LG has filed a patent for a new high-end smartphone model, with the new phone moniker called “LG G8x.”
The patent, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) on August 2, 2019, just features the name “G8x” and the description “mobile phones, smartphones.” While it is clear that the LG G8x is a smartphone, we know so little about what this smartphone is, or what it will do.
LG has already released the LG G8 ThinQ and the LG G8s earlier this year, with the ThinQ being the flagship and the “G8s” being a more affordable, budget-friendly model of the G8. The G8x, then, could very well be something new altogether, and the “x” letter gives the nature of the phone a bit of mystery.
LG has yet to release a foldable smartphone. In fact, nothing has been said or heard or even rumored about LG releasing a foldable smartphone in 2019. In 2018, LG worked on a foldable smartphone with an extendable hinge, and sources say the Korean Android OEM partnered with Huawei to produce foldable display panels for the Shenzhen-based Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
As for the LG G8x trademark, the “x” fits in line with phone monikers LG has already trademarked months ago: the LG G8x moniker bears some similarity to trademarked names such as “XB” and “XF.” In this regard, it’s not hard to understand that the LG G8x could possibly be a foldable smartphone for the “G” series.
One thing standing in the way of this educated hypothesis, though, is the fact that LG has said in months past that it would bring foldable smartphones to its experimental “V” series first. LG’s marketing VP said in a statement to Android Headlines back in February that the “V” series is where LG tests and tries out new things before unveiling them in the “G” series.
For those who may not know, the “G” series is LG’s consumer series, similar to Samsung’s “Galaxy S” line being designed for the consumer majority. LG’s “V” series is where the company claims it takes more chances, as the “V” series is more expensive and is the top flagship. Both are flagships but appeal to different audiences.
The “LG G8x” moniker, though, does utilize the “x,” as does Huawei’s Mate X. The Mate X is a foldable smartphone, however, headed for market this Fall in order to compete very closely with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold that should see its re-release next month, perhaps at IFA 2019.
LG says it doesn’t intend to compete so head-on with other OEMs who are already rolling out their foldables to market, but perhaps what LG needs is something trendy to jumpstart its progress and financial recovery. It’s no secret that the company has been bleeding cash for a few quarters now.
As of the company’s latest earnings report, LG’s mobile division saw an increase of 6.8% from the previous quarter but compared to last year, profit has declined 21.3%, with a reported $268.4 million operating loss in the quarter.
LG doesn’t need everyone to get on board with its foldable smartphone(s), but selling one wouldn’t hurt. Samsung is charging $1,980 USD for the Galaxy Fold; at that price, a company doesn’t have to sell that many to perform well financially.
LG unveiled the LG G8 ThinQ this year, a device featuring a 6.1-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440p) OLED display, the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, two rear cameras (16MP with f/1.9 and 12MP with f/1.5) and two front camera sensors (8MP with f/1.7 and Time-of-Flight sensor, “Z Camera”). The G8 ThinQ houses a 3,500mAh battery with QuickCharge 3.0 for fast charging, Qi wireless charging, and Android 9.0 Pie with LG’s own “skin” on top.
The “ThinQ” is LG’s own take on artificial intelligence, though why it’s called “thin-Q” instead of “think” (with a “Q” on the end for emphasis) is still as mysterious as the new “G8x” moniker.