LG V30 and Snapdragon 835 unite for premium photography, security, and mobile VR smartphone
Blazing-fast Gigabit LTE connectivity, virtually lag-free HDR video capture, and advanced mobile AI: These are just some of the trailblazing features users will find in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 powered LG V30, the latest addition to LG's flagship V series of smartphones.
On the outside, LG reports that the V30 boasts numerous mobile industry-first innovations, including the first F1.6 Crystal Clear Lens, and the first OLED FullVision display. On the inside, the Snapdragon 835 helps the V30 take advantage of cutting-edge digital features such as voice UI, responsive VR, and advanced biometric security. This potent combination of bleeding-edge hardware and next-level software makes the V30 one of the most capable mobile devices out there.
The V30 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, and it supports some the most advanced LTE features of any smartphone. This includes Gigabit LTE for incredibly fast download speeds that enhance all connected apps, 4x4 MIMO technology with double the number of antennas of typical smartphones for fast speeds in weak signal areas, and LAA technology for fast speeds in crowded places. In addition, it’s the first phone to support LTE connections in the 600-MHz band, giving it superior coverage on compatible networks. In all, these advanced wireless features are designed to provide users the speed and coverage they need for high-quality video and music streaming, VR immersion, and near-instantaneous access to files in the cloud.
The V30 brings new advancements in mobile photography, pairing the latest hardware with intuitive software for a unique experience. The main camera features F1.6 Crystal Clear Lens. The glass lens on the 16MP standard-angle camera and 13MP wide-angle camera on the back capture brighter and more vivid colors than photos taken with traditional plastic mobile lenses.
LG claims another industry first is the inclusion of Point Zoom. While typical cameras only zoom in on the center of a frame, the software algorithms on the V30 zoom in anywhere smoothly, regardless of an object’s position on screen.
Cine Video mode bundles a number of innovative tools that add the cinematic hues of various movie genres to videos. Fifteen pre-set Cine Effects can transform a normal video into a romantic comedy, summer blockbuster, mystery, thriller, or classic film. The manual camera mode gives even more creative power when paired with the Graphy app. In Manual Mode, users can select images from Graphy and apply preset metadata, like white balance, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, to photos.
One of the most exciting trends in mobile photography is High Dynamic Range (HDR). Not only is the V30 able to capture stunning HDR photos, but it can also shoot virtually lag-free HDR video. HDR photos are created by stitching together the best parts of numerous images taken at different exposures; in order to bring HDR quality to video without almost any lag, the V30 alternates the exposure of pixels in a single image. And it all happens nearly instantly — HDR is even available in the live preview.
The approach to HDR video also allows the V30 to capture full-resolution HDR photos without virtually any shutter lag. This near-real-time HDR-capture ability is made possible by the 14-bit Qualcomm Spectra 180 Image Sensor Processor (ISP), which has been designed to take on this type of heavy image lifting without a strain on battery life. In other words, there’s no need for battery anxiety when shooting in HDR.
The new OLED display on the LG V30 provides amazing contrast and ultra wide color gamut, providing the ideal canvas to render immersive HDR content on. Combined with advanced HDR tone mapping performed by the Adreno DPU on the Snapdragon 835, users can experience next-generation HDR10 content from providers such as Netflix and Amazon.
“HDR10 playback delivers a viewing experience the way Hollywood intended,” says Don McGuire, VP of Product Marketing for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Many movies and TV shows on Netflix and Amazon are already available in HDR10 (Consumers may see content branded as “Ultra HD Premium.”), and more outlets are sure to follow.
LG also highlights that the V30 is the first global smartphone to support MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, the V30 streams high-resolution audio files that duplicate the quality of the original studio’s master version. The phone is also equipped with a Hi-Fi Quad DAC, with audio tuning by B&O PLAY sound engineers. Presets that mix-and-match sound frequencies and decibel scales provide superior audio quality.
The V30 is equipped with a Voice Recognition feature, which uses a combination of the user’s voice and user-defined keywords (optimally three to five syllables) to “wake up” the V30. (But don’t worry about security, the technology is smart enough to distinguish the user’s voice from others.) This is also available even when the V30 plays music. The Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec (WCD9340) in combination with advanced Aqstic voice UI technology is engineered to provide the phone with virtually always-on, always-listening capabilities without draining its battery.
The Google AI Assistant’s “OK Google” hotword is baked-in to the DSP inside the Aqstic audio codec for using voice commands to direct the phone to perform a variety of functions. For example, say “OK Google, take a romantic ‘Cine Video’,” and the V30 will open the camera with the “Romantic” pre-set filter ready to go. Linking compatible LG products, like washing machines, refrigerators, ovens, air conditioners, and robot vacuums, to the phone is also possible. Simply say, “OK Google, talk to LG to wash my clothes,” to start a load of laundry.
In addition to using the Aqstic UI for security-rich access to the phone, users can take advantage of its facial recognition technology. LG’s Face Recognition technology the V30 is engineered to be unlocked almost instantaneously using the front-facing camera and without pressing any buttons, even when the phone’s display is off. This feature is supported by the “phone tilt” algorithm from Qualcomm Technologies based on input running on the Snapdragon sensor core. A fingerprint sensor on the phone’s back provides an additional layer of security, so the device can be unlocked by tapping a Knock Code on the screen.
The innovative features of the V30 also extend to its intelligently designed battery. Equipped with Quick Charge 3.0, this 3,300 mAh battery charges from empty to 50 percent in around 30 minutes. It also provides convenient wireless charging, efficiently consuming power to keep users snapping photos, streaming VR, or recording video for longer.
The V30’s large six-inch, 18:9 ratio QHD+ (2880 x 1440) OLED FullVision display delivers a stunning viewing experience. It offers fast response time with minimal afterimages when viewing an action-packed movie or playing a game with quick movements.
LG’s Second Screen functionality evolves into the new Always-on Display (AOD) and a new Floating Bar for the V30’s home screen. When the display is turned off, the AOD appears with shortcuts to the music player or Quick Tools. On the homescreen, the optional, semi-transparent Floating Bar can be customized with five favorite apps.
The Snapdragon 835’s built-in Adreno 540 GPU supports Daydream, Google’s platform for high-quality VR gaming. With Daydream, users can explore new video game worlds and stream cinematic experiences in stunning VR. The V30 takes full advantage of this rapid response time and the exceptional graphics delivered by the Snapdragon 835 to put users in the center of the action.
The V30 is durable and lightweight. Designed with the same H-beam design used in modern skyscrapers, LG emphasizes that the 158g metal frame is the lightest smartphone in the six-inch and over category. With an IP68 water and dust resistant ranking, the V30 can be immersed in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes without impacting its use. Both sides of the phone are sealed with Gorilla Glass 5, Corning’s most advanced tempered glass, which has passed 14 categories of the U.S. Department of Defense’s durability drop tests. That means the V30 can be used in a variety of environments.
The LG V30 comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The phone is available in Aurora Block, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet. The LG V30+ has 128GB of storage and will only be available in select regions.
Authored by The OnQ Team
