請更新您的瀏覽器

您使用的瀏覽器版本較舊，已不再受支援。建議您更新瀏覽器版本，以獲得最佳使用體驗。

Eng

LG’s new foldable dual-screen phone hands on: practical, sleek, sturdy – the future for folds?

South China Morning Post

發布於 2019年09月06日13:09 • Ben Sin
  • The G8X ThinQ Dual Screen comes with a detachable second screen attachment that brings functionality not available elsewhere on the market
  • As well as being able to run two apps side by side, some apps open over both screens, while the second screen can also be used for a keyboard or game pad
With the LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen’s second screen attached, users can run Google Chrome over both screens so they get one larger canvas to read articles. Photo: Ben Sin
With the LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen’s second screen attached, users can run Google Chrome over both screens so they get one larger canvas to read articles. Photo: Ben Sin

Back in February, LG unveiled a 5G phone with a second screen attachment named the V50 Dual Screen. It proved to be a surprise hit, selling 500,000 units in its native South Korea despite 5G connectivity still being in its infancy.

At this week's IFA in Berlin, LG is back with an improved version of the dual-screen device: a more mainstream release named the G8X ThinQ Dual Screen.

As the name suggests, the G8X is an iterative update to LG's earlier flagship, the G8. While the guts of the phones are virtually exactly the same " Snapdragon 855 processor, the same main camera hardware " the G8X updates the design with a smaller notch, a much improved 32-megapixel selfie camera, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Overall the G8X is sleeker and looks more in line with 2019 flagships than the G8, which had a somewhat dated 2018-ish design.

The LG G8X ThinQ in stand-alone form without the second screen attachment. Photo: Ben Sin
The LG G8X ThinQ in stand-alone form without the second screen attachment. Photo: Ben Sin

But it is the second screen attachment that makes the G8X worth considering, to be honest. It brings functionality to the device that nothing else on the market offers right now " unless you look back to 2016's ZTE Axon M, but that phone would be severely underpowered today.

For the earlier V50 Dual Screen, the best and most practical use for its second screen was to run two apps side by side " email and WhatsApp, or YouTube and Instagram, for instance " and that ability returns with the new device.

The phone with its second screen measures 15mm thick. It's a bit thicker than a normal smartphone but still thin enough to fit into trouser pockets. Photo: Ben Sin
The phone with its second screen measures 15mm thick. It's a bit thicker than a normal smartphone but still thin enough to fit into trouser pockets. Photo: Ben Sin

But LG has improved the software to do more. Users can now open certain apps over both screens, resulting in one larger canvas. Right now this is limited to Google Chrome and a couple of Korean apps, but the ability to read an article spread out across both 6.4-inch OLED screens makes reading a bit easier.

Another new feature is the ability to fill one screen with a keyboard, which improves typing efficiency significantly as the keys are larger and easier to press. With the clamshell design, the G8X almost resembles a mini laptop.

Another great use case for the phone is to use one screen as a virtual gamepad for mobile games. This feature was available on the V50 Dual Screen, but previously gamers could only choose from four fixed game controller designs. LG's new software allows users to customise their own button layouts.

Running a full keyboard on one screen. Photo: Ben Sin
Running a full keyboard on one screen. Photo: Ben Sin
Using the second screen as a virtual gamepad. Photo: Ben Sin
Using the second screen as a virtual gamepad. Photo: Ben Sin

There are also several small hardware changes that combine to improve performance significantly. The first is an additional small monochrome screen located on the back of the second screen. When the device is closed, or "folded", the small 2.1-inch screen allows users to glance at basic smartphone information like time and notifications without needing to open the phone.

The hinge is also sturdier and can now stay still at any angle. The hinge on the older model only had four fixed angles.

LG says power consumption has also decreased by 10 per cent, though I only had a few hours with a pre-production unit so I can't personally vouch for the improved battery life yet.

The back of the phone is made of Gorilla Glass 6 and is completely smooth with no camera bumps. The cameras are underneath the glass. Photo: Ben Sin
The back of the phone is made of Gorilla Glass 6 and is completely smooth with no camera bumps. The cameras are underneath the glass. Photo: Ben Sin

I tested the V50 Dual Screen thoroughly and really enjoyed the device as a practical on-the-go work machine. As someone who does most of his work communication via email and chat apps, LG's offering allowed me to keep both windows open at the same time.

There are many more practical use cases for business-minded people: editors can quickly proofread articles on one screen while fact-checking with the other, for example, or teens can chat away on WhatsApp or WeChat while watching Netflix.

Pricing and availability for the new phone isn't available yet, though I've covered enough LG devices to have a safe guess: the product is likely to launch in South Korea and the US first, before hitting other markets such as Hong Kong.

Xiaomi Mi 9T: all the latest features, best deal going

In Hong Kong, the entire V50 Dual Screen set can be bought for under HK$7,000 (US$890) and I'm expecting the G8X Dual Screen set to be priced roughly the same. This makes the device a much more affordable foldable option than Samsung's Galaxy Fold or Huawei's Mate X.

Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

0 0
reaction icon 0
reaction icon 0
reaction icon 0
reaction icon 0
reaction icon 0
reaction icon 0

留言 0

沒有留言。