LG could be making a shock comeback to the smartphone market with rumours the South Korean electronics giant is working on a foldable device.
Information obtained and shared by MSPowerUser shows LG has filed a patent in June 2024 that shows the company may be returning to the mobile phone market following its shock departure from the category in 2021.
The patent centres around and a new type of foldable display that is more durable and is better for folding.
The US Patent and Trademark office published the 14 page document from LG in October 2024 and it focuses on improving how the actual folding section of the screen works with a view to make it more durable and less susceptible to damage even after years of use.
According to the document, LG is adding a high stiffness support structure with a pattern in the foldable area to improve folding performance and reduce the size and visibility of the fold.
“Users who watch broadcasts, videos, or play video games on a display apparatus tend to prefer a portable display apparatus with a large screen,” says LG in the document.
“However, when the screen of the portable display apparatus is enlarged, portability thereof is deteriorated.”
LG called it quits with smartphones in 2021 so it could focus on other growth areas like electric vehicles, smart homes, connected devices and AI.
When it exited smartphones, LG had just a three per cent share of the market which is dominated by Samsung and Apple.
Samsung is already six generations into its range of foldable smartphones with the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip.
Apple has not yet even entertained the thought of a folding device, and it could be years before we see such a product from the US company, if at all.
Is this new patent a sign that LG is re-entering the smartphone category?
Another LG document had surfaced before this latest screen patent describing a rollable device.
The idea behind the rumoured LG rollable is to provide the customer with a screen that will roll out to a larger size when needed for viewing content and multi-tasking.
