LG Electronics Introduces G8 ThinQ Smartphone at Mobile World Congress

LG's latest AI premium device elevates Smartphone features and fundamentals 

TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2019 /CNW/ - At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019, LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its eighth generation AI premium smartphone, the LG G8^ThinQ, which offers a fresh mobile experience through enhanced user conveniences such as vein authentication and 'Air Motion' functions, and a powerful multimedia experience. The G8^ThinQ will be available to Canadians in spring 2019.

The LG G8^ThinQ carries on the tradition of offering consumers a palette of convenience-enhancing features with a focus on delivering advanced optics and audio capabilities with an understated design philosophy that gives the LG G8^ThinQ a stylish appearance.

"The LG G8^ThinQ is the latest device to bring LG's premium hardware and powerful ThinQ AI platform together to create an exceptional user experience," said Ash Molaei, Senior Brand Manager for LG Canada's Mobile Communications division.

LG G8^ThinQ with the best multimedia ever
The LG G8^ThinQ excels when it comes to 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 while the AI display engine optimizes colour and brightness for different environments, helping to reduce eye fatigue.

High-end sound comes standard with LG smartphones and the LG G8^ThinQ is no exception, with the bass-loving Boombox Speaker now capable of stereo output. Realistic surround sound is made possible with DTS:X, while a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC delivers superior sound details. LG G8^ThinQ also supports Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) technology, allowing for compressed high-resolution audio streaming without compromising sound quality. Tuned in collaboration with Meridian Audio, the LG G8^ThinQ is a worthy addition to LG's legacy of audio excellence.

Innovative mobile experience
LG G8^ThinQ is the world's first smartphone with advanced palm vein authentication, made possible by the combination of the Time-of-Flight (ToF) Z Camera and infrared sensors. More secure than fingerprint recognition technology, LG's Hand ID identifies owners by recognizing the shape, thickness and other individual characteristics of the veins in the palms of their hands. Simply placing a pre-registered hand in front of the front-facing camera for a split second is all it takes to unlock the LG G8^ThinQ and all its content.

The advanced Z Camera comes into play again when capturing eye-catching selfies in portrait mode. Z Camera measures infrared rays reflected off subjects to calculate depth faster and more accurately than other image sensors, making features such as Face Unlock possible. Because Z Camera sees objects in 3D, Face Unlock is impossible to fool with two dimensional images of a face as photographs have no depth. What's more, ToF technology in LG's Z Camera isn't affected by ambient light, so accuracy is unaffected by light from external sources. With multiple forms of biometric authentication, LG is delivering more options for smartphone security than any other smartphone manufacturer allowing the user to choose which option is more convenient for them given the circumstance.

The Z Camera is also implemented to advance the user experience with Air Motion gesture recognition. Without ever touching the phone – useful when cooking or cleaning – users can answer or end calls, take screenshots, switch between applications, or adjust the volume. Controlling the LG G8^ThinQ is as simple as waving a hand or pinching the air, increasing convenience for active users when wearing gloves or swimming.

Unlike existing cameras capable of distinguishing only the subject and the background, the front-facing camera in the LG G8^ThinQ measures the distance between the subject and the camera in millimeters to control the intensity of the background blur up to 256 levels for selfies with more depth. With an image sensor of 1.22μm, the LG G8^ThinQ can produce a much cleaner image that is also even faster with Auto Focus.

Video Portrait makes its debut on the LG G8^ThinQ, giving users control of bokeh while filming video in Portrait Mode with the rear camera. By analyzing distance and depth with Dual FOV technology, users can capture exactly what they see making it possible to produce videos that look incredibly polished and professional.

Stylish design
The subtle, understated design philosophy that discards all nonessential design elements gives the LG G8^ThinQ an undeniably stylish appearance. Flawless aesthetics are not limited to the front of the device as its zero-protrusion rear camera creates a satisfyingly smooth surface. Crystal Sound OLED (CSO), an audio advancement that uses the smartphone's display as a speaker diaphragm, eliminates the need for a front speaker, adding to the minimalist aesthetic.

The LG G8^ThinQ will be available through select carriers and retailers across Canada in spring 2019.

LG G8^ThinQTM specifications

• Size: 151.9 x 71.8 x 8.47mm
• Weight: 168g
• Colour: New Aurora Black
• Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 855 (SM8150)
• Display: 6.1" QHD+ FullVision P-OLED Display; 18:9, (New Second Screen, 19.5:9)
• Camera:
  Dual Rear Cameras
• 12MP Standard Angle 78º with f/1.5 and OIS/Glass Lens/Active Alignment/LDAF (Laser Detention Auto Focus and Phase Detection Auto Focus)
• 16MP Wide Angle 107º with f/1.9
  Dual Front Camera
• 8MP Normal Lens Angle 80º with f1.7
• (ToF) 224px X 172px 80º /FF with f1.4
• Battery: 3,500mAh (Embedded)
• Memory: 6GB RAM / 128GB ROM / *MicroSD (Up to 2TB)
• Network: 3G/4G LTE-A
• Operating System: Android 9.0 (Pie)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, Apt-X-HD / NFC /
                        USB Type-C 2.0(USB3.1 Gen1 Compatible)
• Biometrics: Fingerprint Sensor, Face Recognition, World's 1st Palm Vein
  Recognition (Hand ID)
• Other: Air Motion/Boombox Speaker + Crystal Sound OLED Stereo / AI Camera / Google Lens / Google Assistant /Super Far Field Voice Recognition / 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC / Full-range Stereo Speaker/Boombox Speaker 1.1/Hi-Fi Quad DAC/DTS:X 3D Surround Sound / IP68 Water and Dust Resistance / HDR10 / Face recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 3.0 Technology + + Wireless Charging (9W)/ MIL-STD-810G 14 Compliant / FM Radio

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications 
LG Electronics is a global leader and trend setter in the mobile and wearable industry with breakthrough technologies and innovative designs by continually developing highly competitive core technologies in the areas of display, camera optics, audio and battery. LG creates handsets and wearables that fit the lifestyles of a wide range of consumers all over the world. LG is seeking to provide a mobile experience that extends beyond the scope of traditional smartphones. For more information, visit www.LG.com.

About LG Electronics Canada Inc.
The LG brand was established in 1995. The company is a global leader in electronics, information and communications products, with more than 117 operations around the world, and annual worldwide revenues of more than US $49 billion. LG Electronics Canada Inc. is comprised of five business units - Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Home Entertainment, Business Solutions and Commercial Air Conditioning. The company has offices in Toronto and Vancouver. LG Electronics Canada Inc. is focused on delivering award-winning products known for blending style and technology. These innovative products include cell phones, flat screen TVs, laptop computers and home appliances. For more information please visit http://www.lg.com/ca_en. 

SOURCE LG Electronics, Inc.