Sprint recently added support for its CallingPlus feature to LG’s G6, but the carrier isn’t exactly crowing about it.
Phone Arena reported that LG’s latest flagship became the fourth smartphone to support CallingPlus, which is a Sprint brand for technology that uses Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE and enables customers to use voice and data simultaneously when on its LTE network or via Wi-Fi. The other phones to support CallingPlus are the Samsung J7 Perx, the LG Stylo 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8+, the website reported.
Sprint didn’t respond to requests for comment from FierceWireless.
“With Calling Plus, you can browse the internet and use other apps that require data services while you are on a call,” the carrier explains on a web page touting the benefits of the service. “Calling Plus includes Wi-Fi calling, which allows you to call or message from almost anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi calling provides enhanced coverage in locations with limited or no mobile network coverage. Calling Plus enables calls to automatically switch between networks as needed to keep your conversation going.”
Interestingly, Sprint appears to have done little to market the new feature, and hasn’t issued a press release or other announcement publicizing the service.
Support for CallingPlus on the LG G6 is reportedly being rolled out through an over-the-air update that also includes an Android security patch. The deployment will take place over the next few days, though customers may manually install the update through their phone settings apps.
The 6G has received generally positive reviews but reportedly hasn’t sold as well as some industry insiders had expected. LG said in July that it had seen “weaker than expected” sales of its premium smartphone line and had struggled with rising component costs as it fought to gain market share against Samsung and several up-and-coming Chinese manufacturers.