(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) LG Electronics on Thursday unveiled its new LG G2 smartphone in Dubai, a new device under its G series of premium handsets and what the company has called its "most powerful" device.
The Seoul-based technology giant is confident that the G2 will further rev up its market share in the crowded smartphone segment by offering a device with premium features, smart functions and essential applications, all at a very competitive price.
"This is a momentous moment in LG's history," D.Y. Kim, president of LG Electronics Gulf, said at the launch event.
He stressed that the LG G2 was made after "thousands of hours" of research and development - specifically interacting with consumers to know exactly what they need and want in a smartphone.
"We conceived this phone with you [consumers] in mind and is designed especially for you" learning from you, the LG G2 was made possible," Kim said.
Stan Lee, mobile division head of LG Electronics Gulf, gave a broad demonstration of the LG G2, touting its key features and saying that the smartphone is ready to take on the competition, hot on the heels of the success of the G2's predecessors - the Optimus G and Optimus G Pro.
"With LG, there is no break; only breakthrough," he said.
In an earlier interview with Khaleej Times, Lee said that LG's smartphones are "equal to, if not better than" those offered by other companies.
"LG is also very strong in terms of its ability to develop advanced UX features and functions," he said.
He is also confident that the G2 will be well received by consumers, hot on the heels of the Optimus G Pro, the G2's predecessor. The Optimus G Pro had set a record pace; after only four months of availability in South Korea, the G Pro hit the million-sold mark - no other LG device had sold that quickly.
"We feel that our new offering, the G2, represents as a viable alternative [to other smartphones]," Lee said. He further stated that LG will be targeting European markets in the second half of 2013 by launching the Optimus G Pro there, as well as demonstrating the competitiveness of its technology with the worldwide launch of the G2.
LG sold a record-breaking 12.1 million smartphones globally in the second quarter of 2013, accounting for about 20 per cent of the company's revenue in that period and with the launch of its flagship smartphone, the corporation hopes to build on the extraordinary results.
The LG G2 is unique as the physical buttons are not present in its traditional locations; rather, its power and volume keys are located behind right below the camera lens, allowing for easier control using the index finger, which is usually placed on that area during a call.
The device comes with a 2.26 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It has a 5.2-inch full-HD IPS display with an ultra-slim 2.65mm side bezel, and has a 13MP main camera equipped with an optical image stabiliser and a 2.1MP front camera. It runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 and has a powerful 3,000mAh battery.
Other key features include KnockON, which allows users to wake its phone by tapping it; Guest Mode, which ensures privacy from other users; Audio Zoom, which allows louder and clearer recording or playback on a specific sound source; Plug & Pop, an automatic pop-up of a related app list by sensing different input devices; Slide Aside, a special multi-tasking app done by flicking an app to the left side to open another; a scratch-resistant sapphire glass lens; and much more.
The new device will be available across all electronic retail outlets across the UAE for Dh2,399.
'Smart watch' plans
Meanwhile, Lee also said that LG is currently studying the possibility of entering the wearable computing devices segment, particularly in what has been called the "smart watch", a watch that functions more than its traditional timekeeping capabilities. Citing market research firm Current Analysis, Lee said that the smart watch is indeed a viable proposition. "The components required are already available, and relatively cost-effective to produce," he said. "A smart watch that links a user's smartphone could conceivably perform well in the market."
He quoted another study from ABI Research, which states that wearable computing devices like smart watches will "explode in popularity over the next year and eventually will become the norm for most people in five years".
ABI also forecasts that this market will grow to around 485 million units annually by 2018.
"However," Lee says, "smart watches will have to compete in the marketplace with tablets and smartphones in the five-inch-and-over category."
"With a small screen and potentially limited functionality, it is unclear whether the smart watch will prove successful. How or if this type of product can evolve in the future to meet consumers' needs remains unclear."
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