A series of trademarks filed by LG in its home region of South Korea now points to a new “M” series of devices that could be ready just in time for IFA 2019. The gadgets, spotted by Netherlands-based LetsGoDigital, are the LG M10, M20, M30, and M40.
Almost no details have been provided in the listing and there aren’t any images either. They are listed as smartphones on the filings and in terms of device classification. The naming convention does follow that of its other smartphone lines, including the V-series of premium flagships. So it may still be possible to speculate just what the devices will be when they launch. The timing of the trademark might also implicate an announcement at this year’s IFA event.
What is LG “M”?
There are almost no details in the listings from LG regarding its M series of devices. The company hasn’t let any information leak either. The most likely scenario may be that the tech giant plans to follow a path laid this year by Samsung.
Namely, LG may be preparing to refine and condense its lineup into a more manageable number of device families. The naming convention used in the devices seems to support that. If the LG M10 is an entry-level budget handset, then the M20 would likely be a step up with each subsequent device representing another step in the sequence.
Another pillar in that speculation is that LG’s prior budget and mid-range devices, the “K” and “Q” series, haven’t really seen a refresh since 2018. The company is preparing a “W” series too. So the M Series might only represent either the budget or mid-range spectrum while the LG W series represents the other.
Are these coming to IFA 2019?
It isn’t unusual for information about smartphones to leak ahead of events. In fact, it is more uncommon for a device to go undetected prior to launch. But the lack of details about LG’s M10, M20, M30, and M40 doesn’t mean it won’t be unveiling those sooner rather than later.
Those leaks also typically trend towards mostly showing off flagship devices. There’s a good chance that’s the reason there haven’t been more details spilled just yet for the LG M series.
LG is expected to unveil another smartphone at IFA 2019 in the meantime.
Tentatively dubbed the LG G8x in filings with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), that handset will almost certainly be a flagship. That’s speculated to be built on a platform that’s similar to or the same as its namesake — the LG G8.
The primary difference would, it’s been rumored, be that it would also follow a trend expected with another “x” designated device. Like the Huawei Mate X, the LG G8x is expected to be a flexible display-enabled folding flagship. If that’s the case, that adds weight to speculation that the LG M series is likely a mid-range or budget series. While those would match Samsung’s latest offerings in those markets, the LG G8x would be meant to take on Samsung’s nearly $2,000 Galaxy Fold.
The event takes place starting September 6 and runs through September 11.