The LG G5 Is the Most Mysterious Flagship Not-Yet-Released

LG has been making weird statements about its LG G5 flagship before its announcement on February 21st. And not just weird for LG, weird for smartphones in general. Either they're going to be changing the LG G5 drastically from its predecessors, or we're getting fooled. If everything they say is true, the LG G5 could be the most unconventional flagship I've seen in a long time.

First weird change for LG, they're switching their volume buttons to the side of the phone. This isn't normally weird, but since the LG Optimus G, LG has been committed to its back-button design. LG has toted in its advertisements how it's the "perfect placement" for buttons as that's where your index finger naturally sits. It's odd that they would change something so iconic to the brand that LG has built over the years. Some leaks say this could be because of a possible second camera on the back, while others hint at a fingerprint sensor. Maybe even both. The reasoning for this change is blurry, but it is something we know for sure.

If you didn't think that was too weird, just wait. The LG G5 has been leaked to have a metal unibody design, while at the same time keeping its removable battery and expandable storage. Usually, it's one or the other, but LG has some weird plans for the G5. Reports show that they're planning on having a sort of metal "cap" on the bottom of the device that allows access to the battery and SD card port.

Last weird leak is LG teasing an "always-on" display for the G5. Many news sites are comparing this to how some other devices, like Motorola, have displays that light up just a portion of the display to show information like the time and your notifications. The way LG is teasing this, I don't think that's it. Those other devices are not always-on, they just turn on when you pick them up or other similar action. What it looks like LG is doing is something like what Pebble does with its e-paper displays, or the low power mode on Android Wear watches. That is, the display really never turns off. If that's true, it could be an incredible innovation for smartphones that I can see a lot of manufacturers adopting. 

So whatever LG is doing with the G5, it's going to be drastically different than its past flagships. LG is probably hoping to make a real competitor to Samsung's Galaxy S7, but personally, I can't see them doing that without a huge software overhaul. LG's Android skin is one of the worst I've seen, and when Samsung—once notorious for having a bad skin—is far better than you, it's time to step  up.

Sources: Verge, Android Authority, Droid Life