LG's next G5 phone to sport 'always on' screen - CNET

LG Electronics is trying to drum up excitement over the launch of the G5, its next flagship Android phone, with an image revealing what's likely to be the device's most distinctive feature.

The animated image, posted on LG's Facebook page on Wednesday, shows multiple phone screens blacking out, leaving an outline of the G5 perched next to the words "always on". This reference to a permanently switched-on screen is one of the few things we now know about the new device, other than the rumour that it might have a pull-out battery.

In an Android phone market dominated by Samsung, you may not even be aware of LG's respected but less-prominent phones. If LG's always-on screen is truly useful, not a mere gimmick, the G5 might just catch your eye and even change the way you use your phone.

An always-on display would negate the need to press any buttons to check notifications or the time. That may seem like a small change, but given how often we need to check why our phone just buzzed or who's calling, it's a convenience you could appreciate many times a day. Indeed, speeding up these glances is one of the main sales pitches for smartwatches.

The concept isn't new, but for smartphone makers the challenge has always been making use of the technology without significantly impacting battery life. Battery life is still a big deal for phone users, so it'll be fascinating to see how LG has reconciled the two.