We’ve talked a lot about the confusing narrative coming out of LG over the past month. Are they going to introduce new phones or wait a while and do so when they see the right opportunity? Will they seriously just re-release their 2017 phones to try and stop the mobile bleeding? The answer to both of those questions may be “Yes,” according to the latest announcement from the company.
Last night through a press release, LG announced that the LG G6 is back and prettier than ever, thanks to a bunch of new colorways. In other words, yes, LG is doubling down on last year’s phones to start this year. Don’t believe me? Here’s the title from the press release:
LG TO BRIGHTEN CONSUMERS’ LIVES IN 2018 WITH UNIQUE AND EXCITING SMARTPHONE COLORS
LG isn’t saying, “Hey, we’re about to bring you the heat and continue working on what’s next, so have some shiny new colors for a bit.” That line says, “We’re lost at the moment, so hopefully some exciting colors on our old phones that we won’t name in this title because they are old, will do the trick. We have nothing else to announce, possibly for a while.”
The LG G6 will soon be available in Moroccan Blue, Lavender Violet and Raspberry Rose, matching the color availability of the LG V30. Those new colors will be available in Korea in February, followed by additional markets thereafter.
Understand that I’m not kidding. The LG G6 is back in 2018 in new colors and nothing about the phone’s internals have changed. It still has a QHD display, dual cameras, and the same design you remember from a year ago.
Good morning, also.
// LG
You’re tempting fate when you but old LG devices.
And wasn’t the G6 announced with a 2016 SoC in 2017? That means it would have a nearly 2 year old processor in a 2018 purchase.
#FAIL
At least they can just focus on these phones.
They have to keep the price down. $400 for a G6 and I think they can still sell decently at that price. They’ll have to drop the price on the V30 also though. Big thing is marketing. If people don’t know about it they still won’t buy it. The carriers tuck them in a corner or don’t even have them out.
I got my G6 on a bogo in august. Essentially $250 each, steal of a deal for that price and fully intend to run it for at least another 8-10 months until I see if anything coming out is worth buying. Its a rock solid device. But they are going to have to get this thing on 8.0 ASAP.
Idk why more companies don’t do what apple does and keep the same shell, with upgraded internals. It has to be cheaper to do it like that. Then add another change like new colors, and you’re good to go.
I’m personally think the bodies of the G6 and V30 would still cut it in 2018
What’s the price point on these things? $500-$550 before any promotions would make it enticing for 1 yr old flagship features (whatever they are).
I personally wouldn’t object to a two year release cycle instead of annual. It would allow for new versions to not just be incrementally better than the last, but vastly superior; a true upgrade.
Additionally, at the point of current technology I think software innovations are becoming more important than hardware and thus putting more focus on it instead of a new flagship every year I think would benefit everyone.
And, Moore’s law wouldn’t be effected, we just wouldn’t get such a granular view of it in progress as we do now.
Depends right? The G4 was mediocre and the G5 was even worse so it makes the G6 seem like such a huge leap. If you compare the Galaxy S6 to the S9, it doesnt seem like such a huge upgrade since those phones were superb to begin with. Of course the cameras will be better, but that should be the norm at this point for a manufacturer that is trying.
You mean s6 to s8 right? Every two would have skipped the s7 which WAS only slightly better than the s6 primarily in the refinement of that design.
But, the s8 is significantly better in design, function and refinement of the design first seen in the s6.
I have no doubt the s9 will only be a slight improvement over the s8. But, imagine how much better the next s would be if they skipped 2018 and released the s9 in 2019?
Apple has been doing it for years by releasing the S variant the next year. It has identical external hardware and design with just slightly refreshed internals to keep up with performance trends. LG could do this too if they don’t want to be left behind in the processor wars.
Not a bad idea too
How long until the devices are abandoned update-wise?
They basically already have been….
Another Android OEM going down the toilet.
This should come with a massive discount. Let’s not forget the phone also in early 2017 launched with the 821.
Unlocked at $400 Max and I’d consider it.
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1708829/tumblr_m1rkum8XXW1rqfhi2o1_500.gif
That Moroccan Blue looks pretty damn good.
If they put lower price and offer better update process, I don’t see anything bad with this.
Instead of losing money on new models that can’t compete with offers from Samsung and Apple, polish the old but good ones and try to recoup money.
They could have at least put the 835 in the phone since the G6 launched with an 821.
Going into 2018 with a 2017 phone that uses a 2016 processor. Okay LG, now that you have your foot directly in your sights, apply a slow steady squeeze to the trigger…
They’d still miss their foot.
The G6 was crap when it first came out last year. Why would they think it’d be just as good this year?
Except it wasn’t crap last year. It was a pretty good phone.
No. No it wasn’t. It came out with 2016 tech in 2017.
And I had one for two days. It was crap.
I know for the DroidLifians, this is the end of the world, but for a company that is hemorrhaging, this makes sense. Let’s face it, 90% of the purchasing population doesn’t know what processor they are using and don’t care. I know we all want the latest and greatest, but I think a large portion of the purchasing public don’t. If the price of these phones drop along with the new colors, this is a good move.
i’d be willing to bet that those who don’t know about processor, walk in the store ready to buy a Galaxy, b/c it’s what they are already familiar with. Therefore, those who do know about processors skip LG G6 b/c they know it’s 2 yrs old at this point. Price and comfort would be a determining factor in the end. Comfortable in the brand name and reputation.
LG is pulling an Ubisoft? Won’t work like origins did.
I love my LG G6!
It’s a snappy little phone that meets my needs even if I do have to charge the battery twice daily. We are such a wasteful consumerism society always needing, not wanting, something new and shiny. Sad
I see nothing wrong with not introducing a new phone every year. Take a gap year in hardware but I do believe if a company does that then push out an amazing software update during that year to give users some fun and useful apps and functions.
You have to charge it twice a day? That’s absolutely pathetic.
Aren’t they selling these at cost or a loss anyway?
I absolutely loved my G2 back in the day but nothing since then has been able to capture my attention.
I love my V30 but I sometimes question my decision in going with LG. They just sound like they don’t care anymore.
I think they care. The real problem is they don’t have a clear direction within their mobile division, and they don’t seem able to get anywhere near the level of advertising it takes to match what Samsung does.
All I care about is software. The V30 is a great device. I just don’t want them to abandon last years devices during this whole process.
From the company standpoint, they make money from television sales. So why invest in something that is making other companies money, but not ours. But hopefully, by focusing on rehashing the same phone, this will result in them supporting it longer.
Well if they made a name for themselves in keeping their devices up to date and supporting them longer, people will be more inclined to buy an LG device. That’s the biggest problem with most OEMs right now.
And what I’m saying is, hopefully now they will. If they won’t be focusing on the hardware side with big releases. Now they’ll support the older models more. And as you stated, this isn’t unique to LG. But maybe this will turn the tide? If consumers see support from LG, then they can start buying with confidence.
I agree and I hope they do focus more on software now that they aren’t concentrating on a new device every year. Fingers crossed because I actually do like LG devices.
With Oreo hopefully.
HaHa
The G6 and V30 were really good phones(except for the thickness of the G6). Just makes you wonder though what LG could possibly do to recover their mobile division. I preferred the LGs until Samsung eliminated the physical buttons. If they can improve their UI I would be inclined to return.
i’d buy that for a dollar.
Guessing it’ll hit the $0.99 contract bin at Best Buy pretty quickly. Phones need to be refreshed every year to compete in the US, I’m not sure what LG is thinking.
This is undoubtedly the best plan for their mobile division right now. Why spend the resources on something that just isn’t working?
Well, it’s still $28/month for the Verizon variant there ($672).
Waaaaayyyy too much.
“Phones need to be refreshed…”
Do they? Do they, really? Maybe from a consumer standpoint of, “I MUST HAVE THE NEW ONE!” But that’s not a need. That’s a want. I think LG is being conservative. They know they won’t be Samsung by playing Samsung’s game. So lets not waste time, money, effort, and most importantly supplies (AMOLED screens). Good on them for not buying into the mass stupidity of American consumerism.
I know this mass consumerism is what has allowed for sites like this to be made, so sorry for pissing in your cheerios. But, in reality, we need to chill out on this “need” nonsense. It’s resulting in wastelands of computer parts.
Honestly, I’m not sure I feel the need to due a full refresh every year anymore. What’s really substantially changed over the past three years?
I might be biased because I have my Nexus 6 as a daily driver running an 8.1 Oreo ROM and it’s smoking fast and reliable. The only thing I REALLY wish it had was a fingerprint sensor, but even the camera is better with this ROM! It’s AICP 13.1, BTW.
I believe G6 is the best phone for the buck right now. Just ordered one for 390€.
Like literally for a dollar?
I’m going to wait for the 6000 SUX edition…