Five years on, we still miss LG phones

Posted on April 5, 2026, 11 a.m.

Five Years On: Remembering LG's Trailblazing Smartphone Legacy

This week marks a significant milestone for tech enthusiasts: the five-year anniversary since LG officially announced its departure from the fiercely competitive smartphone market. While the final devices rolled off production lines in May 2021, the decision to pivot away from mobile was confirmed by its board on April 5, 2021. Despite stepping back, LG demonstrated remarkable commitment to its users, honoring its pledge to provide software updates for its last-generation models. A prime example is the iconic LG Wing, which received its Android 13 update in April 2023, years after its initial Android 10 launch, showcasing a dedication to long-term software support.

Concurrently with its mobile exit, LG also unveiled a fresh corporate identity, signaling a new chapter for the electronics giant.

The LG Wing: A Symbol of Bold Smartphone Innovation

The LG Wing stands out as one of LG’s final significant contributions to the smartphone industry, a device that embodies the company's spirit of daring experimentation.

LG Wing smartphone held in hand, showing screen

LG Wing phone with dual rotating screens.

LG Wing smartphone with dual screens extended.

It's not merely the twist-out dual-screen design of the LG Wing—though undeniably captivating—that makes us reminisce about LG phones. Rather, it’s the underlying philosophy it represented: LG’s consistent willingness to challenge conventional design norms and introduce truly unique smartphone concepts. In an increasingly homogenous market, LG consistently pushed boundaries, ensuring their devices stood apart from the crowd.

LG's Enduring Legacy: Pioneering Smartphone Features

LG G5 phone with removable module, held outdoors.

LG phone playing music with earbuds and adapter.

Reflecting on LG's journey through the mobile landscape is a true trip down memory lane, revealing a portfolio filled with memorable phones and groundbreaking achievements. Before and after the Android era, LG consistently brought forward concepts that influenced the broader smartphone evolution.

Their innovations ranged from developing some of the first phones with capacitive touchscreens to pioneering early implementations of dual-camera systems and experimental dual-screen smartphones. LG wasn't just a participant; they were often at the forefront, driving creative hardware solutions that captivated users and inspired competitors.

The Unseen Future: LG's Potential in Foldable and Rollable Phones

One of the most poignant aspects of LG’s departure is the timing. Their exit coincided with the nascent stages of a significant paradigm shift in the smartphone industry: the rise of foldable phone technology. This leaves us to ponder the exciting "what ifs."

Hands holding an LG smartphone with wallpaper displayed.

Hand holding an LG phone with cloudy sky wallpaper.

Hands holding closed LG Wing phone showing hinge.

Given LG’s history of audacious designs and experimental form factors—from the curved G Flex to the swiveling Wing—one can only imagine the innovative contributions they might have made to the foldable and rollable smartphone space. Would LG have perfected the rollable phone concept, bringing truly expandable displays to the mainstream? The potential for truly revolutionary LG devices leveraging advanced 2026 technology in this category is a fascinating thought that, unfortunately, will remain an unknown chapter in mobile innovation.

A Fond Farewell to a Smartphone Innovator

While LG has moved on from the smartphone arena, its impact on mobile technology and its legacy of bold experimentation are indelible. We continue to remember and appreciate the unique vision LG brought to every device.

Thank you for the innovation, LG.

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