LG Mobile shuts down its mobile business after 26 years.

A sad week indeed as LG officially announced that it will be shutting down its mobile business effective Monday, 5th April 2021.

This news came as no surprise as LG had been struggling to find its footing in the highly cut-throat and competitive mobile phone industry in recent years.

LG once ranked No. 3  in the manufacturing of smartphones and held that position for an extended duration. It is indeed heartbreaking to see LG exit the market after 26 long years in this business.

LG’s Official Statement:

SEOUL, April 5, 2021 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) announced that it is closing its mobile business unit. The decision was approved by its board of directors earlier today.

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 inventory of some existing models may still be available after that.