LG G3 unveiled

At events in six cities worldwide, LG is tonight unveiling the G3, the company’s new flagship smartphone, with a 5.5″ high-resolution display, 13MP camera and powerful battery.

At launch events across the world this evening, LG Electronics (LG) is introducing its much-anticipated G3 smartphone, the successor to the company’s well-received LG G2.

The launch events taking place in six cities worldwide ‚Äî London, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore and Istanbul ‚Äî are pushing LG’s new slogan, Simple is the New Smart

The smartest innovation in a fast evolving smartphone market is creating harmony between advanced technology and a simplified user experience,” said Deon Prinsloo, General Manager for LG Mobile in South Africa. “LG G3 is the result of our effort to actualise that idea into a tangible product. And we are extremely pleased with the result.

Highlights of the new G3 include:

* 5.5-inch Quad HD display with 538ppi with four times the resolution of HD and almost twice the resolution of Full HD display

* 13MP OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) camera with a Laser Auto Focus that can shoot sharp images quickly

* Polished metallic skin on the rear cover that is lightweight and fingerprint-proof

* Floating Arc form factor that incorporates the design heritage of the Rear Key

* Redesigned graphic user interface (GUI)

At 5.5-inches, LG G3 boasts a screen ratio of 76.4 percent with thin bezels all around so the phone feels as comfortable in the hand as a smaller traditional smartphone.

The high resolution display on the G3 also required LG engineers to pair it with battery technology that was just as innovative. LG equipped the G3 with a 3,000mAh removable battery and advanced optimisation technologies to further maximise battery efficiency. By replacing the metal in the battery cathode with graphite, LG engineers were able to extend the lifespan of the G3’s battery. The result is a battery that can keep up with the Quad HD display’s ultra-high performance without losing steam in the middle of the day.

The G3’s 13MP OIS+ camera is designed to quickly and easily capture images, thanks to G3’s Laser Auto Focus, which measures the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam.

Rather than having to focus on the subject in preview mode and then pressing the shutter button, with the G3, tapping the subject to focus will simultaneously also trigger the shutter. The G3’s 2.1MP front camera incorporates several new enhancements such as a larger image sensor and larger aperture for more light throughput and better-looking selfies. A twist has been added to the standard timed selfie mode by incorporating gesture controls: when ready to shoot, clench your hand into a fist, the G3 will recognise the gesture and begin the automatic three-second countdown.

For video, the G3 offers instinctive microphones that measure the environment to identify the optimal audio level for the clearest recording. A built-in 1W speaker with Boost AMP offers richer sounds and clearer tones.

The Floating Arc design of the G3 with its ergonomic arch and slim side profile provides a comfortable grip for one-handed use. The Rear Key includes a newly designed power key and volume buttons as well as more premium quality materials and finish. The metallic skin with matte finish also keeps the G3 looking clean and fingerprint-free.

Highlights of the user experience, as supplied by LG, include:

* Smart Keyboard: Adaptive technology learns as you type for faster input with less mistakes. Smart Keyboard reduces input errors by up to 75 percent by tracking and analysing typing habits and intuitively “knowing” what word the user intended to type. The height of the keyboard can also be adjusted to better fit the user’s hands and position of the thumbs. Individual keys can also be customised with frequently used symbols for even faster input.

* Smart Notice: Like a personal assistant, Smart Notice provides suggestions and recommendations based on user behavior, phone usage patterns and location to offer user information when it’s needed the most. Smart Notice can remind you of a call you declined earlier and ask if you would like to call that person back. If you have a large number of unused files or apps on the G3 taking up valuable space, Smart Notice will ask if you would like to delete or uninstall them. But what sets Smart Notice apart from other personal assistants is its natural language capabilities. For example, instead of just displaying today’s temperature and weather forecast, Smart Notice will make a recommendation such as, “You may want to take an umbrella today since it will rain this evening.

* Smart Security: Understanding the importance of maintaining and securing confidential data when smartphones are shared, misplaced, lost or stolen, the LG G3 offers a number of enhanced security features such as:

Knock Code enables users to unlock their device with a pattern of taps. Merging security and convenience, users can create a personalised code that can be entered anywhere on the screen. With the G3, users have the option of being able to use KnockON to wake the screen to check the time as well as enter the home screen directly via Knock Code.

Content Lock keeps personal files safe and hidden from view when sharing the G3 with friends. When the G3 is connected to a PC, Content Lock prevents file previews so the data is still safe. The locked files can reside either on the G3’s internal memory or on the microSD card.

Kill Switch gives G3 owners the ability to disable their phones remotely in the event of theft. The Kill Switch also allows content on the G3 to be wiped so personal information won’t be compromised. Kill Switch also includes antivirus scanning and remote wipe and lock, among other essential features.

LG will also be offering a collection of new premium accessories to accompany the LG G3:

* QuickCircle Case: Available in five colors, QuickCircle Case allows easyaccess to frequently used functions such as calling, text messaging, music and camera, all from the QuickCircle window without opening the cover. In addition to the QuickCircle Case, LG will offer a lineup of Slim Guard Cases and premium Slim Hard Cases to protect the G3 in handsome style.

* LG Tone Infinim (HBS-900): Developed in collaboration with Harman/Kardon, the Bluetooth stereo headset delivers premium audio quality sound in a stylish design. Built with retractable wire management technology and jog buttons for effortless search, Tone Infinim also features Name Alert to verbally notify you who is calling before you answer.

* Wireless Charger: Compact and foldable, LG’s Wireless Charger is optimised foreasy portability. Compatible with Qi’s wireless power charging technology, the Wireless Charger from LG makes staying powered up as convenient as possible.

The LG G3 will be available in South Arica later this year.

Key Specifications*:

* Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdrago 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core)

* Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)

* Memory: 32GB eMMC ROM / 3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)

* Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP

* Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)

* Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat

* Size: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm

* Weight: 149g

* Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G)

* Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC,

SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0

* Other: Smart Keyboard, Smart Notice, Knock Code, Guest Mode, etc.

* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @GadgetZA

email this to a friend tt tt printer friendly version

“,”body-href”:””}]