The end of summer is always a fun time for mobile enthusiasts as it marks the start of a plethora of big name smartphone releases. We’ve already seen the reveal of the Moto Z2 Force, and just last week we were introduced to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. With IFA (Europe’s equivalent to CES) just around the corner, we anticipate a few more additions to an already fruitful 2017 smartphone lineup, two of which are the highly anticipated LG V30 and V30 Plus smartphones.
LG’s V series is only a few years old at this point, but is still a force to be reckoned with. A second flagship series in addition to its already popular G series, the V series of devices tends to be larger and more powerful than the G series. In the past, the V series also showcased different features from the G series as well, most notably a secondary display.
However, that appears to be changing this year. Leaks for the V30 show that the alleged device will lack a secondary display. Instead, the V30 will supposedly use the same 2:1 LG G6FullVision display that the LG G6 showed off earlier this year. Like the G6, it will also feature a non-removable battery.
On the outside, it would appear that the V30 will look like a larger G6, except with curved edges more akin to the Galaxy S8 (the G6 has a flat screen). The most notable changes will take place within the specs of the device. The V30 is said to feature a 6-inch display, Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. The LG V30 Plus will allegedly feature a beefier 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
In addition, both LG V30 devices are likely to place a focus on both camera and audio quality, with a 32-bit Hi-Fi audio DAC included.
Although these details aren’t official nor set in stone, leads are looking pretty solid. While the V30 looks sleek, I can’t help but wonder if it’s going to get lost in sea of other smartphones that now look nearly identical to it.
I can’t fault LG for using a design that’s rapidly gained popularity. Even the LG G6 managed to turn heads earlier this year by being among the first smartphones in 2017 to feature extremely slim bezels, so in theory it would seem like bringing the same design to the V30, along with more powerful specs, might be a better move than sticking with the whole secondary display thing. Many also considered the secondary display more of a “gimmick” than a truly useful feature.
However, considering the secondary display was probably the most unique thing about the V series, it seems like the V30 also stands a significant chance of being forgotten, especially since its reveal will be sandwiched between the Galaxy Note 8, Apple iPhone 8, and especially the Google Pixel XL 2, which will also allegedly be made by LG and feature much of the same design as the V30. The V series was also the last beacon of hope for LG fans who stuck around for its removable battery.
I feel like I say this a lot, especially lately, but ultimately price will play a significant role here. The LG G6 received (and still receives) some impressive discounts compared to the competition, and its affordability makes it an appealing factor when comparing smartphones. Offering similar discounts or promotions on the V30 seems like a surefire way to gain more traction among smartphones that are far more popular. And when you consider how much the Note 8 costs and how much the iPhone 8 and Pixel 2/XL 2 are rumored to cost, having the cheaper alternative might be the best advantage it can have.
Regardless, the V30 still looks like a solid smartphone with strong specs. It will be exciting to see what the official details of the device are during LG’s press conference in Berlin come tomorrow (very early morning hours in the U.S.).
Readers, what are your thoughts on this change? Do you think LG should have kept the secondary display in the V30, or are slim bezels the way to go?
