LG Launches V10 Smartphone with Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras and Manual Video Mode

LG Electronics has launched the first of its new V Series of smartphones, and it has some very impressive specs in an extremely good looking body.

Wrapped in a design that utilizes high-grade stainless steel and a durable silicone skin, the LG V10 features a second screen, dual front cameras and a manual video mode.

The second screen has been inset above the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display. Working independently, the second screen can be set up as an “always on” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness without, LG says, impacting battery life.

The second screen could be used to display the weather, time, date and battery icon even 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 favorite apps.

The LG V10 features 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses to capture standard 80 degree selfies or wide angle selfies of 120 degrees, without 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 manual mode for video allows budding directors to create better 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.

The LG V10 also offers these additional video features:

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 options of popular social networks to make video sharing easier and faster.

Audio Monitor: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones during video recording 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 shooting video outdoors.

The LG V10 offers users the flexibility that microSD card slots afford. The phone is compatible with cards of up to 2TB, and has a 3,000mAh removable battery, which with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology built-in, only takes 40 minutes to get a 50% charge.

Durability and Design

The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stainless 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 protection 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 specifically to offer a more secure grip.

Independent testing and certification firm MET Laboratories tested the LG V10 by dropping it from a height of 48 inches repeatedly at different angles and found it to be “MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant” for shock.

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.

“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.

Key Specifications of the LG V10

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 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)

Camera: Rear: 16MP with F1.8 Aperture / OIS 2.0. Front: 5MP Dual Lens (80-degree Standard Angle / 120-degree 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.