LG to launch G3 worldwide for less than $900

LG Electronics is launching its G3 smartphone for 899,800 won ($878) today after a series of discussions with the nation’s top three mobile carriers, according to the mobile communications industry yesterday.

The price includes 10 percent value-added tax on the device’s base price of 810,000 won and is the first time that a quad high-definition (QHD) smartphone has sold for less than 900,000 won. A QHD display gives a picture quality that is four times clearer than that of a high-definition (HD) display.

LG chose to install the QHD display to differentiate the G3 from Samsung Electronics’ flagship smartphone Galaxy S5 and Pantech’s Vega Iron 2, which both have full HD resolution displays.

Although the G3 costs more than the Galaxy S5, which sells for 866,800 won, the price is below the earlier market expectation of 900,000 won.

The price was expected to be high because LG’s new phone was reportedly going to introduce the highest specs of all smartphones, with a 5.5-inch QHD screen and 3 gigabytes of RAM. It has a 13-megapixel camera - the same as the G2 but with an autofocus sensor for use in the dark.

It also has functions that can be tailored to a user’s preferences, such as switching the camera to selfie mode with a clench of the fist.

“Nevertheless, despite the high specs, LG seemed to be forced to adjust its price considering the current public sentiment condemning high smartphone prices and its competitor Samsung Electronics lowering its flagship smartphone price to 866,800 won,” said a spokesman for a mobile carrier.

LG Electronics will officially release the G3 at its headquarters in Yeouido, northwestern Seoul, today. A G3 launch event will also be held in London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Istanbul today.

The three top mobile carriers SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ have reportedly set plans for the phone, such as selling the G3 at 650,000 won to their customers who are on monthly plans that cost 60,000 won or more.

BY KIM JUNG-YOON [kjy@joongang.co.kr]