LG launches V10 smartphone with second screen, dual front cameras and manual video mode

LG V10 Smart phone 

LG Electronics has launched the first of its new V Series of smartphones wrapped in a design that utilises high-grade stainless steel and a durable silicone skin, and featuring a second screen, dual front cameras and a manual video mode.

The second screen has been inset above the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display. Working independently, the second screen can be set up as an “always on” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness without, LG says, impacting battery life.

The second screen could be used to display the weather, time, date and battery icon even when the main display is off.

With the main display on, the second screen can be set to convert to a dedicated launching area for shortcuts or favourite apps.

The LG V10 features 5MP dual front cameras with two separate lenses to capture standard 80 degree selfies or wide angle selfies of 120 degrees, without the need to pan the smartphone which increases the likelihood of camera shake.

For the wide angle shot, the V10 employs a sophisticated software algorithm to combine images from the two separate lenses which are just far enough apart to provide two different points of view.

The manual mode for video allows budding directors to create better videos by adjusting options such as shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance and focus while recording. Videos can be recorded in three resolutions HD, FHD or UHD and two aspect ratios 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic.

The LG V10 also offers these additional video features: Steady Record: utilises electronic image stabilisation (EIS) optimised for recording video to neutralise shake, helping to capture sharper video footage when in motion.

Snap Video: create one video by combining many shorter videos.

15 Sec. Auto Edit: create a short video highlight clip by automatically eliminating blurred frames and static scenes.

Quick Video Editor: easily trim or change the frame rate and add after-effects, such as colours and background music.

Quick Share: when finished recording, a pop-up appears on the display showing options of popular social networks to make video sharing easier and faster.

Audio Monitor: adjust the sensitivity of the three microphones during video recording and directly monitor and control audio input, including directional recording capability to highlight sound from one particular location.

Wind Noise Filter: eliminate external wind noise for high-quality sound when shooting video outdoors.

The LG V10 offers users the flexibility that microSD card slots afford. The phone is compatible with cards of up to 2TB, and has a 3,000mAh removable battery, which with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology built-in, only takes 40 minutes to get a 50% charge.

The V10’s frame is composed of SAE grade 316L stainless steel, the same tough, hypoallergenic material used to make surgical tools and high-end watches. Because the edges and corners are the most vulnerable areas of a phone, the extra protection provided by the Dura Guard frame ensures maximum durability.

On the back and bottom of the display, resilient but soft Dura Skin offers added protection from direct impacts to the device. Dura Skin is soft to the touch but also is highly resistant to nicks and scratches. What’s more, the back grid pattern was designed specifically to offer a more secure grip.

Independent testing and certification firm MET Laboratories tested the LG V10 by dropping it from a height of 48 inches repeatedly at different angles and found it to be “MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant” for shock.

The LG V10 features a new fingerprint sensor to unlock the smartphone and turn on the display simultaneously. The sensor also works with Android Pay in the United States.  “The LG V10 was designed from the ground up primarily as a multimedia smartphone for the sharing ecosystem,” said Juno Cho, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We heard from many customers that until the G4, they weren’t comfortable going on vacation or outings without a separate camera. With the V10, we hope to do for video what the G4 did for photographs.”