Trying LG Wing, it shows its true value when shooting videos... Securing the ecosystem remains a challenge

Redefining Smartphone Experience with Rotating Form Factor
LG's Ambition to Create a Renaissance of the Feature Phone Era
Limitations Due to Restricted Support for Swivel Mode Apps
Gimbal Function Prevents Screen Shake Even When Filming While Running
Securing Ecosystem Essential for Wing to Avoid Being a One-Off Product

The LG Wing can run YouTube, Whale, and other apps horizontally in Swivel mode, and apps available on the second screen can be set separately.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] When I first heard about the launch of the LG Wing, my initial thought was, "Why rotate it?" After trying it out, I nodded in agreement. As the smartphone market reaches saturation, it has become difficult to captivate consumers with just thinner bezels or improved camera performance, leading to the emergence of new form factor products one after another. The LG Wing embodies LG Electronics' ambition to create a renaissance of the feature phone era.

The LG Wing is LG Electronics' version of the 'horizontal instinct' smartphone, featuring a 6.8-inch main screen that rotates clockwise to reveal a 3.9-inch secondary screen. Although it rotates smoothly, it requires some force, making it difficult to rotate or close with one hand. The main screen is about half as thick as the secondary screen. The power and volume buttons are much smaller than those on other devices, and pressing the volume buttons in swivel mode is challenging. The front camera (32MP) pops up only when taking selfies or when needed, so it does not interfere with immersion when watching videos on the large screen. The rear camera has an induction design with a camera bump, causing some wobbling when placed on a surface. Weighing 260g, it is lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold2 (282g) but noticeably heavier than smartphones that weigh around 200g.

There is a camera bump on the rear camera, causing the right side to lift when placed face down.

The rear is equipped with a triple camera. In swivel mode, photos are taken with a 13MP ultra-wide camera, while in standard mode, you can capture clear images with a 64MP wide-angle camera.

In swivel mode, where the screen is rotated, users can watch YouTube videos while reading comments or send messages while viewing maps. The large screen can be viewed horizontally or vertically at any desired angle, and incoming calls can be handled simultaneously, enabling uninterrupted multitasking. When playing YouTube videos in swivel mode, a control bar for play/pause appears on the secondary screen. By swiping down on the home screen to activate 'Grip Lock,' accidental touches on the secondary screen are prevented.

However, the biggest drawback is the limited number of apps that support swivel mode. In collaboration with Naver Whale, YouTube videos can be viewed on the main screen while comments or playlists appear on the secondary screen, but the app does not support displaying two screens simultaneously within the YouTube app itself. This also means LG Electronics failed to collaborate with YouTube to support a UI optimized for the new form factor. For users to truly experience the convenience of multitasking, apps supporting swivel mode, such as Instagram and OTT services like Netflix, need to expand. LG Electronics explained, "We are currently providing swivel mode-exclusive features focusing on apps suitable for horizontal use and plan to expand supported applications through collaboration with various companies in the future."

When you launch the camera app in LG Wing swivel mode, a joystick appears, and pressing the buttons moves the angle up, down, left, and right without moving the phone.

The highlight of the LG Wing is video. It includes features that leverage the strengths of its T-shaped form factor, making it perfect for those who enjoy YouTube or vlogging. Especially when using the gimbal camera function, videos can be recorded without shaking even while running or moving. A gimbal is a professional device that counteracts camera shake by moving in the opposite direction during filming. In swivel mode, a joystick appears, allowing users to move the angle up, down, left, or right by pressing buttons without moving the phone. Even when pressing the lock mode and shaking the screen, there is no shaking in any direction. When set to FPV mode and filming while running, unlike the jittery feeling on regular smartphones, videos shot with the Wing showed no noticeable movement. When taking photos in swivel mode, the 13MP ultra-wide camera captures a wide field of view, and in normal mode, the 64MP wide camera takes sharp photos.

The LG Wing has delivered a fresh shock to a market flooded with new smartphones that are hard to distinguish by appearance alone. While switching to innovative products like foldables or rollables may be burdensome, it remains to be seen whether early adopters tired of traditional smartphone form factors will support it. For the LG Wing not to be just a stepping stone toward rollables but to continue as a successful series, the challenge remains to continuously expand the 'Wing ecosystem.'

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