We bid farewell to LG after it closed its Mobile division in 2021. While time may ease the pain, I still feel a void where LG smartphones once thrived. This feeling intensified with the final closure of LG Mobile's update servers on June 30, leaving even the most devoted fans to seek alternatives.
LG was not your typical smartphone maker. it produced some great standard devices, but its true strength lay in creating unique and unconventional models. For every popular phone like the Google Nexus 5, ther was an equally strange counterpart from LG. Other brands occasionally ventured into odd designs, but LG made it a hallmark of their identity. From innovative dual-screen phones to the wildly imaginative LG Wing, here are five of their most unusual creations.
A Bold Step Forward: The LG Optimus Vu
First on our list is a device that was more visionary than bizarre: The LG Optimus Vu.
When viewed today, you might question its design choices. As one of the earliest “phablets,” it featured a massive 5-inch display that seemed enormous back then—especially compared to contemporaries like the iPhone 5 with its modest 4-inch screen.
The phone’s unusual dimensions contributed to this perception; instead of following traditional slim designs, it adopted a squarish 4:3 aspect ratio similar to paper sizes and older TVs. This led to complaints about how hard it was for users to reach across such a wide screen—over 90mm wide! in comparison, even today's larger phones seem narrow by contrast.
Despite mixed reviews regarding usability, over one million units sold in South Korea alone showed that many appreciated this bold move into larger screens and creative design during an era when smartphones were just beginning their evolution.
Innovative Yet Imperfect: The LG G5
Next up is the intriguing yet flawed LG G5.At first glance, this flagship smartphone appeared quite normal compared to rivals like Samsung Galaxy S7 or iPhone 6S—it had solid performance and notable camera features but fell short on battery life.
What set it apart? An innovative modular design allowed users to swap out components easily by pressing a button at the bottom of the device—a feature that sounded exciting but proved cumbersome in practice as batteries would slide out during module changes.
The G5 Family included various add-ons like enhanced speakers from Bang & Olufsen and camera controls through CamPlus modules—but these extras came at additional costs after already spending around $600 for just the phone itself!
While many found these features fascinating initially, they ultimately didn’t resonate enough with consumers for widespread adoption—leading us back toward more conventional designs soon after its release.
A Glimpse Into Tomorrow: The LG G Flex
Travel back to 2013 when curved displays were still novel territory—the introduction of the LG G Flex marked an exciting moment in smartphone history!
At first glance today’s market seems saturated with curved screens; however back then having such curvature felt revolutionary! Unlike previous attempts at curves seen before (like Galaxy Nexus), nothing matched what we saw here—the size combined with gentle curves made holding comfortable while also looking sleek!
This model boasted top-tier specs along with impressive battery life lasting two or three days—a feat even modern devices struggle achieving consistently!
Interestingly enough though…LG decided upon rear-mounted buttons which raised eyebrows among tech enthusiasts everywhere—even now people debate whether this choice improved functionality or simply added confusion!
dual Displays Unleashed: The LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen
The next entry is perhaps less bizarre than others yet certainly stands out due largely because of its name—the LG G8X ThinQ Dual screen!
Packed full features worthy enough for any flagship title alongside an additional display attached via case—it offered something diffrent without breaking new ground entirely within mobile technology space itself!
However despite being priced considerably lower than competitors (like Samsung Galaxy Fold), many found themselves underwhelmed by both main unit performance as well as secondary screen utility which often felt excessive rather than beneficial overall leading customers away from purchasing altogether…
Outrageously unique: The LG Wing
Finally we arrive at perhaps one last hurrah before closing shop—the astonishingly unique LG Wing!
This device showcased years worth experience designing sliding phones while embracing multi-screen concepts unlike anything else available previously—it looked ordinary until you pressed down slightly revealing another smaller display underneath creating T-shape configuration perfecting multitasking capabilities although limited content support left much desired…
Despite being well-built featuring advanced technology sadly practicality suffered greatly making everyday use challenging especially given weightiness compared against standard models available today…
In conclusion while I wasn’t shocked when news broke regarding closure—I can’t help but miss what they brought forth into industry filled mostly sameness nowadays lacking creativity seen throughout past decade plus…wherever innovation leads us next let’s hope someone steps up willing take risks again because frankly speaking things feel dull without them around anymore!
