LG G3 unboxed, in the flesh!

Just a several weeks after the launch of the LG G3 we attended in Singapore, the handset is set to be released in the Philippines on July 1. We also got a unit for review and immediately unboxed it.

Even during our first hands-on impressions of the handset weeks ago, we’re already impressed with several new features of the G3.

First, LG managed to make the back panel removable with a user-replaceable battery despite the fact that it has a thinner profile.

Second is the metallic finish of the polycarbonate material. We already like the build quality and finish of the G2 but with the G3, LG tried to create a brushed metal finish that makes the device look more premium and elegant.

Third is the QHD resolution of the 5.5-inch IPS display — 2560 x 1440; that’s the most number of pixels we’ve ever seen in any screen of a smartphone.

The images on the screen are superb, very refined even if we’re looking at very high-gradient, high-definition photos.

Fourth is the improved 13-megapixel rear camera that comes with optical image stabilization and lase autofucos. Based on our quick test, the camera is very fast and does well in low-light conditions (we’ll take more samples for this).

The back cover is removable which allows access to the micro-SIM card slot, the 3,000mAh battery and microSD card slot.

Those rear speakers are also pretty loud. Compared to the G2, the G3 is way better in the sound department.

If a 5.5-inch handset may seem to be a bit larger on the hands, the LG G3 doesn’t feel like it taking extra room. The narrow bezel and high screen-to-area ratio allows the G3 to be still comfortable holding with one hands.

The unit that we got is the metallic black color with 16GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM. We’re not that very sure if the other colors will also have the glossy, brushed-metal finish as the black one.

We’re also surprised that when LG split the variants of the G3, they had a different amount of RAM for the 32GB model while the 16GB one only has 2GB of RAM. Not a big deal but that could very well explain the reason for the pricing.

LG G3 (D855) specs:
5.5-inch QHD IPS display @ 2560×1440 pixels, 538 ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor
2GB/3GB DDR3 RAM
16GB/32GB internal storage
Expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD card
13MP rear camera with OIS, laser autofocus, and dual LED flash
2.1MP front camera
4G LTE
NFC
Wi-Fi 802.11ac, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast
Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX support
GPS w/ A-GPS support
Wireless Charging support
1-watt Speaker with Boost AMP technology
3000mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat
146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
149g
Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red

The suggested retail price for the 16GB is Php31,990USD 545INR 46,213EUR 519CNY 3,970 while the 32GB (with 3GB RAM) is Php35,990USD 613INR 51,991EUR 584CNY 4,466. The price difference between the two SKUs can be attributed more on the additional RAM, rather than the internal storage considering the unit can also accommodate up to 128GB of external storage.

LG Philippines has been taking pre-orders of the LG G3 for the July 1 release but get back to us by then and perhaps our full review is complete and published.