LG closing worldwide mobile phone business

LG Electronics Inc. announced, in a decision made by its board, it is closing its mobile business unit:

LG’s strategic decision to exit the incredibly competitive mobile phone sector will enable the company to focus resources in growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence and business-to-business solutions, as well as platforms and services.

LG will provide service support and software updates for customers of existing mobile products for a period of time which will vary by region. LG will work collaboratively with suppliers and business partners throughout the closure of the mobile phone business. Details related to employment will be determined at the local level.

Moving forward, LG will continue to leverage its mobile expertise and develop mobility-related technologies such as 6G to help further strengthen competitiveness in other business areas. Core technologies developed during the two decades of LG’s mobile business operations will also be retained and applied to existing and future products.

The wind-down of the mobile phone business is expected to be completed by July 31, although the inventory of some existing models may still be available after that.

The company said current LG smartphone users will receive up to three iterations of Android operating system upgrades.  The three OS upgrade commitment applies to LG premium phones released in 2019 and later (G series, V series, VELVET and Wing), while certain 2020 models such as LG Stylo and K series smartphones will receive two OS upgrades.