LG once competed directly with Samsung in the smartphone arena, but as sales growth stalled, the company faced mounting challenges. In 2021, LG aimed to disrupt the market with a rollable phone, yet the project never advanced beyond initial promotional materials. Now, five years after LG exited the smartphone business entirely, a prototype of the LG Rollable has surfaced in a detailed YouTube disassembly. This examination highlights the fundamental engineering hurdles that kept rollable devices from commercial viability.
The LG Rollable represents one of several rollable concept phones that emerged in the early 2020s. During this period, flexible OLED displays became more cost-effective, enabling products like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. However, “cost-effective” remains a relative term, as foldable phones continue to carry premium price tags. Based on the internal complexity visible in the LG Rollable, rollable models might have demanded even steeper retail prices.
JerryRigEverything, a YouTube channel known for dismantling phones, acquired a functional LG Rollable prototype. This unit could be the same device LG showcased at CES 2021. At first glance, it resembles a standard smartphone, but a simple swipe triggers a motor that extends additional screen area from the rear. This mechanism increases the visible display by approximately 40 percent without adding the bulk associated with foldable designs.
Two small motors drive the expansion process, connecting via straight teeth to an internal track. The screen assembly incorporates zipper-like teeth that secure it to the frame during movement. These motors generate significant operational noise, prompting LG to integrate a musical chime to mask the sound. While the motors handle the primary extension task, a network of spring-loaded articulating arms inside maintains even tension on the OLED panel as the frame shifts laterally.
The battery and motherboard reside in a tray that accommodates the rear expansion as the OLED unrolls. As a prototype, the device features a bulky frame and exposed screws, which facilitated disassembly and reassembly by Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything. Consequently, this piece of mobile history survived intact, offering a clear view of LG’s innovation efforts before the company discontinued its smartphone division.
