LG V20 launched with music, video-centric features

The LG V10 was one of last year’s best smartphones, offering an innovative secondary display, great video recording functionality and dual front-facing cameras. Otherwise, it was the same fundamental experience as the LG G4 (review). Unfortunately, the phone didn’t make it to South African shores. Now, the Korean firm has stepped up with the V20, offering several improvements over the LG G5 (review) and a variety of audio-related features.

In the power department, the phone features the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core chipset as the G5, as well as 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage (up to 2TB microSD cards).

Much like last year’s V10, the phone features a 5.7-inch 2560×1440 display and a secondary ticker screen at the top. However, the Korean firm claims the latter is brighter and features 50% larger font size compared to the previous implementation.

A few tweaks in the camera department

Our latest masterpiece: the #LGV20. Get to know this technological work of art. https://t.co/9XFGDJQrd3 pic.twitter.com/NhJTNJnRb7

— LG USA Mobile (@LGUSAMobile) September 7, 2016

The camera department has also seen some G5-derived features, such as a dual camera system on the back (a 16MP f/1.8 aperture main camera and 8MP f/2.4 aperture wide-angle camera) and a 5MP wide-angle camera on the front.

LG says that the main camera has improved image stabilisation, using Qualcomm’s electronic image stabilisation tech. LG claims that the technology harnesses the LG V20’s gyro sensors as well as software stabilisation to offer more stable video output. In other words, it doesn’t seem to offer proper optical image stabilisation, but they seem confident in their own solution.

Much like Sony’s Xperia XZ, the V20 packs hybrid autofocus technology, in the form of laser autofocus, phase-detection autofocus and traditional contrast autofocus.

A heavy audio focus

In a move sure to please audiophiles and live music attendees, the company confirmed that the new phone has three high-quality microphones.

“LG V20 owners can record Hi-Fi videos and manually control the settings for perfect audio quality using options such as Low Cut Filter (LCF) that removes unwanted background noise and Limiter (LMT) that sets recording distance,” the Korean firm explained.

The LG V20 might just be the music enthusiast’s smartphone of choice

“The LCF reduces background noise while the LMT zeroes in on voices the user wants to record. The V20 also captures audio using 24-bit / 48 kHz Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM), the same format used in professional video equipment.”

The three microphones also help out with audio recording in general, offering “wider dynamic frequency range” and higher quality audio.

Finally, LG has seen it fit to include “quad DAC” (digital analogue converter) hardware, claiming to minimise distortion and ambient noise by up to 50%. “With 75-stage fine volume and L/R balance controls as well as support for lossless music formats including FLAC, DSD, AIFF and ALAC, the V20 delivers high-quality sound to any pair of earphones,” LG added.

Is it coming to South Africa?

As for other notable features, the LG V20 offers a 3200mAh removable battery, Android Nougat (the first third-party phone to run the update) and USB Type-C connectivity.

“The LG V20 will be available in Korea starting this month followed by other regions. Information regarding other markets and launch dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come,” the company concluded.

We have reached out to LG Mobile South Africa for confirmation of a local launch and retail price, if the device does indeed reach our shores.