LG V40 announcement

[flyingkytez]

I'm not gonna pay $900 plus for a phone again especially since it'll be on sale for 50% off in a month or two.

Yeah, my limit is usually $800. Anymore, I feel it's not worth it. Actual cost of phone is between $250-$375. Phones are marked up in the beginning to maximize profit, then slowly, the price drops lower and lower. When it's on "sale", it's actually just the manufacture accepting a lower profit margin from it temporarily, but the sale ends and price goes back up. Then it goes down again.. it's a repetitive cycle to continue to the flow of high/low profit and sales, even distribution.

There are partnerships and subsidies with carriers too. Yeah, they got rid of "contracts" but you're still "paying off" the phone through the monthly bill... That's why carriers have these deals to lure you in. Compare their pre-paid and post-paid monthly cost and there's a $10-20 difference.

https://www.techwalls.com/production-costs-of-smartphones/

 

[Mooncatt]

Yeah, my limit is usually $800. Anymore, I feel it's not worth it. Actual cost of phone is between $250-$375.

I'd like to see what kind of phone you could design, program, and build from scratch for $375... Oh, and have reserve left over to cover a warranty repair.

What you are saying is very misleading and not at all accurate. The article you linked to at least clarifies their (equally misleading) markup numbers:

Notice that we don’t take into account other costs like marketing, research and development, distribution, staff, packaging, or software, so the manufacturers wouldn’t earn that much profit from their products.

When I went to college for drafting, one of my classes was on printed circuit board design. That was the hardest class by far for me, to the point I dropped it and tried again the next semester (my focus was on mechanical drafting). That's just one aspect of building those phones that isn't accounted for in that article, and those guys earn every penny of it.

Competition works. None of those manufacturers would survive with that kind of excess profit margin. I suspect the real profit margin to the manufacturer after factoring in ALL costs is closer to 5-10%. To suggest they are getting away with 60%+ margins would mean every single manufacturer has an agreement with the others to fix prices. Price fixing in the U.S. is illegal, and the scenario you're claiming would've had those companies in court years ago.

 

[RaRa85]

One of my favorite reviewers already has the V40 and it comes with an old classic feature from the old Lumia days built in. Cinemagraphs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZOuNlhelz/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=7kk6kiovaziu

 

[gendo667]

One of my favorite reviewers already has the V40 and it comes with an old classic feature from the old Lumia days built in. Cinemagraphs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZOuNlhelz/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=7kk6kiovaziu

So I guess he has it. Can't wait for the hands-on.

 

[RaRa85]

So I guess he has it. Can't wait for the hands-on.

Yep. We should have a video on Wednesday as soon as LG lifts the embargo. I'm wondering who else has one now.

 

[gendo667]

Yep. We should have a video on Wednesday as soon as LG lifts the embargo. I'm wondering who else has one now.

I forget it's that soon. Probably everybody at this point.

 

[RaRa85]

I forget it's that soon. Probably everybody at this point.

Yep. Hopefully we get a flood of V40 videos all dropping at the same time with very positive impressions. Create a nice little buzz for it. Hopefully LG doesn't kill it with a rumored November 16 availability. I'm not holding my breath for a timely release though. If they manage to release within this month I would be very proud of them.

 

[gendo667]

I forget it's that soon. Probably everybody at this point.

I'll add, the hands-on and the review will both have the circumstance of "pre-release software". An LG trademark.

 

[RaRa85]

I'll add, the hands-on and the review will both have the circumstance of "pre-release software". An LG trademark.

Of course. I need to see them make the next step forward this year.

 

[ffejjj]

plus it seems as if the selfie on the V30 was downgraded from the V20.. comparing side by side, I saw the V30 took much lower quality selfies than the V20, which the V20 looked significantly better when compared (not making this up, try it yourself and let me know).

Absolutely agree that the V30 selfie camera is not great. For my use though it's a non issue

Plus they reduced the wide angle POV so it's shorter, which sucks because I really liked the wide view, regardless of the distortion (the front selfie is no longer as wide as the V20.. a disappointment).

I'm all in when it comes to the wide angle camera. I honestly wouldn't want to go without it now. I think the V20 is to wide, distorting the image to much. The V30 being the sweet spot for me (probably because that's the one I own). The G7 being just to narrow.

They say, manufactures make big changes every 2 years so I think the V40 is going to be different and better, let's hope so.

Yeah, make me want to spend my money lol

 

[RaRa85]

I'm all in when it comes to the wide angle camera. I honestly wouldn't want to go without it now. I think the V20 is to wide, distorting the image to much. The V30 being the sweet spot for me (probably because that's the one I own). The G7 being just to narrow.

I completely agree about the V30 being the sweet spot as I didn't feel it needed to be reduced further. The G7 is not as dramatic and immersive to me. Hopefully LG gives us a few more degrees wider in the V40.

 

[ffejjj]

Hopefully LG gives us a few more degrees wider in the V40.

Agreed. So many times I've switched too wide angle and caught some amazing shots that I would have otherwise missed.

 

[Morty2264]

People are placing high values on phones more than before. The actual costs of smartphones are here:

https://www.techwalls.com/production-costs-of-smartphones/

Apple has the highest markup price and people still buy them, thinking the phone actually is valued that much. Apple did a good job making people think their devices are of high value, especially with the designs and good software OS.

Movie theaters are taking a huge hit right now because of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. So in response they have a "membership" program where you pay monthly for unlimited movies I think. Something to look into.

Thank you for the membership tip! And I agree - Apple has certainly done a very good job of convincing their consumers that their phones are worth the price hike.

 

[LuvMusic]

So tomorrow (3 October) is the date for the official reveal event in the U.S. Anybody know if it will be streamed or blogged?

 

[RaRa85]

I'm not sure but I'll be checking for it and trying to time my break at work with the first 30 minutes of the announcement if they do live stream it this year. 5PM Eastern time.

 

[gendo667]

I'm not sure but I'll be checking for it and trying to time my break at work with the first 30 minutes of the announcement if they do live stream it this year. 5PM Eastern time.

Beat me to it. IF, it's streamed.

 

[ffejjj]

I'm getting excited.

 

[Morty2264]

I'm getting excited.

Same here! Between this and the Pixel 3 AND the OnePlus 6T, I'm stoked!

 

[RaRa85]

Same here! Between this and the Pixel 3 AND the OnePlus 6T, I'm stoked!

Exactly!! October is Christmas for phone announcements. LG V40, Pixel 3/XL, OnePlus 6T, and Mate 20 Pro. There's a new announcement every week except the last one I believe.

 

[gendo667]

There's a LG V40 press event place holder on YouTube. Can't speak to the quality. I feel like this happened with the G7. It was a private event but someone put some crappy feed up. Here's hoping this isn't that. Or, you know, there's actually public coverage.

https://youtu.be/LVgMb0u8byE