Rumours that LG were planning to “pull a Nexus” and launch its G Pad 8.3 as the Nexus 8 were a little wide of the mark, BUT… LG is about to sell an unskinned “vanilla” Android Google Play Edition version of its 8.3-inch tablet direct through Google’s store. And considering that LG’s software customisations were one of the big minus points of the G Pad 8.3, that’s a very good thing.
Specs are pretty impressive, with the device containing a 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, the 8.3-inch display running and 1920 x 1200 resolution, 2GB of RAM and dual cameras (5MP and 1.3MP).
Rather sadly, as with the Google Play Edition devices from Samsung and HTC, this one’s only been confirmed for a US launch at this moment in time. But here’s the thing from LG all the same as we’re hopeful and keen on securing an extra inch at some point in the future:
LG ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER GOOGLE PLAY EDITION TABLET
LG G Pad 8.3 First Android Open Source Project Tablet Running Android 4.4 KitKat
SEOUL, Dec. 11, 2013 — The LG G Pad 8.3 from LG Electronics (LG) will be the first device ever to be designated a Google Play Edition tablet. Google’s first Android Open Source Project (AOSP) tablet will feature the latest Android operating system, Android™ 4.4, KitKat. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition reference device will be available for purchase starting today in the United States on Google Play™.
With the perfect combination of KitKat’s Full-screen Immersive mode and LG’s stunning 1920 x 1200 WUXGA Full HD IPS display, this special edition of LG G Pad 8.3 offers an optimal viewing experience. Apps can utilize every pixel on the G Pad 8.3 screen to create full-bleed UIs reaching edge to edge. With the ability to hide the system UI such as the status bar and navigation bar, this feature is ideal for rich visual content such as photos, videos, maps, books and games.
“LG’s working relationship with Google has always been strong and our collaboration on the first-ever Google Play Edition tablet is proof of that commitment,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is a device with hardware and software that has been optimized for a truly consumer-friendly experience. There’s nothing else like it out there in the marketplace.”
The LG G Pad 8.3 was designed based on insights from consumers resulting in a compact, modern-looking device accentuating sleek lines and subtle curves for comfortable holding with one hand. The powerful 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 600 CPU and 4,600mAh battery provide both performance and long-life between charges.
The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition will be available in glossy Indigo Black for USD 349.99. Availability in other countries has not yet been determined at this time.
Key Specifications:
• Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 600 Processor
• Operating System: Android™ 4.4, KitKat
• Display: 8.3-inch Full HD IPS WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels / 273 ppi)
• Memory: 16GB eMMC
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR2
• Camera: Rear 5.0MP / Front 1.3MP
• Battery: 4,600mAh
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• Size: 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3mm
• Weight: 338g
• Colors: Indigo Black
It’s smooth to use, the 1080p display is sharp, clear and bright, the device is extremely light and thin and therefore very pocketable and portable — much more so than other 5-inch phones we’ve used. And yet… we’re a bit unimpressed by the overall package…
A relatively high-spec smartphone, with a 4.5″ display running at 480 x 854 resolution and powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus the Ascend G510 arrives running Android 4.1.1 — albeit potentially hindered by Huawei only sticking 512MB of RAM inside it..
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
Baz
/ December 11, 2013me wanty but me sad no hdmi. and ironically i read the LG skin had some tablet-friendly features that were not half bad. Though all academic if we can’t get it in the UK
John vincent
/ December 15, 2013It has has slimport hdmi.
Supports otg cable too.
Baz
/ December 19, 2013Well, they’re keeping that well hidden. It’s not mentioned in any reviews. GSMArena lists it as a spec, but you don’t really want to rely on that, do you. There’s a couple of vids showing it in action, so I’ll check those out and then look for the manual, see if that talks about it.
Baz
/ December 20, 2013Gary, any chance you can do some sleuthing for the faithful? There is a YouTube’s showing the Slimport, but no mention of it in the manual, which leaves me deeply suspicious.
blowvis
/ December 31, 2013and I bet there they had to take out the sd card slot for the play edition model? ppl want sd card slots. not cloud. not huge data plans to compensate. and 16GB is so not even close to being enough space on a tablet or a phone. 64/128GB models should be standard.