'LG G Flex has bumps on surface'

Two small bumps circled in yellow appear on the surface of LG Electronics' curved smartphone G Flex in this photo recently taken at a store in Yongsan Electronics Market. / Korea Times

By Kim Yoo-chul

LG Electronics' G Flex smartphone has a possible defect ― bumps on the surface of its display, consumers and technology experts say.

LG claims it does not affect the function and quality of the phone but experts argue that the company should have addressed the issue before it introduced it.

An official at the Korea Display Industry Association said, "LG Electronics was rather hesitant in releasing its curved-screen smartphone, as it was previously aware of some technical problems. LG should have notified consumers ahead of the product launch."

"All LG G Flex models that I've seen so far come with small bumps," said Kim Ji-hoon, an electronics salesclerk, during a telephone interview.

Kim sells mobile devices from Samsung, LG, Apple and Pantech at Yongsan Electronics Market in Seoul, the nation's biggest wholesale electronics market.

He said that some clients ask why the two small bumps were on the surface of G Flex.

"Whatever the reason is, LG Electronics should address the issue as early as possible to settle the matter," he said.

In a recent statement to The Korea Times, LG Electronics said it acknowledges the bumps issue.

"Because key components inside the G Flex such as the glass cover, OLED display, battery and frame are elastic, excessive or frequent force that flattens the device may produce bumps," the statement reads. It also reassured consumers, saying that "the issue has no relation to the performance and quality of the device."

LG said the bumps will disappear over time and immediately disappears after pressing the problematic spot on the glass cover.

To prevent such bumps, it provided the following advice: "Please don't try to use frequent, excessive force on the device or the screen. The reason we've made the G Flex screen elastic is to protect the device from damage from sudden impacts such as being sat on or laid down on."

LG first released the device in Korea in November last year, saying it was proud of adopting a perfect curved-screen design to provide customer value.

So far, over 13,000 G Flexes have been sold via the nation's top three carriers ― SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus ― data from the carriers showed.

The 6-inch curved-screen smartphone is now available in major Asian markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.

LG said in a statement that top American carriers including AT&T, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile have agreed to sell G Flex in the United States starting in the first quarter of this year.

"Introducing the G Flex to the United States will help us accelerate corporate efforts to lead the race for curved-screen smartphones," said LG Electronics mobile chief Park Jong-seok.

Curved glass screens have become the latest trend in smartphones, with the world's biggest smartphone manufacturer, Samsung Electronics, having recently released the 5.7-inch screened Galaxy Round.

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