LG V10 officially announced: everything you need to know

Even before the launch of the LG G4 back in March, LG began teasing a new “super premium” flagship that would be launched sometime near the end of 2015. Although details have been pretty scarce up until roughly a few weeks ago, the South Korean company has finally taken the wraps off its newest high-end smartphone, the LG V10.

The first device in the company’s V series of phones, the LG V10 was created to give users a richer multimedia experience than what’s possible on other smartphones in today’s market. And from its innovative new Second Screen feature to manual video recording mode, we’d say the V10 is doing just what it was set out to do.

There’s certainly a lot to cover with this new device, so let’s not waste any more time. Here’s what you need to know about the LG V10.

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LG V10 specifications

As you can see from the table above, the V10 is certainly no slouch when it comes to the spec sheet. It features a big 5.7-inch IPS LCD Quantum Display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and an impressive pixel density of 513. LG has been including QHD resolutions on its flagship devices for a while now, so this should come as no surprise. The big news here isn’t the main screen, though. It’s the smaller secondary display that sits towards the top of the phone’s front, which LG is calling Second Screen. We’ll touch more on this later, but for now just know that it provides some pretty awesome functionality that we think you’ll enjoy.

The V10 comes the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and Adreno 418 GPU that we saw on the G4, though the V10 has 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM, as opposed to the G4’s 3GB. In our full G4 review we told you that the Snapdragon 808 was plenty capable of performing tasks that will satisfy power users and everyday users alike. Seeing as how the internal specs are just about the same on the V10, we shouldn’t expect a big change here.

During a time that other major smartphone manufacturers are choosing to forgo expandable memory, LG is still choosing to stay firm in its beliefs. The LG V10 comes with 64GB of on-board storage and supports microSD card expansion up to 2 terabytes. In addition, it also comes with a removable 3000mAh battery. LG says it will only take around 40 minutes to achieve a 50 percent charge, thanks to the device supporting Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology.

LG V10 design, software and features

The V10 sports a familiar design that LG includes with most of its higher-end devices, but with a few added benefits. Around back there’s a 16MP rear-facing camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization version 2.0. The V10 is actually the first smartphone ever to offer manual mode for video. The feature is called Manual Video Mode, and it will let you adjust shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance, and focus, all while you’re recording your video. Videos can be recorded in three resolutions – HD, FHD or UHD – and two aspect ratios – 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic. Not only is Manual Video Mode a nice addition to the device, but LG is including some other nice features like Steady Record that uses electronic image stabilization to help eliminate shake, Snap Video Mode that will let you easily create one video from multiple shorter videos, and Audio Monitoring for adjusting your microphone sensitivity during video recording.

The front of the device features 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses that will let you capture standard 80-degree selfies, or wide angle selfies at 120 degrees. With wide angle shots, the V10 uses a software algorithm that combines the images from the two separate lenses, which LG says are just far enough apart to provide two different points of view. There’s also a new Multi-view Mode that can utilize all three cameras (two on the front, one in the back) to help capture up to four different angles at one time. Crazy, right?

The LG V10 is pretty strong, too. The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stainless steel which is the same material used to make surgical tools and higher-end watches. There’s also a pretty resilient Dura Guard frame that surrounds the device to protect the phone from nicks and bruises. The phone also comes with a Dura Skin coating on the back and bottom of the display, and the grid pattern on the back was made to make the phone much more grippy. Perhaps the most impressive part of the device’s build is that it’s been rated MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant for shock.

Because this is a multimedia-centric smartphone, the V10 comes with a 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC electronic processor. It’s also the first commercial device to employ Qualcomm’s QFE2550 closed-loop antenna tuning solution, which will allow for better voice quality and much wider network coverage compared to other smartphones on the market.

The V10 also sports a fingerprint sensor in the home button on the back, which will let you wake and unlock the device with a single tap (similar to what we saw with the new Nexus devices the other day). It will also work with Android Pay, so you can easily purchase items when you’re out and about.

The LG V10’s Second Screen

The headline feature of the V10 is what LG’s calling the Second Screen. This is a smaller secondary display that aims to provide its users useful information without the need to turn on the main screen. This is an IPS LCD Quantum Display as well, measuring just 2.1 inches long. It also sports a resolution of 160 x 1040 and comes with the same 513 pixel density that the main display has. The Second Screen works independently from the main display, and can be set up as an ‘always on’ display without impacting battery life.

You can set it to display things like the weather, time, date and battery percentage when the main display is off. When the main screen turns on, though, the Second Screen can convert to a launching area for your most-used applications. Moreover, it can discreetly notify you when a text or call comes in when you’re watching a video or playing a game. It won’t distract you if you choose to ignore the notification, either.

This is some true innovation on LG’s part, and we’re really excited to see how the Second Screen fares in the real world.

LG V10 pricing and availability

The LG V10 will be available for purchase in Korea starting this month, followed by the United States, China, Latin America, the Middle East and select countries in Asia soon after. Additional availability and pricing information will be announced in the following weeks, so stay tuned to Android Authority for all of the details.

Okay, so now that you have all the juicy details on the LG V10, it’s time for you to chime in. What are your thoughts? Interested, or is the V10 still not checking off all the boxes for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

[press]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 experience — both consumption and creation — for today’s social network savvy consumers. 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” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness all without impacting battery life. Set the Second 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 blocking 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 Mode

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, 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 ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has never been easier. Multi-view Mode can utilize all the cameras — the two in front and the one on the back — to capture up to four different angles. 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 capturing, 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 enhanced 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 uses an electronic image stabilization (EIS) optimized for recording video to neutralize shake, helping to capture sharper video footage even when you’re on the move
• Snap Video Mode: 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 even easier and faster
• Audio Monitoring: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones more accurately during video recording and directly monitor and control audio inputs
• Wind Noise Filter: eliminate external wind noise for high-quality sound when shooting 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 Charge™ 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 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, 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 adopt Qualcomm’s QFE2550 closed-loop antenna tuning solution allowing for better voice quality and wider network coverage than other smartphones.

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.[/press]