In Conversation with LG : G Flex, Their Revival, Tablets and Future
LG has been under the radar for a very long time, However, many will agree that 2013 was a good year for LG. After their Association with Google last year for the Nexus 4, LG started to get noticed a lot more in the consumer smartphone scene. We had a chance to visit the LG manufacturing facility in Greater Noida, India, to get a perspective on the current situation of LG smartphones and their future plans.
[pullquote_left] LG hardware is why Google Chose LG for Nexus[/pullquote_left]
Amit Gujral, whose current title puts him as a General Manager at LG Electronics, is also the Marketing head for LG Mobile in India, told us that LG’s hardware is one of the primary reasons Google picked LG for the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 5. The company believes that the success they have faced in 2013 has been purely based on the fact that the LG Optimus G and LG G2 were ground breaking products not only from an LG brand prospective, but also from a Nexus point of view.
LG has also recently announced the LG G Flex, a phone intended for launch in India around Feb 2014 for upwards of Rs. 65000 (US $ 1050). Despite the price, Amit says that the LG G Flex is a “cause for celebration”, stating that wearable and flexible devices are the future.
[pullquote_right] The G Flex is a cause for celebration[/pullquote_right]While Bendable products will be game changers, flexible devices are a step closer in approaching that goal. The most innovative feature is also claimed to be the flexible battery, from LG Chemical, which has truly made a flexible device possible for LG.
LG will also not launch the G Pad 8.3 in India, the company believes that larger smartphones have become a trend. In a market like India, a user prefers a phone call and data capable Smartphone over a non connected large screen tablet.
LG also feels that the technology for making phones truly rugged and truly waterproof is not here yet and it costs a lot at its present capability. “The Indian market is not ready” claims Amit “to understand and pay for this waterproof technology”.
The Self Heal coating from the LG G Flex may make its rounds to the next-gen LG devices as well, with a focus on consumer feedback, Amit expressed simply “If the People want it, we will put it”.
LG plans to eventually bring smartphone manufacture to India, with their two manufacturing plants operational 24 hours a day, and a major chunk of their Smartphone demand from India. LG is also working on something for the safety of women in India, while Amit was not keen to discuss intricate details on their pet project dedicated for the Indian market. An app in all likelihood will be an answer to what it could be.
LG has had a truly successful year in terms of their handsets, with the Optimus G, Optimus G Pro, the LG G2, Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 doing exceptionally well in all markets including India, the G Flex may as well be LG’s next premium grace.
[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mJ9rIH3W8Y”]
