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LG G8 could integrate Sound on Display technology before Samsung phones do the same

By Adrian Diaconescu

Updated: Jan 18, 2019, 5:53 AM

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LG Android

LG G8 could integrate Sound on Display technology before Samsung phones do the same

The screen bezels on the LG G8 are likely to be much thinner than these

It may have taken quite a bit more time than expected, but in-screen fingerprint scanners are slowly going mainstream for high-end Android smartphones. While they’re certainly not perfect yet, they’re cool, convenient, and they bring their crucial contribution to the eventual achievement of the all-screen handset dream.

Another groundbreaking technology aimed at eliminating smartphone bezels could take off this year, as both Samsung and LG reportedly have plans to showcase products with Sound on Display (SoD) capabilities in the near future.

A CES 2019 demo of an advanced Galaxy prototype with an SoD-supporting OLED screen was recently rumored, which is likely to be followed by the release of an LG G8 rocking similar Sound on Display tech, according to trusted serial leaker Steve H., aka @OnLeaks.

LG could actually beat Samsung to the commercial punch here, as the Galaxy S10 lineup is tipped to feature a conventional earpiece. If Steve H.’s sources are correct (and they’re rarely wrong), the LG G8 would no longer need to leave space at the top for a small physical speaker, using its actual screen instead to emit sound.

In turn, this could allow the company’s next flagship phone to sport a record-breaking screen-to-body ratio, even though we don’t currently know if LG wants to stay faithful to the notch or move to a hole-in-display design to house the selfie camera(s) of the G8.

It’s important to highlight Samsung and LG have been working on this Sound on Display feature for quite some time now, using vibration and bone conduction to deliver easily discernible audio with no need for a dedicated earpiece. The Vivo NEX pioneered this fledgling trend by implementing something called Screen SoundCasting, although the company primarily focused its marketing efforts on the experimental elevating front camera.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

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