RACONTEURPH

LG G7 ThinQ launching in PH next month (updated)

Update: LG Philippines officially launched the LG G7 ThinQ on June 14, 2018 for the price of PhP 42,990. This story was originally posted on May 24, 2018.

LG has introduced the latest addition to its roster of premium smartphones, the LG G7 ThinQ. Powered by Qualcomm's newest mobile platform for flagship handsets, the Snapdragon 845, the G7 ThinQ combines useful and convenient AI features with cutting-edge audiovisual technology in a sleek design, promising to deliver superb smartphone experience.

“The LG G7 ThinQ is strongly focused on the fundamentals and its launch marks a new chapter for our company,” said Hwang Jeong-hwan, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Through the combination of personalized and useful AI functionalities with meaningful smartphone features, this is LG’s most convenient smartphone yet.”

Introducing a new design for the G series, the LG G7 ThinQ is clad in a body sporting a polished metal rim. Compliant with the requisites of MIL-STD-810G tests, the handset boasts an IP68 rating, offering dust and water resistance.

Super bright display

The G7 ThinQ's Super Bright Display carries a QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440) and a 19:5:9 FullVision screen ratio. LG has also made the bottom bezel thinner: 50% slimmer than that of the preceding G6. LG's new LCD technology, Super Bright Display makes content remain legible even under direct sunlight.

Intelligence starts with the G7 ThinQ's display. When in Auto mode, the phone analyzes the content shown, optimizing the display's settings, including power consumption. Users may fine-tune what they see by adjusting RGB and screen temperature levels individually. Besides Auto mode, the G7 ThinQ has five other display presets, namely Cinema, Eco, Expert, Game, and Sports.

Improving on its previous iteration, the New Second Screen on the G7 ThinQ can be fully expanded for a bezel-less look or it can be set as a notification bar. Apart from black, the notification bar can be changed to another color for a more personal effect.

Smarter camera

On the imaging front, the G7 ThinQ is equipped with an 8-megapixel front-facing camera (F1.9/80 degrees) and 16-megapixel rear lenses in both standard (F1.6/71 degrees) and Super Wide Angle (F1.9/107 degrees) configurations.

LG has also stepped up the AI features of the phone's camera, which were first introduced to the LG V30S ThinQ. Up from eight, the AI CAM on the G7 ThinQ now comes with 19 shooting modes. Super Bright Camera takes low-light photography on a smartphone to a whole new level, a feat achieved by combining pixel binning and software processing.

In addition, the G7 ThinQ comes with new features such as Live Photo Mode which records one second before and after the shutter is pressed for snippets of unexpected moments or to capture expressions that would normally be missed, and Portrait Mode which generates pro-looking shots with bokeh effect either in standard or Super Wide Angle. Taking advantage of face recognition technology, users can put fun stickers like sunglasses and headbands on their photos that can be viewed on the phone instantly.

Doubling the bass

Complementing the impressive visual experience that the new phone promises, the G7 ThinQ features Boombox Speaker for the first time. The feature utilizes the internal space of the phone as a resonance chamber, doubling the bass of typical smartphones. When placed on a solid surface or a box, the G7 ThinQ uses its resonance chamber as a woofer to amplify the bass effect, eliminating the need for external speakers.

The G7 ThinQ is also the first smartphone to offer DTS:X to deliver 3D sound for all content (up to 7.1-channel audio with earphones). Continuing the legacy of LG's preceding flagship handsets, the G7 ThinQ also comes with a Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Smartphone made smarter

Running on Android 8.0 Oreo OS. The LG G7 ThinQ is among the first smartphones that come with Google Lens. Available inside Google Assistant and Google Photos, Google Lens is a new way to search that uses AI and computer vision. With this feature, users get more information on objects like animals, books, landmarks, plants, and texts. Google Lens can also help users when they have to add a business card to contacts, add events to the calendar, look up an item on a menu, or visit a website.

Located below the volume rocker of the G7 ThinQ, a button launches the phone's AI functions. One tap on the button activates Google Assistant, whereas two quick taps launch Google Lens. Holding down the button enables users to talk to Google Assistant. Moreover, Google Assistant can recognize voice command even if one's five meters away, thanks to the phone's highly sensitive microphone with Super Far Field Voice Recognition (SFFVR). With SFFVR, the G7 ThinQ can double as a home AI speaker which is capable of separating commands from background noise.

Launching next month

Available in Aurora Black and Moroccan Blue colors, the LG G7 ThinQ will launch in Manila next month in the following ROM/RAM combinations: 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. Storage is expandable up to 2TB via microSD, while power is handled by a 3000mAh battery. Aside from Wi-Fi, the G7 ThinQ also features Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0 for connectivity. Pre-order details will be announced soon.