LG G6, which was announced at MWC, is facing tough competition from Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus that feature a more powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset. Now TechnoBuffalo has received an internal document from a “trusted source,” revealing that LG Electronics is planning to launch a “mini” version of its flagship LG G6. That’s some good news for people who still prefer smaller form factors.
G6 mini to have a 5.4-inch display
Of course, LG G6 is a good device, but offering just a single form factor could be limiting for potential buyers. The leaked document reveals that the mini model will be only slightly smaller than the flagship version. It would reportedly feature a 5.4-inch display with 80% screen to body ratio. The G6 has a 5.7-inch Quad HD+ FullVision display.
The new device will have the same 18:9 aspect ratio as the original G6. Though the document confirms that LG is working on a smaller variant, it does not confirm the name “G6 mini” or other details such as price and specifications. It makes sense for LG Electronics to launch a smaller variant of G6. Its biggest rivals Samsung and Apple offer their flagship phones in two different screen sizes. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch sizes.
It is unclear whether the mini G6 will have the same specs or it would come with watered down specs. Over the last few years, we have seen many smartphone vendors releasing mini versions of their flagship phones with mid-range hardware specs. Even with a mid-range price tag, the G6 mini will face competition from OnePlus 5, which is expected to hit the stores in the next few months.
The G6 mini gives LG another chance to carve out its space in the fiercely competitive Android market. Besides pricing the phone right, the company could keep the same cameras and sturdy design, and introduce the stock Android interface. The LG G6 mini is expected to run the same year-old Snapdragon 821 processor as the G6. The latest Snapdragon 835 has become the new standard for high-end flagship smartphones.
It has become a ritual for LG to launch a mini version of its flagship phones. It had released G4c with a smaller screen size and lower-end processor than the flagship G4. We have also seen a G5 mini, so the G6 mini shouldn’t come as a surprise. Notably, the internal document includes a reference to a “date from early last year.” So, it’s possible that LG had planned the device but shelved it later.
Will LG G6 mini launch in the US?
If LG indeed launches the G6 mini with watered down specs, the phone may not be available worldwide. Such a device would be more suitable for emerging markets than the US, where LG already enjoys a strong presence in the prepaid sector.
The flagship LG G6 has a sturdy metal and glass design. The home button and fingerprint sensor are located on the back panel. The phone features 13MP and 13MP dual-camera system on the back. One of them has a 71-degree field of view while the other one offers 125 degrees field of view. Unlike the iPhone 7 Plus dual-camera that gives the bokeh effect, the G6 wide-angle camera allows you to capture a wider area in each frame. However, the original G6 disappoints in terms of selfie camera. The front camera is only 5-megapixel with f/2.2 aperture.
The LG G6 has received an IP68 rating, meaning it is water- and dust-resistant. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 821 chipset, while Samsung has moved to the latest Snapdragon 835. The G6 features 4GB RAM, 64GB of built-in storage expandable via microSD card. The G6 packs an impressive 3,300mAh battery, and supports the Quick Charge 3.0 technology.
LG G6 to get facial recognition support next month
Last month, sources told Korean site The Investor that LG G6 would get LG Pay and facial recognition capabilities by June. These features may also be added to the G6 mini to make it more attractive. The new features will allow you to send money with LG Pay using your face. No other premium smartphone currently allows users to make financial transactions using face detection technology. Samsung’s Galaxy S8 comes with iris scanner, fingerprint sensor and facial recognition, but it doesn’t allow you to make payments using face detection because the technology is still not mature enough.
LG is reportedly collaborating with Oez to offer 3D facial scanning using the existing selfie camera on the LG G6. The two companies are currently testing the technology on G6. LG can enable the feature through a software update not only on G6, but also on older phones like G5 and V20. LG partnered with Oez because its technology requires only 5MB of memory and prevents hacking with photos. The mobile payment market is estimated to be worth $780 billion this year, and LG doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunity.
The original LG G6 has received a mixed response from critics. It lacks several features that you can find on Samsung’s Galaxy S8 such as a more powerful processor, Samsung DeX, and a new Bixby voice assistant.
