Renders of LG "Alpha" leak, but this isn't the LG G8 ThinQ

UPDATE: LG's Head of Global Corporate Communication, Ken Hong, has stated via Twitter that the device pictured above isn't the "real" LG G8 ThinQ. He further clarified that the statement made by OnLeaks, who contributed to making the renders public – that these renders show a phone 'codenamed LG "Alpha" which will very likely be marketed as the #LGG8' – is incorrect. In other words, this could either be an early prototype or an entirely different phone. If the latter is true, LG will likely showcase it under a different name at MWC 2019. The original story continues below.

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While sales may not have been phenomenal, the G7 ThinQ was largely seen as one of LG’s more solid offerings in recent times. And from the look of some alleged LG G8 ThinQ renders, the South Korean company appears to agree with this.

From the front, the next-generation flagship, codenamed "Alpha," looks more or less identical to its predecessor thanks to the return of a 6.1-inch display complete with the same notch & chin combination. This time around, though, LG has reduced the thickness of the latter and implemented a notch with slightly more rounded corners. 

While on the topic of the notch, it’s worth pointing out that it is now home to a new dual-camera selfie setup which will presumably follow in the footsteps of the LG V40 ThinQ by adopting a secondary wide-angle sensor. The device also appears to have lost its in-ear speaker in favor of a new “sound-on-display” speaker that utilizes bone conduction.

Moving over to the back of the smartphone, it’s clear that the redesign efforts are minimal too. In fact, the only major difference is a new horizontal dual-camera setup that replaces last year’s vertical one. This is accompanied by the usual rear-facing fingerprint scanner and an LED flash. The Seoul-based brand does, however, appear to have removed its usual laser autofocus system.

Rounding out the smartphone’s external package is a 3.5mm headphone jack, a bottom-firing speaker, and a dedicated Google Assistant button.

The LG G8 ThinQ is expected to go official at MWC 2019 later next month. Internal details are scarce at the moment, but 91Mobiles believes that it could debut with last year’s Snapdragon 845 rather than the newer Snapdragon 855. The flagships may also support an optional second display.