LG G5 will have modular slot add-ons

The modular ecosystem will reportedly be called “G5 and Friends”.

Perhaps most exciting are a pair of devices aiming to buoy LG’s virtual reality cred, although the concept of VR here is seemingly used rather loosely, with functionality that’s probably better described as immersive video.

While you may have heard about the upcoming G5’s apparent “Magic Slot”, details about what it actually does have been fairly scant so far. A new leaked image has surfaced online indicating that the G5 will support modules it can be augmented with. The attachments will be controlled by an app known as LG Friends Manager.

Aside from enhancing sound quality, the DAC will also improve the audio routed through it from other connected Android devices or PCs. It serves as a balancing grip, provides hardware buttons for things like shutter, zoom, and flash, and includes a 1100mAh battery.

The second module, the Digital Audio Converter, is the result of a partnership with Bang and Olufsen to develop a high quality audio module. It is also said that other devices will be able to connect to the Hi-Fi Plus module in order to enhance their audio, which sounds a bit sketchy at this point. However, assuming that LG has more expansion modules in the works for a future release, could this be considered the Korean tech giant’s first attempt at bringing modular smartphones to consumers?

The LG 360 VR as per the report will include nine-axis sensors along with a 83-degree lens with its own LCD display.

Reportedly, the LG Cam Plus and Hi-Fi Plus will be the only Magic Slot modules to be showcased during the LG G5’s launch at MWC 2016. That would make sense for LG considering they place great emphasis on the camera experiences for their flagship phones.

These products will all be revealed at a press conference on February 21, though they may not be available for purchase until as late as April.