[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics said on Jan. 23 it will unwrap its latest flagship smartphone with a new user interface on the eve of the Mobile World Congress in Spain.

The Korean electronics maker will host a media event in Barcelona on Feb. 24 that is expected to generate attention from attendees to the MWC, the world’s biggest mobile event slated for Feb. 25-28. 

In a 10-second video invitation sent to global media, a hand makes sweeping motions above a white piece of paper to reveal a message “Good-bye Touch,” signaling a new interface that allows users to operate the phone without physical contact.

  According to local news reports, LG is expected to showcase a dual connected display screen at the MWC, joining the race to target the premium market with new form factors. Its local rival Samsung Electronics is expected to take the wraps off its first foldable phone in the coming weeks, with China’s Huawei taking a similar step.

LG has been struggling in the phone market as it has been sandwiched between Samsung and Apple in the high-end market and Chinese manufacturers in the low-end segment.

Samsung will hold a separate event to reveal its next flagship Galaxy S10 in San Francisco on Feb. 20, a week earlier than usual.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)