LG Wing launching in the fall for $1K

LG’s 2020 strategy seems largely focused on bringing flagship-style devices to market at more affordable price points. For example, the LG Velvet, brings high-end looks at a more affordable US$599 price point thanks in part to the use of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G chipset. It looks like LG will be adopting a similar approach with its somewhat radical ‘Wing’ twist out smartphone which will also use the same chipset with a target price of around US$1,000 when it launches this fall.

When other devices like Microsoft’s Surface Duo are starting at US$1400, LG could be onto something with its mid-range SoC formula for what might otherwise be a pricey flagship handset. LG has of course been among the pioneers of dual-screen handsets thanks to a series of smartphones launched in recent times with secondary-screen case accessories. The ‘Wing’ will be the first time LG has launched a device with a second-screen built-in and, even though only around 4-inches in size, could still give users a lot of the benefits of a dual-screen approach.

In a short-video showcasing the LG ‘Wing’ in action a couple of days ago, the multi-tasking capabilities the secondary screen can offer were on full display. For example, a user could be in full screen portrait mode on the main display using a maps app while answering a call via the twist-out display. In other use cases, a user can game on the main screen in landscape mode with a help gaming map show on the secondary screen. In other uses, a person could be typing on the secondary screen while in a messaging show in landscape on the main screen. 

If LG can keep the price down at the target point of US$1,000 or less, it could potentially gain a lot of fans who are keen to try out a different form factor -- without completely breaking the bank.