LG is fleshing out its 2018 range with the new LG Q7 smartphones. The LG Q7 brings a whole host of interesting new features to LG’s midrange lineup, but with reasonably priced phones like the OnePlus 6 providing flagship performance, what can LG bring to the table to tempt prospective buyers?
Updates
On June 13 LG announced regional availability for the Q7 and Q7 Plus, along with prices for South Korea. From June 15, the pair will be sold through three carriers for the local equivalent of $450 for the 3GB/32GB Q7 and $520 for the 4GB/64GB Q7 Plus. Europe will follow next, with the Q7 being prepared for a June launch. Afterward, the Q7 range will be sold in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and other parts of Asia. There is no word on an U.S. release yet.
LG Q7 range
Like last year’s LG Q6, the LG Q7 will be coming in three different flavors: The standard LG Q7 Plus, the Q7 Plus, and the Q7 Alpha (stylized Q7α). Each of the phones is functionally identical from the outside, with a rounded bezel-less design similar to last year’s LG Q6, as well as 5.5-inch FHD+ FullVision displays running a 2,160 x 1,080 resolution. Like the Q6, you’ll instead be looking at the differences between the models being in the specifications on each.
If you’re looking to get the very best of LG’s newest midrange entries, then you’ll want the LG Q7 Plus. The powerhouse of the range, the Q7 Plus comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage as standard, while the standard Q7 and the Q7 Alpha come with a still respectable 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. If the storage numbers aren’t big enough for you, all three models also come with MicroSD slots, and are expandable up to 2TB of extra storage. That’s a lot of pictures of your lunch.
LG has put a Snapdragon 450 processor into each Q7, and initially announced it will use either a 1.5GHz Octa-core processor or a 1.8GHz Octa-core chip; but didn’t detail which models would get which chip. We also assume that the more powerful 1.8GHz processor is be in the Q7 Plus, while the standard and Alpha variants will see the slightly less powerful 1.5GHz version.
You’ll find a decently sized 3,000mAh battery in each of the phones, as well as Android 8.0 Oreo.
Cameras
The differences between the models continues into the camera. You’ll find a 16-megapixel camera mounted on the back of the LG Q7 Plus, while the standard Q7 and Q7 Alpha make do with the small downgrade to a 13-megapixel lens. Each of these rear-mounted cameras, regardless of model, will also come with PDAF — Phase Detection Auto Focus — an addition that LG claims is 23 percent faster to focus than previous focusing options.
Around the front of each phone you’ll find a 5-megapixel selfie lens with the capability to capture 100-degree, wide-angle shots — perfect for those large group shots. You’ll also be able to access the selectively blurred “bokeh” style of shots with LG’s Portrait Mode. Additionally, LG has moved the fingerprint sensor to the back of the phone, which can be used as a camera shutter button, making selfies even easier than ever.
Software and special features
If sound quality is important to you, then you’re in accord with LG’s mobile division. Each model of the Q7 range will come with DTS:X 3D Surround Sound — a first in this price range, according to LG — which gives users virtual surround sound, with 7.1 channels. The LG Q7 Plus goes even further with audio innovations, also adding a Hi-Fi Quad DAC for high-end headphones, to cut down on distortion and deliver clearer sound to the user — another first in this price range.
Love or hate it, artificial intelligence seems here to stay, and while it’s not been loaded with the A.I. smarts of the LG G7 ThinQ, the LG Q7 range will also come with LG’s QLens feature. Essentially an A.I. search feature, users will be able to point their cameras at food or clothing to find shopping recommendations, or identify landmarks to find matching or similar photos.
Life is tough, and so is the LG Q7. LG has beefed up the protective qualities of its midrange phones to survive a hazardous world, and as a result, it claims that the metallic body and metal frame of the LG Q7 is able to pass 14 MIL-STD 810G tests designed by the United States military to test the performance of equipment in harsh environments.
That’s not all either — LG has also added water and dust-resistance to the Q7, with all models of the phone being rated up to IP68.
Release date and price
While LG is releasing three models of the LG Q7, there’s no guarantee that a particular model will be available in your region. LG will sell the Q7 and Q7 Plus for between $450 and $525 in South Korea, and will follow the June 15 launch date with a rollout in Europe. Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East will also get the Q7. None of the Q7 phones have been announced for the U.S. yet.
The LG Q7 Plus and Q7 will be available in aurora black, Moroccan blue, and lavender violet, while the LG Q7 Alpha will only be available in Moroccan blue.
Updated on June 14: Added Q7 prices and launch date for South Korea, and news of European launch.
