LG Electronics has unveiled a mid-tier series of smartphones with premium features, called Q. The new models, the Q6 and Q6 Plus, share a similar design to the firm's premium, the G6.

The new mid-range smartphone models come after the company last week reported weaker-than-expected earnings guidance for the second quarter due to tepid sales of its high-end G6 smartphone series. Experts estimated the sales of LG's new G6 flagship smartphone to have fallen short of the target of 2 million units.

The LG Q6 features some of the innovations from LG's premium G6 smartphone and packages them in a sleek body highlighted by its FullVision display with minimized bezels. The Q6 family consists of the Q6+, Q6 and Q6a. The three variants cater to different user groups in terms of memory and storage: the Q6+ comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM, the base Q6 delivers 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and the most affordably-priced Q6a comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB of ROM.

Both feature the 18:9 ratio Full Vision screen and have a 5.5-inch Full HD display.

Benefiting from ergonomic research during the development of the LG G6, the Q6 is also comfortable to hold and use with one hand. In another nod to user convenience, LG's proprietary Face Recognition feature allows owners to unlock the Q6 faster and with less hassle than other facial recognition technologies currently available.

The LG Q6 also carries on LG's heritage in optics. The smartphone incorporates a 100-degree wide angle selfie camera that allows shutterbugs to include a large group of friends and family in the shot without effort. The camera's improved LG UX 6.0 takes full advantage of the 18:9 aspect ratio of the FullVision display. Square Camera Mode makes it easy to "share your squares" or create photo collages using multiple square images.

The LG Q6 is also quite durable. The metal frame surrounding the Q6 is constructed of strong 7000 series aluminum, one of the highest strength aluminum alloys available and used extensively in industries such as aerospace. The device is subjected to LG's demanding regimen of over 20 battery tests which include heat, penetration and shock, conditions more stringent than international testing protocols.

The LG G6 will go on sale in markets in Asia starting next month to be followed by availability in Europe, Latin America and North America onward.

LG, however, said it has not finalized the price details. Industry watchers said the price tag of the device is estimated to be around 500,000 won (US$435).

Key Specifications:

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 Mobile Platform
• Display: 5.5-inch 18:9 FHD+ FullVision Display (2160 x 1080 / 442ppi)
• Memory:
  • Q6+: 4GB RAM / 64GB ROM
  • Q6: 3GB RAM / 32GB ROM
  • Q6a: 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM
• Camera: Rear 13MP Standard Angle / Front 5MP Wide Angle
• Battery: 3,000mAh (embedded)
• Operating System: Android 7.1.1 Nougat
• Size: 142.5 x 69.3 x 8.1mm
• Weight: 149g
• Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / USB Type-B 2.0
• Colors:
  • Q6+: Astro Black / Ice Platinum / Marine Blue
  • Q6: Astro Black / Ice Platinum / Mystic White / Terra Gold
  • Q6a: Astro Black / Ice Platinum / Terra Gold
• Other: Face Recognition / Google Assistant / Square Camera / Steady Record / FM Radio