We’ve seen leaks upon leaks leading up to its release, but the new LG V10 is now official. LG has officially announced the new smartphone, which sports a second screen above the primary 5.7-inch QHD display, dual front-facing cameras, and more.
As for the most striking feature, LG says that the second screen can set up to be “always on,” presenting users with a quick way to check the weather, battery, and time while the display is off. If the display is on, however, the second screen can act as an app launcher, as well as a place for your notifications to pop up if you happen to be immersed in a full-screen game or movie.
LG says that the V10 also packs some advanced camera features, carrying on the tradition of this year’s G4. On the front side of the V10, LG has packed in two 5MP cameras. The company says that this enables users to take better wide angle selfies — up to 120 degrees – while the camera software works to stitch together the images from the two lenses. Speaking of camera software, LG is making some changes for the better there as well, bringing manual mode to video capture, allowing users to fine-tune aspects such as ISO, white balance, and focus while recording video in up to 4K resolutions with the rear 16MP F1.8 camera. Alongside added features like optical image stabilization, wind noise filtering, and a quick video editor, recording high quality video from your smartphone should be a bit easier.
LG is also talking up the design of the V10, which is composed of mostly stainless steel, with “resilient but soft Dura Skin” on the back and bottom of the phone. The company says the materials helped the V10 obtain high marks for shock resistance under repeated drops from a height of 48-inches.
As for other specs, the V10 is rocking a Snapdragon 808 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage (expandable to 2TB), and a 3,000mAh removable battery. NFC and a fingerprint sensor are also on board, along with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
As far as availability is concerned, LG says that the V10 will go on sale in its home market of Korea later this month in Space Black, Luxe White, Modern Beige, Ocean Blue, and Opal Blue colors. Other markets will see the smartphone at a later point, including the U.S., China, and other countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Press Release:
LG UNVEILS V10, A SMARTPHONE DESIGNED WITH CREATIVITY IN MIND
LG’s Latest Phone Features Many Firsts: Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras, Manual Video Mode
SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2015 — LG Electronics (LG) today took the wraps off its newest smartphone featuring multimedia capabilities never before seen in a mobile device. The first of its V Series phones, the LG V10 was designed to provide a rich multimedia ex- perience — both consumption and creation — for today’s social network savvy con- sumers. Distinctive new features such as a Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras and Manual Video Mode differentiate the LG V10 from the competition. All this comes wrapped in a design that utilizes high-grade stainless steel and a durable silicone skin to make the V10 one of the rare smartphones to pass drop tests for shock conducted by an independent third party.
Second Screen
Always pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation, LG is introducing a Second Screen as an inset display above the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display on the V10. Working independently, the Second Screen can be set up as an “always on” dis- play to enhance the V10’s productiveness all without impacting battery life. Set the Se- cond Screen to display the weather, time, date and battery icon when the main display is off. With the main display on, the Second Screen can be set to convert to a dedicated launching area for shortcuts or your favorite apps. What’s more, when you’re enjoying a movie or game on the V10, the Second Screen will notify you discreetly without block- ing your view when a call or text comes in. Ignoring the notification won’t distract you from your enjoyment or you can pause whatever you’re doing to respond.
Dual Front Cameras and Multi-view Recording
Wide angle images usually require a large, heavy lens which can distort the corners of photographs. The LG V10 features 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses to capture standard 80 degree selfies or perfect wide angle selfies of 120 degrees, with- out the need to pan the smartphone which increases the likelihood of camera shake. For the wide angle shot, the V10 employs a sophisticated software algorithm to combine images from the two separate lenses which are just far enough apart to provide two different points of view. The ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has never been easier. Multi-view Recording can capture different angles utilizing all three camer- as on the V10. Select and insert the version that looks best in your masterpiece.
Video and Audio Capture Capabilities
As the LG G4 did with photography, the LG V10 offers users the ultimate in video cap- turing, editing and sharing. The V10 is the first smartphone to offer manual mode for video. First introduced for still photographs on the G4, the technology has been en- hanced to handle video recordings as well. With Manual Video Mode, budding directors can easily create professional-quality videos by adjusting options such as shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance and focus while recording. Videos can be recorded in three resolutions — HD, FHD or UHD — and two aspect ratios — 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic.
In addition to its impressive professional-level video and audio capabilities, the LG V10 offers these additional features that video content look and sound their best:
- Steady Record: utilizes electronic image stabilization (EIS) optimized for recording video to neutralize shake, helping to capture sharper video footage when in motion
- Snap Video: create one video by combining many shorter videos
- 15 sec. Auto Edit: create a short video highlight clip by automatically eliminating
blurred frames and static scenes - Quick Video Editor: easily trim or change the frame rate and add after-effects, such
as colors and background music - Quick Share: when finished recording, a pop-up appears on the display showing op-
tions of popular social networks to make video sharing even easier and faster - Audio Monitor: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones during video record- ing and directly monitor and control audio input, including directional recording capability to highlight sound from one particular location
- Wind Noise Filter: eliminate external wind noise for high-quality sound when shoot-
ing video outdoors
The V10 carries on LG’s tradition of providing alternative storage options with a microSD card slot. Compatible with cards of up to 2TB, V10 owners can shoot as much 4K video as they want. And with the 3,000mAh removable battery, you can always be ready with a second or third replacement battery to pop in if you ever run low on power while shooting. And with Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM 2.0 technology built-in, it only takes 40 minutes to get a 50 percent charge.
Durability and Design
The LG V10 was designed to be taken places other phones normally wouldn’t feel at home. The resilient Dura Guard frame firmly secures the display to protect the phone from hard bumps and tumbles. The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stain- less steel, the same tough, hypoallergenic material used to make surgical tools and high- end watches. Because the edges and corners are the most vulnerable areas of a phone, the extra protection provided by the Dura Guard frame ensures maximum durability.
On the back and bottom of the display, resilient but soft Dura Skin offers added protec- tion from direct impacts to the device. Dura Skin is soft to the touch but also is highly resistant to nicks and scratches. What’s more, the back grid pattern was designed specif- ically to offer a more secure grip, even when you’re on the go. Independent testing and certification firm MET Laboratories tested the LG V10 by dropping it from height of 48 inches repeatedly at different angles and found it to be “MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant” for shock.
Great Sounding Music and Voice
As an advanced multimedia smartphone, the sound in the V10 has been designed to be best-in-class. The V10 features 32 bit Hi-Fi DAC by ESS Technology, designers of high-performance audio products for professionals. The LG V10 automatically detects connected devices and provides sound control options which can be customized. And the LG V10 is the first commercial device to utilize Qualcomm Technologies TruSig- nalTM antenna boost technology designed to intelligently optimize signal strength at all times for fewer dropped calls, faster data and better call coverage, no matter how the phone is held.
Access and Security
Along with the popular Knock Code, the LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock the smartphone and turn on the display simultaneously. The sensor also works with Android Pay in the United States to make purchases as quick and easy as possible.
“The LG V10 was designed from the ground up primarily as a multimedia smartphone for the sharing ecosystem,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We heard from many customers that until the G4, they weren’t comfortable going on vacation or outings without a separate camera. With the V10, we hope to do for video what the G4 did for photographs.”
The LG V10 will be available in Korea starting this month followed by markets such as the United States, China and key countries in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Information regarding additional markets and launch dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come.
Key Specifications:
- Chipset: Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 808 Processor
- Display: Main) 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display (2560 x 1440 / 513ppi) Secondary) 2.1-inch IPS Quantum Display (160 x 1040 / 513ppi)
- Memory: 4GB LPDDR3 RAM / 64GB eMMC ROM / microSD (up to 2TB) Rear)
- Camera: 16MP with F1.8 Aperture / OIS 2.0 Front) 5MP Dual Lens (80o Standard Angle / 120o Wide Angle)
- Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
- OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- Size: 159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6mm
- Weight: 192g
- Network: LTE-A Cat. 6
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.1 / NFC / USB 2.0
- Colors: Space Black / Luxe White / Modern Beige / Ocean Blue / Opal Blue