LG Wing Unveiling D-2... Can LG, Aiming for a Twist, Succeed This Time?

LG Electronics Unfazed by 21 Consecutive Quarters of Losses
'LG Wing' with Rotating Screen to be Unveiled on the 14th
First Product of Innovative Design 'Explorer Project'

Leaked real photo of 'LG Wing'. (Source=Naver Samsung Smartphone Cafe)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] LG Electronics will unveil a new smartphone called 'Wing' on the 14th, featuring a unique design that allows the smartphone screen to be rotated horizontally into a T-shape. Since early this year, LG Electronics has been seeking change by releasing new products with differentiated designs, moving away from the G and V series.

The LG Wing is a smartphone with a distinctive form factor that allows the main display to rotate 90 degrees among its two screens. When the 6.8-inch main screen is rotated horizontally, a 4-inch secondary screen appears below. It is optimized for multitasking, such as sending messages while watching videos or searching while gaming.

Looking at leaked real photos of the LG Wing shared on a Samsung smartphone cafe on the 11th, the design is thinner and longer than the Galaxy Note20, but slightly thicker in thickness. The bezel is also thicker compared to the Galaxy Note20. The bezel of the 4-inch secondary screen is thicker than that of the main screen. When the main screen is rotated horizontally, dedicated apps such as YouTube that can run in horizontal mode can be launched. The lower secondary screen displays a minimized version of the typical smartphone home screen, including a search bar and app icons.

The front camera of the LG Wing is a pop-up type mounted on the main screen, and the rear features a triple camera arranged in a row. Although it is not a waterdrop camera like the 'Velvet,' there is no induction that causes camera protrusion (camera bump). Although there are two screens, the main screen is much thinner than a typical smartphone, so the stacked vertical size is similar to that of a regular smartphone. It is also lighter than smartphones equipped with dual monitors. The LG Wing is expected to be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset and released in two colors: white and black. The price is expected to be in the 1 million KRW range, with a likely domestic release in early October.

The 'LG Wing' will be unveiled at an online event on the 14th at 11 PM (Korean time). Although it is not a live broadcast like Samsung's Unpacked, pre-recorded videos from domestic and international locations will be aired on YouTube and other platforms, allowing simultaneous viewing worldwide. LG Electronics employees will appear to introduce the technology and specifications of the LG Wing, and globally recognized YouTubers will also make surprise guest appearances. Prior to the product launch, LG Electronics selected Qualcomm, Naver Whale, and ToBe as partners, and it is expected that services suited to the new form factor will be unveiled together.

Despite continuing a loss streak for 21 consecutive quarters, LG Electronics is pursuing various attempts to escape the crisis. Instead of the standardized existing smartphone designs, they are trying to improve their image by introducing innovative products targeting a young demographic with fast acceptance. The strategy is to offset losses with budget smartphones like the Q and K series while elevating brand image through fresh products such as the Velvet and Wing.

It appears that LG Electronics has concluded that competing with Samsung and Apple using the same strategies is difficult. However, challenges remain, such as the goals of cost efficiency and sales expansion beyond form factor innovation, and the low preference for LG's flagship smartphones among domestic consumers. It is not easy to satisfy consumers in both price and specifications with a 'premium product at a reasonable price.' Attention is focused on whether the first result of the 'Explorer Project,' which aims to compete with innovative design, can dispel domestic consumers' prejudices and concerns and provide an opportunity for reevaluation.

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