LG launches the Optimus G in Korea, rolling out globally from October

LG’s Optimus G has been the subject of much rumor and speculation and, having clarified the chatter last month, the firm has provided more details and officially outed the device, which will hit retail stores in Korea next week.

The quad-core phone is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro (aka the APQ8064), which boasts a 1.5Ghz quad-core CPU. It is LTE-compatible, sports a 13-megapixel camera and has a 4.7-inch WXGA screen (1,280 x 768 pixels).

The Optimus G is particularly notable because, aside from being LG’s first quad-core-LTE phone, it brings together a range of technologies from a number of the company’s subsidiaries for the first time. The screen is LG Display-designed, LG Chem-developed the 2,210 mAh battery, which is 800 cycles compared with the standard 500 cycles, and know-how from LG Innotech is involved too.

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LG is talking up the phone’s ability to ‘cross-task’, which it says goes beyond multi-tasking, and it includes a range of features which showcase this:

• QSlide Function shows two different screens simultaneously on one display. As it doesn’t just show a part of the screen but the entire screen of both functions, the user can complete two tasks concurrently -– such as sending a text message or searching the web while watching a video;

• Live Zooming enhances the video-watching experience as users can zoom in up to five times while the video is being streamed for a close-up of one’s child while watching a recorded video from a school recital;

• Dual Screen Dual Play not only allows mirroring between the smartphone and a TV, it also has the ability to display different content on each screen wirelessly. For example, a slide presentation can be displayed on the TV while the Optimus G shows the accompanying speaking notes;

• QuickMemo allows users to write, draw, or jot a memo with their finger directly on the captured screen for sharing instantly with others as an attachment or a URL. The QuickMemo can also be used as an overlay feature — like jotting down a number using the QuickMemo and directly dialing the number while the number is on the top layer;

• Screen Zooming allows for the zooming in and out of lists in music player, email, text messages and photo gallery. It also offers the ability to change the font size and screen layout;

• Application Link launches preset applications (email, calendar, weather, etc.) when the alarm is turned off -– making preparation time in the morning go a little faster with all the information on your screen;

• Icon Personalizer allows users the ability to customize icons by editing size and adding images so the most frequently used apps can be most easily accessible.

Korean punters can get their hands on the phone next week — when it launches with all three domestic carriers — and the device will begin rolling out to “key” international markets next month. Japan’s DoCoMo is already signed-up, but other than that, we’ll have to wait on further details.

Full specs below:

Chipset: 1.5GHz Krait CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor Quad-Core and LTE
• Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• Network: 2G / 3G / LTE
• Display: 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPSPlus (1280 x 768 pixels) / 15:9 ratio
• Memory: 32GB
• RAM: 2GB DDR
• Camera: 13.0MP or 8.0MP rear / 1.3MP front
• Battery: 2,100mAh (570Wh/L) / Talk time: 15 hours / Standby: 335 hours
• Size: 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45mm
• Weight: 145g
• Other: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, USB2.0 HS, A-GPS, MHL and DLNA, NFC

More details via LG.

Also read:

LG’s quad-core Optimus G unveiled: Launching in Korea in September, global by end of 2012

LG is launching its 5-inch Optimus Vu in Europe and Asia in September

Headline image via Bloomberg Businessweek, device photos via LG