AI Equipped in Senior Folder Phones... SKT Launches ‘LG Folder2’ Starting at 100,000 KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] SK Telecom will equip LG Electronics' upcoming ‘LG Folder 2’ with SK Telecom’s voice recognition artificial intelligence (AI) assistant ‘NUGU’. This is the first time AI services have been integrated into a flip phone, aiming to improve customers’ access to information by adding ‘voice recognition’ to the familiar flip phone format popular among seniors.

The retail price of the ‘LG Folder 2’ is 198,000 KRW. SK Telecom customers subscribing to the T Plan Save plan at 33,000 KRW per month can receive a public subsidy of 90,000 KRW, allowing them to purchase the phone for 108,000 KRW.

According to SK Telecom on the 17th, SK Telecom customers using the ‘LG Folder 2’ can easily search for desired information with simple voice queries. The operation is straightforward. Press the ‘AI Hotkey’ button, marked with a microphone symbol above the call button, to activate the AI assistant ‘NUGU’. When the AI assistant responds with “Please tell me how I can help,” users can ask their questions. ‘NUGU’ then provides answers both in voice and text simultaneously.

For example, if you ask, “How old is trot singer OOO?” the AI assistant will reply, “Singer OOO is 30 years old.” In addition to functions such as ▲weather ▲calculator ▲date ▲language dictionary ▲encyclopedia, it also offers entertainment through ‘emotional conversations’ like “I’m lonely.” To celebrate the launch of the ‘LG Folder 2,’ SK Telecom will run a promotion from April 17 to July 31, providing free data usage for all customers using the ‘NUGU’ service on the ‘LG Folder 2’ for a total of three months.

Besides AI services, the ‘LG Folder 2’ includes various additional features designed to maximize convenience for the senior generation. First, it is equipped with an ‘SOS’ function that attempts to call a guardian immediately in emergency situations. LG Folder 2 users can press the ‘SOS’ button located on the back of the device three times quickly, and after 5 seconds, the phone automatically calls the pre-registered guardian number. Location information is also transmitted.

Moreover, it features an ▲external notification window function that allows users to check the time, calls, and message reception without opening the phone, an ▲FM radio function that can be listened to without data usage, and a ▲data safety lock function that restricts internet use to essential cases only through password settings. The phone will be available in two colors: Platinum Gray and White. Moon Gap-in, head of the Smart Device Division, stated, “We actively reflected the opinions of flip phone customers by equipping the ‘LG Folder 2’ with the AI assistant ‘NUGU.’ We plan to continue releasing reasonably priced smartphones tailored to the diverse needs and usability of the silver generation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.