LG's new budget handset gives glimpse of G4

LG Electronics Inc., South Korea's No. 2 tech firm, said Wednesday it will release a low-end smartphone that boasts a slightly curved screen, giving an early peek of the flagship G4 smartphone set to hit shelves later this month.

Although not as curved as the G Flex 2 released earlier this year, which has a curvature of 650-750R, the LG Volt will come with a 4.7-inch HD in-plane switching display with a curvature of 3,000R. A lower number indicates that the screen is bent more sharply.

While sales will start Friday, the release in foreign countries has not yet been decided. It will come with a price tag of below 300,000 won ($273).

On Sunday, the details of the G4, which will be showcased April 29, was leaked online, with some claiming that it was done accidentally on purpose. The disclosed data suggested that it would also have a curvature of 3,000R.

Powered by Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop, the LG Volt will also come with 8-megapixel and 1-megapixel cameras. The battery capacity stands at 2,100mAh, and it supports long-term evolution advanced networks.

The smartphone is set to be equipped with various key features of LG's flagships, including "Gesture Shot," which allows users to take photos with a three-second timer by curling one's fingers into their palm while facing the camera.

LG said the Gesture Shot can recognize movements even at a distance of 1.5 meters, a feature that takes advantage of the rising popularity of selfie-sticks. (Yonhap)