Not ready to pledge to bend? LG's dual screen could be an ideal compromise

At the Mobile World Congress in February, LG unveiled the intriguing dual-screen attachment for its first 5G phone, the V50. It was not the most stylish and sexy accessory we've ever seen, but it turned an otherwise dull phone into a more convincing device. At IFA here in Berlin this week, the dual screen is back to accompany the newly unveiled and improved LG G8X ThinQ. This raises the question: could it be a viable alternative to the foldable phone for those who are debating the new design?

Foldable phones have been the subject of much intrigue, but we have yet to see a foldable phone on sale and orders from manufacturers. Samsung was forced to delay the release of its Galaxy Fold because of problems with the screen. Even though IFA is relaunching the phone this week, the huge cost of Fold and the fact that people are taking a risk with a new form factor might be enough to deter some buyers.

If you're not a big consumer of early options and you need absolutely the latest, brightest, and most expensive technology, the LG G8X with Dual Screen could be the perfect springboard for expanding your area. display. The LG G8X alone promises to be a solid premium phone, but with the Dual Screen attachment, it quickly turns into a multitasking machine, capable of running two apps side by side, adding a separate gamepad ( now fully customizable) to your phone, or provide you with a tilting screen for taking pictures.

According to Kyle Yoon, Senior Product Manager at LG, the dual screen is the only form factor that is new, different and fresh, and is already on the market. It is true that it is the only one on the market at the present time, although it is far from the first dual screen phone we've seen – and its predecessors have not yet been great successes.

Since the unveiling of the original dual-screen in February, 500,000 units have been sold in South Korea, Yoon said at a briefing in London last week. About 30% of users tend to keep it attached at all times (mainly to women who carry their phone in a bag rather than a pocket), and others do it just when they need to leverage features of the dual screen.

In the six months since the unveiling of the dual screen, LG has introduced a number of enhancements that make it a more compelling proposition. First, the overall size of the attachment decreased, while the size of the display increased to an OLED of 4.4 inches. The entire unit weighs 2 grams less, both sides are slightly better balanced and now consumes 10% less energy.

The mechanism of the hinge has been replaced so that, instead of stopping at three predetermined places, it can now open smoothly and stay at any angle, more exactly as a laptop screen. The name Dual Screen is a misnomer, now that there is also a third screen on the front that shows the time and notifications.

But even with the updated design, opting for the dual screen rather than a real foldable screen involves some compromises. The attachment will clutter your phone more than just a folio case, for example. There are only two smaller screens left, instead of one big, continuous screen. It's just not as beautiful and elegant as the foldable objects we've seen so far. If you opt for the wow factor, foldable cards win it every time.

Not everyone is convinced that the dual screen can compete with folding screens. This is an unfavorable timing, according to Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight. "LG should be applauded for trying to innovate with its dual screen accessory but I can not help but wonder if it is too late, given the arrival of foldable smartphones. with screens the same size but without the hinge providing a transparent view, "he said by e-mail. .

Whether you are seduced by collapsible objects or happy to compromise with LG's Dual Screen option, one thing is certain: the design of phones is starting to evolve for the first time in a long time. If you are not quite ready to dive with a real foldable screen, the dual screen offers you at least the opportunity to dive your foot in the water at the moment.