[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics’ latest high-end smartphone V20 is expected to hit the Korean and US markets on Sept. 29, industry sources said on Sept. 13.

The company is said to be fine-tuning the retail price of the big-screen smartphone that is expected to cost 800,000 won (US$720) to 900,000 won.



LG is the third-largest smartphone maker in the US after Samsung Electronics and Apple. The company is launching new phone a month earlier than last year aiming to gain an early sales lead after the recent new phone launches by its arch rivals. Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 7 on Aug. 19, while Apple plans to start sales of the iPhone7 from Sept. 16.

The V20 will be launched in key markets only, including Korea, the US, Hong Kong and Taiwan -- with plans to skip Europe.

The latest LG phablet stresses advanced multimedia functions as it is equipped with a quad digital-to-analog converter, a sound technology to reduce noises, and comes with Bang & Olufson’s in-ear headphones.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)