LG Electronics gave its flagship G5 smartphone a big push this afternoon, a launch that the South Korean vendor hopes will put it back in the top bracket of smartphone vendors.

Centre to the company’s claims for the G5 is a modular design that enables the user to attach a family of accessories, for example camera and audio add-ons.

Another key feature is the device’s full-metal unibody, which coexists with a removable battery.

In an event that was much higher profile than its recent MWC appearances, LG was not short of rhetoric for a device that it hopes will contribute to a turnaround in its loss-making mobile business.

Referencing the common suggestion that the exciting days in smartphone innovation are over, Juno Cho, CEO of LG’s mobile business said:  “Is the era of the smartphone is over? We think best days are still ahead.”

The G5 launch was accompanied by a set of companion devices, called LG Friends.

LG 360 Cam enables 360 degree images to be captured and, capitalising on the interest in virtual reality, there is LG 360 VR, a set of lightweight (118 grams) goggles that connect to the smartphone using a dedicated cable.

Even more eyecatching is Rolling Bot, a small robot that monitors a home via Wi-Fi when the user is away. It can take images, act as a pet care companion and work as a remote controller for compatible home appliances.

“This is the most exciting new phone that you will see at MWC,” said the LG chief in a bullish statement given some other prominent launches this week, notably the Samsung Galaxy S7.