LG V50 ThinQ 5G, G8 ThinQ confirmed to debut simultaneously

Who needs tips and leaks when you have LG to do that for you. That is if you're willing to wait at the last minute for those teasers and confirmations. For the past days, LG has done its part in confirming not just the name of the LG G8 ThinQ but two of its features as well. This time, it has not only confirmed the LG V50 ThinQ 5G moniker but that these two flagship phones will be unveiled together for the first time in the company's history.

This confirmation isn't really shocking, even without previous insider tips that claimed it to be so. LG was one of the very first OEMs to commit to 5G and it would be embarrassing if it waited for the second half of the year to launch its first 5G phone. Then again, it could have gone with an "LG G8 ThinQ 5G" like Samsung, but it would need more than that to justify a price difference.

LG's announcement does, however, refute speculation that the company will be retiring the G series in favor of the V. In fact, its consolidating its product lines around the premium G and V phones, the mid-range Q series, and the entry-level K phones, a.k.a. the X phones in Korea. It will be announcing new phones on those lower tiers next week at MWC 2019, also a first for the company.

LG's MWC strategy isn't just a whimsical decision. LG Electronics President Kwon Bong-suk is steering the company's mobile business towards a rebound, quitting the rat race for best specs. Instead, LG will be focusing on "enhancing customer value" through a stronger identity and product differentiation.