LG has made it quite clear that it is planning to launch another flagship smartphone this year, but we are still none the wiser about what it could be. Even beefier specifications, unique new features or a completey new design are all possible. However, according to ETNews, LG’s next smartphone could be named the G4 Pro and it might be made out of metal, rather than leather or plastic.

Apparently, LG is looking for a way to help differentiate the new handset from the regular G4, which already made a bit of a fashion statement with its assorted leather covers. Although this does beg the question, doesn’t LG have any other ideas to make its second flagship this year stand apart from the G4?

That’s probably a bit harsh of me, a metal finish is likely just another nice feature to add value to LG’s even more premium second flagship. However, LG usually tends to play it safe when it comes to making a substantial production change and has previously tested out new features and technologies on niche products, which ship in smaller amounts first.

LG is said to be undecided about whether to test the waters with a “niche” metal handset first or whether to dive straight on in with a metal G4 Pro.

LG no doubt wants to compete with Apple and Samsung on build quality, but can it sell enough handsets to justify the costs?

There are two reasons why LG may be hesitant about moving straight over to metal, the first is production costs and the other is quality.

The company is probably looking at the tried and tested press and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) processing method, like Samsung and Apple. However, LG will have to compete with the two larger companies for production capacity, which will likely leave them incurring higher costs than its competitors, due to smaller economies of scale.

This would end up increasing the price of LG’s final product. LG may be able to final an alternative, cheaper method of production, but then quality may not match up with competing products. LG no doubt wants to compete with Apple and Samsung on build quality, but can it sell enough handsets to justify the costs?

Even then, it remains to be seen if a metal case can help LG’s new phone stand out enough. There really is quite a lot to think about when moving over to a new production technique.

There are two reasons why LG may be hesitant about moving straight over to metal, the first is production costs and the other is quality.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any other details about what LG has planned for its “pro” handset later this year.

We have heard rumors regarding LG own line-up of processors, another new display, and the possibly of a larger handset to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Note line-up. LG already tested a device quite similar to this list year with the Korean exclusive LG G3 Screen, however the final G4 Pro hardware is still apparently very much up in the air.

What would you like to see from LG’s G4 Pro (or whatever it ends up being called)?