LG Throws Down Gauntlet to Samsung with New Phablet
Sep. 24, 2013 10:34 KST E-mail Print List
LG Electronics said Monday it will release a new "phablet" smart device featuring a 5.2-inch display to compete with rival Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 3. LG will begin selling its Optimus Vu 3 on Friday via all three service providers -- SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus.
The release of the Vu 3 comes hot on the heels of the Galaxy Note 3, which is equipped with a bigger 5.7-inch screen and was unveiled at Berlin's IFA tech show early this month. Both devices offer larger screens than ordinary smartphones and rely on a stylus to operate certain functions.
Samsung is scheduled to begin selling the Galaxy Note 3 in Korea on Wednesday.
LG has provided a separate stylus with its previous two phablets, the Vu 1 and Vu 2, but it decided to integrate the stylus into the Vu 3 after listening to customer feedback. The latest device is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 processor and offers LTE-A connectivity. LTE-A refers to the fastest 4G service now available.
LG intends to sell the Vu 3 for less than W1 million, lower than usual market prices for premium smartphones. An LG official said a price tag has yet to be finalized, but is expected to be in the "mid-to-high W800,000 range."
The Galaxy Note 3 retails for W1.06 million.
