LG Mobile might return to smartphone business with innovative rollable smartphone

After a long absence, LG is ready to return to the smartphone market. The massive South Korean electronics company has announced their plan to return to the market they left in April 2021 by submitting a patent application for a rollable phone.

LG, which is renowned for its cutting-edge designs and technology, has been acknowledged as one of the world’s top mobile manufacturers for the last ten years. But in the end, the corporation decided to close its mobile division due to shifting market conditions and a drop in the demand for its mobile devices.

Patent filing-LG Mobile

Currently, LG is focusing on its core competencies in electronic home appliances, producing everything from smartphone displays and camera sensors to smart TVs.

The new patent diagrams show a screen that’s ‘rolled up’ at one end, allowing you to pull it out to your chosen size according to the situation.

The recent patent submission for rollable and foldable phones indicates a strategic shift back toward mobile technology. This move suggests that LG is not only interested in exploring new designs but is also preparing to re-establish a presence in a competitive smartphone industry that has evolved since their departure.

“There were some screen wrinkles and durability concerns regarding the device though, so it’s likely that this patent answers that issue.

To solve that, as the patent describes, the device uses a magnetic system: a magnetic sheet is added to the back of the display, and magnets are built into the device’s frame. This magnetic force helps smooth out wrinkles and allows the display to return to a wrinkle-free state faster.”

Competitive landscape

The implications of LG’s return extend to its rival, Samsung, whose position as the dominant player in the foldable smartphone market may be challenged.

Samsung has firmly established itself as the leader, boasting a robust portfolio of foldable devices, including its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models, which enjoy substantial global demand and market share. LG’s entry could intensify competition in this segment, as the company looks to leverage its engineering expertise and innovative capabilities.

Previous effort

This isn’t the first time LG has explored rollable phone technology. The company filed a patent for a similar concept previously, even unveiling a prototype. However, that project was ultimately shelved. In 2022, LG showcased a rollable device named the Mini Tab, which featured a display that could expand from 6.8 inches to 7.4 inches.

This device was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 flagship 5G processor and boasted a 4,500 mAh battery along with 12GB of RAM.

Despite this innovation, LG did not launch the device commercially, highlighting the challenges the company faced in the mobile market.

Insights from the new patent

The most recent patent, filed in October 2023, incorporates several advancements in OLED display technology. Notably, it introduces the use of magnetic tools designed to enhance the functionality of the rollable display.

This innovation involves a magnetic sheet located behind the display, aimed at minimising the visibility of lines that might form when the device is extended or retracted.

The magnetic feature is engineered to allow the display to smoothly revert to its original position, thereby improving the user experience.

Special Note-

Reactions to LG’s departure from the smartphone market were bittersweet and nostalgic. LG closed its smartphone business just as it was about to revamp phones with avant-garde design ideas.

However, one of the brand’s most ambitious artifacts appears to still be operational. There is a tiny bit of hope that LG may enter the smartphone market again, even though the odds are extremely slim—and with a rollable smartphone, no less.

Since LG hasn’t made any formal announcements about their intention to finally enter the smartphone market, industry observers and tech aficionados are impatiently awaiting their next move.

Future developments in mobile technology may have a significant impact on LG’s aspirations for smartphones.