LG was the only OEM in 2016 to offer a flagship handset with a handy IR blaster with its poorly received LG G5. With the V20, LG again had a change of heart and included the IR blaster on the device. So, what about the LG V30? Does it come with an IR blaster?

Sadly, no. Despite all the improvements that LG has made to the V30 when compared to the V20 and the G6 from this year, the company opted against including an IR blaster on its latest flagship handset. This means that you will not be able to use the handset to control other non-smart home appliances around you.

There’s not much that can be done here. LG’s decision likely stems from the fact that other major OEMs like Samsung and HTC have also ditched the IR blaster from their flagship devices. Not to mention most people were blissfully unaware of just how handy the IR blaster was on their previous flagship devices. Thus, from a cost viewpoint, it makes sense for companies to ditch the IR blaster from their devices.

Sadly, this means that not a single flagship launched in 2017 features an IR blaster. Be it the Galaxy S8, Note 8, LG G6, HTC U11, and now the V30. With home appliances now featuring Google Assistant integration and support, it is unlikely that we will see IR blaster make a return on flagship Android devices.