LG’s new G4 phones to sport leather backs

April 28, 2015
LG's latest G4 smartphone (Courtesy of LG Electronics)

LG’s latest G4 smartphone (Courtesy of LG Electronics)

NEW YORK (AP) — LG is making smartphones with leather backs as it seeks to distinguish its phones from Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones.

The message at Tuesday’s announcement of the new G4: We’re not like the others.

Apple and Samsung dominate the smartphone market, with LG and other companies vying for third place with market shares of less than 5 percent each.

The G4 phones will have a choice of leather finishes, crafted for a better grip. By contrast, Apple and HTC use metal and Samsung uses glass. LG made a dig at Samsung, without naming it, by pointing out that glass can be marred with fingerprints.

LG also boasts a better camera with manual controls typically limited to full-bodied SLR cameras.

LG Electronics Inc. didn’t immediately announce prices or release dates.