Anchor: The curtain has risen for the world's top smartphone makers to battle for consumer interest as the latest flagship devices by Samsung, LG and Apple are all out in the market. Following Samsung Electronics' introduction of its Galaxy Note 7 last month, LG Electronics unveiled the V20, its premium smartphone with upgraded audio system and camera. Apple also unpacked the iPhone 7, which the home button has been replaced for a fingerprint sensor and has an improved camera.
Kim In-kyung has more. 
 
Report: LG Electronics unveiled its latest V20 premium smartphone at simultaneous events in Seoul and San Francisco on Wednesday.
 
Head of LG's smartphone product planning team, Hwang Sang-yeon, told reporters that the phone is the first in the world to have wide-angle cameras at the front and back. 
 
[Sound bite: Hwang Sang-yeon - head of smartphone product planning team, LG Electronics (Korean)]
"In addition to hi-fi audio, [the V20] lavishly reproduces normal and streaming music as well."

LG said it enhanced the audio quality of the phone by partnering with Bang & Olufsen.

The V20 is expected to go on sale in South Korea near the end of this month and reach the global markets later.
 
[Sound bite: Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook (English)]
“It’s the best iPhone we have ever created. This is iPhone 7.”
 
Apple has also unveiled its latest smartphone duo, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, in San Francisco on Wednesday.
 
The home button of the new iPhone has been replaced with a fingerprint sensor and the headphone jack has been ditched to accommodate wireless headphones.
 
The American tech giant explained that the iPhone 7 is water and dust resistant and equipped with an enhanced camera.
 
Apple plans to begin receiving pre-orders for the phones in the U.S. on Thursday and sell them from September 16th.
 
Samsung Electronics had a headstart by unveiling the Galaxy Note 7 in August. However, the firm issued a global recall earlier this month due to the phone catching fire while charging.
 
Second-half results for high-end smartphones will become more apparent sometime in the middle of next month. 
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.