The Wing, LG’s Swinging OLED 5G Smartphone, Is Finally Official

September 14, 2020 Topic: Technology Blog Brand: Techland Tags: OLED5gSmartphoneLGCell Phone

The Wing, LG’s Swinging OLED 5G Smartphone, Is Finally Official

It might be the most frequently teased smartphone of 2020 from a company other than Apple or Samsung. But the LG Wing, a swiveling, two-screen smartphone from LG that features both OLED screens and 5G capability, is finally official.

 

It might be the most frequently teased smartphone of 2020 from a company other than Apple or Samsung. But the LG Wing, a swiveling, two-screen smartphone from LG that features both OLED screens and 5G capability, is finally official.

The LG Wing 5G was announced in a press release Monday. The Wing works in two modes-Basic Mode — which resembles that of a normal smartphone — and Swivel Mode, in which the first screen rotates 90 degrees to reveal a second screen.

 

“Switching between Swivel Mode and Basic Mode is virtually seamless and offers the flexibility of more screen real estate when you want it,” LG said.

The two screens are 6.8 inches and 3.9 inches, both using OLED panels, and the two screens allow users to multitask, and also use the same apps across multiple screens. There is also a special Multi App feature, which lets users create shortcuts for pairs of apps that are often used together. The second screen also works as a media controller.

The design, per The Verge, “looks a lot like a Tetris T-block." The hinge mechanism, LG says, “has proven to be reliable even after 200,000 swivels,” which equals 100 swivels a day for five years.

There are also three rear cameras, including a 64MP Ultra High Resolution, 12MP Ultra Wide Big Pixel and 13MP Ultra Wide.

The LG Wing 5G is the first smartphone to be released as part of LG’s Explorer Project, which the company describes as “LG’s new mobile category aimed at discovering new ways to interact with mobile devices, focusing on the evolving and ever-changing needs of today’s consumers and challenging established user norms.” LG’s most recent smartphone release, prior to the current launch, was the LG Velvet, also a 5G smartphone with an OLED screen, which launched in July.

"LG WING 5G's innovative design opens so many possibilities for multitasking, gaming, viewing and content creation," said Chris Yie, head of LG Mobile, North America. "This premium smartphone elevates the customer experience and brings LG's philosophy of meaningful innovations to life.”

While the swivel function is undoubtedly unique, the LG Wing 5G arrives as part of a wave of smartphones with dual screens. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 arrived earlier this month, to mostly positive reviews, although the Microsoft Surface Duo, also this month, landed with a much more muted response.

The LG Wing 5G will be available in two colors, Aurora Gray and Illusion Sky, although color availability will vary by carrier, LG said. The company has not yet announced pricing for the device, but did say that it will arrive on Verizon first, followed by T-Mobile and “other U.S. carriers.”

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: LG.