The next Android flagship, likely in vanilla flavor, is rumored to be the LG G6, which according to reports is a huge departure from the LG G5 in terms of build and design. Gone will be the modular form factor and in exchange the device is said to boast of wireless charging and water resistant features.
While the ability to expand or easily replace battery was an appreciated element of the LG G5 the feature failed to lure in buyers in great numbers so it will be skipped in time for the sequel's rollout time. The G6, according to GSM Arena, will sport "a sealed body and seamless design."
And as expected, the one key benefit that would-be LG G6 buyers will gain is protection against water damage. But to be clear, the upcoming LG handset is getting an IP68 certification, meaning the phone is water resistant and not waterproof. Sure, the device can withstand not only liquid splashes but also underwater submersion but there will be limits likely in the way seen with the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Apple iPhone 7.
As proof that LG is already working on giving the G6 protection against liquid intrusions, "industry insiders have stated that LG Electronics might require the services of Japan's DIC, Hitachi, US 3M and Germany's Henkel in providing the Korean firm with a supply of waterproof adhesives," WCCFTech reported.
GSM Arena noted too that the same feature is not new to LG as the device maker "has a good track record of enhanced protection against splashes and shocks," specifically with the LG V-series handsets and the most recent of which are LG V20 and the Japan-only LG V34.
In addition to water resistant, the G6 is thought to be shipped with built-in wireless charging but the exactly implementation remains unknown.
Under the hood, it is believed that the G6 main engine is Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 835 that in recent reports is said to be rocking Kryo 200 CPU in 8-core configuration and an Adreno 540 GPU. Likely, the RAM support for the SoC is between 6GB and 8GB.
Nothing is written in stone for now but the LG G6 is rumored for introduction using the MWC 2017 in Barcelona that will kick off February 27. And as former maker of three Pure Android handsets in the past (the Nexus 4, 5 and 5X), the chance is there that the LG G6 in release date will unbox in near-vanilla Android state.