LG G3 Beat leaks, looks like the G3 Mini in disguise

An LG phone with clear signs of G3 DNA has leaked in China, and all signs point towards it being the upcoming LG G3 Mini. Except it’s called the Beat.

Naming aside (we expect the UK moniker to change to Mini), we’re looking at a 5in 720p screen, a Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP camera and a smaller 2,540mAh battery.

Its 5in screen isn’t as miniature as its name suggests, making it barely bigger than the G2‘s 5.2in screen, and it’s substantially larger than the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact‘s 4.3in offering.

Its 720p resolution is a long way off the G3’s 2K display too, and there’s no mention of a laser autofocus sensor for the camera either.

Traditionally, ‘mini’ versions of flagship devices have always made sacrifices in the specs department to help reduce costs, and assuming the G3 Beat leak turns out to be accurate, Sony’s Z1 Compact remains as the only no-compromise small-sized phone.

The Motorola Moto G offers similar specs, sharing the G3 Mini’s processor RAM and screen resolution, although its 4.5in display, 5MP camera and smaller battery will probably mean that the G3 Mini will still be more expensive.

There’s no word on whether or not the G3 Beat will remain exclusive to China, but we expect to receive conformation in the near future, so stay tuned.

READ MORE: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact review

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.