MKBHD pulls again the curtain on LG’s cancelled rollable

The autumn of LG’s smartphone division wasn’t precisely stunning to Android followers, but it surely actually was disappointing. LG had a knack for creating dangerous and modern Android telephones no different manufacturers may rival — one among its remaining telephones was the swivel-screen LG Wing. It’s simple to surprise what may’ve been, and because of a few tech YouTubers, we don’t need to.

Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything tore down the canceled LG rollable cellphone prototype in a video earlier this month, and now, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) is sharing his personal hands-on YouTube video. Nelson shocked the Android neighborhood by efficiently taking aside and re-assembling the LG Rollable prototype, however what would it not have been like to really use it every day? Brownlee offers us a style of what we may’ve anticipated from the LG Rollable, had it really got here to market.

Somewhat than use a folding show, the LG Rollable opts for a curved versatile OLED that slides out with the assistance of inbuilt motors. The usual 6.7-inch display extends to an almost 7.5-inch panel with a easy swipe, and since shows are measured diagonally, it feels larger than that. Below the hood, there are twin-geared motors working with spring-loaded arms to open and shut the rollable cellphone with easy gestures.

As a proof of idea, Brownlee exhibits the LG Rollable utilizing the power of its motors to maneuver a laptop computer, which is actually spectacular.

MKBHD exhibits {that a} three-finger swipe extends or retracts the rollable display, however that’s not all. Each time the cellphone is opened or closed, a sound impact performs, presumably to cover the noise of the motor working behind the scenes. Should you open the rollable cellphone from the lock display, you’ll see the default wallpaper shift in an attractive animation that appears like a blooming flower. Between the sound results and wallpaper animations, it’s simple to assume the LG Rollable was nearer to mass manufacturing than we ever knew.

When the rollable show is absolutely stowed, it’s partially hidden behind a clear glass casing on the again. Meaning the LG Rollable really has a rear show that may present issues just like the digital camera, calendars, timers, and now-playing content material when the display is in its most compact type. For instance, somebody may use the 64MP foremost digital camera or 12MP ultrawide digital camera on the again as a selfie shooter with the rollable display closed.

The rollable type issue pressured LG to get inventive. As either side of the LG Rollable characteristic curved parts of the show, there isn’t any room on them for conventional buttons. As an alternative, the quantity rocker is capacitive utilizing the display itself, and the facility button oddly lives proper beneath the rear digital camera association.

The software program seems polished, too. Apps like settings seem in a two-column structure when the LG Rollable is prolonged, and routinely swap to a condensed view when the system is closed.

The query on everybody’s thoughts is whether or not it’s a viable different to a foldable. The reply appears to be sure, however in the event you have been hoping for a crease-less system, you’ll find yourself upset. Brownlee exhibits that, whereas much less pronounced than even trendy foldables, the LG Rollable does have seen show creases when unrolled. These hoping for a brand new curved show idea may take pleasure in Samsung Show’s slidable cellphone proven off at MWC 2026.

Is the LG Rollable the game-changer that by no means was or simply one other gimmick? Tell us your ideas within the feedback beneath.