At the Center de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona yesterday, LG introduced the new LG G8 ThinQ, alongside its first 5G phone, LG V50 ThinQ 5G.
LG G8 ThinQ is the world’s first smartphone with advanced palm vein authentication, or Hand ID, made possible by the combination of its Z Camera, backed up by ToF – for of flight – technology. Of course, consumers have never heard of either technology, underlining the extent to which LG will need to educate the market before truly going to market.
LG’s Hand ID identifies owners by recognising the shape, thickness and other individual characteristics of the veins in the palms of their hands. Placing a pre-registered hand in front of the front-facing camera for a split says LG optimistically, “is all it takes to unlock the LG G8 ThinQ and all its content”.
Since ToF technology in LG’s Z Camera sees objects in 3D and is not affected by ambient light, says LG, accuracy is unaffected by light from external sources. Further, two-dimensional images of the face cannot be used to unlock the phone since photographs have no depth. With multiple forms of biometric authentication, LG says it is delivering more options for smartphone security than any other manufacturer, allowing consumers to choose which option is most convenient for them.
The Z Camera also uses Air Motion gesture recognition, which means that, without touching the phone – useful, for example, when cooking or cleaning – users can answer or end calls, take screenshots, switch between applications or adjust the volume. Controlling the LG G8 ThinQ takes waving a hand or swiping the air.
Video Portrait makes its debut on the LG G8 ThinQ, giving users control of bokeh while filming in Portrait Mode with the rear camera. By analysing distance and depth with Dual FOV technology, users can capture exactly what they see.
Beyond optics, LG G8 ThinQ excels at multimedia performance as the first G series device from LG to feature OLED display technology. The large QHD+ FullVision Display measures 6.1-inches with 564 pixels per inch, allowing for an incredible amount of detail.
Click here to read more about the LG V50 ThinQ 5G.
The LG V50 ThinQ 5GA 6.4-inch QHD+ features OLED FullVision Display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It provides a surround sound experience that enhances content quality to create a realistic soundscape with clarity and depth.
LG-implemented Portrait Video in both the front and rear cameras builds on video bokeh effects introduced on the rear camera of the LG G8 ThinQ.
LG’s first 5G device is powered by the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform, with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, RF front-end and antenna elements. The Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform also includes the Qualcomm WCN3998, an integrated 2×2 Wi-Fi 6-ready and Bluetooth 5 mobile connectivity chipset The phone is also equipped with a 4000mAh battery and a Vapor Chamber heat-dissipation system which helps to keep internal temperatures low and support sustained apps processing performance.
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G is just 8.3mm thin and weighs only 183 grams. To maintain its sleek profile with uninterrupted lines, the rear lens housing is completely flush with the back of the phone. This engineering is achieved without sacrificing durability, as the LG V50 ThinQ is compliant with U.S. military MIL-STD 810G standards.