The next big thing from LG, the LG G5, is just around the corner and set to arrive in Canada on April 8. Several Canadian carriers are already taking pre-orders, and it looks like Quebec-based Videotron opened up pre-orders on its website. According to their website, Videotron is following other carriers and offering a free LG Cam Plus (valued at $100) when you pre-order and then activate your new LG G5. Pricing starts at $179.95 on a two-year plan with a monthly cost of $79.95. The price goes up to $249.95 with a $69.95 two-year plan, and it will cost you $774.95 without a contract. You have your choice of Silver or Titan (darker gray).
All of Videotron’s plans include unlimited Canadian-wide calling, LTE anywhere in Canada, unlimited international and Canadian messaging (text, video and photo), caller ID and 35 monthly voicemails. Basic plans are $31.95 to $41.95 per month, Plus plans bump your cost to $46.95 or $54.95, and Videotron’s Premium plans run $64.95, $74.95 or $84.95 per month with 2GB, 3GB and 5GB of data, respectively.
The new LG G5 is an all-metal smartphone with a new innovative twist – you can press a button on the lower side and slide out the ‘chin’ of the device, where the battery resides and slide in a new battery or a module. The modules allow the LG G5 owner to add ‘options’ to enhance their device. For instance, the LG Cam Plus that comes as a freebie if you pre-order the LG G5 adds an extra 1,200mAh of battery life to the LG G5 as well as a two-step camera button, video record button and an LED to show the G5 is recording. It adds 25 grams to the overall weight, some bulk and an excellent way to grip the device, making it feel more like a camera rather than a smartphone. Another module is from Bang & Olufsen (B&O) – a DAC module called Hi-Fi Plus, offers 32-bit DAC that supports native DSD decoding, and upsampling of standard 16-bit files. It adds both a microphone and a speaker, and while it will work best with 24-bit and 32-bit files, it will improve the sound of whatever you are listening to on your device.
The premium specifications of the LG G5 coupled with the modules could make for an excellent combination and may sway some Galaxy S7 Edge buyers to try the LG G5.