, though the 360 VR is compatible with Cardboard content and 360-degree images and videos captured with the LG 360 CAM.
- Rolling Bot: This is a ball camera. It rolls around, capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera connectable via Wi-Fi. LG claims the Rolling Bot isn’t “just a toy” and “can be used as a security system for the home, pet care companion as well as a remote controller for compatible home appliances.”
- Tone Platinum: A Bluetooth headset with “superior” sound quality (Harman Kardon Platinum grade). LG has deemed it “the world’s first Bluetooth headset equipped with aptX HD codec,” which means lossless 24-bit audio.
- Smart Controller: Control drones, watch a drone’s video stream through the LG G5 in real time, and generally move other smart devices that LG has yet to reveal.
- H3 by B&O Play: High-end earphones that deliver 32-bit sound. Unlike the other accessories, this one is compatible with all LG smartphones.
