LG is updating its existing Q8 smartphone to bring some features from one of its higher-end phones. The new phone comes with a mid-range processor and misses out on dual-cameras, but instead brings the audio chops of the better LG phones.
The phone comes with an 8.4mm chassis with both IP68 water and dust proofing and MIL-STD 810G standards for protection against falls, high/low temperatures etc. It is available in Black and Blue.
The display is a large 6.2″ IPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution since it comes in a 2:1 aspect ratio. It also comes bundled with a stylus, which can help you write notes and memos from anywhere on the screen, however, there is apparently no holder or slot for keeping it.
Under the hood, you get a moderately powerful, but impressively-efficient Snapdragon 450, which should give the phone a good battery life. It is accompanied with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of expandable storage.
Connectivity options include support for USB-C, Wi-Fi ac, and optional Dual-SIM. The OS it runs is Android 8.1 Oreo with LG’s own UI on top. There are also additional audio capabilities with Hi-Fi Quad DAC and DTS:X 3D Surround Sound.
The back of the phone comes with a solitary 16 MP camera with PDAF, LED flash and 1080p video. Beneath it sits the finger-print scanner.
The front also comes with a 5 MP shooter with a 100-degree wide-angle lens.
The battery capacity of the phone is set at 3000 mAh, with support for Quick Charge 3.0.
The pricing of the Q8 (2018) is set at $480, once it goes on sale in the coming few weeks. Whether the stylus and audio help in covering up for the lack of better cameras remain to be seen.