LG G7 ThinQ with AI cameras, dedicated Google Assistant key launched

The smartphone, to roll out in South Korea initially, will be made available in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia later this month

South Korean electronics giant LG on May 2 announced the LG G7 ThinQ, a flagship smartphone with native artificial intelligence and all-round multimedia capabilities. The smartphone will initially roll out in South Korea and be made available in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia later this month.

The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip (SoC), paired with 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage options. It sports a 6.1-inch IPS LCD quadHD+ notch-based screen that has a peak brightness level of up to 1,000 nits – according to company’s claim.

The phone features a polished metal rim, sandwiched between Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back. It is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance and meet the requirements of MIL-STD 810G tests designed by the United States military to evaluate the performance of equipment in harsh environments.

Here are the key specifications of the LG G7 ThinQ:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
• Display: 6.1-inch QHD+ 19.5:9 FullVision (3120 x 1440, 564ppi)
• Memory: 4GB/6GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64GB/128GB UFS 2.1 ROM, MicroSD (up to 2TB)
• Rear Camera: Dual 16MP Super Wide Angle (F1.9, 107 degree), 16MP Standard Angle (F1.6, 71 degree)
• Front Camera: 8MP Wide Angle (F1.9, 80 degree)
• Battery: 3,000 mAh
• Operating system: Android 8.0 Oreo
• Size: 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm
• Weight: 162g
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 (3.1 compatible)
• Colours: New Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Raspberry Rose
• Others: Super bright display, new second screen, AI cam, super bright camera, super far field voice recognition, Boombox speaker, Google Lens, AI haptic, Hi-Fi quadDAC, DTS:X 3D surround sound, IP68 water and dust resistance, HDR10, Google Assistant key, face recognition, fingerprint sensor, wireless charging, MIL-STD 810g compliant and FM radio

Here are some of the key features of the LG G7 ThinQ:

LG G7 ThinQ camera: The LG G7 ThinQ has been upgraded with an 8-megapixel camera for selfies, in comparison of 5MP used in the LG V30+, and dual 16MP lenses on the back with standard and super wide-angle configurations. Both the front and back cameras are assisted by AI-engine, which debuted in the LG V30S ThinQ.

To offer enhanced low light photography, the LG G7 ThinQ features f/1.6 aperture lens in the primary camera, paired with optical image stabilisation, and f/1.9 aperture lens in the wide-angle camera. The camera also uses a combination of pixel binning and software processing, along with the AI algorithm to adjust settings automatically when shooting in low light.

In terms of features, the new Live Photo mode in the G7 ThinQ records one second before and after the shutter is pressed and the Stickers mode uses face recognition to generate 2D and 3D overlays such as sunglasses and headbands that can be viewed in real time.

As for the portrait mode, the G7 ThinQ creates bokeh effect from both the the standard or Super Wide Angle lens, unlike other phones that relies on only one lens to create depth of field.

Artificial intelligence: The LG G7 ThinQ features native AI capabilities, along with Google assistant. It would also be one 

of the first devices to get upcoming Google Lens features. Google Lens makes a search using the AI and computer vision technology. It searches for information on objects such as landmarks, plants, animals, books, and can identify text too. With Google Lens, user can directly visit websites, add a business card to contacts, add events to the calendar or look up an item on a restaurant menu using the phone.

The G7 ThinQ is also the first smartphone to feature a dedicated Google Assistant key, located just below the volume button. A single tap of this button launches the Google Assistant while two quick clicks launches the Google Lens. Users can also hold down the button to start talking to the Google Assistant.

The phone also features Super Far Field Voice Recognition (SFFVR) technology that take advantage of the smartphone’s sensitive microphone to enable the Google Assistant by recognising voice commands from up to five meters away.

Bright Display: The LG G7 ThinQ sports a 6.1-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) display sporting a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, which leaves thin chin on the bottom bezel while covering almost all the other edges with no bezels. The The display has an industry-leading 1,000 nit brightness levels, according to company’s claim, and 100 per cent DCI-P3 colour gamut.

The display can be set to six different viewing modes: Auto, Eco, Cinema, Sports, Game and Expert. In Auto mode, the phone automatically analyses the content of games or photos and optimises the display to enhance output without risking power consumption.

Audio capabilities: The LG G7 ThinQ features Boombox speaker, which utilises the internal space of the LG G7 ThinQ as a resonance chamber to deliver double the bass. When placed on a solid surface or box, the smartphone utilises its resonance chamber as a woofer to amplify the bass effect even more.

The LG G7 ThinQ is also a first smartphone to offer DTS:X to deliver virtual 3D sound for all content, up to 7.1 channel audio with earphones. The phone is equipped with a Hi-Fi Quad DAC for immersive sound experience when paired with high-impedance earphones.