Lg's rollable phone: a glimpse of what could have been
The smartphone graveyard claimed another victim in 2021 when LG shuttered its mobile division. But before the final curtain fell, the company was poised to release something truly remarkable: the LG Rollable. Now, thanks to a teardown by Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything, we're getting an intimate look at this ambitious, ultimately unrealized vision.
A display that defied convention
The Rollable wasn't just another slab of glass and metal. Its defining feature was a flexible 6.8-inch OLED screen that could expand to a 7.4-inch panel with a simple swipe. Powered by a Snapdragon 888 AP, 12GB of RAM, and a generous 256GB of storage, the hardware seemed more than capable of supporting this novel displayTechnology. Nelson's teardown video immediately showcases the mechanism: a track at the top and bottom of the device enabling the screen’s expansion. Swiping left retracted the display to its original size—a seamless, almost magical interaction.
But the engineering wasn’t merely functional; it was surprisingly refined. LG even anticipated the motor's hum during operation, cleverly masking it with music. This detail, as Nelson points out, speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to the project. A nearly finished unit, reviewed in Korean on YouTube, further reinforces the idea that LG was serious about bringing the Rollable to market.
Delving deeper, Nelson discovered a series of ingenious design choices. Bristles strategically placed within the device protected delicate components from dust and debris—a level of detail rarely seen in consumer electronics. Two geared motors drove the screen’s expansion, while a trio of spring-loaded mechanical arms ensured a smooth, even extension. “LG was ahead of its time,” Nelson concludes, a sentiment echoed by many observing the device.
The fact that LG abandoned the smartphone market before releasing the Rollable is a painful loss for the industry. Who knows what innovations the company might have delivered in the intervening years? The Rollable itself, so close to launch in 2021, represents a significant investment in research and development – a gamble that ultimately didn't pay off. Nelson’s successful reassembly, considering the potential rarity of a working unit, is a testament to the device’s inherent ingenuity.
The silence from LG following the shutdown is deafening, leaving us to ponder the path not taken. The Rollable wasn’t just a phone; it was a statement, a bold declaration of intent. It’s a shame that the world didn’t get to experience it.