LG announces pricing for G5 'Friends' accessories, available now
From a 360-degree camera to a VR headset and more, LG drops the official pricing and availability details for its G5 modular accessories revealed at Mobile World Congress.
LG took to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February to announce its new G5 smartphone, and although its processing speeds and battery life aren't good enough to knock the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge off their respective pedestals, we can't deny the convenience of its modular design.
Similar to the way homebrew users customize PCs builds, the LG G5 gives customers the ability to swap out parts and upgrade components just by popping the battery out of the bottom and installing a new module.
LG just announced that the four major companion accessories for the G5 are available now at participating retail locations, US carrier stores, and the LG online store. The offerings include:
LG Cam Plus
LG Cam Plus
The Cam Plus is essentially a camera grip, which physically gives you a better handle on the phone when you take pictures. It has a toggle switch to launch the camera, a digital-zoom dial, a physical shutter button, and a video recording button. In spirit, it's much like the Incipio Focal camera case or the Snappgrip for the Apple iPhone.
Available: Now (all carriers); in stores and online for $69.99
LG 360 Cam
LG 360 Cam
The 360 Cam has two lenses at the top, each with an angle of view of 200 degrees -- ample coverage for stitching together for a single spherical image. A shutter release just below the lens lets you quickly snap a 360-degree selfie or grab some 2K-resolution video. It can send media to your Android device via Bluetooth or you can connect it to a G5 and use the app to see your shots as a viewfinder.
Available: Now; in stores and online for $199.99
LG 360 VR
LG 360 VR
The 360 VR uses the processing power of the LG G5 to run the virtual experiences. However, instead of placing your phone directly into the headset and using the phone's screen as your window into virtual reality, the 360 VR -- complete with its own screen -- plugs into the G5 via a USB-C cable. The result is a lighter headset that works kind of like a pair of safety goggles, only less cool-looking.
Available: Now; in stores and online for $199.99
LG Tone Platinum HBS-1100
LG Tone Platinum HS-1100
The LG Tone Platinum is an updated version of the company's around-the-neck design, which -- love 'em or hate 'em -- have proven popular with consumers. The Platinum is treated to a balanced armature driver that is said to generate more detail with less distortion than a typical dynamic driver headphone, so according to LG you get a sound profile tuned for optimum performance across a range of frequencies.
Available: Now in lack, gold and silver colors; in stores and online for $199.99