Mr. Il Hwan Lee, CEO of LG MEA Region, emphasized the company’s commitment to developing products that improve customer lives. The showcased products reflect this mission, boasting practical innovations and user-centric designs.

LG’s OLED TV Lineup Takes Center Stage

LG’s leadership in OLED technology was on full display with the unveiling of the flagship 97-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED M. This revolutionary TV boasts the world’s first consumer TV with Zero Connect technology, enabling a clutter-free viewing experience by transmitting 4K video and audio wirelessly at 120Hz.

Mobility Meets Entertainment with StanbyME Go

The innovative StanbyME Go garnered significant attention. This 27-inch FHD smart screen features a unique carrying case for portability and a built-in battery lasting up to three hours. Offering various connectivity options like wireless mirroring and NFC, the screen can rotate for vertical or horizontal use.

LG webOS and α (Alpha) 11 Processor: Powering the Future of Entertainment

LG showcased its upgraded webOS, featuring a revamped home screen with wider title cards and smoother navigation. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, webOS has expanded to 300 TV brands and 3,500 content partners, with a notable user growth of 20 times in the MEA region.

The event also highlighted the new α (Alpha) 11 processor, powering LG’s flagship TVs. This powerful processor promises enhanced viewing experiences with improved clarity, color, sharpness, and faster processing speeds.

LG’s Diverse Audio Solutions

LG’s XBOOM speaker range impressed attendees with bold sound and strong bass. The LG XBOOM XL9T, the most powerful-in-class party speaker, stood out with its massive 1000W output and dynamic lighting effects. For on-the-go entertainment, the XBOOM Go XG8T offered 120W of power and 15 hours of battery life.

Designed for Fitness and Hygiene: LG TONE Fit TF7

The LG TONE Fit TF7 earbuds prioritize comfort, convenience, and immersive sound. Featuring a patent-pending design, these earbuds ensure a secure fit for various outdoor activities. Additionally, the UVnano charging case actively sanitizes the earbuds for a more hygienic listening experience.

LG CineBeam Q: A Stylish 4K Projector

The much-anticipated LG CineBeam Q projector was unveiled, offering stunning 4K picture quality, streaming features, and a minimalist design that complements any home environment.

Elevating the Gaming Experience: LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitors

LG’s commitment to the gaming industry was evident with the showcase of their latest UltraGear OLED gaming monitors. Available in various sizes, these monitors deliver an immersive gaming experience with features like LG’s Pixel Sound technology, which projects sound directly from the display.

LG MyView Smart Monitor: Entertainment and Productivity Without a PC

The LG MyView Smart Monitor caters to both productivity and entertainment needs without requiring a PC connection. Available in FHD and 4K resolution options, these monitors boast LG’s webOS software and support AirPlay 2, ScreenShare, and Bluetooth.

LG MAGNIT: Unveiling the Future of Display Technology

For those seeking the ultimate viewing experience, LG unveiled the LG MAGNIT, a staggering 118-inch, 4K resolution Micro LED display. This display delivers unparalleled picture quality for an immersive viewing experience in personal or professional settings.

While not all products will be immediately available in Mzansi, LG has confirmed that some of the new products will be introduced in the country beginning in early Q3 of 2024.

This month marks Social Development Month in our country and the nationwide campaign is headed by the National Development Agency (NDA) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to inform communities of the social security programmes available and how to access them. This year’s theme is all about ‘Working Together to Build Caring and Sustainable Communities for All’. As a global corporate citizen and a company that prioritises the welfare of the communities it operates in, LG Electronics is taking the opportunity to give back to the nation’s most vulnerable sustainably and innovatively.

Under its LG Cares pillar, the company has made significant and meaningful improvements to society. From social welfare initiatives, educational and cultural activities to sponsorships, partnerships, financial aid, and volunteer work, it all comes down to giving back to local communities. Now, with the help of Forge Academy, LG is launching another socially conscious initiative centred around upskilling, job creation, and building sustainable lifestyle solutions.

This month sees the launch of the much-awaited AgriTek Pods, which was unveiled at an intimate media event in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, on 21 October 2021. The project aims to create jobs and upskill the young people in Gauteng’s West Rand. The pods themselves feature first-to-market technology and eco-friendly hydroponic solutions, allowing community members to experience this unique farming technique, whether they’re growing plants, herbs, or nutritious vegetables.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with LG in this community-led project,” remarked Martine Solomon, Non-Executive Partner at Forge Academy. “At Forge Academy, we love being able to give young people hands-on experiences and access to the latest advancements, whether it’s in farming or product development. We want to create the makers and builders of tomorrow, and, with LG, we’re taking steps to do just that.” 

For years, sustainable product solutions have been at the core of LG’s business. Offering everything from energy-saving air conditioners and eco-friendly appliances, to AI-enabled washing machines, the company champions innovation in the name of customer experience and sustainability.

“These goals are the reason behind LG’s continued commitment to enrich lives through technology,” explained Deuk Soo Ahn, LG South Africa President. “Since 1997, we’ve been known for developing people-focused products that help everyone in South Africa live better. And, as technology evolves and products become smarter, we want to leverage every advancement to continue our journey of product innovation and community development. To us, the two go hand in hand.”

LG Electronics fulfils its social responsibility by setting specific goals to maximise positive environmental impact as a global company. The company will continue to contribute to building a future-proof society where people enjoy happier, more convenient, and more sustainable lives this month and for all the months to come.

LG’s Smart TVs running webOS versions 4.0 and higher will be the first to provide children up to 11 years of age, parents and educators with Highbrow’s wide selection of age-appropriate educational content to suit the needs of every young learner.

For those not familiar with Highbrow, the app delivers an engaging assortment of educational videos that have been carefully hand-curated with proprietary technology and matched to each learner’s age and interest for a personalized viewing experience.

Highbrow makes recommendations from its library of more than 10,000 videos covering topics ranging from science, humanities, mathematics, music, art, languages and more.

LG presented a comprehensive collection of new LG OLED TVs some of which incorporate the state of the art OLED evo panel – offering consumers more options to fit their lifestyles.

Lance Berger, LG’s Home Entertainment Sales Head, explained why there’s so much to get excited about: “When it comes to TV and home entertainment, the LG Self-Lit OLED range is the irrefutable best TV range on the market – beating all other TVs with the best picture quality and most advanced panel technology in existence. We’re sure to continue the trend which has given LG the title of the world’s best-selling OLED brand for the past eight consecutive years. Our Self-Lit OLED TV delivers the best ‘hometainment’ experience, with the TV line-up for South Africa in 2021 promising to be the most impressive yet!”

Their OLED TVs (series Z1, G1, C1, A1) are the best for picture quality currently on the market, with self-lit pixel technology that produces ultra-sharp and ultra-realistic images with smooth, natural motion.

LG’s new TV range also hosts a redesigned operating system, webOS 6.0, which boasts a more intuitive interface. The new webOS user interface provides faster access to apps as well as simpler content discovery with finely tuned personalised recommendations.

The redesigned Magic Remote has seen the addition of dedicated hot keys for all our favourite content providers, allowing users to jump to their favourite services at the touch of a button. A great new feature called Magic Tap, which is powered by near field communication (NFC), allows you to simply touch an NFC-enabled device to the remote, and seamlessly share content between your TV and your smartphone.

The LG 2021 wireless range is here to bring the booming bass. The all-new TONE Free FN7s, LG’s newest wireless headsets, stand out in the market with their slim and sleek design, brilliant battery life (including a case that carries 14 hours’ worth of battery charge), active noise cancellation and the all-important UVNano antibacterial functionality – killing 99.9% of bacteria. In today’s climate, who doesn’t want a pair of wireless headsets that kills germs?

The LG Tone Free App makes using these innovative wireless headphones even better, allowing you to customise the EQ to make bass fuller or vocals sharper, adjust the volume of your ambient surroundings, and read your messages without using your phone. Earbuds are often easy to misplace, but with the LG Tone Free App, you can locate each individual earbud using Find My Earbuds.

A new feature for 2021 in some of the sound bars is AI Sound Pro. That feature allows audio from the TV to be played to the Sound bar via TV Sound Mode Share to deliver improved audio processing power on the more capable speakers of the sound bar. Similar to the technology already found on this year’s TV range.

The sound bar also offers the same sound modes as the latest LG TV offerings allowing users to switch between the Sound bar and the TV using the remote.

LG also notes that its 2021 line is compatible with different voice assistants, including Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. The Sound bar also supports Apple AirPlay 2, allowing customers to stream, control, and share music and other content directly from the iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. Another new feature in some of the 2021 sound bar models includes Meridian Audio tuning and Meridian technology useful in Music Mode for a more authentic listening experience.

Another new feature called Meridian Horizon technology comes from the long-term partnership between LG and Meridian Audio. The future mixes two-channel stereo content into multichannel audio for a more immersive listening experience. All soundbars in the 2021 line support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for three-dimensional audio.

The line also has Dolby Vision compatibility using 4K pass-through. Some new models are also Hi-Res Audio certified for lossless playback at 24-bit/96kHz. LG also says it designed the first audio products in the industry to receive the SGS Eco-Product Certification. That means many of its models use cases made from recycled materials.

Models to be introduced in Mzansi are; SP11RA, SP9YA, SP8YA, SP7Y and SPD7Y. Pricing and exact availability on LG’s 2021 sound bar range are unannounced at this time.

The InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerators are said to boast upgraded features and design innovations for improved user convenience such a larger glass panel for its InstaView Door-in-Door system while UVnano technology is featured in the built-in water dispenser for enhanced hygiene while InstaView voice recognition takes hands-free convenience to a whole new level in the kitchen.

First introduced in 2017 on the company’s most premium water dispenser products, LG’s UVnano technology harnesses the power of light to effortlessly and effectively maintain a hygienic and germ-free water dispenser tap. It operates once every hour to remove up to 99.99 percent of bacteria on the refrigerator’s dispenser tap, or instantly by the press of a button.

Meanwhile the voice recognition feature makes it easier for users to control and command the refrigerator. No longer will shoppers have to struggle to open the refrigerator door with arms full of groceries when they can simply say “Open the refrigerator door” by voice. LG’s interactive voice technology also makes it possible to ask the refrigerator for today’s agenda or check the status of the ice and water dispensers.

Whether any of these upgraded products will make their way to our shore is yet to be confirmed by LG South Africa.

This device is part of the “LG Explorer Project”, a project in which the company explores new and exciting ways to innovate for the future with “new and distinct, yet practical innovations.” This device will launch with MTN first, then with Vodacom, and then other will follow carriers (read Cell C) in Mzansi.

The LG WING 5G works with a swivel and second screen, as LG puts it. We’ve seen the device in action several times over the past couple of weeks and months, thanks to leaks and LG’s own efforts to kick-start interest in the device.

The LG WING 5G works with a pair of displays. The first is a 6.8-inch FHD+ P-OLED display – that swings out. The swing reveals a second display that’s 3.9-inches large with G-OLED tech and 1240 x 1080 pixels across its face.

The hinge between the displays is made to withstand movement for a long, long time, with many, many movements. “The hinge mechanism in LG WING has proven to be reliable even after 200,000 swivels – this averages out to about 100 motions every day for five years. ”

This smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G SoC inside with a Snapdragon X52 5G modem-RF system. This device works with 8GB RAM as well as 256GB internal storage with a micro SD card slot for up to 2TB expanded storage.

At the back there is a set of three camera lenses. The main camera is 64MP, there’s a 13MP wide-angle lens with 117-degree field of view, and 12MP “ultra-wide with Hexa Motion Sensors” to round out the collection.

– Ultra High Resolution (64MP Standard 4 (F1.8 / 78°/ 0.8µm)
– 13MP Ultra Wide (F1.9 / 117° / 1.0µm)
– 12MP Ultra Wide Big Pixel (F2.2 / 120° / 1.4µm)

Camera action up front is handled by a pop-up 32MP camera that’ll appear when the camera is activated. Inside the device is a 4000mAh battery and Android 10. We’ll see Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, NFC, USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1 compatible) connectivity, and an interesting set of special features.

– Dual Recording
– LG 3D Sound Engine
– In-display Fingerprint Sensor
– Hexa Motion Stabilization (as noted above)
– Wireless Charging
– Gimbal Motion Camera

One colour will be offered with this device for now, Aurora Gray. The LG WING 5G price will be a cool R19 999. That’s twenty thousand Randelas, right out the gate. Specific pricing for networks has not yet been revealed.

LG has long been playing with displays that can roll into view when needed and roll out of sight when not. Some of its iterations have focused on more industrial or commercial uses but it is also targeting the consumer electronics market with a rollable TV.

The SIGNATURE OLED R model RX rollable TV was first introduced to the public at CES 2019 and then again at SID 2020 last August and it is pretty much the culmination of the company’s years of R&D into this field. Unlike its previous displays, the OLED RX’s 65-inch flexible screen rolls up from a base that you put on the floor or some flat surface. That base itself is transparent at the bottom but has an opaque portion on the top half to hide the screen.

Aside from the rolling gimmick, the SIGNATURE OLED R TV also boasts of the usual features of high-end and expensive TVs these days. Those include self-lighting pixel tech and individual dimming controls. LG doesn’t speak much about the TV’s other specs but it would be shocking if it isn’t at least UHD in resolution.

What it does talk about is the price. Like we mentioned previously, the LG SIGNATURE OLED R model RX rollable TV is available now in South Korea. But even if you did live there, the 100 million KRW, around $87,000 price tag, might leave your jaw on the floor for a while before you decide to move on to more practical investments. LG South Africa confirmed they’re looking at introducing the sets in South Africa sometime in 2021.

To address this and many other concerns, LG has shown off PuriCare, its solution which, as you might expect, is a bit of a smart device designed to purify the air you breathe in and wear almost like a post-apocalyptic but still stylish face mask.

Face masks have not come in all shapes and sizes but not all of them are actually designed properly. Some are just for show while others, while effective, are also uncomfortable to use for long hours. LG promises that its PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier delivers both looks and efficiency thanks to a variety of components, including sensors and built-in fans.

LG says that its patented Respiratory Sensor intelligently detects the wearer’s breath and can adjust the fan speed between three settings to help make breathing more effortless. The mask also uses the same H13 HEPA filters that LG uses for its home purifiers, promising a supply of fresh and clean air. And to ensure the proper disinfection of the mask itself, it has a case the uses UV-LED lights to kill germs while charging the mask.

Yes, the mask actually does need to charge its 820 mAh battery, which is advertised to last 2 to 8 hours, depending on the mode of operation. This is no disposable or washable mask, obviously, and the filters and ear straps can and need to be replaced eventually. The case will notify users via LG’s ThinQ mobile app if it’s time to replace the filters.

The company promises that despite the electronics and components onboard, the PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier is still light enough to comfortably wear for hours on end. It will also fit securely on anyone’s face, minimising gaps around the chin and nose. There is no word yet on when the wearable sanitation device will be available in the market, but we are looking at a price tag of about R2 500 when it does officially launch.

While not exactly getting into smart TV territory, LG’s latest lineup of OLED and LCD TVs promise high-end features to meet every kind of use case while looking good floating on your wall, too.

Gone are the days when TVs were big hulking boxes that needed an even bigger and stronger structure to stand on. Even the so-called thin TVs are put to shame by the LG GX Gallery series, so named because of their 20mm-thin bodies that make them look like gallery art pieces when mounted on walls. That design, LG explains, is only possible because of its revolutionary OLED panel that doesn’t need any back-lighting, further reducing the thickness of the assembly. Available in store, this TV costs R56 999 for the 65-inch model.

The 2020 LG OLED SIGNATURE ZK Real 8K TVs, on the other hand, will blast your eyes with “Real 8K” pixel resolution, exceeding the CTA standard for Ultra HD TVs when they launch in September. The Nano97 set on the other hand, also the priciest, immediately start at R94 999 for a 75-inch model. Those who need a cinematic 88-inch experience will have to save up for that 8K TV.

Of course, not everyone is into 8K yet but some will at least want a 4K TV. LG’s CX series try to supply that market but at a price, of course. The cheapest, a 55-inch CX class, will go for R34 999.

In addition to those characteristics specific to each series, LG’s 2020 OLED TV lineup also have common traits, like NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility for those who want to play their games on a large screen in the living room. There’s also the rather comical Filmmaker Mode that turns off the motion smoothing that TV makers were previously so proud of.

LG mentions studies that claim how earbuds can host more bacteria than a kitchen cutting board, an imagery that’s sure to send shivers down some people’s spines. To remedy that, the new LG TONE Free HBS-FN6’s “UVnano case” uses built-in UV light to kill that bacteria while the buds charge inside. Unfortunately, that UVnano case isn’t available for the lower-end HBS-FN4.

Other than the self-cleaning case, the two TONE Free TWS buds boast of the exact same features, including “Headphone Spatial Processing” or HSP technology from Meridian, promising a sound stage that simulates listening to loudspeakers. The buds don’t feature active noise cancellation but do have noise isolation thanks to the ear tips. Ambient Sound Mode, on the other hand, lets you actually listen to the world around you at the press of a button.

Both models do feature Voice Command to integrate with either Google Assistant or Apple Siri. Despite their diminutive sizes, they support touch playback controls. The buds are, however, IPX4 rated only, so you’ll want to be careful with sudden downpours or stronger splashes of water, let alone accidentally dropping them in the pool, kitchen sink or bath.

Both the HBS-FN6 and HBS-FN4 come in Stylish Black and Modern White colours. LG hasn’t yet revealed the price for these self-cleaning TONE Free earbuds with UVnano case but they are scheduled to become available in South Africa in either August or September. Fingers crossed.

There are a few interesting things about the LG Velvet, but perhaps one of the most interesting is its processor: the Snapdragon 765G, which comes with an integrated 5G modem to save on space and power. The Velvet is compatible with the LG Dual Screen, and the phone itself features a 6.8-inch P-OLED display that outputs at 2,460 x 1,080 resolution.

On the inside, we’ll see that Snapdragon 765G paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, though as with many Android devices, the built-in microSD slot means that you can expand storage by up to 2TB. The battery comes in at 4,300mAh and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology.

The front-facing 16MP camera is housed in what LG calls “Raindrop” cutout that’s supposed to evoke “imagery of falling rain.” We’re not sure we’d go that far, though it’s easy to imagine some users preferring this to a larger notch or a hole-punch cutout on the display. On the back, you’ll find a triple camera array that offers a 48MP main lens paired with an 8MP wide lens and a 5MP depth lens. The phone even includes a headphone jack, which is definitely a rarity these days.

The phone will be arriving in several European markets this month, namely Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Poland. In the weeks following that launch, we’ll see the phone spread to North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. No word on specific regions, release dates, or pricing was revealed today, but we’ll let you know when LG South Africa shares more.

Update – 30 June 2020

LG VELVET 5G will be available in South Africa from 1 July through MTN and from 7 July at Vodacom. The recommended cash retail price is R13,499, which translates to post-paid contracts starting at R699 for 24 months.