LG Electronics today announced that its compact G-Series smartphone would be rolled out to the global market (but with no mention of North America) starting from April. The smaller brother of the "award winning LG G2," is said to offer the same "design excellence and premium UX features" but in a smaller package. However the internal hardware specifications have been pared down alongside the physical size reduction.
The 4.7-inch screened LG G2 mini is the most compact G Series smartphone yet. Despite its size reduction compared to its big brother the new mini keeps the 'Rear Key' button placement which LG introduced in the G2 following user ergonomics research. Its findings suggested side key placement was too big a reach for comfort on large smartphones. Also LG is happy to point out that its new Android 4.4 KitKat mini ticks the boxes for; SD card slot, removable battery and single/dual SIM 3G/LTE variants.
"The compact G2 mini offers a combination of design, hardware and UX features previously unavailable in its class, making it a very attractive option for mid-tier markets," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile. "With the G2 mini, our objective is to allow a much larger consumer base to be able to experience the key benefits of the G2 UX in a smaller form factor. And to that end, we’re confident we’ve succeeded with the G2 mini."
LG G2 mini key specifications:
- Chipset: 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Quad-Core MSM8926 (LTE) / MSM8226 (3G)
Or: 1.7GHz Nvidia Quad Core Tegra 4i (LATAM LTE version) - Display: 4.7-inch qHD IPS (960 x 540)
- Memory: 8GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / SD Card Slot
- Camera: Rear 8.0MP / 13.0MP (LATAMLTE version) / Front 1.3MP
- Battery: 2,440mAh (removable)
- Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat
- Size: 129.6 x 66.0 x 9.8mm
- Weight: 121g
- Network: Cat. 4 / Cat. 3 (LATAM), HSPA+ 21Mbps (3G)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), A-GPS, NFC (4G LTE version only)
The LG G2 mini will also offer buyers LG exclusive software features such as Knock Code, Plug & Pop, Guest Mode, Clip Tray and Quick Window. Knock Code is highlighted as a major attraction with its 80,000 possible knock combinations allowing users to quickly but quite securely power-on and unlock their smartphones with a custom series of finger taps.
LG G2 and LG G2 mini in that order
Customers in the Russian Commonwealth will be first to be able to buy the G2 mini in April and it will be rolled out shortly after that to markets in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. No word have been given on US/Canada intentions as yet. Depending upon your region you will have access to the diverse range of models which feature the Qualcomm or Nvidia SoC, single or dual SIM configs, and 3G or LTE connectivity. The LG G2 mini will be available in Titan Black, Lunar White, Red, Gold – but again that depends upon your region. Pricing is yet to be announced.
