LG V40 ThinQ: what we want to see
Update: Leaked renders have given us a close look at the likely design of the LG V40 ThinQ, as well as hinting at the release date.
We expect the LG V40 - or LG V40 ThinQ as it will likely be called - to launch in the second half of 2018, bringing with it flagship specs and a slightly more innovative approach than the 'safer' LG G7 ThinQ from May.
The V series now feels like LG's core flagship offering, and with the G series falling flat the past couple of years our focus is now shifting to the South Korean firm's second half of the year launch.
What LG needs to do first though, is sort out what its long-term plan is for the V and G lines. After introducing us to the LG V30 at the end of August 2017, it rebooted the handset with slightly improved specs as the LG V35 ThinQ in May 2018.
Its arrival was very close to the flagship G7 ThinQ, and blurred the lines between the two ranges, making it difficult to distinguish which handset is the pinnacle of the range.
So what do we want to see from the LG V40? Some clarification would be a good start.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? LG's next flagship V series smartphone
- When is it out? Could launch in September
- What will it cost? It will carry a premium price tag
LG V40 release date and price
The latest LG V40 release date rumors come from the date shown on the screen in leaked images of the handset, which you can see below. The date in question is November 16, so that might be when we see the LG V40.
That said, an earlier source claims the phone will be announced in September before hitting stores in October.
In an even earlier tweet, @evleaks claims that the LG V40 launch date would be "late summer / early fall", which falls in with what we'd expect after the LG V30 arrived at the end of August 2017.
So there are a number of months and dates on the table. At this point we wouldn't expect to see the LG V40 ThinQ in August, but September or October is very possible.
As for the price, there's no news on that yet, but as a flagship phone we'd expect it to be towards the top-end of smartphone pricing.
LG V40 news and leaks
We've now had a good look at the likely design of the LG V40 ThinQ thanks to some leaked renders, showing it from all sides.
Pictured below, you can see from them that the V40 has five cameras, with three on the back and two on the front. You'll also note the notch, which can be hidden with black bars, the edge-to-edge screen and the rear-facing fingerprint scanner.
Other notable details include a 3.5mm headphone port and an extra button, which we'd guess might launch Google Assistant. The branding on the images also refers to the phone as the LG V40 ThinQ, so that's probably what it will be called.
This isn't the first time we've heard that the LG V40 might have five cameras. In fact, an earlier rumor sheds some light on their specs, with claims that the rear lenses will include a 20MP primary one, a 16MP wide-angle and a 13MP telephoto. The front cameras meanwhile will apparently allow for 3D facial recognition.
The same source claims the screen will cover around 90% of the front of the phone, which seems believable based on the image above.
Another LG V40 rumor that's doing the rounds also claims the handset will boast five cameras. So that's now looking very likely.
The same report also says that the LG V40 will feature a screen notch that you'll be able to 'hide', a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner (both of which we've now seen in the images above) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845 chipset - the latter being no surprise as it will still be the leading chip come September/October.
Elsewhere, Twitter leaker @evleaks posted the message "LG V40 is codenamed Storm."
That's not exactly a huge amount to go on, but @evleaks has an excellent track record when it comes to these sort of things so it adds significant fuel to the LG V40 fire.
LG V40: what we want to see
As we wait for more information on the LG V40 to roll in, we've had a think about what we'd like to see from the flagship handset when it finally launches.
1. A marked step forward
Okay, so this is quite a loose one to kick us off, but we'd love to see LG break the mold once again. It's put buttons on the back of phones, made flexible phones and even leather-covered phones in the past, but recently things have become rather samey.
The LG V40 is an opportunity for the South Korean firm to express its zany side again, with something to make it stand out and for people to sit up and take notice. It'll need to be careful though and try and avoid gimmicks. We've probably had enough AR Emoji action for the time being.
2. More screen, thinner bezels and no notch
Next up we've got a classic triple-threat, an old-school 3-in-1 'want' for the LG V40.
LG jumped on the screen-notch bandwagon with the G7 ThinQ, but we'd love to see it take the leap to the all-screen, no notch aesthetic that we've seen on the Vivo Nex and Oppo Find X.
That would mean pushing the bezels as far back as possible to maximize screen real estate - we're thinking a 93% screen-to-body ratio minimum - while also finding an innovative way of integrating the sensors, front-facing camera and earpiece into the design.
The pop-up cameras on the Vivo and Oppo handsets are certainly fun, but we'd love to see LG come up with a new workaround here.
3. The latest Android software
The next version of Google's mobile operating system is already in its public beta phase, and we want to see the LG V40 be one of the first - if not the first - to launch with the final version of Android P.
4. Better low-light photography
One of our core negatives against the LG V30 was its performance when it came to low-light photography, with the handset failing to hit the same heights as rivals.
This time around we want to see LG work on its low-light shooting and equip the V40 with a top-notch camera that will laugh in the face of darkness.
It may be time for LG to switch up how it utilizes the dual-camera setup on the rear of its phones, swapping the secondary wide-angle lens with one tasked with sucking in additional light for your photos.
5. Faster wireless charging
The LG V30 was one of the few phones to arrive with wireless charging capabilities in 2017, so a big tick for it in that respect, but we did find the top-up speeds to be a little sluggish.
For the LG V40 we want to see a step up in the wireless charging, with faster top-ups making the tech all the more convenient. Oh, and if LG could include a wireless charging pad in the box as well, that would be ideal.
6. Global availability
While the LG V30 was available pretty much worldwide, the updated V35 ThinQ was restricted to just a few countries.
We're therefore calling on LG to make sure you'll be able to buy the LG V40 in all major markets around the world. If you make a great phone, make sure people can buy it, LG!
7. A fresh new look
Take a look at the LG V20, V30 and V35 and all three handsets are very similar, with a safe, slightly bland design.
In 2018 we've seen the Huawei P20 Pro and Honor 10 show off snazzy rears that pop with color, so some eye-catching colors coupled with a redesigned body is high on our list of wants for the LG V40.
