Home Blog Page 718

LG G7 ThinQ Pre-Sale starts May 25th, Starts with a BOGO deal

0

LG announced its new flagship, the G7 ThinQ, earlier this year which we found out everyone would be carrying, besides AT&T. Soon the phone will be available in stores and deals are starting to appear. T-Mobile is showing one of the first advantages of buying from their carrier with a pre-sale starting a week earlier.

T-Mobile is having a pre-sale of the LG G7 ThinQ starting this Friday, May 25th. In which you can go online beginning at 8:00 am EST at T-Mobile’s website and order the phone. This way, you are more than likely going to receive and have the phone before the official June 1st release.

In general, though, T-Mobile will be selling the G7 ThinQ for just $30 down and $30 a month. The carrier is also carrying an exclusive, unique Raspberry Rose color variant to offer as well.

Also coming from T-Mobile is a buy one, get one deal! When you get two LG G7 ThinQ’s on the company’s installment plan, one will be eligible to receive monthly bill credits. As long as you keep both phones on your T-Mobile account, one is virtually free. Great stuff is coming from T-Mobile! Don’t forget to check your T-Mobile Tuesday app today!

Unlocked Alcatel 3V goes on sale for $150

0

TCL on Tuesday confirmed that its Alcatel 3V phone will be available for purchase from Amazon starting next week. First introduced earlier this year at Mobile World Congress, the unlocked Alcatel 3V will carry a $150 price tag.

As a GSM smartphone, the handset is compatible with carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and their respective prepaid brands. Powered by Android 8.0 Oreo, the 3V houses a quad-core MediaTek processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage.

Design & Specs

The first of its kind to feature Alcatel’s SIMGANIC design; the new philosophy includes a “balance of organic and simplicity from a human centric perspective”. In other words, it has 2.5D contoured edge glass and curves everywhere you look.

The 3V boasts a 6-inch display at 2160 x 1080 pixel resolution. With an 18:9 aspect ratio, and a nearly bezel-free edge, it will be easier to hold than older devices with smaller screens.

Cameras & Extras

As for cameras, the 3V as a 12-megapixel rear sensor with a 2-megapixel secondary sensor for depth and bokeh-style photos. Around front you’ll find a 5-megapixel shooter with LED flash. Moreover, the front-facing camera can be be used for Face Key, or facial recognition for security.

The phone also includes a number of extra touches for user experience including Social Mode (photo editing tool), Social Square (side-by-side viewing of pics next to camera), and Instant Collage (image mashups).

Availability

The Alcatel 3V will be available in the US in black for $149.99 starting next week at Amazon. Best Buy and Walmart are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Instagram privacy settings you need manage right now

OnePlus 6 review roundup: Is the ‘flagship killer’ back?

0

Just last week, the OnePlus 6 was finally unveiled, showing off the hard work that has been put in. The handset hopes to be the ‘flagship killer’ of 2018, with its top-of-the-line specs and even better price.

READ MORE: OnePlus 6 Unveiled

Speaking of the specs, we have a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a little notch at the top. Powering the handset is the Snapdragon 845 SoC, which is coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

OnePlus also packed in an impressive camera system with a primary 16MP lens and a 20MP sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera, which also carries the ability for face unlock.

READ MORE: OnePlus 6 vs Galaxy S9

All of this can be had for just $529, which is only a $30 increase over its predecessor. But how well does the device actually perform in day-to-day usage?

The reviews are starting to roll in, and we’re here to share what others in the industry have to say. These range from our contemporaries in the Android space, to other publications such as Wired or Ars Technica in the OnePlus 6 review roundup.

Android Police

Image courtesy of Android Police

This is not a perfect phone, but it’s one that is worth the $530 asking price. That’s just the 64GB/6GB model. The OnePlus 6 is fast, and you won’t have to spend an hour removing bloatware.

The good

Overall, Android Police gave the OnePlus 6 a great review, stating its a great value at just $530. The handset features a near-stock experience with Oxygen OS and a plethora of extra features.

When it comes to the notch, Android Police states that it’s rather unobtrusive and “doesn’t require an obnoxiously tall status bar”. This is something that Android users will have to get used to over the coming months.

The bad

Not everything is sunshine and daisies in this review, as there are some issues on the camera front. There is a slight improvement over the OnePlus 5T, however, the OP6 still pales in comparison to the Galaxy S9, Pixel 2 and others.

Additionally, there are some complaints when it comes to the glass due to the number of fingerprints that show. This is also a sign of the times, and Android Police recommends picking up an official case or a dbrand skin.

Android Central

Image courtesy of Android Central

 It lacks a couple of features I enjoy on devices that cost considerably more — wireless charging and a high-quality vibration motor, to be specific — but there’s very little else about it with which I can find fault. It’s not the best camera on the market — that honor is still reserved for the Huawei P20 Pro — but it’s a remarkable one for the price.

The good

At the end of the review, Android Central gave the OnePlus 6 a score of 4.5 out of 5. The handset sports a “great” OLED display, while also providing an “attractive design”.

Android Central also states that the camera is “much-improved” over its predecessor. On the software side, the review claims that this is “as good as you’re going to get” when it comes to gestures on Android.

The bad

On the other side of the fence, there are some nit-picky problems that were found with the OnePlus 6. These include frustrating haptic feedback and the fact that the software “lacks a few niceties”.

Considering that the OnePlus 6 shipped with a glass back, many of us expected to see wireless charging. The fact that there is no such feature, is rather disappointing and “would have been nice”.

Android Authority

Image courtesy of Android Authority

The OnePlus line has a lot of the same charm as the Nexus line did. It isn’t just the low cost, but also how open the community is towards rooting, ROMing, and other tech enthusiast activities.

The Good

In what seems to be the only opinion of its kind, Android Authority claims that OnePlus is taking over the Nexus “charm”. This means that there is a low-cost device on the market with flagship specs, but has the appeal of being able to dive into rooting and ROMing, without hurdles.

Although the camera does not hold up against others on the market, low-light performance is a “major upgrade”. Plus, the software is “clean, fast, and doesn’t overwhelm you with any unnecessary apps”.

The Bad

For the first time since the OnePlus One, the company stated that its latest device features “daily water resistance”. In today’s day and age, this is rather disappointing as there is no verifiable IP water-proof rating.

Although the OnePlus 6 includes many great software features, Android Authority feels it could use further refinement. This is especially true in the AI Department which “is an area where OnePlus is behind the pack”.

Wired

Powerful high-end phone for hundreds less. Good battery life. A screen notch that isn’t as obtrusive as competitors. Packed with useful one-handed gestures.

The Good

Putting it bluntly, the Wired review claims the OnePlus 6 “is a kickass Android phone”. At the $500 price point, the handset is also “the best-unlocked device you can buy”.

Combining its flagship specs with a gorgeous, new, design and software tweaks, there is no better option. Instead, you will get the most out of OnePlus’ latest flagship without dealing with too many compromises.

The Bad

On the other side of the fence, Wired states that its carrier compatibility limitations are frustrating. Only being compatible with GSM networks is rather annoying, as the number of Verizon customers is staggering.

This is only compounded by the fact that the OnePlus 6 actually includes the correct CDMA bands. Also, the glass backing “holds a smudge like nobody’s business”.

Engadget

Image courtesy of Engadget

The lack of microSD expansion and wireless charging may annoy some, but the OnePlus 6 delivers the best balance between performance and value.

The Good

Jumping out of the gates, Engadget gives the OnePlus 6 a score of 91 out of 100. The device scores points for a “vastly improved camera”, along with its “new elegant design”.

What is even more surprising is that Engadget claims that the OnePlus 6 outperforms the iPhone X. Not that the iPhone X is considered the best option anymore, but it is still mentioned alongside the Pixel 2 and Galaxy S9.

The Bad

Engadget didn’t have too many bad things to say about the OnePlus 6. Instead, the publication stated that the lack of wireless charging and microSD expansion were downfalls.

Also falling in this category was the price, as the OP6 is the most expensive OnePlus phone to-date. But it seems that these are just annoyances and should not deter those from considering the OnePlus 6.

The Verge

Image courtesy of The Verge

The OnePlus 6 is still a great value, perhaps even more so now that every other flagship phone has ballooned in price.

But it doesn’t change the conversation.

The Good

Despite saying that the OnePlus 6 “doesn’t change the conversation”, the handset scored an 8 out of 10. This is thanks to the “large, vibrant display”, “great software experience”, and “reliable battery life”.

Another notch in the “good” column is that OnePlus isn’t chasing any of the recent trends. This includes the recent surge in random and questionably useful “AI enhancements”. All-in-all, the OnePlus 6 offers the best “bang for the buck”.

The Bad

Complaints from The Verge seem to line up with those from Engadget. Most notably, the lack of support for CDMA carriers such as Verizon or Sprint.

Not including these customers immediately knocks out a large portion of potential customers in the US. Another complaint is that although the OnePlus 6 is gorgeous, there is no smaller option for those who don’t want a 6-inch display.

Ars Technica

Image courtesy of Ars Technica

With a switch to a glass back and a notched display design, OnePlus’ flagship seems more generic than ever. But for that price, it’s still hard to beat.

The Good

When it comes to what OnePlus did right, it all comes down to the price. At $300 cheaper than the competition, the OnePlus 6 is hard to not recommend to those tied to GSM networks.

The OnePlus 6 also excels in community support thanks to the inclusion of an unlocked bootloader, and Project Treble support. The review reminds everyone that you can sign up for the Android P beta program with the new OnePlus 6.

The Bad

On the downside, the Ars Technica review states that the move to a glass back should have included wireless charging. The lack of such technologies is “a straight downgrade over last year”.

Additionally, OnePlus did not share any specific plans for future upgrades to Android. Despite being a part of the Android P beta, the OnePlus 6 should have a clear timeline in the future.

Where is our review?

While other publications have been reviewing their devices for some time, that’s not how we do things here. Instead of spending just a week or two with the handset, we are hard at work putting the OnePlus 6 through its paces.

Stay tuned to the front page, as you should be seeing more content coming in the next few weeks. Let us know if you have any specific questions regarding the OnePlus 6 and we’ll be sure to answer them!

Related Posts

LG K30 joins Amazon’s Prime Exclusive Phones lineup, available for $139.99

0

LG just unveiled the mid-range Q7 family of devices. But if you’re looking for something in the entry-level category, then you might be interested to know the LG K30 is now available for purchase as an Amazon Prime Exclusive Phones.

Starting this week, Prime members will be able to grab the LG K30 for only $139.99, instead of the regular $179.99. Amazon sells the phone unlock and in the US, the K30 is compatible with carriers such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amazon Prime Exclusive Phones are Android devices sold at discounted prices for Amazon Prime members. The phones used to show ads on the lockscreen, but that’s not the case anymore. Instead, the devices are ad-free but come with some Amazon apps preinstalled like Amazon Shopping and Prime Video.

What will $139.99 get you?

Since we’re talking about an entry-level device, don’t expect the LG K30 to come with mind-blowing specs. Even so, it includes the basics and most importantly it keeps the price low, which makes it perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a smartphone.

The handset packs a 5.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and relies on a Snapdragon 425 processor. LG also throws in 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage on this model.

If you feel you need more, there’s a microSD card slot on board which lets users expand internal memory up to 2TB.

Customers will also get an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Although not very impressive, the two snappers will get the job done when needed.

The phone will also ship with the Alexa app pre-installed. Amazon’s artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant is spreading like wildfire, and is now available on entry-level phones too. What’s more, users can easily set Alexa as their default assistant app after updating the Alexa app.

Unfortunately, the LG K30 runs the outdated Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Will it get Oreo at some point? It might but chances are quite slim.

But if you can get past that, the LG K30 seems like a good deal at only $139.99.

LG Q7 mid-range lineup introduced with some premium features

0

Last year following the launch of the G6 flagship, LG introduced a mid-range line of devices called Q6.

The Q series basically offered essential premium features like a FullVision display, but at affordable price tags. And this year, LG returned with a refreshed lineup.

The company just unveiled the Q7, Q7+ and Q7α models this week. The new smartphones will first go on sale in Europe next, followed by select markets in the Americas and Asia.

All three new models come with a 5.5-inch FullVision display with FHD+ resolution (2160 x 1080 pixels) and an 18:9 aspect ratio. So unlike the G7 ThinQ flagship, the Q7 series does not boast a notch design.

What sets the three models apart?

The main differentiators here are the amount of memory and the cameras. But before we go on to detail each model, we should also note the three phones include either a 1.5GHz octa-core or a 1.8GHz octa-core processor.

The standard Q7 version includes 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. Customers who need more should probably consider getting the Q7+ model which includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Last but not least, the Q7α has the same internal configuration as the Q7, meaning you get 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

Moving on to cameras, the Q7 takes advantage of a 13-megapixel rear-facing snapper with PDAF, while the Q7+ has a 16-megapixel main camera living on the back. LG will allow users to choose between having an 8-megapixel or a Super Wide Angle 5-megapixel selfie camera on the front.

As for the Q7α, it will be offered with a 13-megapixel camera with PDAF and a Super Wide Angle 5-megapixel selfie camera.

The Q7 trio will come packing durable metal bodies. The devices are also MIL-STD-810G-compliant and IP68 waterproof. All versions come with a 3,000 mAh battery and run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

What’s more, customers who will be opting for the Q7+ version will also get Quad DACs, just like on the G7 ThinQ or V30.

LG said that pricing details for the Q7 family will be announced locally at the time of availability. But expect them to be moderately affordable.

Udoq Charging Dock System Review – The best engineered base for mobile devices

Tech crazed individuals, such as ourselves, greatly benefit from charging stations. They’re a nifty solution to clean up our potential of a rats-nest clutter of charging wires. But as we gander through our options, we notice a common trend: a lack of finesse. No one has really developed a dock that is more than just a box with slots and power ports. That is, until Udoq came by.

This startup imagined more for a charging station, one that will not only look good on a tabletop, but that provides unheard-of flexibility. But naturally, this kind of premium solution comes at a…premium. Let’s investigate if the Udoq is worth the investment.

Udoq Charging Dock
The size of the Udoq 400 should comfortably fit four devices.

Design

The Udoq options and sample configurations.

The Udoq is unlike any other dock you’ve seen. In profile, it looks like a standard stand, but in practice, it goes beyond that. The first thing we need to relay is that the device is highly customizable. You buy it the way that will specifically work for your mobile device inventory. Udoq’s solution for this is by offering the dock in four different widths: Udoq 250, 400, 550, or 700. The model numbering represents the length in millimeters.

Recognizing that you may be unsure of which size to opt for, the company has this nifty “configurator” on its website. They’ve logged dimensions for most mobile devices out there, and you can virtually add the ones you have and see how much space they’ll take up (therein, which is the dock size you need).

Udoq’s configurator helps you figure out which model you need.

That takes us to the price. For just the stand themselves, the starting Udoq 250 model goes for $89, all the way to the $159 Udoq 700. This is pretty steep for a dock (bear in mind these prices don’t include the charging equipment you’ll need to add on next). But Udoq sees this device as a life-lasting investment, rather than those much cheaper, plastic charging stations that may fall apart or cease to work. An advantage of the independent charging accessories is that if they fail, you don’t have to replace the entire dock, just the failed bits.

How the Udoq charging works is that the ports come up from the cylindrical base where the mobile devices sit, and the wires expel the rear.

This makes for a very clean look from the front, and the devices are in an organized, lined-up arrangement when placed. Note that the dock takes up a narrow area on a tabletop, but its length can get overbearing with the longer models. This can be seen as a downside of this side-by-side design, as opposed to the stacked design of some other charging stations. In turn, a benefit is that you can still interact with any of the devices without picking them up. It’s also important to know that you cannot adjust the angle of the back plate; the dock is rigidly constructed. Udoq believes that its 77-degree tilt is the perfect and only angle you’ll need. It’s fine for us, but we’d still like the choice.

Udoq offers an option to adhere a box compartment on the back to further clean things up. With our model, it has included a 4-USB RAVPower charging brick, which all fits in the compartment (cables and all), and the result is simply a single wire that you plug into the wall. Very nice.

Function

Udoq Charging Dock
A pair of rubber linings on the back plate keeps the metal from scratching your devices.

The function of a normal charging dock is simply assessed – just place the mobile devices and see if it works. Things aren’t that simple with the Udoq. The company sought to make the charging dock more efficient and comprehensively flexible for different situations.

There are solutions out there that get around the different charging standards (i.e. if it’s Apple or Android, or micro-USB or USB-C) by just simply lining their dock with USB-A ports. You use whatever charging cable standard you want, and voila.

This method wasn’t good enough for Udoq, because you’ll still see a series of wires. The company’s solution was to design the dock with complete connector flexibility. At the foot of the dock is a barrel section that houses the connectors. Each connector can slide to any position, allowing the system to accommodate different mobile device sizes (from smartphones to tablets).

A cool thing is that you can pop off either of the ends and completely remove the connectors and their cables. This exemplifies Udoq’s goal of flexibility. The feature lets you choose the specific set of connectors that works for your setup. Additionally, you can tack on more connectors if you add another device in the future (assuming the dock isn’t already filled up), or replace a connector standard if you upgrade to a new mobile device with a different one.

Udoq Charging Dock
The USB-C connector module removed.

It also allows you to control how your device(s) faces when plugged in. This doesn’t matter for the newer reversible standards like USB-C, but if you’re still on micro-USB, simply pull the connector out and reverse it if needed.

A drawback to achieving this design is that the connectors have to be proprietary. They must be housed in a cylindrical module in order to work. So you must buy the cables from Udoq, which aren’t the most cost-effective. Granted, they’re quality cables, but you’re going to be paying a pretty penny when things are all said and done.

That’s not all. Udoq thought of a couple more considerate features. The connector housing lets the user change the seating height of the jack. So you can correct the mobile device’s seating on the dock if it’s too high. Udoq also addressed the fact that not all devices have a centered charging port. The device could still be placed in the dock, but it would flop on one side. Hence, pre-installed is a little resting plate that is adjustable by height and can slide to any position, just like the connectors.

Udoq Charging Dock
The Xperia Z3 is one such device that has a unique charging port placement. This is how the Udoq handles such a case.

Final Thoughts

We appreciate how Udoq went all out with their vision of the best dock possible. It’s the most premium, cleanest, and flexible dock out there. The company has also thoughtfully addressed things that could’ve been a flaw in the design.

Udoq Charging Dock

The elephant in the room is the price, though, which we imagine will be too much to ask for by many people. For instance, if you opt for the dock and connectors we have – Udoq 400 with each of the four connectors available: micro-USB, USB-C, Apple 30-pin, and Lightning – you’ll be at a total of $176. And this isn’t counting the cable/charger box on the rear or 4-USB charger that we have shown, which aren’t standard. Our review unit is probably $200 or more; this is a lot for a charging dock. Sure, it’s a very nice dock, but it’s ultimately still a dock.

It’ll be up to you if that’s worth it. Fortunately, the stand should last forever, that is, assuming that your future collect of devices doesn’t overlap the size you’ve chosen.

Affordable flagships battle it out: Honor 10 vs OnePlus 6

0

Launched one day apart, the Honor 10 and OnePlus 6 are the latest entries in the affordable flagship category.

Gone are the days when you had to spend a fortune to get a good smartphone. Today devices like the Honor 10 and OnePlus 6 come boasting all the features you could possibly want in the attractive-yet-affordable package.

But how do the two new handsets compare against each other? In this article, we pit the Honor 10 versus the OnePlus 6 in order to highlight the differences and the similarities.

On the outside

Both the Honor 10 and OnePlus 6 took their inspiration from the iPhone X. Which means they have a screen cutout living on the upper front of the display.

The Honor 10 also bears a striking similarity to the Huawei P20. It comes with a colorful glass back that’s extremely pleasing to the eye, especially in the blue and green hues. The glass outer shell makes for really beautiful reflections.

On the back, there’s a horizontally-arranged dual camera setup in the top left corner, but nothing else. The under-glass ultrasonic fingerprint reader lives on the front below the display, rather than on the back. According to Honor, it should work perfectly even when wet or greasy.

Ok, so the Honor 10 is gorgeous. But what about the OnePlus 6?

For the first time since 2015, OnePlus opted for an all-glass design for the OnePlus 6. Gorilla Glass 5 covers both the front and rear of the phone and a metal frame has been sandwiched in between.

Visually the OnePlus 6 is as compelling at the Honor 10. The flagship comes in three different colors. The Mirror Black variant is coated with mirror sheen, which gives it the look-and-feel of ceramic. However, if you prefer something a bit more classic, the Midnight Black offers a clean matte look. The third variant called Silk White uses a dash of crushed pearl for a shimmering effect.

Moving on to the display, the Honor 10 boasts a 5.84-inch LCD display with 2280 x 1080 resolution and 432ppi. In contrast, the OnePlus 6 includes a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with 2280 x 1080 resolution and 401ppi.

The difference in ppi is due to the fact that the OnePlus 6 has a larger display. And because its AMOLED, OnePlus users will be able to enjoy richer and more vibrant colors and blacks.

On the inside

The Honor 10 is powered by the same top-of-the-line Kirin 970 processor which keeps the Huawei P20 flagships alive. This is an octa-core affair clocked at 2.4GHz that includes a special module dedicated to AI calculations: the NPU or neuronal processing unit.

The Honor 10 will be offered in two variants. The base one will include 4GB of RAM + 64GB of storage, while the more advanced one will ship with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (in select markets).

Comparatively, the OnePlus 6 relies on a Snapdragon 845 that’s backed up by 6GB/8GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB or 256GB of storage. Neither model includes a microSD card slot.

In terms of battery, the Honor 10 includes a 3,400 mAh battery, while the OnePlus 6 relies on a 3,300 mAh power source.

Given that the Honor 10 has a smaller display and a larger battery, the phone should at least in theory, provide better battery life than the OnePlus 6. But we’ll have to wait and see how the two devices perform in real life.

Both phones retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, but only the OnePlus 6 is water-resistant.

Cameras

Cameras are a very important aspect when deciding which smartphone to purchase. Well, both the Honor 10 and OnePlus 6 offer interesting dual-camera arrangements on the back.

The Honor 10 features a 24-megapixel monochrome sensor (f/1.8) coupled with a 16-megapixel RGB color sensor (f/1.8). The camera module is branded as “AI Camera”, and it has intelligent image stabilization via software.

What’s more, the Honor 10 is capable of real-time object and scene recognition thanks to a semantic imagine segmentation mode. The phone can also detect multiple scenes in a photo and apply different filters.

As for the OnePlus 6, its dual-camera setup is made of 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel sensors with f/1.7, just like on the OnePlus 5T. Yet, OnePlus has made the main sensor on the new flagship 19% larger, which means it will be able to shoot better pictures in low-light. Optical image stabilization has also been added.

What about selfies you may wonder? The Honor 10 includes an impressive 24-megapixel selfie snapper. It also includes a portrait mode and a studio lighting system which enables to enable users to take professional-looking self-portraits.

The OnePlus 6, on the other hand, has a 16-megapixel living on the front. Which now enjoys a portrait mode, too.

Software

OnePlus is known for its clean and smooth software experience. It’s no different on the OnePlus 6 which runs OxygenOS based on Android 8.1 Oreo.

A few extras have been thrown in there for good measure. Like the ability to replace the on-screen nav buttons with gestures, in the vein of the iPhone X.

The Honor 10 runs EMUI 8.1 also based on Android 8.1, which offers a few additional features of its own. Like Easy Talk, which replaces background noise in a windy environment.

Conclusion

The Honor 10 is a bit more affordable than the OnePlus 6. It starts at €399.99 / $473, while the OnePlus 6’s base model will take you back with $529.

And at this price the Honor 10 is indeed a device worthy to be taken into consideration. It has higher resolution cameras full of AI tricks, a larger battery and a stunning design.

That’s not to say the OnePlus 6 doesn’t look gorgeous too, it does. However, it depends on your personal preference which one you find the most appealing.

But keep in mind that OnePlus 6’s latest flagship also comes with storage and RAM, a larger AMOLED display and optical image stabilization for the main camera.

LG G7 ThinQ pre-orders surpass G6 in South Korea

0

LG’s smartphone sales haven’t been the best for many a moon now, but there may be a silver lining on the horizon after all. According to news straight out of South Korea, LG G7 ThinQ pre-orders have surpassed those of the LG G6 from 2017.

According to Korean publication ETNews, the LG G7 ThinQ pre-orders have reached 70,000 as compared to 40,000 for the LG G6 last year. This means that LG has nearly doubled last year’s pre-orders with this year’s device, a nice feat for the Korean Android OEM.

Why LG G7 ThinQ pre-orders surpass LG G6 pre-orders

The LG G7 ThinQ has some hardware and software improvements that the G6 didn’t have at the time of its pre-order period.

Thinner Design

For one, LG says that the LG G7 ThinQ has a 50% slimmer bottom bezel than the G6. The LG G7 ThinQ brings new colors, such as New Platinum Gray, New Moroccan Blue, Raspberry, and New Aurora Black.

LG G7 ThinQ’s Wider Display and Greater Panel Tech

A wider 6.1-inch display with a 3120 x 1440p screen resolution replaces the 2880 x 1440p screen resolution of the G6, so there’s a slight screen resolution bump which should make the viewing experience brighter than the G7’s predecessor. The 1000 nits of brightness and new LCD panel tech for the G7 will also help.

Latest and Greatest Processor

One thing that may make the difference in G7 pre-orders concerns the processor. As opposed to the G6’s slightly updated Snapdragon 821 SoC (the Snapdragon 835 SoC was owned by Samsung), the G7 arrives to market with the latest-generation Snapdragon 845.

LG’s decision to release the G6 with an outdated processor moved customers elsewhere. Its release of the G7 with the latest and greatest processor places it on par with other high-end smartphones. We wish LG would have increased the battery size to 3500mAh or 3600mAh rather than reduce it to 3000mAh, though.

Audio, AI hardware and software improvements

Alongside the G7’s brand new processor are other features such as its DTS:X virtual surround sound and AI camera features with 19 shooting modes (hence the “ThinQ” moniker rebranding). The LG G7 ThinQ’s Google Assistant hardware button takes a page out of Samsung’s Bixby Button playbook, letting users summon the Assistant at a moment’s notice.

Congratulations to LG on its initial success with the LG G7 ThinQ. While G7 pre-order sales may not break any records, perhaps it’s a sign things are on the up and up for LG. Perhaps the G6 rebranding strategy will improve sales for last year’s flagship, too.

What do you think?

T-Mobile is giving away ten LG G7 ThinQ phones this Tuesday

0

Eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new LG G7 ThinQ in the US? Well, the phone is expected to land on retail shelves on June 1st.

But while we wait on that, T-Mobile is giving fans the opportunity to win one of the 10 LG G7 ThinQ smartphones it is giving away during its weekly T-Mobile Tuesday.

The sweepstakes is open for all, regardless of whether you’re a T-Mobile subscriber or not. To get a chance to win simply follow this link and follow the directions. After you’ve filled out all your info, you’ll be told immediately whether you’ve won or not.

In case you are a T-Mobile subscriber you can go ahead and enter the sweepstakes through the T-Mobile Tuesday app. Alongside the phone, winners will also receive a $320 check that can be used for paying for mobile service.

Win a LG G7 ThinQ at T-Mobile on May 22

T-Mobile is also giving away other goodies and discounts this Tuesday, May 22. The carrier will offer qualifying members $2 off Baskin Robbins ice cream. On top of that, there’s Shell savings to be had, as well as 90 days of Pandora Premium for free.

Also tomorrow, T-Mobile subscribers will be able to take advantage of a BOGO deal on Ocean Spray drinks. What’s more, for every night spent in a HotelStorm room, you’ll receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

But the best part of this Tuesday’s giveaway is that you have a chance of winning a new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone.

The phone will ship out with a 6.1-inch LCD display with 19:5:9 aspect ratio and QHD+ resolution. It has an AI-powered camera, loud Boombox speaker and a notch that users can hide if they so prefer.

A dedicated Google Assistant button is also included on the left side of the phone and LG worked with Google to implement it. One quick press will bring up the Google Assistant.

The device is due to launch soon in the US. But you have a chance of winning one before it officially lands in the country.

Question of the Week: How much money do you spend on apps?

0

With millions of apps and games to choose from, it’s actually possible that you’ve been able to skate by without spending any money on mobile titles. For every paid app or mobile game, there’s probably a dozen free alternatives.

Is it feasible to skip out on spending a few dollars over time? Is it practical? We’d like to know about how you use your money on mobile apps.

You Tell Us

How much money do you spend on apps? Are you the type of person who routinely drops a couple of bucks for in-app purchases? Or, are you a gamer who doesn’t mind coughing up ten bucks at a time? Maybe you have some agenda against developers and only look for free solutions.

We’d like to learn a little bit about your paid app and game spending habits. How much do you plunk down on content for your phone? Is there a budget you work with? Are there certain developers or licenses who you don’t mind spending money on? Share with us; there’s no wrong answer here.

Share your opinion and win a $25 Gift Card!

Leave us a comment below with how much you spend on apps and games for your mobile phone. We’ll go through the comments after one week and randomly select a winner. If your name is drawn, you’ll win a $25 Google Play Gift Card. Use it to buy apps, games, movies, eBooks, or music — you decide!

Comments entered before Sunday, May 27 (11:59PM PST) will be counted. As long as you’re on point and stick to the topic, we’ll consider you for the drawing!