We’ve been waiting for an LG phone that really “wows” us for some time now. That’s not to say that the company hasn’t produced some alright devices over the last couple of years—it has—but there hasn’t been one that’s managed to leave a truly lasting impression.
After the ambitious, yet flawed, LG G5—which was focused on modularity—the company moved away from risky innovations in its flagship G-series phones. This wasn't necessarily a bad decision, but it left LG’s G-series phones in a bit of an identity crisis, struggling to really stand out among the rest in the premium segment.
So, is LG going to pleasantly surprise us with the LG G9 ThinQ, or is it going to be another "just alright" device with a couple of neat tricks up its sleeve? The rumor mill is now in motion and we have some very interesting information coming from reliable sources that suggests that the LG G9 ThinQ may, indeed, turn out to be a very desirable phone.
LG G9 ThinQ price and release date
LG has been known for announcing new phones at MWC, which is held every February in Barcelona. The LG G8 ThinQ was announced on February 24, 2019 and launched in March, so we may be looking at a similar timeline for the G9 ThinQ in 2020. Is that the LG G9 release date? Our estimates say so.
As far as price goes, we may not see a big increase compared to the G8 ThinQ. The LG G6 retailed for $650 at launch, while the G7 ThinQ had an initial MSRP of $750. The G8 ThinQ launched earlier in 2019 at $850, which made it hard to recommend at full price, though it's already been subject to a number of discounts that have brought its price down to a more acceptable level.
With the G9 ThinQ, LG may be wise to not increase the price any further. Current rumors suggest that the G9 won't attempt to tackle the high-end devices like the Galaxy S20 and iPhone 12, but rather position itself as an upper-midrange device. This means that the LG G9 ThinQ may be priced at around $700, so as to more easily compete with the likes of the iPhone 11 and OnePlus 7 Pro.
Quad camera setup on the back
Image source: @OnLeaks | CashKaro
The recent wave of multi-camera devices has proven that phone cameras can be more versatile, without adding any bulk. The optics and sensors are small enough as is, which allows engineers to cram multiple cameras with different focal lengths, while the software is getting better at using them all in tandem and further improving results digitally. So, it comes as no surprise that the LG G9 ThinQ will have four cameras on its back..
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We have no information regarding the exact specs of the cameras, but if we were to venture a guess, we'd bet on the tried-and-true formula of combining a wide, ultra-wide, telephoto and depth-sensing cameras together. This covers a wide range of focal lengths and also provides some improved depth-measuring capabilities for things like Portrait Mode and AR applications.
Better display with a waterdrop notch
Image source: @OnLeaks | CashKaro
LG hasn’t exactly been leading the pack in terms of display innovation over the last years. The company’s plastic OLED panels haven’t been quite as great as Samsung’s Super AMOLEDs, both in terms of peak brightness and color accuracy, though the LG G8 ThinQ was a marked improvement over its predecessors on both accounts.
For the most part, LG has followed the pack when it comes to increasing screen real estate – moving to a taller aspect ratio, reducing the bezels, and introducing a notch. The next big step comes in the form of true in-display cameras, but we wouldn’t hold our breath to see one on the LG G9 ThinQ. The technology is still in its infancy, and though we’ve seen working prototypes, it won't be ready for prime time for the G9.
It doesn't look like LG will settle for a hole-punch selfie camera, either. The latest leaks suggest that the LG G9 ThinQ will have a small, waterdrop-type notch and a relatively even frame around the display. The G9 ThinQ won't have the slimmest of bezels, but it seems like LG is trying to keep the width of the bezels relatively even on all sides of the screen, though it appears thicker at the bottom, as can be expected.
The last bastion of the headphone jack
Image source: @OnLeaks | CashKaro
The headphone jack is close to extinction in the premium smartphone segment. Samsung has so far stood its ground by keeping the 3.5mm jack in its Galaxy flagships, but the Note 10 put an end to it. The beloved jack may have turned into an endangered species among flagships, but as we already said, the LG G9 ThinQ is likely going to be poised as an upper midrange device, rather than a Galaxy S20 or iPhone 12 competitor.
But aside from this, the same people who would by an LG phone for its excellent Quad DAC and headphone audio quality, are coincidentally the same people who need a 3.5mm jack. So, unless LG is planning to stop catering to audiphiles and to remove one of the current-defining features of its premium phones, we’d be inclined to believe that the G9 ThinQ may retain the headphone jack.
Our theory is further backed by information coming from prolific leakster @OnLeaks, who has confirmed that the LG G9 will, indeed, feature a 3.5mm headphone jack.
LG's troubled Android skin
LG UX 9.0 looks similar to Samsung One UI at first glance, but is this the end of the world?
LG’s custom Android skin hasn't been the worst offender out there, but it could definitely use some improvements—both in terms of its visual design and actual functionality. The G8 ThinQ, despite running Android 9 Pie out of the box, didin't have many of the bells and whistles that other custom skins—and even "stock" Android itself—have on offer.
LG recently sort of unveiled the next version of its UX Android skin (yep, it's called UX) and it seemed to address many of the issues that we've had with previous iterations. In a now-deleted teaser trailer for the update, the company showed off what looked like a total redesign of the interface, packing a lot of new features, such as system-wide night mode.
The video immediately started drawing comparisons with Samsung's One UI and was promptly taken down by LG, hence why we can't show it to you. We don't know if the company decided to remove all information about LG UX 9.0 due to the apparent similarities with One UI, or simply because it was shared earlier than intended by mistake, but what we saw in the video made us both optimistic and a bit worried.
Disclaimer: The images used in this article are based on leaks
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