A new LG Electronics-made smartphone bearing the model number LG-SP200 that’s set to be marketed as the LG Tribute Dynasty is coming to the United States via Sprint, Boost, and Virgin, according to three newly unveiled user manuals of the product found in the database of environmental product rating service EPEAT. The name of the handset printed on the manual signals it’s set to be part of the LG Tribute family that so far produced only two devices — the LG Tribute and LG Tribute 2 — and hasn’t been refreshed since the summer of 2015. The lineup itself consists of truly entry-level devices powered by Snapdragon 400-series chips from Qualcomm and featuring just 1GB of RAM.
The newly uncovered manual unsurprisingly doesn’t reveal many technical details about the Android smartphone, though the EPEAT listing reveals it’s been manufactured in an eco-friendly manner. The South Korean original equipment manufacturer registered its upcoming handset in mid-December, with the timing of its move being indicative of an early 2018 release. The fact that the LG Tribute Dynasty was listed as coming to Virgin also signals that the Kansas City, Missouri-based mobile service provider intends to honor its promise to continue selling Android devices until the fall of 2018, even after announcing its new iPhone-only policy in late June. Customers who buy the LG Tribute Dynasty from Virgin can still count on continued after-sales support from the wireless carrier regardless of whether the company ultimately goes through with its original plan to stop retailing new Android devices.
The handset itself should follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and launch as an entry-level offering for price-conscious consumers. It’s likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 450, Qualcomm’s latest chip targeted at this product category. Some upgrades are also to be expected on the memory front as the LG Tribute Dynasty should double on 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage space featured by the LG Tribute 2 in 2015. The barebones nature of the handset is likely to result in a device with a price tag no higher than $150 which may also be bundled with wireless carrier plans for free. LG might officially announce its next Android smartphone in the first half of January at CES 2018 which is taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.