LG’s Optimus G Unveiled: World’s First LTE Snapdragon Quad-core Smartphone

LG Optimus G, at Docomo event in Japan

NTT Docomo (NYSE:DCM) today announced a number of new mobile devices for the fall, including two 7-inch tablets from Samsung and NEC which we wrote about earlier. But the standout of the three smartphones that were unveiled was LG’s (066570:KS) Optimus G, which features a 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, making it the first LTE device to run on that processor.

It will boast 2GB of RAM and will run on Android 4.0. According to LG, the handset will feature a 4.7 inch WXGA HD IPS+ display, boasting improved visibility, a thinner screen panel, and increased strength. and a rear facing camera shooting at 13 megapixels.

LG Electronics Mobile CEO, Dr. Jong-seok Park, praised his company’s new smartphone in an announcement this afternoon:

Optimus G isn’t just another high-performance phone with the latest bells and whistles. It’s a collaboration of some of the best component makers on the planet coming together for a singular cause, to develop a smartphone that stands out in a sea of me-too devices.

The Optimus G is due for release in Japan in either October or November, available in red (see below) and black. For that market, the handset will be compatible with Docomo’s Xi LTE service, and be equipped with osaifu-keitai mobile wallet functionality, as well as one-seg television and the ability to use Docomo’s NotTV online streaming service.

The global version of the Optimus G will go on sale a little sooner in Korea in September on all three local mobile carriers, with other markets to follow soon after.