LG Gram 17 (2020) review - TechRadar

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Two minute review

When you pick up a 17-inch laptop like the LG Gram 17, you're likely expecting a device that is packing the most powerful hardware on the market, while simultaneously being big, bulky and heavy. Well, what if we told you that none of that is true about the LG Gram 17?

If you want to get your hands on the LG Gram 17, it'll set you back $1,749 (£1,549, about AU$2,450). For a 17-inch laptop with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage – not to mention the 1,600p display, that's actually quite a bargain. Comparitively, the HP Envy 17 is cheaper at $1,399 (about £1,070, AU$1,960) but that's with single-channel RAM with its closes hardware configuration, and a much heavier 6.02 lb build – twice the weight of the LG Gram 17.

The laptop is packed with a top-end Intel Core i7-1065G7, but it's configured down to a 15W TDP, down from the 25W that you'll find in some more powerful configurations. To further hamper the maximum performance of this processor, LG has a pretty lightweight cooling solution on hand, which stops it from boosting quite as high as something like the Surface Book 3, which has the same processor at the same TDP, but is 28% faster in Cinebench R20. However, the Surface Book 3 is much heavier. 

(Image credit: Future)

Spec sheet

Here is the LG Gram 17 (2020) configuration sent to TechRadar for review: 

CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7 (quad-core, 8MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 3.9GHz with Turbo Boost)
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus (integrated)
RAM: 16GB LPDDR4 (3,200MHz)
Screen: 17-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600)
Storage: 2 x 512GB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2)
Ports: 3 x USB-A 3.1, 1 x Thunderbolt 3, microSD card reader, combi audio jack, 1 x HDMI
Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Bluetooth 5.0
Camera: 720p Webcam
Weight: 2.98 pounds (1.35kg)
Size: 15 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches (381 x 261 x 17.78 mm; W x D x H)

The LG Gram 17 weighs just 2.98 lbs and is just 0.7 inches thick, making it the most portable 17-inch laptop we've ever used. Just for comparison's sake, the Surface Book 3 we just mentioned is a 15-inch device and weighs more at 3.35lbs. Even the Dell XPS 15, which is a laptop we would love to carry around everywhere we go weighs more at 4.5lb. 

So, basically, if you're looking for a laptop with a huge display and a numpad that you can easily carry around everywhere without weighing you down, the LG Gram 17 should be near the top of your list. 

The laptop even has a wide selection of ports, which makes it excellent for working on the go. On the left-hand side of the laptop, you're getting a charging port, a USB-A, an HDMI-out and USB-C, which can also be used for charging. On the opposite side, you get MicroSD, two more USB-A ports and a lock. In a laptop this thin and light, the LG Gram 17 provides such a wealth of ports that we just can't help but wonder why everyone else keeps opting for just USB-C these days. 

However, the thin and light design does have one critical drawback – durability. The keyboard deck and screen have a bit too much flex to give us much confidence in its ability to survive any kind of trauma. LG does claim that the magnesium-alloy chassis has passe 7 MIL-STD durability tests, but it's definitely a device that you don't want to subject to much bending or drops. 

Despite the flexibility of the keyboard deck, typing on this laptop is an absolute dream come true. The LG Gram 17 keyboard is a pretty standard chiclet setup, but the keys have just the right amount of travel that typing is quiet and comfortable, without messing with our accuracy. Plus, there are more and more large laptops coming out that are doing away with numpads, and having one here is a dream come true, especially because it doesn't really make the rest of the keyboard feel cramped – again because of the sheer size of the device. 

The touchpad gets the job done, too, and is honestly one of the better Windows trackpads we've used. It's still not quite as good as the trackpad on something like the Razer Blade 15 or a MacBook, but it's far from the worst, and gestures and tracking is nice and accurate. 

(Image credit: Future)

The LG Gram 17's largest downfall, however, is likely going to come down to the speakers. They're bottom-firing, because we can't have nice things, and sound extremely flat. Listening to Caroline Polachek's "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" the driving bass that makes up so much of the texture of the song is just completely stripped out. The song still slaps, but it's just not the same as listening on competent speakers. Likewise, listening to Sisters of Mercy's "This Corrosion", the weak bass causes the backing vocals to outpower the main vocals, which takes away from that juicy gothic atmosphere that makes that band so good in the first place. 

It's a shame because the display is so good. We're talking about a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is frankly beyond amazing for getting some work done. But the display is also extremely colorful, which is great for watching some anime on your break – but, again, you'll have to deal with the weak speakers or plug in some headphones. 

We already alluded to performance a little bit, but you really shouldn't expect the LG Gram 17 to be some ultra-powerful workstation. The CPU performance is dialed back to facilitate the lightweight cooling solution, which makes the LG Gram 17 score 1,227 points in Cinebench R20 and 3,274 points in the Geekbench 5 multi-core test. The Surface Book 3, with the same processor, configured to the same TDP scores 1,697 and 4,350 points in the same tests, respectively. 

Benchmarks

Here’s how the LG Gram 17 (2020) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Night Raid: 6,631; Fire Strike: 1,679; Time Spy: 711
Cinebench R20 CPU: 1,227
Geekbench 5 Single-Core: 1,290; Multi-Core: 3,274
PCMark 10 Home: 4,276
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 14 hours 28 minutes
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 9 hours 38 minutes

(Image credit: Future)

That makes Microsoft's flagship much better for heavy workloads, but the size of the display, inclusion of a numpad and the lightweight design means that this laptop is more geared to folks that just need to do some heavy Microsoft Excel work while traveling. This is definitely reflected in the battery life, too. 

The LG Gram 17 is, without a doubt, the longest-lasting full-fat Windows 10 laptop we've ever tested, lasting a whopping 14 hours and 28 minutes in the PCMark 10 battery test, and a whole 9 hours and 38 minutes in our anecdotal movie playback test. The LG Gram won't just get you through your workday without needing a charger, it could probably get you through two if you're careful about battery usage.

For the right person – basically anyone that needs to do work with a big screen while traveling – the combination of a lightweight build, super long battery life and a high-resolution display is enough to earn the LG Gram 17 an easy recommendation. Sure, CPU performance isn't as high as we know the chip is capable of, but if it means we can pack a 17-inch laptop in our bags for the same weight as a 13-inch laptop, it's kind of something we're willing to live with.

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You travel a lot
Right now, we don't expect many people are doing heavy traveling, but if that's one of your strongest considerations for a laptop, you're not going to find a lighter 17-inch device. 

You want a big, beautiful screen
The LG Gram 17's 17-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 display is big, bright and colorful, making work a breeze with that lovely 16:10 aspect ratio. 

You do a lot of typing
The LG Gram 17 keyboard is seriously a delight to type on. Perfectly spaced with a good amount of travel, not to mention that it has a numpad. 

(Image credit: Future)

Don't buy it if...

You need a lot of horsepower
Because of the lightweight design of the laptop, CPU performance takes a hit, due to the lighter cooling solution. This means that the LG Gram 17 could fall behind in some tasks.

You like good speakers
The LG Gram 17 speakers are emblematic of everything wrong with laptop speakers. They fire down at your table, have absolutely no bass and don't get very loud. You're going to need some headphones if you pick up this laptop. 

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August 01, 2020 at 01:58AM
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LG Gram 17 (2020) review - TechRadar

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LG Velvet review: The smartphone is sexy, the tech is cool, the camera could be improved - USA TODAY

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LG's latest Velvet smartphone has rolled out in the U.S. as the Korean tech giant adopts a new design language and device naming scheme. The phone comes loaded with stylish hardware and sleek fingerprint-reading technology. 

But could the new flagship phone convert an Apple addict?

I’ve been #TeamiPhone for 10 years, trapped in the iOS ecosystem and pretty satisfied with every other smartphone release, including the latest iPhone 11 Max Pro. Still, I spent a week testing out the mid-range LG Velvet, and it had me captivated almost as soon as I unboxed it.

LG says the phone is meant to "usher in an era of elegance." Here are some of my main takeaways: 

Design

The LG Velvet represents a departure from the company's old G-series names like LG G8, and it also takes on a whole new exterior aesthetic. Earlier this year, LG teased with futuristic renderings of the phone online, showcasing a polished, reinvented device with a new camera layout.

The LG Velvet has a glossy back that's pleasing to look at.

 (Photo: Dalvin Brown)

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Visually, the silver version of the Velvet lives up to the hype. The pearlescent back, narrow build and easy-grip had me at "hello".

On the front, a large 6.8-inch curved OLED touchscreen dominates. The curved glass has a "3D arc design" with a bezel that's not too distracting. There's also a quirky animation that appears at the bottom of the screen, showing you where to place your thumbprint to unlock it. 

It comes in other colors, too. LG offers its Velvet smartphone in "Illusion Sunset, Aurora Green, Aurora White, Aurora Gray and New Black.

 (Photo: LG)

Turn the device around, and the mirrored back glimmers with streaks of rainbow depending on how the light hits. It's glossy and fingerprint prone, but still luxe. The camera arrangement was designed to mimic a falling drop of water, LG says. It's a much more minimalist approach than the bulky camera design on my iPhone. 

Camera

The LG Velvet has three vertical cameras on the back: a 48-megapixel primary camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 5 mega-pixel camera for depth. However, the photo quality wasn't jaw-dropping.

The snapshots weren't comparable to the dynamic shots taken with my iPhone. For example, black sometimes appeared almost grey. And some of the photos appeared washed out or lacked contrast when compared to those taken with my iPhone. 

The photo on the left was taken with the LG Velvet. The photo on the right was taken with an iPhone 11 Max Pro.

 (Photo: Dalvin Brown)

Selfies were a bit too soft, blown out and matte for my liking. Portrait Mode was a bit aggressive, too. But if I didn't directly compare them to my iPhone photos, the picture quality was OK. 

Apps and functionality

The LG Velvet runs on the Android 10.0 operating system. And for this longtime iOS user, navigating the Google Play Store was relatively easy. 

Switching between social networking apps was no problem on the new phone. And most of go-to's, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, functioned the same way they did on my Apple devices. During side-by-side tests, the apps launched at the same speed on both phones. And in some instances, the Velvet launched quicker, but not by much. 

One striking difference though was the notifications panel, which is a bit more engaging to interact with on the Android phone. 

Setting it up to control my Chromecast was pretty easy, too. The process took under a minute, though I used it only to turn my TV on and off via voice commands. 

Final thoughts

My experience was mixed, but I still like the new phone. LG gets 10s across the board for designing a $599 device that looks and feels premium. The style competes easily with the $1,000 smartphones I'm more accustomed to.

Because the phone is thin with a unique camera layout, the LG Velvet feels like a smartphone from a year or two in the future, while still maintaining approachable elements, such as a headphone jack. The performance was fine. Apps load almost instantly. Nothing really lagged, and it's 5G compatible. 

But the phone isn't perfect. The photo quality has room for improvement. That's one of the main reasons I'll be sticking to my iPhone.

Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown. 

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July 31, 2020 at 04:08PM
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LG Virtual 5K Challenge Encourages Homebound Americans To 'Get Started' - WFMZ Allentown

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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., July 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique month-long fitness and charitable campaign from LG Electronics USA, the "LG Get Started Virtual 5K Challenge" – designed to help inspire more consumers to get started on their goals – is now under way.

The program lives on the Strava fitness tracking and social networking app through Aug. 17. While logging miles, participants are giving back to COVID-19 relief efforts, and they can enter the LG Get Started Virtual 5K Challenge Sweepstakes for chance to win cool prizes. Consumers may sign up at www.GetStartedLG.com.

"The importance of maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle is central to LG's Life's Good mantra," said Peggy Ang, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA. "No matter how challenging it's been staying at home this year, getting started is the first step. Whether you're looking to get in shape, stay healthy, or set a new challenge for yourself, we invite you to join us."

Inspiring consumers to get started on their goals are fitness expert Corey Brooks, Biggest Loser trainer Erica Lugo, and three-time Emmy winner and Queer Eye culture expert Karamo, who each produced multimedia fitness content for the 2020 LG Get Started campaign. "With quarantine fatigue, I'm setting serious mental and fitness goals for myself to keep moving and motivated," says Karamo.

The LG Virtual 5K supports COVID-19 relief. For every mile run on Strava, LG will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to support communities that have been impacted by the effects of the coronavirus. (LG already has donated more than $350,000 to these efforts through matching employee donations and its corporate commitment.)

Participants may enter the LG Get Started Virtual 5K Challenge Sweepstakes.* Prizes include 500 three-month Strava Summit subscriptions and more than a dozen LG home appliances and home entertainment products. The grand prize is the award-winning 77-inch class LG OLED TV. Those who finish the Virtual 5K also will be awarded the LG Virtual 5K digital badge.

The LG Virtual 5K Challenge is the latest in a series of Get Started initiatives designed to engage and inspire people about what they care about most.

*No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes rules: www.GetStartedLG.com/rules

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $53 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, solar energy solutions and vehicle components. The "Life's Good" marketing theme encompasses how LG is dedicated to people's happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. LG is a 2020 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. www.LG.com.

Media Contacts:
LG Electronics USA
John I. Taylor	Clara Chang
+1 201 816 2166	+1 201 816 2011
john.taylor@lge.com	clara.chang@lge.com
www.LG.com

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Save $2,200 on LG’s refurb 77-inch 4K OLED Smart AirPlay 2 TV, more from $700 - 9to5Toys

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Woot is currently offering the LG C9 77-inch ThinQ 4K OLED Smart TV for $3,299.99 Prime shipped in certified refurbished condition. Delivery will run you $6 otherwise. Having originally retailed for $5,500, right now you’ll pay $4,500 for a new condition model at Best Buy with today’s offer saving you as much as $2,200 and marking a new all-time low. LG’s C9 TV brings the cinema experience to your home theater with a 77-inch 4K OLED panel and pixel-level dimming for achieving near-perfect blacks and shadows. AirPlay 2 support is joined by HomeKit for integrating with the rest of your Apple smart home, and you’ll find four HDMI ports. There’s also NVIDIA G-Sync for gaming, integrated streaming features, and more. Rated 4.9/5 stars from over 190 customers. Includes a 90-day warranty. Head below for more 4K TV deals at Woot.

Also on sale at Woot, you’ll find a selection of Samsung’s Q6FN 4K Smart TVs on sale from $889.99 for the 65-inch model in certified refurbished condition. There’s also the massive 82-inch version for $1,749.99, which is down from its original $4,498 price tag. Sporting a 4K panel with HDR10+, this TV has built-in streaming tech alongside a 240Hz refresh rate and more. Rated 4.9/5 stars from over 755 shoppers. Includes a 90-day Samsung warranty.

Lastly, you can score the Sony X850G 65-inch 4K Smart TV for $699.99 at Woot in refurbished condition. This offering originally sold for $1,200, saving you $500 and marking one of the lowest prices to date. This model isn’t quite as high-end as the aforementioned TVs, but still sports 4K picture, a 120Hz refresh rate, and smart features. Rated 4.5/5 stars and includes a 90-day warranty.

LG C9 77-inch ThinQ 4K OLED Smart TV features:

Experience visual entertainment in cinematic quality with this 77-inch LG smart OLED TV. The intelligent processor produces true-to-life images in 4K resolution, while the wide viewing angle lets you watch shows from a convenient sitting position. This LG smart OLED TV is compatible with popular virtual assistants using LG ThinQ AI technology.

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LG SIGNATURE and Acclaimed Wine Critic, James Suckling, Present the Art of Enjoying Wine - Yahoo Finance

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In Association with Premium Brand, Suckling Offers His Expert Advice on How to Store and Savor Wine

SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LG SIGNATURE, maker of ultra-premium home appliances including the recently launched LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar, has teamed up with brand ambassador and world-renowned wine critic, James Suckling, to show consumers the perfect way to start their own wine journey.

Importance of Proper Storage

A collector, critic, and connoisseur of wine for more than four decades, Suckling emphasizes the importance of having proper storage to protect and preserve your wine. He notes that the design and technical capabilities of the LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar are ideal for keeping wine at its best, and that in addition to maintaining optimal conditions, the wine cellar is equally beautiful to look at.

Temperature and humidity fluctuations should be kept to a bare minimal and the LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar manages this perfectly through Optimal Humidity Control¹ and Multi Temperature Control. The brand's advanced technology can adjust a constant temperature of between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius with humidity remaining steady at about 68 percent – conditions Suckling says are needed to avoid prematurely aging your wine. The wine cellar can accommodate 65 bottles – in a horizontal rack system that ensures the corks won't dry out – and employs LG's Vibration Control technology to prevent the bottles stored from moving around, another key factor in safeguarding the flavor and characteristics of wine.

Suckling also stresses the importance of limiting your collection's exposure to light. The LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar prevents UV light from reaching the bottles stored thanks to a triple-pane mirrored glass door. For the sake of convenience, the door comes equipped with InstaView^TM, which lets users see what is inside without disturbing the wine cellar's temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.

Preparing for the Wine Moment

To create a "great wine moment," Suckling feels strongly that one should fully consider when, where and with whom they will share and savor wine. Through thinking about the venue, the company, the food, and even the time of day, Suckling says it is possible to enhance the enjoyment of the wine being served and create memorable experiences. He often organizes tastings around a particular theme, and delights in sharing his latest discoveries with friends, family and fellow wine-lovers.

For Suckling, it is a great wine moment when all his guests are happy, relaxed and satisfied with the wine selection.

Serving Wine the Right Way

Suckling also shared with LG SIGNATURE that wine should always be served in good quality glassware and at the correct temperature. He says that people often make the mistake of using the wrong type of glass and "serving whites too cold and reds too warm," which can blunt the aroma and distinctive flavors that the winemaker has strived so hard to perfect.

As brand ambassador for LG SIGNATURE, James Suckling took part in the Notes from the Cellar virtual event celebrating the launch of the LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar in the U.S. market. During the event, the extremely knowledgeable Suckling provided some of his favorite tips for tasting and enjoying different wine varieties.

In addition, he offered up a list of 12 bottles that, whether you are an aficionado or just embarking on your wine journey, should not be missed. To learn more, please visit www.LGSIGNATURE.com.

[1] Based on UL test results using LG's internal testing method of measuring average humidity in the wine storage compartment. Applies to LGE model LSR200W. No load and 11°C temperature setting. The result may vary in actual usage.

About LG SIGNATURE

LG SIGNATURE is the first ultra-premium brand across multiple product categories from global innovator LG Electronics. Catering to the most discerning consumers, LG SIGNATURE is designed to provide a state-of-the-art living experience that feels pure, sophisticated and luxurious. Combining the very best of everything LG has to offer, the distinctive LG SIGNATURE products were designed with their true essence in mind – streamlined to focus on each product's essential function while maintaining the LG SIGNATURE's modern, signature design. www.LGSIGNATURE.com.

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LG SIGNATURE Ambassador James Suckling

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LG to Debut New 0.9-mm and 1.2-mm Flagship LED Line Next Month Under LSAA... - rAVe [PUBS]

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LG Business Solutions is launching an LED Signage system in the United States in August. The LG LSAA LED Signage series, which represents the flagship of LG’s line, will be available initially in a 1.2-millimeter pixel pitch version, followed by 0.9 and 1.5-mm models later this year.

LG designed this solution around a single LED cabinet hub that provides power and signal to the entire signage display without additional cabling between cabinets. LG’s non-contact connector technology powers each display via pin connectors located on the LED cabinet hub’s edges.

The LED cabinet allows installers to connect multiple displays to achieve the desired size. With straightforward installation and expandability, the LSAA can be set up or reconfigured on-site (in a fraction of the time it takes to install other LED displays, according to LG). Wall mounts and frame-type accessories offer several installation options to meet the diverse requirements of different site conditions and customers’ needs. LG’s on-screen user interface helps simplify setup and calibration, too.

Here’s a video on the LG LSAA:

The LG LSAA processor is based on AI-powered image processing technology used in premium LG 4K UHD TVs to enhance resolution, noise reduction, sharpness, color and contrast. In addition, LG’s custom coding and interface logic simplify integrating common videoconferencing and control systems.

Designed for up-close uses such as corporate meeting centers and boardrooms, LG LSAA Series systems are certified as EMC Class B, which covers electronic equipment made for use in residential, commercial, industrial and business environments. EMC Class B certification means the LG LSAA produces low amounts of electromagnetic energy that can interfere with other systems or create excess electromagnetic noise.

Because four RGB pixels are assembled in a single, secure package, there is a reduced exposure to impact damage compared to the single LED package design. In addition, the common cathodes of the LEDs are connected to a single pin to prevent unnecessary power consumption, delivering only the required voltage to each sub-pixel.

The LSAA isn’t on the LG website yet but, when it is, it will be here: https://www.lg.com/us/business/direct-view-led-signage

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Trex Commercial Products Clear Choice For LG North American HQ - Facility Executive Magazine

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The exterior precast ramp at LG North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ features 220 linear feet of Trex Track Rail with Klik LED pod lighting to safely guide staff and visitors. (Photo: Abstract Photography, Inc.)

Inside the building, 3/4” clear tempered laminated glass with SGP interlayer was used throughout the office staircases and overlooks. (Abstract Photography, Inc.)

Positioned on the rocky precipices of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and nearly 500 feet above the Hudson River is the new, sustainably designed LG North American headquarters. Spanning five stories and 352,000-square-feet, the state-of-the-art facility features a myriad of amenities for the tech-savvy staff to enjoy, including a gym, outdoor basketball court and coffee bar, as well as open-plan offices, collaboration areas and dining rooms.

Unlike many office buildings of its size, the new LG North American headquarters facility is longer than it is tall. This intentional design serves to protect and preserve the scenic views of the historic Hudson River Palisades that surround the office campus. To complement the glass building and further reduce visual impacts, design elements were carefully chosen, including more than 1,300 linear feet of Trex Commercial Products’ frameless glass Track Rail. Among the highlights of the open-concept building is a ceremonial curved staircase, created by Trex Commercial Products using HDS technology to 3-D scan the structure and deliver a custom fabricated design. The facility was completed in October 2019.

The install sub for the glass is Union County Plate Glass, and the glass manufacturer is Cardinal and Cristacurva. The architect for this project is HOK, and general contractor is Turner Construction.

Trex Track Rail is attached through bolts to steel angles at overlooks and blends into the minimalistic design of the office space. (Photo: Abstract Photography, Inc.)

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July 29, 2020 at 02:00PM
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LG Q2 profits feel the brunt of COVID-19 - ZDNet

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LG Electronics has posted 495.4 billion won in operating profits and sales of 12.8 trillion won for the second quarter of 2020.

It is a drop of around 24% and almost 18%, respectively, from a year prior. LG said its results were affected significantly by the worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

LG's home appliance business, its main profit contributor, posted operating profits of 628 billion won, down 12.5% from a year prior. The company stressed, however, that the margin rate for the business during the second quarter was 12.2% thanks to strong sales from its premium products and cost-cutting efforts.

The TV business saw operating profits decline almost 26% year on year by earning 112.8 billion won. Profitability and revenues were impacted by lockdown measures, including store closures, but the business will reduce costs and control marketing expenses going forward to bring profitability back to last year's levels, LG said. 

Demand for TVs is expected to recover in the third quarter, with LG saying it would push its OLED TVs accordingly.

The mobile business, meanwhile, posted yet another operating loss of 206.5 billion won, marking 21 consecutive quarters of loss. The rate of loss was smaller compared to the previous quarter and the year prior, the South Korean company stressed, saying it has plans to launch new "attractively-priced models" to create momentum. 

The LG Velvet smartphone will also be launched in more countries in the third quarter, the company added.

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LG Electronics profit falls 38% on sluggish demand - MarketWatch

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LG Electronics Inc.'s second-quarter net profit fell 38% compared with the same period a year earlier due to sluggish demand for consumer-electronics and home-appliance goods amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Net profit was 65.60 billion Korean won ($55.1 million), the South Korean company said Thursday. It was weaker than a FactSet consensus forecast for net profit of KRW93.38 billion.

Second-quarter revenue fell 18% to KRW12.834 trillion, while operating profit dropped 24% to KRW495.40 billion.

The company said its revenue could turn around and grow from the third quarter as global market conditions are gradually improving with the easing of pandemic-related lockdowns.

LG Electronics shares edged up 0.1% to close at KRW72,100 after its second-quarter earnings release.

Write to Kwanwoo Jun at kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com

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LG Velvet Review: - Mobile Phones - PC World

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Should You Buy The LG Velvet?

LG’s Velvet tries to reinvent the brand and carve out a new niche for itself among a rapidly changing mid-tier. It’s a phone that feels more expensive than it is and while it doesn’t fully realise the lofty ambitions listed above, it succeeds in selling you on the idea that there’s room for another kind of smartphone out there. 

It's not perfect but the more time I spent with the LG Velvet, the more intrigued I became with what it represents. 

Price when reviewed

In Australia, the LG Velvet is priced at an RRP of AU$899. The device will be available from late July through JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys.

LG Velvet (2020) full review

Design - Look, Feel, Features and Camera

In terms of look and feel, the LG Velvet is nothing new. It puts a spin on the usual glass sandwich design found in most modern smartphones this side of $600 nowadays but it’s a familiar sort of twist on the formula all the same. 

The front of the device boasts slanted glass edges and a center-oriented teardrop notch. The backside of the Velvet is glossy and mostly-featureless aside from the ‘raindrop’ camera lurking on the top-left corner of the thing. For more on smartphone notches, click here. 

As opposed to the competition, LG have also opted to flatten the hardware here. Despite the three-lens setup, the Velvet's so-called 'raindrop' camera design only features a single (and slight) camera bump on the back. As someone who has grown used to chunky camera bumps on modern smartphones, this made the Velvet something of a refreshing change of pace.

Credit: LG

The form-factor here is slim enough, tall enough and downright rectangular. The Velvet doesn’t feel quite as aesthetically striking or ergonomic as Oppo’s Find X2 Neo but it feels more than nice enough for the asking price - which places it above mid-tier mavens like the new iPhone SE but well below the asking price of full-blown flagships like the Galaxy S20. 

The bottom-most edge of the LG Velvet touts not only the standard USB Type-C port used for charging but also a headphone jack. Given that this thing seems to be LG’s defacto flagship in the absence of a V60, that means the Velvet somewhat unique in that it’s one of the only phones out there that includes both the legacy port and premium features like water resistance and wireless charging. The same can’t be said for what Apple, Samsung and Oppo are selling.

That being said, the reliance on a notch and in-display fingerprint sensor does feel out of place here. A version of this device that includes proper 3D face unlock biometrics is one that instantly becomes much easier to recommend over the other options in the space.

Still, technicalities aside, the LG Velvet is equipped with a Snapdragon 765G processor, a 6.8-inch FHD+ OLED display, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There's a triple-lens camera on the back plus a few details you don't usually find under $1000, such as wireless charging, an in-display fingerprint sensor, 5G connectivity and IP68 water resistance.

Credit: LG

The Velvet is billed as an upper mid-tier phone with premium perks and a focus on everyday content creation. To that end, LG have kitted the camera app on the device out with a number of nifty features, such as Voice Bokeh, support for Wacom styli, 4K timelapses and - as mentioned in the header - a dedicated ASMR mode. 

This bevy of bespoke software bonuses is paired up with a triple-lens camera configuration that's built around a 48-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. There's also a 16-megapixel front-facing camera. 

Credit: Fergus Halliday

Read more LG's Velvet has a dedicated ASMR mode

Credit: Fergus Halliday

Unfortunately, this spec sheet doesn’t really translate into anything beyond what you’d expect.

Credit: Fergus Halliday

Credit: Fergus Halliday

Credit where it’s due, LG did innovate with the introduction of ultrawide lenses earlier than most other smartphone brands did but they’ve struggled to really find the next thing since then and in the face the high-end zoom capabilities of the fare like the S20 Ultra or the computational photography of the Google Pixel, they’ve struggled to keep up. If you really are looking to make your next smartphone the engine that powers your content creation efforts, you're probably going to be better served by spending that little bit more on one of those devices than the LG Velvet.

Credit: Fergus Halliday

Credit: Fergus Halliday

The LG Velvet tries to change many aspects of the narrative that’s been up around the brand over the last few years but, for all the software features, the hardware limits what can be done here. It takes nice photos for a smartphone but never crosses the line into territory divorced from that caveat.

Performance - Specs, Software, Benchmarks and Battery Life

Read more How much does the LG Velvet cost in Australia?

Specs

• Processor:  Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

• Operating System: Android 10 + LG UX 9

• RAM: 6GB

• Storage: 128GB

• MicroSD slot: Yes 

• Headphone Jack: Yes

• Fingerprint sensor: Yes, in-display

• SIM: Single

• Battery: 4300 mAh battery

• Connectivity: 5G + 4G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.1 + NFC

• Rear Camera: 48-megapixel (f/1.8) wide + 8-megapixel (f/2.2) ultrawide + 5-megapixel (f/2.4) 

• Front-Facing Camera: 16-megapixel (f/1.9)

• Dimensions:  167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm

• Weight: 180 g

Software

These days, we only really include a software section in our smartphone reviews where it’s necessary and in this case that sentiment translates into bad news.

Credit: LG

While the camera app on the LG Velvet finds a good balance between making the new modes intuitive without cluttering up the interface, the default home screen experience is stuffed with bloatware and unnecessary apps from the get go. Given how minimalist and skim I’ve found LG’s Android skins in the past, this ended up feeling a blemish on an otherwise solid smartphone experience. 

Benchmarks

Credit: Fergus Halliday

• PCMark (Work 2.0): 7797

• 3DMark SlingShot Extreme (OpenGL): 3312

• 3DMark SlingShot Extreme (Vulkan): 3104

• GeekBench (Single-Core): 594

• GeekBench (Multi-Core): 1865

• GeekBench (Compute): 1245

Read more You can now watch Optus Sport on your LG TV

Battery Life

For the most part, the LG Velvet delivered the goods when it came to battery. I’m still mostly working from home these days but I’d usually manage a full day of usage easily and found I could often stretch that into a second without too much trouble. 

Burned out via streamed video on Youtube, it took the LG Velvet 20 hours and 6 minutes to go from 100% to zero. Compared to the other options playing in the same price-range, that's a great result.

The LG Velvet also supports wireless charging via compatible Qi hardware. 

The Bottom Line

With the success of the early G-Series handsets further and further behind them, LG’s flagship smartphones seemed to get more and more formulaic with each passing year. The results became equally as predictable. They’d come out a month or two after Samsung launched their latest salvo, packing a lot of the same tech but lagging when it comes to design. 

The LG Velvet tries to rectify those missteps and place the brand on a new path. After a week or so with it, I’m not quite convinced it delivers fully on those aspirations but it feels like it's a handset with its heart in the right place. 

While the middling camera and bloated software don’t do it many favors, the LG Velvet is still a decent option for those who want something a little closer to a typical flagship than even the bolstered mid-tier can provide. 

Credit: LG

The Link Lonk


July 30, 2020 at 01:07PM
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LG's smartphone business saw positive trends in Q2 despite pandemic - PhoneArena

Fed. Circ. Will Mull Whether LG Blew Deadline In Patent Fight - Law360

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Law360 (July 29, 2020, 9:35 PM EDT) -- The Federal Circuit said Wednesday that it will defer ruling on whether LG took too long to appeal a jury verdict that it infringed a Mondis video display patent licensed to Maxell, asking the companies to more fully brief the issue before it makes a decision.

In a nonprecedential order, the appeals court denied a motion by Mondis Technology Ltd. and Maxell Ltd. to toss out LG Electronics Inc.'s interlocutory appeal following a verdict last year that found LG infringed the companies' patent, and that the infringement was willful.

At issue is U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler's decision in September to...

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LG Tone Free HBS-FN6 Review: Self-cleaning Buds Disappoint - Digital Trends

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LG Tone Free HBS-FN6

“The LG Tone Free fall short of competitors in their price range”

• Comfortable design
• Neat self-cleaning feature
• Great sound quality

• Subpar battery life
• Overly sensitive touch controls

MSRP $150.00

There is seemingly no better time to release a product that kills bacteria as part of its feature set than right now. Because of that, LG really should get credit for its excellent, if coincidental timing of the release of the Tone Free HBS-FN6.

Of course, it’s never a good time to release a product that doesn’t match up to the competition in crucial areas, and LG deserves the credit for that, too, whether it wants it or not. The $150 Tone Free HBS-FN6 do a few things that most other true wireless earbuds don’t, but failed to make an impact in the places that mattered most.

Before I break it down, a quick clarifying note: There are three different Tone Free models, the HBS-FN6, HBS-FN5W, and the HBS-FN4, each with incremental differences. I’ll be reviewing the HBS-FN6 and for the purposes of this story, I’ll refer to that product as the Tone Free unless otherwise stated. Alright, let’s get on with it.

Out of the box

Everything about the LG Tone Free earbuds are petite, right down to the packaging in which they arrive. Under the lid of the predominantly white box are the buds and their case, with a separate compartment beneath them housing a USB-C charging cable, extra eartips, and a surprisingly thorough manual. I say surprisingly only because I’ve seen a decent number of guides that have been largely short on details. It may be a little old school but having something tangible to walk you through operating these buds is a welcome inclusion that sometimes gets lost in the mix with competitors.

Nick Woodard/Digital Trends

The Tone Free have a Fast Pair feature similar to Google’s Pixel Buds 2 or Apple’s AirPods, where the earbuds seemingly find your phone before it can find them, though it’s limited to devices that support Android 5.0 or higher. If you don’t have a device that fits that description, you can go the more traditional route and find the earbuds in your phone’s Bluetooth settings to make the connection.

The Tone Free have Bluetooth 5.0 technology, and like most earbuds I’ve reviewed with this tech built-in, were issue-free when it came to solid connections. I was able to freely move around the house, or even into the backyard, while my phone remained stationary.

Design

As has been the case with so many pairs before them, the Tone Free were made — at least in part — in the image of the Apple AirPods. After all, Apple made the concept of wearing golf tees in your ears the hip thing to do, with competitors simply following the trend. The Tone Free are slightly bulkier (about 5 grams compared to the 4-gram AirPods) and only come in black for now, but the visual similarities are apparent enough.

Nick Woodard/Digital Trends

I really like how compact the charging case for the Tone Free is. It’s actually a shade lighter (at 39 grams) than the AirPods’ 40-gram charging case, and I personally prefer the round design of the Tone Free case. That may be an unpopular opinion since Apple’s Zippo lighter-shaped case has been copied by many manufacturers following it. But I’d absolutely take LG’s circular case in a stow-and-go situation over the AirPods, though neither will present much of a problem in that regard.

The Tone Free are comfortable, fitting tightly in my ears without putting too much pressure on my ear canals.

The Tone Free are comfortable, fitting tightly in my ears without putting too much pressure on my ear canals. The only times I physically adjusted them during morning walks or afternoon jogs was to utilize the buds’ auto-pause feature when passing other individuals. I could have used the earbuds’ Ambient Sound Mode to get around having to remove a bud, but I found that just pulling them out was an easier method than trying to use the buds’ multi-touch controls while in motion.

Speaking of those multi-touch controls, I will be the first to admit that it’s not easy to get this style of control right. Many buds that employ this feature fall somewhere between too sensitive to the touch or not sensitive enough. I think the Tone Free are functional — with multi-press options for answering or ending phone calls, switching through music, or changing the volume – but they do err closer to the “too sensitive” end of the spectrum. They aren’t as bad in that regard as others I’ve tested, but it still made for a handful of frustrating moments.

Features

When it comes to their feature set, the Tone Free are a bit of a mixed bag. They do have the distinctive self-cleaning feature, one that on its own makes these buds intriguing, but when you broaden the scope and examine the more standard, yet arguably more important features, the intrigue is all but lost.

Nick Woodard/Digital Trends

First, let’s hash out the uniqueness of these earbuds. The Tone Free are self-cleaning buds, thanks to a UVnano charging case that LG says kills 99.9% of bacteria while the case is connected to a charging cable. The case uses ultraviolet light focused on the buds’ eartips, though the process won’t remove dirt, debris, or earwax.

On the one hand, this is objectively cool. Especially during a time when most folks are as focused as ever about cleanliness, having buds that kill bacteria by themselves can only be a good thing. On the other hand, this all seems wildly unnecessary. Like what I assume are many of you, I was never overly concerned with how much bacteria were on my earbuds. Maybe LG is leading the charge here and uncovering an issue we didn’t previously know was a problem, and maybe future earbuds will follow in the Tone Free’s footsteps. Then again, maybe not. It’s a feature that the average person can’t tangibly feel the effects of, and it’s the main reason these buds are $50 more than the Tone Free HBS-FN4. That seems like a big expense for a largely invisible perk.

When it comes to their feature set, the Tone Free are a bit of a mixed bag.

Battery life in the Tone Free is up to six hours, with two extra charging cycles included in the case for a grand total of 18.  Additionally, they have a quick-charging feature that gives you an hour of playback after five minutes in the case. Two years ago, this would have been solid. Now, unfortunately for LG, it’s mediocre at best. The RHA TrueConnect 2, for the same price, provides 9.5 hours of playback in a single charge, with 44 total hours of battery life with its case. Seeing as the Tone Free began showing low battery right around the five-hour mark and barely approached their quoted six-hour lifespan, it’s hard to see why you wouldn’t opt for a clearly stronger battery in the RHA.

And while the Tone Free do offer an IPX4 weather resistance rating — a pretty standard benchmark for earbuds that gives them solid protection against sweat and water splashes from any direction — the TrueConnect 2 raised the bar by tossing in dust protection with an IP55 rating. You probably won’t need that kind of protection in your everyday life. But at the same time, why wouldn’t you choose this route if it didn’t cost you any more? That’s the problem LG is up against. Their features are fine if you don’t put them side-by-side with an evenly-priced competitor. In that scenario, it’s hard to find an area that clearly favors the Tone Free. Unless you wanted to limit the number of bacteria you subject your ears to.

Audio quality

Just like their recent soundbars, LG is touting its partnership with Meridian in tuning the sound of their products. Also in line with those soundbars, LG has kept quiet about specs on the actual drivers in these earbuds. From the sound of the company’s talking points, we’re not supposed to worry about the details or the design of the components producing the sound we’re hearing. Instead, we’re supposed to blindly rely on the fact that Meridian took the reins with the audio quality of this product, and trust in the company’s Headphone Spatial Processing (HSP) technology to deliver solid sound.

Nick Woodard/Digital Trends

Which, I must admit, it does very well. Just like the soundbars that Meridian had a hand in, the Tone Free do produce an enjoyable listening experience. According to LG, Meridian’s HSP tech is meant to “create a realistic soundstage that simulates the experience of listening to real loudspeakers.” I wouldn’t go nearly that far, but after listening to selections like Led Zeppelins’ Ramble On or The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter, I do appreciate the stereo separation and vocal clarity that these earbuds were able to create.

With the LG Tone Free app, you can choose between three other Meridian presets — Bass Boost, Natural, or Treble Boost — or customize the sound to your own taste with an in-app equalizer. While LG’s effort to make its sound customizable for ears of all kinds is recognized, with presets like Bass Boost filling in the needed low end for more modern tracks, I did prefer the sound of the default preset called “Immersive.”

The Tone Free have done a good job of creating enjoyable sound.

I will say this, however: The Tone Free have done a good job of creating enjoyable sound, but at the same time, they haven’t created incredibly distinguishable sound. I’d have a hard time deciding whether these buds sounded better than, say, the RHA’s I listened to last week or the Google Pixel Buds 2 I auditioned a few months ago. Touting the ability to kill bacteria as a key feature that just isn’t all that exciting, the Tone Free really needed their sound to set, well, a tone. They do sound very good, just not good enough to cover for their other shortcomings.

The call quality of the Tone Free is sufficient, thanks to the dual-microphone setup that LG built into the Tone Free. LG says it uses technologies dubbed Echo Cancellation and Noise Reduction to detect and minimize unwanted noise, which it does reasonably well. Just don’t expect these traits and the minimal passive noise cancellation created by the fit of the buds to mirror the kind of experience that true active noise cancellation provides. Try as they might, these ANC substitutes don’t touch the real deal.

Our take

The LG Tone Free do not do anything particularly poorly, they just don’t do most things quite as well as some of the more notable competitors in their price range. Winning out on all the major touchpoints is a tough feat to accomplish with as fast as things are moving in the world of true wireless earbuds, but if you can’t at least stay on par with the rest of the field, you won’t be making the leaderboard.

Are there better alternatives?

The Tone Free may have a slight edge in sound, but not enough to overlook everything else the RHA TrueConnect 2 does better for the exact same $150. For $50 more, I’ve grown into quite a fan of the $200 Sony WF-SP800N, which improves battery life over both the LG and the RHA, and adds effective active noise cancellation.

Honestly, I would probably take the cheaper, $99 LG Tone Free HBS-FN4 over the FN6, since the main difference is the self-cleaning charging case in which we found marginal value.

How long will they last?

These buds do seem to have a quality build to them and moderately good protection against the weather. I don’t foresee them breaking down soon.

Should you buy them?

Nope. I liked the design of these earbuds, plus their palatable sound, but there are too many options in this price range with better features to be able to recommend the latest from LG. The Tone Free may be able to eliminate most bacteria that comes their way, but they don’t have the same effect on the tough competition surrounding them.

Editors' Recommendations

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July 29, 2020 at 08:00PM
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