The latest flagship offering from LG will be available locally from 15 April at selected stores, and will cost R11 799 prepaid.
The LG G5 smartphone is a modular device with a slide-out battery and optional add-on accessories.
A modular smartphone is made out of separate components, which enables users to replace or upgrade certain functions independently.
In the G5, a B&O sound system can be added by sliding a module into the phone case. Sliding in another module allows the phone, which is equipped with a 135-degree wide-angle lens, to be operated like a conventional camera. Other modules include a virtual reality headset and a personal home-surveillance robot.
LG Electronics SA GM Deon Prinsloo says the handset will be available from next week Friday, and select modules, or 'Friends' as LG has called them, will follow by the end of the month.
From 22 April, the Hi-Fi Plus, Cam Plus, 360 Cam and 360 VR will be available through Takealot.com. Prinsloo says the other Friends will hopefully be available from June.
Some contracts will come bundled with certain accessories, but will mostly be sold separately.
The following companion devices will only be available for the moment from Takealot.com at these estimated prices:
360 VR: R3 999
360 CAM (with case): R3 599
Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY (with pouch): R3 499
CAM Plus: R1 199
Power bank: R999
Extra battery: R699
Rolling Bot: Pricing available in June
TONE Platinum: Pricing available in June
H3 by B&O PLAY: Pricing available in June
LG SA says the G5 handset will come with a two-year warranty and each modular device has a one-year warranty. The electronics company is contracted to all major carriers, and repairs will be done within their existing systems and not directly with LG.
The LG Friends will only be compatible with the LG G5 device, with the exception of the Hi-Fi Plus which will work with other Android devices.
The handset is only available with 32GB internal storage in SA with an expandable micro-SD slot. It has an all metal body and features always-on display.
Prinsloo says LG decided to make a modular phone because there is no longer any large-scale innovation happening within the smartphone. "People spend a lot of time on their smartphones, and the Friends extend favourite features of the device.
"We are living in the age of consumer-driven content, and the LG add-on accessories help smartphone owners create from their own device," says Prinsloo.
LG G5 specifications:
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor
Display: 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display (2 560 x 1 440 / 554ppi)
Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM / 32GB UFS ROM / micro SD (up to 2TB)
Camera: Rear: Standard 16MP, Wide 8MP / Front: 8MP
Battery: 2 800mAh (removable)
OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Size: 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm
Weight: 159g
Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
Colours: Silver / titan / gold
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