Leaked images of LG's upcoming G Flex phone

It appears LG is hot on the heels of rival Samsung and is gearing up

to launch its own curved smartphone, according to leaked photographs. 


Technology site Engadget claims to have obtained three rendered images of what is believed to be LG's rumoured G Flex phone set to launch as early as next month. 

The overall design of the phone is shown, cast in shadows, and the handset curves from top to bottom - unlike Samsung's Galaxy Round that curves from left to right.  

There's been a bit of a merry-go-round between the two Korean phone makers in recent months; as soon as one announces an advancement in flexible technology, the other follows suit shortly after. 

The two firms were the first in the world to sell curved OLED TV screens, for example.
Samsung announced earlier this year it was working on flexible smartphone technology before LG claimed it had completed work on its own flexible 6-inch plastic screen at the start of last week. 

Just a day later, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Round handset in Korea. 

The Galaxy Round curves from left to right and is only currently available in the company's home region. 

LG is set to launch its own curved phone next month - although some experts claim it won't be ready until the start of next year.

LG's 6-inch display is made of bendy plastic substrates, rather than glass, and the panel can be attached to any curved device. 

The design is 0.44mm thick and has a protective film attached to the back, making it 'bendable and unbreakable.'

It is vertically concave from top to bottom, has a radius of 7cm and weighs 7.2g.

LG Chem, the South Koren firm's research arm, additionally said it was ready to unveil a curved battery prototype ahead of any new handset launch.

Although the handset isn't expected to be bendy, the use of a flexible screen could mean it has a more curved display than current phones.

Samsung's Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus phones have slightly curved, OLED screens, but they both use curved glass, not flexible plastic.

LG Display claims the flexible OLED panel is the 'world's slimmest among existing mobile device panels.'

The company's new battery technology could also revolutionise smartphones because it is so bendy it can be tied in knots. 

It could even improve the battery life of phones because manufacturers could add more power into the batteries, if they're not restricted by size or shape.

LG Chem's cable-type lithium-ion battery can even woven into textiles. 

This means the technology could also be fitted to clothes, and users could end up 'wearing' phone chargers.