We’ve recognized for a while that LG would expose a 5G phone in early 2019, just like each other OEM apparently. What we didn’t know or even think until late January was the name of the device: LG V50.
Confirming a previous report from Korean media, Evan Blass just published a press render supposedly showing the Sprint version of the LG V50 ThinQ. It looks extremely legit, and there are a few things worth talking about here. Let’s break it down.
The LG V50 looks generally like to the V40 before it. There’s a notch, tiny bezels, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a horizontal triple-camera system. Considering the V40 is only a few months old, it’s probable that LG reused the platform for a new device.
Unlike crosstown competitor Samsung and a slew of other competitors, LG is sticking to a rear-mounted fingerprint reader here. We can’t say we mind it, as in-display readers are still a little slower and less consistent than conventional designs.
One prominent change: the cameras are no longer raised, which can mean two things: LG found a way to shrink cameras so they fit in a body of approximately 7.5mm; or, the V50 is slightly thicker than the V40, potentially to house a bigger battery. The latter option is more likely.
LG has told us last month that its first 5G phone will be coming at MWC with a 4,000mAh battery and an advanced cooling system. The company did not confirm this phone was the V50, but we can put two and two together.
In fact, the leaked render all but confirms the LG V50’s MWC launch – the date revealed in the image is Sunday, February 24. That’s when LG will hold its press meeting in Barcelona.
The Sprint 5G branding is extremely in-your-face. As carriers are wont to do, Sprint emphasized its service with that grave wallpaper and a custom 5G logo in Sprint yellow on the rear. If the 4G rollout is any clue, that logo will feature highly on retail units and throughout Sprint’s marketing, so you improved get used to it. A 5G indicator is visible in the status bar. At least it’s the genuine thing, not the fake and misleading “5G E” logo Sprint is suing AT&T over.
Speaking of branding, the much-derided ThinQ brand is still there. Why?
Overall, the LG V50 looks very conservative. Its main reason for existence is perhaps to serve as a showcase for 5G, and it may extremely well be a great showcase at that. But we can’t help feeling the V50 will have a problem competing against flashier competitors launching around a similar time. It will possibly have a high price tag too, owing to the complexities of 5G. Let’s hope the LG G8 ThinQ saves the day.
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