LG's Innovative Legacy: A 2026 Revival of Classic Designs An in‑depth look at LG's pioneering smartphone experiments from the V60 ThinQ to the Wing, G4, and V20, arguing for modern versions of dual screens, rear‑side ergonomics, and removable batteries to return in 2026. LG has long been a devout risk‑taker in the handset arena, testing concepts that others avoided. While other manufacturers shied away from entirely new form factors, the South Korean company embraced secondary displays, modularity, rear‑side buttons, and even swivel screens. Those experiments created phones that, while not always a commercial hit, proved that users still crave fresh experiences. Released in 2020, the V60 ThinQ became a showcase of LG's willingness to push boundaries before foldable phones caught on. Powered by a Snapdragon 865 and 8 GB of RAM, it offered 128 GB of internal storage expandable to 2 TB via microSD.A 5,000‑mAh battery could sustain a full day of heavy use, and the 8K video recording set it apart. 32‑bit Hi‑Fi DAC on the 3.5‑mm jack pleased audiophiles. The optional Dual‑Screen accessory, a flippable display that stuck to the corner of the main screen, pre‑figured the dual‑screen experience that later modern devices would adopt. In 2026, a return to that model would give current users another choice beyond the homogeneous flagships on the market.The Wing was LG's attempt at a rotating 2‑in‑1 device. By turning the main display 90°. it revealed a 3.9‑inch secondary panel that could be dedicated to navigation or messaging. The phone also incorporated dedicated app modes for video playback and multitasking that leveraged both screens.However, when it launched, app support was thin and the hardware wasn't mature enough, leading to poor mass adoption. Today's software ecosystem, mature foldable frameworks, and better multitasking OS features mean that the Wing's concept could finally thrive if re‑crafted with updated hardware and a broader app base. The G4, introduced in 2015, tackled the growing trend of large‑screen phones by moving the power and volume controls to the rear - a design that continued in the G series.Coupled with a Snapdragon 808, 3 GB of RAM and a 5.5‑inch QHD panel, the G4 made the idea of a rear‑side button a reality. It also featured 'Knock‑On', a gesture‑to‑wake, and 'Dual Window', enabling two apps to run side‑by‑side, foreshadowing the split‑screen syntax that would later dominate. Although the G4 wasn't a magnetic success, its ergonomic principles remain relevant for phone designers that wish to reduce thumb travel and improve accessibility.The V20, launched in 2014, represented the last generation of factory‑removable‑battery phones from LG. It housed two rear cameras and a small secondary screen, and shipped with Android 7.0 Nougat and a 32‑bit Hi‑Fi DAC. The removable battery, while rare in the current market, offers users a quick replaceability for longevity and a safety mechanism in case of device freeze.In 2026 such a feature could meet growing regulatory pressure for repairability, especially in the European Union, and fill a niche that most competitors have abandoned. In sum, LG's past could inform a new line of smartphones that, in 2026, would combine the most successful experimental features of its legacy with today's software and design standards.A modern version of the V60 Dual‑Screen, a Wing‑style swivel device, ergonomic rear‑side controls, and a removable battery would give consumers a truly differentiated experience