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Rumours suggest the LG G4 will come equipped with a stylus

by Mark Tyson on 30 December 2014, 10:50

Tags: LG Electronics (066570.KS), PC

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A recent report quoting unconfirmed sources from Asia, says that LG's upcoming flagship, the LG G4 smartphone, will be equipped with stylus functionality. If true the next flagship smartphone from LG will be pitched not only at competing with the Samsung flagship S series but also with Samsung's Galaxy Note range.

The rumour follows hot on the heels of LG's recent trademark filling for the 'LG G Pen', which hinted heavily that the company is working on either a stylus accessory or a device which comes with a stylus. In addition to suggesting the stylus feature, the report also advises that the G4 will sport a 5.3-inch QHD display with very narrow bezels, similar to the G3. Internally, it will be kitted out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU, 4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB storage variations.

The smartphone space isn't overflowing with stylus equipped handsets despite the average size of smartphones approaching similar dimensions to the Galaxy Note range. If the rumours are true, it looks like LG will have a shot at emulating the success of the Samsung S Pen through the new model in its flagship G series. To do so, LG would have to work hard on its G Pen to bring meaningful pen software features to appeal to end users.

At present, we are taking the rumours with a pinch of salt as there's not much solid evidence about a stylus (as standard) equipped G4. LG did produce a stylus equipped G3 smartphone earlier this year, the G3 Stylus, but it was a niche geographic market device with the focus of sales and promotions, at least here in the west, aimed at the standard G3 sales. Of course, with CES and MWC just around the corner, we will be keeping our eyes open for more information regarding this and other big name mobile devices.



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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Fliping heck - 2003 all over again.
Remember when you could use a phone with one hand?
Brian224
Remember when you could use a phone with one hand?

Good times. And they still can't fit a full size SD slots and user replaceable batteries.
the report also advises that the G4 will sport a 5.3-inch QHD display with very narrow bezels, similar to the G3. Internally, it will be kitted out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU, 4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB storage variations.
Ok, so that's a smaller screen than the phone this G4 replaces (the current G3 has a 5.5“ screen). Like the 4GB of RAM, but usually when a company quotes 32GB/64GB SKU's they also follow it up with ”and no microSD slot". In which case, count me out.
The smartphone space isn't overflowing with stylus equipped handsets despite the average size of smartphones approaching similar dimensions to the Galaxy Note range. If the rumours are true, it looks like LG will have a shot at emulating the success of the Samsung S Pen through the new model in its flagship G series. To do so, LG would have to work hard on its G Pen to bring meaningful pen software features to appeal to end users.
The Note's pressure-sensitive stylus is a good idea for sketching and the like. If LG's stylus is also pressure-sensitive then that's fine. On the other hand if it's a “dumb” pointing device then I've go to wonder why you'd bother.
If the G4 does have a stylus, what I'd like to see is some kind of note taking app that was available from the home screen directly (i.e. no need to unlock). Even ignoring the positive benefit of being able to take a quick note without having to use PIN, KnockOn, etc, there's all those poor folks using their phone's note taking app for shopping lists - how much nicer if you could read/update your list by just turning the phone on, rather than having to unlock first (or leave it lit up).
semo
Good times. And they still can't fit a full size SD slots and user replaceable batteries.
Why would you want a full sized SD slot - if all you want is some way to extend the storage, what's wrong with “normal” microSD? Only folks I can see with a use for full sized SD would be photographers, and even then you can get USB-OTG card readers. LG's current G3 has a user-replaceable battery, and I'd have second thoughts about buying a phone for long-term use that didn't allow an easy replacement of the battery.
crossy
Ok, so that's a smaller screen than the phone this G4 replaces (the current G3 has a 5.5“ screen). Like the 4GB of RAM, but usually when a company quotes 32GB/64GB SKU's they also follow it up with ”and no microSD slot". In which case, count me out.

While it is smaller than the G3, they would be able to push it as an increase in screen dpi and at the same time give them a bit more room if they intend to bring out a 6" or similar model alongside it.