[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics' upcoming flagship smartphone, tentatively called G6, is expected to be waterproof, hinting that the new phone would ditch the modular concept of its predecessor, local news outlet ETnews reported on Dec. 5.

The Korean tech giant has produced some waterproof phones but the feature was not added for its latest flagship G5, the industry’s first modular smartphone that allows users to upgrade camera and audio functions using accessory modules.

 

Industry's first modular smartphone LG G5

After the dismal failure of the G5, the successor G6 is widely rumored to abandon the modular concept and add new features, including wireless charging, mobile payment system and waterproofing.

The report said LG is considering using waterproofing adhesives, not tapes that are used by Samsung Electronics for the Galaxy S7 and the Note 7.

The adhesive type is cheaper but production is trickier compared to the tapes. Apple’s iPhone 7 that shares LG Display's LCD panels with LG Electronics also uses waterproofing adhesives.

Global adhesive makers such as Japan’s DIC and Hitachi, Germany’s Henkel and 3M of the US are competing to win the planned orders from LG. For Samsung, 3M is the sole supplier of the waterproofing tapes.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)