Korean smartphone makers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics struggling to fight back Chinese ascension in emerging markets as well as on home turf have upgraded their budget lines with premium specs like a triple-camera setup and an in-display fingerprint sensor.

The latest affordable models are Samsung’s Galaxy A50 and LG’s X6 to be launched around next month, according to industry sources on Wednesday.

The Galaxy A50 is Samsung’s first budget smartphone with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The rear triple camera consists of a 25MP basic lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP depth lens. That said, its price tag is expected to be be in the 400,000 won ($335) range.

Samsung Electronics is expanding its portfolio of budget smartphones for customers by launching the Galaxy A30 in Korea early this month and the Galaxy A10 this week. The Galaxy A10 has a 6.2-inch Infinity-V display, 3,400mAh battery and 32GB storage. It has also a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The price is in the 200,000 won range.

LG Electronics will launch its affordable smartphone X6 next month, which was released as Q60 during the MWC 2019 last February. It marks LG’s first budget smartphone equipped with a triple camera (16MP standard, 5MP wide-angle and 2MP depth lens). It supports an out-focus function to highlight an object in a blurry background and the DTS:X 3D surround sound usually reserved for premium products. The price is expected to be in the 300,000 won-400,000 won range.

By Yong Hwan-jin and Minu Kim

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