LG has today taken the wraps off the G3 A, a smaller version of its flagship smartphone that actually shares a lot of its hardware specs with last year's G2. The LG G3 A features a 5.2-inch 1080p display and is powered by a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, but it's packed into a G3-style body. On the software side you've got Android 4.4 KitKat with LG's latest smartphone UI, including KnockOn, Knock Code and its "smart" keyboard. The whole package is powered by a 2,610mAh battery, a smidgen more than the Korean G2, which used a 2,600mAh cell, and it'll set Korean buyers back 704,000 won (around $670).
The G3 A also inherits the G3's 13-megapixel camera with laser autofocus and metallic-backed design.
While many of us may be intrigued by the possibility of a slightly smaller G3, right now the G3 A is exclusive to Korea's SKT, with no suggestion of any wider launch.
LG G3 A specifications
| Category | Features |
|---|---|
| Size | 141 x 71.6 x 9.8 mm |
| Weight | 146.8g |
| Color | White, Titanium |
| Network | LTE-A, LTE |
| Chipset | Quad-core 2.26Ghz (Qualcomm Snapdragon 800) |
| Display | 5.2 "IPS Full HD |
| Camera | Rear 13 million pixels, OIS + Laser Auto Focus, Front 210 million pixels |
| Battery | Removable 2,610mAh |
| Memory | 32GB eMMC / 2GB LPDDR3 / Micro SD Slot Support |
| Operating System | Android Kitkat 4.4 |
| Other | Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, NFC |
Reader comments
Korea-bound LG G3 A boasts G3 features in a G2-sized body
I have g2 with g3 rom called cloudy g3. I rooted my phone using towel root. Installed custom recovery and rom in less than 30 mins without using computer. Everything is exactly same as g3. G2 is under 400 bucks on tmobile and online for sale.
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Does this have Gorilla glass? Really interested in it if so.
The size is just perfect to complement my Nexus 7.
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The title of the article is wrong.
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Or... Confusing. It's G2 specs in a G3 body... Right?
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No. It's G3 software features in a G2 body... I GOT IT NO WORRIES!
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Not enough for me to upgrade from the G2, but a good addition to the lineup and a better choice than the massive G3.
The size I had hoped the G3 would be.
If I could walk into T-Mobile and get the G3A today there's a good chance I'd take it over the GS5, M8, Nexus 5, G3 and Z1s. Based on how much I like my G2 anyway.
As an owner of the G2, I'm not sure why LG doesn't just update the UI to the G3 UI and sell it as the smaller version. Drop the price of it instead of releasing the G3 Beat & G3A and get it into people's hands. Why spend the R&D on these when you already have the perfect smaller counterpart to the G3.
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Wow why? Totally unnecessary.... Too expensive for last year spec.. Just buy a G2 for half of G3A's price...
Why not just buy a G2? I don't see the point here, hopefully the specs are wrong cause this doesn't really make any sense.
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G2 is considered an old model even though it's still a fantastic and relevant phone. Maybe LG sees this as a way to sell older inventory/cheaper parts, furthers their new G3 case design and flat UI into more of a branding for the company's mobile devices, and has what some would consider a far superior metal case.
Me? I'm happy with my G2. If it broke and I needed a new phone today i'd probably go for the G3A if it were available in the US because I like the size of the G2 more than the G3.
Why snapdragon 800?
Before people start, 800 is good enough. Whatever why not 801 when it's available.
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Man, that 210 megapixel front-facing camera sure will take some pretty good selfies.
I like this idea, though. Even with the tiny bezels, the G3's a little too big for my taste. I like the idea of cramming almost top of the line specs into slightly smaller phones. I would love to see something similar in the 4.7" range.
It's smaller than most 4.7in screen phones. That's the best part about the G3. If you cant handle a 5.2in phone then you have bigger or should I say smaller problems ....
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I had the G3 and it felt too big to me. I can also easily palm a basketball.
210 million _pixels_ as in 2.1 mp
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Really, Susan?
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So they're basically re-releasing the G2 with a couple new bells and whistles?
Yes
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So its a g2 with better camera. Less finger-printy shell and a g3 ROM??
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Rather a G3 w/ a G2 screen & battery
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Its really not. Less battery than the G2, same processor, same screen, same Camera just adds lazer autofocus. This is a G2 with a new shell that will die slightly quicker with 390 less mAh.
It has less battery because it's removable. Almost all phones in Korea have removable batteries.
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Ah I see that now. The Korean G2 has the same size removable battery. Thanks for the clarification.
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It's more suitable size and power, in my opinion.
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The G2 was fantastic. I would go so far as to say the only thing better about the G3 is the shell. Put a G2 in it, charge less and it's a win.
^^^^^This....!
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Lol G2 skin was one of the ugliest, at least they improved that on their latest skin.
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So what's the point here? So many variants... so unnecessary (at least from my perspective).
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Ehh, generally I'd agree, but this looks like a pretty solid second tier model... Basically a G2 with a slightly smaller battery but some more up to date upgrades like the G3 camera. Pricing may be whack but I've no clue what's normal for phones in SK. It's still better than a lot of other cut down mini variants of other flagship models tho. (e.g. HTC/Samsung)
Yup, this sounds like real upgrade from G2, but price seems quite close to G3 from what I Google'd, so that kinda kills it's point with these specs.
I hear that. Not everyone wants a 6" behemoth, I'd take this over a g3 any day.
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me too!
Yep would pick this over g3 , 1080p is good enough for me
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