LG Wing 5G review

Introduction

LG has been struggling to captivate consumers with its smartphones in the past few years. We've witnessed them embark on a new strategic path by coming up with new and unusual products to reverse this trend. It began with second screens for their phones.

However, the latest product to come out of LG's innovation lab is more than an extra attachment. The LG Wing 5G is slated to start a brand new Explorer series, which will take LG's knack for breathing life into novel smartphone concepts to the new heights.

The Wing is nothing short of bold, fresh, and experimental in nature. It's the very definition of trying new things and going beyond absolute practicality. The concept of the Wing feels exciting and stimulating to bitter reviewers like ourselves who are used to seeing one and the same phone form factor over and over again.

LG Wing 5G

• Body: 169.5x74.5x10.9mm, 260g; IP54 splash proof, Water-repellent coating, MIL-STD-810G compliant (does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions); Colors: Aurora Gray, Illusion Sky.
• Display: 6.80" Rotating P-OLED, 1080x2460px resolution, 20.5:9 aspect ratio, 395ppi; Secondary display: G-OLED, 1080 x 1240 pixels, 3.9 inches.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SDM765 Snapdragon 765G (7 nm): Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver); Adreno 620.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
• OS/Software: Android 10.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm, 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle 1: 13 MP, f/1.9, 117°, 1.0µm; Ultra wide angle 2: 12 MP, f/2.2, 120°, 1.4µm; LED flash, panorama, HDR.
• Front camera: Motorized pop-up 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/2.8", 0.8µm; HDR.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 4000mAh; Fast charging, Wireless charging, Quick Charge 4.0+.
• Misc: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass; NFC.

Naturally, experimentation and uncertainty go hand in hand in the tech industry. LG isn't making any traditional commitments regarding the Wing. The Wing might be a first-gen device or a one-off product. In fact, the only kind-of-tangible info we have so far, regarding the future of the Explorer Project is a teaser for what seems to be a slide-out display phone design.

Even if we assume that LG lacks any solid future plans for the Wing and its design, the Wing can't afford to deliver anything less than the functional and polished experience LG is known for. In fact, experimental or not, there is still plenty to like and even love about the LG Wing and its unique form factor.

Unboxing

The retail unit box we got for review lacked the interior compartment's fancy internal design, which mimicked the way the Wing's display swivels.

We got an extra pair of plastic screen protectors (one for the main display and another one for the smaller secondary one) inside the new box, so the savings from the simper design must have gone in the right direction.

Also in the box, you will find an actual hard case to snap onto the back of the Wing. Well, not actually snap, as much as glue on. The handset's unique design does not allow a conventional bumper case, which wraps up around the sides.

We were personally quite hesitant to put on what is basically a huge adhesive sticker across the gorgeous back of the LG Wing. Still, the case itself both looks and feels premium. It is made of hard plastic with just a little flex to it.

There are a pair of Type-C earbuds in the case as well. These are among the most premium complementary sets we have seen in a while. Their cable is nice and thick - braided on the USB side, where the extra rigidity might come in handy and then softer and more flexible for comfort for the upper half of their length.

There are in-line controls, with a trio of pleasant and clicky buttons, plus a microphone for calls or using a voice assistant.

The buds themselves are surprisingly comfy and even come with two extra tip sizes, made from soft and high-quality silicon. Overall, a surprisingly great pair of buds.

For charging, the Wing comes with a nice and thick, Type-C to Type-C cable. Clearly also of excellent quality, even if a bit on the sort side. Plus an adapter, capable of 25W of Quick Charge 4+ output, which matches the maximum charging rate of the LG Wing.