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Exclusive: Leaked LG G3 screens show fresh UI, confirm ‘concierge’ service, and more

Check out our full written LG G3 review.

A new, modern UI for LG’s upcoming G3 has been revealed in three new screenshots, obtained by Digital Trends from a trusted industry source. The screens show flatter and brighter icons, a revamped weather widget with built-in suggestions, a much cleaner looking notifications screen, and circular icons (a new trend).

Notably, the screenshots came to us with a 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution, which is near confirmation that the G3 will have a stunning 1440p resolution screen. LG will be the first major smartphone vendor to push a higher screen resolution in more than a year.

(Be sure to check out our extensive LG G3 Rumor Roundup if you’d like to learn everything else we know about the G3.)

Say hello to LG’s “concierge”

The new AccuWeather widget has a built-in "concierge" that will give you tips. Here it tells you to carry an umbrella.
The new AccuWeather widget has a built-in “concierge” that will give you tips. Here it tells you to carry an umbrella.

Check out the AccuWeather weather and time widget and you’ll notice the squared-off edges, and subtle shading. Underneath, you’ll see the phone advising you: “You may want to take an umbrella, since rain is expected during this afternoon.”

We’ve heard rumors about the G3 coming with some form of advanced personalization tool. According to our sources, it will be part of a new “concierge” service, though that’s not its final name. The “concierge” will collect information from various sources and observe how you use the phone, then provide recommendations based on all that data. It sounds like Google Now, but we’ve been told it will go beyond Google’s system.

Recommending an umbrella when it’s going to rain isn’t a crazy hard suggestion to make, but the “concierge” will supposedly have deeper insights to share as it learns your habits. We do not know if LG is working with Google on this feature or not.

A revamped notification drawer, and favorite contacts

The other screens show a Favorite Contacts panel, plus the pull-down notification drawer. Here, shortcuts to activate NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the 3G or 4G data connection are all visible, along with a Q Remote button. LG has used Q Remote on various devices over the years, including the LG G2, and it uses an infrared blaster to control other appliances around the home.

The G3 and G Pro 2 side-by-side

Next to the LG G Pro 2's home screen, the G3's look is striking.
Next to the LG G Pro 2’s home screen, the G3’s look is striking.

These images give you a look at exactly how much LG is changing the design of its UI. After looking at the new interface, the G Pro 2 (most LG phones have an identical interface) looks old and outdated, much like iOS 6 looks after you’ve used iOS 7 on the iPhone.

This comparison shows how much cleaner and simpler the Notifications screen is on the new G3 compared to the G Pro 2.
This comparison shows how much cleaner and simpler the Notifications screen is on the new G3 compared to the G Pro 2.

On the notification screen, the big, blocky buttons have been replaced by smaller, round ones, and the QSlide shortcuts are no longer overly complicated. It’s clear LG has been inspired by the alterations Apple made to iOS 7, but it’s an attractive trend to follow. Google is supposedly considering a flatter look for its Android icons as well.

You can check out all the other news and rumors regarding the LG G3 in our extensive roundup here, and look forward to the device’s launch over the coming months.

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