Core Viewpoint - The trend of curved screen smartphones is declining, with a significant shift back to flat screen designs in the mid to high-end market, particularly among brands like OPPO, iQOO, and Xiaomi [1][2][26]. Group 1: Historical Context of Curved Screens - The first curved screen smartphones were Samsung's Galaxy Round and LG's G Flex, which were more conceptual than commercially successful [3][7]. - Samsung's Note Edge in 2014 marked a significant moment for curved screens, leading to the popularization of the dual-curved design with the S6 Edge [11][12]. - The success of the S6 and S7 Edge established curved screens as a high-end feature, influencing other manufacturers to adopt similar designs [13][19]. Group 2: Issues with Curved Screens - Curved screens have inherent issues such as accidental touches, display edge problems, and increased fragility, which have led to customer complaints [20][28]. - Despite their aesthetic appeal, the practical drawbacks have made flat screens more favorable among consumers [26][30]. Group 3: Economic Considerations - The cost of manufacturing curved screens remains higher than flat screens, impacting repair costs; for example, the repair cost for OPPO Find X7 Ultra's curved screen is ¥1690, while the flat screen of X8 Ultra is ¥1490 [30][32]. - Advances in screen packaging technology allow flat screens to achieve narrow bezels, making them visually appealing without the need for curves [32]. Group 4: Design Trends and Market Shifts - The shift back to flat screens is partly driven by a design language that mimics Apple's aesthetic, emphasizing flat screens and right-angled frames [34]. - The cyclical nature of design trends in the smartphone industry suggests that both flat and curved screens will continue to have their advocates, but the current market favors flat screens for commercial reasons [35].

Core Viewpoint - LG has exited the smartphone market due to intense competition, focusing instead on electric vehicle components, smart home devices, AI, and future technologies like 6G [1][2]. Group 1: Company Strategy - LG announced it will cease all services and backend support for its smartphones on June 30, 2025, at midnight Korean time, which translates to June 29, 2025, at 11 PM Beijing time [2]. - After the service shutdown, LG will no longer provide automatic updates or app services for its smartphones, and the LG Bridge software will also become unusable [2]. - LG has committed to upgrading high-end smartphones released after 2019 three times, while more budget-friendly models will only receive updates for two years [1]. Group 2: Product Innovations - LG has a history of innovative products, such as the LG G3, which was the first smartphone to feature a QHD display and laser autofocus [2]. - The LG Wing, released in 2020, featured a unique dual-screen design and advanced stabilization technology for video recording [3]. - Despite exiting the smartphone market, LG is exploring partnerships with Samsung for AI smartphones and continues to develop eye-catching products like the UltraFine display with a 6K screen and a multifunctional projector [3].