LG’s bizarre rotating screen phone is apparently code-named ‘Wing’

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

Update, May 12, 2020 (1:45AM ET): Some more information has surfaced on LG’s bizarre rotating screen phone. According to ETNews, the device is code-named “Wing” and will carry a 4-inch second screen in addition to a 6.8-inch main display.

Unlike LG’s current dual-screen accessories which are the same size as the phone display and help in multitasking, the new “Wing” phone’s shorter second screen is reportedly aimed at improving the content experience and interaction. For instance, when you open a photo on the main 6.8-inch screen, you’ll be able to access editing tools on the smaller second screen.

Read: 10 things the LG V60 does well, and 5 things it doesn’t

It is the main screen which will be able to rotate horizontally and form a T shape with the second 4-inch screen laid out vertically under it. You can see a reference image in the original article below.

Some specs of the device have also been shared by ETNews. As per the report, the so-called LG “Wing” phone will also get a Snapdragon 7 series 5G chipset, just like the recently launched LG Velvet. Since the Velvet carries the Snapdragon 765 SoC, it’s possible we’ll see the same chip or potentially the brand-new Snapdragon 768G.

There’s also apparently a 64MP triple camera setup on the upcoming rotating screen device.

The report goes on to reiterate a launch timeline for the phone, saying that LG will release it in the second half of the year.

Original article, May 7, 2020 (7:55AM ET): Looks like LG is pulling out all the stops to revive its smartphone business. The LG Velvet has barely stepped out into the real world and we’re already hearing rumors about another LG phone slated to launch later this year. Unlike the Velvet, this one could bring back a bizarre design trend from the Symbian era – rotating displays.

According to South Korean publication Korea Herald, LG is planning to launch a phone with a horizontally rotating display in the second half of the year.

This unique, yet strange phone will reportedly feature two displays that can rotate horizontally. Think of older phones like the Nokia 6260, Nokia N93, and Samsung Anycall SCH-V600. If you haven’t heard of them, here’s what they looked like.

Old phones With Rotating Displays

Now imagine another display in place of their keypads and you’ll probably get an idea of what to expect. For reference, here’s a representational image inspired by what we’ve read and seen in the Korea Herald report. It doesn’t represent the official product, but it should give you a rough idea of the concept.

LG Rotating Display Phone Representational Design

The report goes on to say that the design of this phone – tentatively named “horizontal instinct” according to machine-translation – will help enable better media consumption and gaming experiences. Its price is expected to be around 1 million South Korean won or around $816.

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Additionally, the report mentions that LG is also readying a phone with a rollable display, which it could launch at MWC 2021. LG already has rollable OLED TVs out there so it wouldn’t be so difficult to imagine a phone with a rollable display. In fact, we’ve already seen such a concept from TCL.

Whatever LG is up to, it looks like design is a major focus for the brand going forward. On a note of caution, we would like to remind our readers that this information is nothing more than a rumor right now, so don’t get your hopes up for a return of weird form-factors just yet.