LG G7 flagship to keep the LCD panel instead of switching to OLED

The LG G6, featuring slimmer bezels and Hi-Fi DACLG website

Aside from the fact that LG has delayed the launch of its 2018 flagship, the G7, the South Korean tech firm has yet to reveal the details regarding the device's new design and features. If the latest rumors are anything to go by, the LG G7 might not offer as much innovation as the users would expect from a high-end smartphone. For one, the handset is expected to stick with an LCD panel instead of upgrading to an OLED display.

According to the South Korean publication, The Investor, LG could apply some cost-cutting remedies to their upcoming gizmos to solve the huge financial losses that it incurred over the years. One of the 2018 LG devices that will be affected by this is the G7 smartphone. In order to bring down the cost of the LG G7, the company is reportedly using the same old LCD screen. LG's rival tech makers such as Samsung and Apple have already jumped on the OLED bandwagon, with the Cupertino-based manufacturer introducing an OLED-powered iPhone X last year. In spite of this, the LG will stick to its guns and go with a try and tested formula for the G7, which is the LCD technology.

LG has already incorporated an OLED panel to one of its current premium devices, the LG V30. However, the company may need to hold back a little with the LG G7 to reduce the cost of production. Per Slash Gear, the use of an LCD panel over OLED actually poses slight disadvantage, as the OLED screen is thinner and does not require a backlight layer. Moreover, a smartphone using an OLED panel tends to be more flexible and more energy-efficient. Of course, the innovation offered by the OLED panel comes with a price, something that LG could not afford at this point.

Aside from the use of LCD panel for the LG G7, The Investor has no other fresh information about the upcoming device. Based on earlier reports, LG's mobile division is currently redesigning its latest G series flagship from scratch, as the previous G6 iteration did not perform well in terms of sales. The LG G7 is aimed to be more powerful and marketable tech, and among its rumored highlights is an optional iPhone X-like notch display.