LG X Series: UK launch nears for smartphones with dual cameras and second screen

The LG G5 isn't the only smartphone in LG's pipeline this year. Starting on 22 March, the company is pushing out its new mid-range X Series, which aims to target buyers who want a more affordable handset that still comes with unique features.

The X Screen and X Cam will first be available in South Korea, followed by key worldwide markets including the UK, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The LG X Screen features an always-on secondary screen above the main display that allows users to view the time and date, access basic smartphone functions, receive calls and check app notifications without having to wake the phone or close the app they're using. LG is calling it Second Screen and the technology was first featured on the company's V10 in 2015.

The LG X Cam, meanwhile, features a 5MP, 120-degree wide angle camera lens similar to the LG G5's that sits alongside a standard 13MP lens. Combined, LG claims the X Cam's lenses deliver a field of view as wide as the human eye.

Away from their key features, the X Screen and X Cam are different devices in their own right. The X Cam is the more powerful of the two handsets with a 1.14GHz octa-core processor, while the X Screen comes with a 1.2GHz quad-core chip. The X Cam is also the larger of the two devices and – despite what the X Screen moniker implies – comes with a better display than its sibling. While the X Cam offers a 5.2in Full HD screen with a pixel density of 424ppi, the X Screen's smaller 4.93in display manages just 298ppi. Both devices come pre-installed with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

One crucial piece of info that remains missing, however, is exactly how much LG will expect consumers to shell out for its latest mid-rangers. Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, said: "What's appealing about the X Screen and X Cam is that each offers one great feature in a complete package that doesn't break the bank. Starting with the X Series, we're introducing the best in camera and display technology in a mass-tier device, something that has never been done before."