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LG G7 buyers could have a choice between LCD or OLED displays
- LG will reportedly release its next flagship smartphone in both OLED and LCD versions.
- Other than the display, the phones are expected to be the same.
- LCD models are expected to make up a larger portion of the total number of devices.
LG’s upcoming flagship smartphone, possibly called the LG G7, is reportedly going to come in two versions – one with an OLED display and one with an LCD display. ETNews reports that other than the display, the two models are expected to be the same.
LG made the move to OLED displays on last year’s V30 and again on the recently released V30S ThinQ. However, the company had been expected to be lining up MLCD+ technology for its latest smartphone. MLCD+ is a fairly new technology that is reportedly capable of 800-nit brightness and is thought to be more energy efficient than traditional IPS LCD panels.
The latest rumors suggest that while this may be the case, there will still be an OLED version of the phone available.
LG has been attempting to change its smartphone strategy since the start of the year. One part of this is the company’s plan to retain existing smartphone models for longer by releasing different versions of the same phone.
This strategy was first seen with the LG V30S ThinQ, a version of the V30 that has more RAM and storage than the original device. Releasing its next phone in both LCD and OLED models would seem to be a variation on this same strategy.
By releasing two slightly different models, those who want the benefits (and don’t mind the cost) of an OLED display can splash out, while everyone else can go for the LCD version. LG can also use the sales of each device to see which model is more popular when planning future phones.
LG is currently expected to launch the G7 in May. While the ETNews report doesn’t give any details about whether the two versions of the phone will be released at the same time, or separately as with the V30 and V30S ThinQ, it does suggest that LCD models will make up a larger portion of the total number of devices due to OLED production being limited at LG.
While this strategy of releasing one phone with two different types of display may initially seem confusing, it will be interesting to see how consumers react to the extra choice. Phone manufacturers have been releasing the same model of a phone with variances in RAM, storage, and screen size for years now. Perhaps letting consumers choose from two different types of display will be just as popular a decision.
Next Up: LG G7: Everything we know so far