The LG G5 hit stores Friday and is reportedly selling well in its home market of Korea. But as consumers get their hands on the 2016 flagship they may notice something peculiar. The device doesn’t appear to have the all-metal frame advertised by LG.
YouTube tech enthusiast JerryRigEverything shared a teardown of the LG G5, in which he uncovered the metal frame of the device, under a thick coating of plastic. Using a blade, the YouTube host was able to scrape away the plastic coating on the LG G5, and even wrote “subscribe” into the back panel of the device. He noted that at first glance, the LG G5 doesn’t look quite premium as rivals like the iPhone or the latest Samsung Galaxy device.
This topic has been something of an elephant in the room for many reviewing the LG G5. The smartphone has been hailed for its top-notch camera and it’s super sensitive, one-touch fingerprint sensor; however, few have pointed out the plastic.
Due to the removable bottom module on the LG G5, one can clearly see tons of metal inside the phone. But does an internal metal frame really count as a metal frame? LG seems to think so. The manufacturer is directing publications to its press release, which states “the insulative antenna is invisibly integrated into the body without disrupting the seamless look of the metal uni-body.”
So the LG G5 design aims to ensure the antenna functions properly, so the smartphone can actually retain the functionality of a phone. That still doesn’t explain why there is not one stitch of metal on the exterior of the device. LG has not commented further on the matter.
The LG G5 is now available at carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint and retailers including Best Buy and B&H.
