With commercial 5G networks set to go live next year, it’s only a matter of time before major manufacturers start rolling out their first 5G smartphones. A new report out of South Korea claims that the LG V40 will be released after the upcoming iPhones in the fourth quarter of this year. It also mentions that the LG V45 will be launched later as the company’s first 5G smartphone.
LG is reportedly going to start production of the V40 from September and it’s aiming to release the handset around the first week of October. It may be looking to ship less than 1 million units of the device as last year’s model, the V30, shipped some 1.5 million units.
One of the reasons why LG is said to have lowered the shipment figures for the V40 is the sluggish market performance of the G7 which was launched earlier this year. LG aimed to sell 3 million units but could only manage half of that target.
The LG V40 is a routine upgrade to an existing product line. The interesting bit in this report is that the LG V45 will share many of its parts with the G7 and V40 as LG looks to cut costs. The camera modules and display will come from the V40 while the addition of a 5G antenna will make the device a bit thicker than the V40.
LG hasn’t said anything about its first 5G smartphone at this point in time. It will launch the LG V45 early next year, according to this report.