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Motorola debuts Moto Z2 Force: Lots of power, two cameras, but a tiny battery

Matt Adams
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Today, Motorola took to the stage to show off its 2017 flagship, the Moto Z2 Force. Unlike last year where we saw two versions of the phone, this year brings us only one. The Moto Z2 Force will serve as the primary flagship for the Lenovo-owned company after the release of the budget Moto E and the mid-tier Moto G5 Plus earlier in the year.

We see the return of Moto Z Force features like the ShatterShield display that prevents screen fractures and the rear pogo pins for Moto Mods. The updates specs see the Moto Z2 Force feature 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and microSD card support, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Processor, dual 12MP rear cameras and a 5MP front facing camera. Rather disappointingly, the battery capacity has dropped to 2730mAh from last year’s 3500mAh battery. This will put it on the low side of all the current flagships on the market.

Full specs

  • Display: 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440p with ShatterShield
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 clocked 2.35GHz
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 64GB; microSD card support up to 2TB
  • Battery: 2730mAh embedded
  • Camera: 12MP f/2.0 dual rear camera; 5MP f/2.2 front-facing camera
  • Operating System: Android 7.1.1 Nougat
  • Dimensions: 76 x 155.8 x 6.1 mm
  • Weight: 143g
  • Other features: USB type-C, Turbo Charging, Fingerprint sensor, Fingerprint sensor gestures, Moto Mods support, water repellent nano coating, Bluetooth 5.0 (enabled after Android O update), 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz with MIMO,

One of the most interesting features about the Moto Z2 Force are the gestures supported via the fingerprint scanner. We saw these earlier in the year with the Moto G5 Plus and Moto E4 and they make a return in the Moto Z2 Force. You should be able to completely control your navigation of the phone with a few simple swipes like swiping to the right to go back and swiping to the left to open the navigation tray.

Missing again this year is the 3.5mm headphone jack. The lack of a headphone jack and much smaller battery seems to be a sacrifice that Motorola is willing to make to slim down the phone 6.1mm thick.

The Motorola Moto Z2 Force will be available from all four major US carriers and U.S. Cellular, which is a change from last year when you could only get it from Verizon Wireless. You can also pick the phone up in an unlocked for from Motorola. The carriers will begin preorders tomorrow, but you can find out all the specific deals in our When and Where to Buy the Moto Z2 Force post.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 just got a major price drop on B&H Photo

Matt Adams
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 is not only one of the best phones of 2017, it’s one of the best phones ever made. The simply gorgeous Infinity Display covers almost the entire front of the phone while the premium metal and glass on the back and sides of the phone make it feel as premium as anything else ever made in the mobile world.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus go official with a brand new Infinity Display and 64GB of Storage

It also has some of the best specs on the market. The Snapdragon 835 is the best processor produced by Qualcomm in ages while the 4GB of RAM makes for an incredibly fluid experience. The 64GB of internal storage and microSD card slot (up to 256GB) means you can store years of pictures, movies, and videos and have them with you at all times.

Specs

  • Display: 5.8″, 2960×1440 Super AMOLED
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
  • Storage: 64GB (expandable)
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Battery: 3000mAh
  • Camera: main 12MP, f/1.7 rear 8MP, f/1.7
  • Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat
  • Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm
  • Weight: 155g

But, all that comes with a premium price tag too! Even though the phone has been out for three months, it will still run you $700+ in most cases. But today, B&H Photo is offering the Samsung Galaxy S8 for only $574.99, which is $150 off list price.

If you want a phone with the best display, one of the best cameras and the most premium design grab this one now for cheap.

Nokia 8 to be unveiled on August 16, press invite suggests

Alexandra Arici
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Nokia fans have been waiting for a true comeback flagship from the company for some time now. Even if the Finnish icon unveiled three new handsets in partnership with HMD – the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 – they were all low-end to middle-range devices with not so advanced specs.

Well, it seems that we finally have the launch date for Nokia’s long awaited flagship dubbed the Nokia 8 by the rumor mill. According to The Verge which received a media invite from HMD, the handset will be launched during an event in London on August 16 at 7:30 PM local time (or 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT). The invitation reads the following:

“HMD Global invites you to an exclusive gathering to unveil the next milestone for Nokia phones.”

According to the leaks we’ve seen so far, the Nokia 8 should make a debut with a 5.3-inch display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

The phone will also be endowed with a dual camera setup consisting of two 13-megapixel sensors co-designed with Carl Zeiss.

A few days ago the Nokia 8 leaked in all of its glory with a Silver, Blue and then Copper Gold paint jobs. Additionally it was also revealed that the Nokia 8 could land on the European market for around €600 which translates to around $699.

Don’t forget to mark this date on your calendars, Nokia fans!

Unlocked Samsung Galaxy J3 and Galaxy J7 land in the US on July 28

Alexandra Arici
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If you’re looking for an affordable unlocked smartphone, then you’ll be glad to know that Samsung just announced the unlocked Galaxy J3 and Galaxy J7 will become available for purchase starting July 28.

The two handsets sport affordable prices, so you’ll be able to pick up the Galaxy J3 for $149.99 and the Galaxy J7 for $219.99.

The phones will be available to buy from major retailers and distribution partners, as well as from Samsung.com.

Naturally, the two handsets are low-to-middle range devices. The Galaxy J3 comes packing a 5-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and quad-core 1.4GHz processor under the hood.

It includes 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (microSD card slot for memory expansion up to 256GB is also available). For photography purposes, Samsung offers a 5-megapixel/2-megapixel camera combo. The J3 relies on a removable 2,600 mAh battery. Connectivity wise the Galaxy J3 offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2.

As for the Galaxy J7, the device features a larger 5.5-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and an octa-core 1.6GHz processor working in concert with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (microSD card slot included).

Other specs include an 8-megapixel main camera, 5-megapixel selfie snapper, removable 3,300 mAh battery and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz+5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.1.

Any takers?

HTC U11 with 128GB storage arrives in the US, summer discounts available too

Alexandra Arici
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Customers in the US who wanted to purchase the HTC U11 flagship could so far acquire it only with 64GB of storage onboard.

Well, the company just announced an HTC U11 version with 128GB of internal storage in the US. Starting today, July 25 at 12 AM ET customers will be able to place an order for the new version in exchange for $729 ($80 more than the 64GB model).

In case you don’t remember the phone sports a 5.5-inch QHD display, a Snapdragon 835 processor and a 12-megapixel primary camera which earned the highest DxOMark score surpassing the Google Pixel.

The HTC U11 is unique among smartphones due to its squeezable Edge Sense frame which allows users to do things by simply squeezing the phone’s frame. The device is fueled by the AI wits of Amazon’s Alexa assistant, but also includes the company’s own personal helper, the Sense Companion.

In addition to announcing the new HTC U11 version, the company is also hoping to help you celebrate summer with a bunch of discounts.

The sleek HTC U Ultra

So for a limited time, the unlocked HTC U Ultra will be available for $499 (discounted with $250). Customers will also be able to purchase the HTC 10 for $399 (discounted with $300) and the UA Healthbox for $219.99 (discounted with $180).

Customers will be able to take advantage of the discounted prices starting July 25 and all the way through August 7.

Android O is almost ready, last Developer Preview starts rolling out

Alexandra Arici
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Google this week rolled out the last Android O Developer Preview for owners of Nexus and Pixel devices. It’s the fourth developer preview released so far, which will be succeeded by the public Android O version later this summer.

The new beta arrives about a month before Android O gets officially released in order to allow developers to optimize their apps for the upcoming version of Android. To that end, Google is encouraging developers to introduce new Android O feats into their apps like notification channels and dots, shortcut pinning, picture-in-picture, autofill and more. The new build also brings along security and battery improvements.

If you want to take this near-final version of Android O for a spin, you can still go sign up to receive the Developer Preview with the Android Beta Program. You’ll need to have a Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Play at your disposal or the Android Emulator (if you don’t have any of the devices mentioned above).

Devices enrolled in the beta program are bound to automatically receive the update when it becomes available (be prepared to wait a few days) so users won’t have to manually install it. However, if you don’t want to wait, you can download the Android O Developer Preview 4 factory images and update manually.

It won’t be long now before we see the official Android O release arrive into the world, so we’ll finally find out what the mysterious “O” stands for.

Most popular Android apps this week: Motion Stills, Bricks Breaker, and more!

Dan Bartram
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The Google Play Store is filled with many apps, which is great for consumer selection, but can often make app discovery difficult. Some apps just never make it to our homescreen. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of this weeks hottest Android apps that have most likely gone under the radar or are so new that they haven’t had enough downloads to be featured or make it onto a top list.

 Motion Stills
App Info: Motion Stills is an app from Google Research that lets you capture short videos and transform them into beautiful cinemagraphs or sweeping cinematic pans using our advanced stabilization and rendering technology. Create looping GIFs or combine clips into movies that you can share with your friends!

Free

Defense Zone HD
App Info: Stunning detail of levels, in-depth gameplay, finely tuned balance of all levels and turrets. During the game you will hold your defence with your turrets against the massive hordes of enemies.

$2.99

Bricks Breaker Puzzle
App Info: Just focus on breaking.
Find best position to deal damage to bricks and break bricks.

Free

My Device
App Info: My Device is a powerful yet simple app that lets you know all the essential details about your phone. Whether it be information regarding your System on Chip (SoC), the memory of your device or tech specs about your battery or all the relevant information about your device sensors – My Device is your one-stop place for all this.

Free

 

If you like these apps then drop us a comment below with your thoughts. Also if you have spotted a new app that you think is worth a mention, leave a comment below with your suggestion and we’ll be sure to check it out.

The Silent Age: Point-and-click done right (Review)

Gerson Noboa
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In an era where endless games with pixel graphics abound in the Play Store, it is always pleasant to find developers who focus on providing a different, rewarding, and immersive experience. Even though people think that polished, refined games are reserved for consoles, we’ve seen through the years that developers can also come up with compelling experiences for our little mobile devices.

Also, a trend seen more frequently nowadays is to port a PC game to Android and iOS in order to cater to a wider audience, while still providing a greater experience than what we are used to see on our phones. This is the case of The Silent Age, a game developed by House on Fire. The Silent Age is a point-and-click game that tries to do exactly that: entertain mobile gamers in a different way. Not through ultra-high difficulty, high scores, and endless characteristics, but with a fascinating story and marvelous audiovisuals.

Developer: House on Fire
Price: Free

Setup

As you know, since Android 6.0 Marshmallow you can decide which permissions to grant to apps. This has stopped developers from requesting non-sensical permissions, such as access to contacts in a single player game.

Unfortunately, The Silent Age keeps this practice, asking for a total of three different permissions upon start up: Storage, Phone, and Location. Denying the three of them has no impact on the game (at least not noticeable), which makes you wonder why they’re there.

After that, you will be presented with a very uncommon view: language selection. There’s a total of seven languages available, and I find it awesome that you can choose among them from the start. For example, I have my phone in Spanish but I need to play my games in English so that you all can understand my screenshots. It’s a very isolated use case but I appreciate the option nonetheless.

Overview

There’s a pretty cool introduction to the backstory of the game.

The game shows a kind of lengthy introduction. Basically, the main character is a man who is stuck working as a janitor. However, after his boss gives him more responsibility for the same salary (been there, done that), he finds himself in a completely unexpected situation. I won’t spoil the rest.

Having said that, the story is one of the highest points of this game. Some small parts of it feel tacky at first, but it gets better and better with every step you take. It is as intriguing as it is cohesive with the environment in which the game develops.

There are two episodes, though. So, if you want to experience the game fully, you will need to pay five bucks to unlock the second episode, since only the first is free. Personally, I don’t dislike this model. You get to play the game for free at first and if you like it, then you pay for the rest. If not, then you just move on. This way, you get to experience stuff that you would be reluctant to pay for, and the developer gets to a bigger audience. Win-win.

Since this is a point-and-click game, there’s no controls other than tapping the screen. Stuff you have to do is often straightforward, so you won’t ever feel lost. Puzzles will get a bit more complicated, though, but nothing that would turn the game into a frustrating chore.

Me in life.

However, the whole game just feels very relaxing to play. If you’re looking for a game in which you can be competitive, get high scores, and find collectibles, then this is not the game for you. However, if you appreciate getting a nice experience, enjoy a good story, and appreciate the artwork, The Silent Age is a good bet.

Graphics

I’ve mentioned the graphics before, but the artwork is stunning. The main character reminds me of a 70s version of Ringo Starr. Objects have the right amount of details, colors are vivid, and the setting matches perfectly the story the game is telling.

The main character can be pretty multi-faceted.

There are objects you find scattered around that will aid you in your quest, such as keys, cards, and weapons. All of these sprites follow closely the overall theme as well. You can easily see that a lot of effort has been put in providing top-notch graphics, and the result is simply superb.

Sound

Graphics and sound make a nice, cohesive package.

Music in the game is not prominent but it provides a nice background to the gameplay. Sound effects aren’t that big either, but the ones that are there add a lot to the eeriness and intrigue of the game.

Something that is very uncommon in mobile games, but present here, is voice acting. For the most part, it’s very well made, although I would argue that the main character is sometimes way too hesitant, even muttering very simple phrases. This is probably done to create a character that resembles the most a normal, working-class individual, rather than a brave, fearless character, like most games usually have. NPCs also have outstanding voice acting. This is top-quality work overall, something rarely seen on mobile games.

Conclusion

The Silent Age provides an intriguing story with superb visuals and astounding audio work. It is as relaxing as it is eerie and mysterious. Very rarely (in the Play Store, that is) one sees a game in which story, gameplay, graphics, and sound all coverge together to create such a cohesive result. Sure, it might be a port of a PC game, but that does not  If you want a game to relax and get immersed in a surreal world, then give The Silent Age a shot.

Download and install The Silent Age from the Google Play Store.

Kidgy app lets parents control their kid’s digital reach

Guest Blogger
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There is a great difference between our childhood and the one our kids are facing. In addition to different lifestyle, modern kids face a new technological world we didn’t have to deal with. Computers, tablets as well as smartphones are something every “normal” kid has. With the use of such technology comes new responsibilities and challenges for parents. From now on we have to know every social media channel, online game as well as cyber dangers like cyberbullying, sexting, online predators etc.

Hence Kidgy.com, the first digital family assistant that aids to know your child’s internet activity anytime and anywhere at the click of a button is a must-have. Kidgy promotes itself with the motto: Digital Kids – Digital Parents. Parents can make use of this app to not only know about their kids’ online lives but have an active participation in them. Also this app is helpful in scheduling tasks for your children where you can also check whether the given task has been finished or not with the help of the schedulers feature.

How does Kidgy work?

It is as simple as installing any other app on your smartphone. Just following the below-mentioned steps can gain you access to all the information you may need. Here they are:

  1. Download and install Kidgy app from Google Play/App Store and download the app
  2. Set up Parent and Child profiles
  3. Instantly start monitoring your child’s smartphone
  4. As a nice bonus, you have 7 days’ free trial to make sure this something you really need

Following are some of its noteworthy features which can induce you to invest in a meager subscription amount for the use of this app for the obvious reasons. So without much further ado, let us get to know the features of Kidgy:

GPS location tracking

Kids are known to hide their whereabouts if they feel that their parents would object the place they hang out. With the help of the Kidgy GPS location tracking feature you can track down your child’s location anytime and anywhere. Quit being known a helicopter by calling your child every now and then to know where they are. Simply check your Kidgy app and you will know where to look for your child.

GeoFencing

This feature is related to the GPS location feature where the app enables you to set geographical barriers which allow you to set acceptable and dangerous zones. You can set zones like “home” or “school”. The app will send immediate notifications whenever these zones are breached or crossed.

Text messages monitoring

Have you ever been through the embarrassment of being caught red handed while trying to get into your child’s smartphone to try and read their messages? Seriously, it is worse than having your hand in the cookie jar. Kidgy helps you by delivering all the messages sent and received, from your child’s device to your smartphone to avoid such situations yet prevent unwanted contacts and cyber dangers like cyberbullying, sexting for your child.

Panic button

This is probably my favorite feature. You are looking out for the virtual safety of your kid by using Kidgy app and Kidgy app will look out for the physical safety of your child. This app has Panic Button feature which when clicked by your child while facing some of the other sorts of an emergency will send you a detailed message with the location of your kid. Isn’t it awesome?

Internet filter

It can be a pain in the neck when you have to keep a track of the websites visited, especially when they are keeping their smartphones so close to their heart. But now worry not, as the Kidgy app will enable you to block those inappropriate websites and provide a peace of mind to you.

Call blocking

There has to be an appropriate time for sending and receiving calls. If you feel your kid is always on the phone, even in the middle of the night, then this app gives you the power to block off certain calls which you feel come from inappropriate people. This feature will also give you a comprehensive report of the calls made and received by your child along with the numbers and the duration of the call.

Contacts: (view/block)

Keeps a track of all the contacts being added to the contact list in your kid’s phone. We, as parents do have that sixth sense when it comes to protecting our child and this sense can notify us about the wrong type of people they have made contacts with. When you feel so you can the Kidgy app can enable you to block these contacts which will stop them from making calls to your child or even your child calling them up.

Apps (view/block)

There are many applications available on the World Wide Web which every child is attracted enough to download to their devices. Some are useful when some are downright useless and also sometimes inappropriate. Keep a check on the downloads done by your child with the help of Kidgy and, if need be you can also block those unwanted apps also.

Scheduler (set tasks and get notified when they are done)

Kids should be put to the habit of helping around the house and manage chores according to their age. With the help of the Kidgy app allot them tasks around the house and you can also keep a tab on those tasks and get notified when they are finished.

Cross platform monitoring (you can track iPhone from Android and vice versa)

The compatibility of the Kidgy app is what is helping it gain so much popularity. It does not matter which platform is used by you and your kid for accessing the Internet, Kidgy app will help you monitor cross platforms also. For e.g. if you own an Android device you can track an iPhone device and vice versa.

In general, I really liked Kidgy. It will aid in supervising the use of your kid’s phone along with all their activities and interactions on it. Also, there is a pretty neat announcement on their social media: they are looking for a new, bright, successful parent to become their Digital Parent Brand Ambassador. If you are interested, pitch their CMO: vera.petryk@kidgy.com

What we know so far: LG V30 edition

Alexandra Arici
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LG introduced its first flagship for the year – the G6 –  back at MWC 2017 in February. Now the Korean tech giant is gearing up to unveil its second premium phone for the year with which it hopes to capture the spotlight again.

The handset – called the LG V30 – will compete head to head with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 8 phablet, as well as Apple’s iPhone 8.

With little over a month to go before the LG V30 goes official,  here’s everything we know so far about LG’s second flagship.

Design and display

The LG V20’s standout feature was the secondary ticker display housed above the primary touchscreen used to display notification icons and additional information without the need of turning the main screen on. But despite making the V series instantly recognizable, the secondary screen won’t make an appearance on the V30.

According to the most recent information available, the LG V30 will take advantage of a single OLED panel – a first for any LG flagship smartphone (except if you count the G Flex) – with 18:9 aspect ratio (just like the LG G6).

Speaking of which, it’s expected the LG V30 will follow the design language of the LG G6. That means the company will soon offer a new tall and narrow phone with thin bezels all around and a lightweight aluminum build.

A few months ago, well-known leakster @evleaks published a bunch of renders claiming they were old mock ups of the LG V30 (aka Project Joan). The photos showed a distinctive looking phone with a slide out secondary display. However, it seems unlikely the real-life V30 will look like this when it arrives at the end of August.

With the V10 and V20 both carrying 5.7-inch QHD displays, we expect the V30 to feature a similar display although with an 18:9 aspect ratio, instead of the usual 16:9. Dolby Vision and HDR 10 should also be included in the package. We also expect to see the phone arrive with IP68 waterproofing certification.

According to My Smart Price, the LG V30 will feature 151.4 x 75.2 x 7.4 mm measurements, which means it will be a little bit larger than the LG G6 which stands at 148.8 x 71.9 x 7.9mm.

02/08/2017 Update: Earlier rumors have claimed the LG V30 will arrive without the signature secondary display which was featured on both the V10 and V20. Now, according to a recent report the company will opt for a “floating bar” instead.

While the source who talked to Android Authority didn’t reveal exactly what this “floating bar” entails, it suggested the software feature will be able to provide quick access to shortcuts and even notifications – which is exactly what the ticker display was used for.

17/08/2017 Update: Here is a official looking press render of the V30 coming to us courtesy of Evan Blass.

Processing power

Trying to get ahead of the competition, LG released the G6 with an older Snapdragon 821 processor onboard. Well the LG V30 is expected to take advantage of a new Snapdragon 835 processor on board just like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or HTC U11.

According to recently unearthed benchmark listings, the phone will also carry 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. And given that the LG G6 and LG V20 both offer a microSD card slot, it’s quite possible the V30 will too.

Cameras

Following tradition, the LG V30 should feature a dual camera setup on the back. Details on the matter are yet to be revealed, but we can speculate the company will adorn the new phone with a dual 13-megapixel camera with OIS, phase detection autofocus and wide angle lens just like in the case of the LG G6. As for selfies, the V30 could include a 5-megapixel snapper like the V20 does.

01/08/2017 Update: According to a recent report from Slash Gear, the V30 will be a great phone for low-light photography. That’s because the main camera will include the super wide aperture of f/1.6.

A wider aperture means more light can enter the sensor, thus reducing the time the shutter remains open, which helps deliver non-blurry night-time photos.

The V30 is expected to feature a dual-camera setup and only the main sensor is expected to include the f/1.6 aperture, while the wide-angle lens will include a higher one.

Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ feature f/1.7 aperture.

02/08/2017 Update: A new sketch showcasing the LG V30 surfaced via OnLeaks giving us a look at the upcoming phone. As you can see, the device looks pretty similar to the LG G6, although the cameras/flash arrangement has changed a little bit. Unlike on the LG G6, the V30 flash does not sit between the dual camera lenses.

08/28/2017 Update: A live image of the LG V30 just leaked via Weibo. Check out its sleek curves and slender body:

Other features

The LG V20 arrived with 32-bit Quad DAC from ESS and was the first to offer ESS’ HyperStream 2 audio technology. So we expect the V30 to build on this legacy and offer something for audiophiles this year too.

Not much info about the battery which will power the V30 is available at this point, but we can tell you the LG V20 uses a 3,200 mAh one, while the G6 includes a 3,300 mAh one. So we can speculate the V30 will include one of similar capacity.

LG’s next flagship will arrive with Android Nougat on board with LG’s own UX 6.0 user interface like in the case of the G6. There’s no doubt, LG will throw in some additional software tricks to spice things up. A wireless charging feature might also be in the cards.

Launch and pricing details

LG already send out invites for an event scheduled to take place on August 31, a day before the IFA 2017 trade show opens its gates in Berlin. Judging by the image attached to the invitation, we are pretty confident the company will introduce the LG V30 on the said date.

After the official introduction, the V30 is bound to be made available within 1 to 4 weeks. So customers should be able to pick one of these new smartphones sometime in mid to late September.

As for pricing, a report coming out of Korea claims the phone will be made available for the equivalent of $699 in the country. However, keep in mind currency conversions are not always an accurate way to predict a phone’s price for other regions.

01/08/2017 Update: According to some LG internal documents, the LG V30 is scheduled to go on sale in South Korea on September 15, while pre-orders in the US will open on September 17. Subsequently, the phone will go on sale in the country on September 28.

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