LG launches LG V30
LG's latest premium smartphone sports a floating activity bar and dual cameras along with plenty of power.
LG hadn't exactly made it a secret that it planned to launch the LG V30 at the IFA show in Berlin today, with its latest smartphone having just made its official stage debut following a number of not-terribly-subtle teaser videos.
The LG V30 is LG's second premium phone for 2017, following the LG G6, which launched at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Like many of its premium smartphone competitors, LG has opted for a slim, nearly bezel-free design for the LG V30, with a slightly larger frame than the LG G6 to accommodate its six-inch, 2880x1440 18:9 OLED display.
While the LG G6 used the older Snapdragon 821 found on the Google Pixel, the LG V30 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with 4GB/6GB of RAM, which should put it in pretty good performance territory, taking on phones such as Sony's Xperia XZ Premium and OnePlus's OnePlus 5. LG will also produce an LG V30+ model, but the primary difference will be in the onboard storage, with the V30 sporting 64GB of RAM while the V30+ comes with 128GB. Both models feature microSD expansion up to 2TB.
The big news for the V30 in camera terms is all about aperture, with the dual 16/13MP camera on the rear. The 16MP standard lens features an astonishing f/1.6 aperture, while the 13MP wide lens has an F/1.9 aperture. That should allow a considerable amount of additional light into the phone's sensor, which may give it the edge in taking low-light shots. Around the front is a rather more sedate 5MP F/2.2 sensor for selfie duty. The LG V30 will also be Google Daydream compatible, and LG is equipping it with a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC for high-definition audio purposes. On the power front, it features a 3300mAh battery with support for wireless and wired charging via USB C.
The other key feature that LG's V series phones have is the second screen feature, which on previous handsets was a dedicated strip at the top of the phone for specific functionality. On the V30, LG has set the second screen experience free, with an optional floating bar that can cover those functions, so you can place it wherever you'd like with shortcuts for up to five applications.
LG hasn't announced Australian pricing or availability as yet, although it's expected to go on sale in South Korea in mid-September and in the US by the end of September. That would put it rather in the spotlights of Samsung's Galaxy Note 8, due here on 22 September, as well as in the midst of the frenzy surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone refresh, expected to be announced on 12 September.
LG Australia did issue a statement around the LG V30, stating that "LG Australia is excited at the expansion of the LG V series, with the global announcement of the LG V30 smartphone at IFA in Berlin. The LG V30 is further evidence of the LG commitment to develop smartphones with diverse capabilities that cater to the varying needs of consumers. Information about the release of the LG V30 in the Australian market will be shared as soon as it becomes available."
LG V30 Specifications
- Product Name
- LG V30
- Display Size
- 6.0 inches
- Resolution
- 2880x1440 pixels
- PPI
- 537 ppi
- Processor
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
- RAM
- 4GB
- Storage
- 64GB/128GB (V30+)
- Operating System
- Android 7.1.1
- Front camera
- 5MP
- Rear camera
- Dual 16 MP f/1.6 standard + 13 MP f/1.9 wide angle
- Battery
- 3300mAh
- Dimensions
- 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm
- Weight
- 158g
- Price
- Expected around $1000
