The Fall of a Giant: LG’s Smartphone Legacy and What It Means for Users
A few years ago, LG was a name you could count on for cutting-edge smartphones. Alongside Sony, HTC, and Blackberry, LG was one of the biggest players in the industry. They were the ones pushing the envelope with sleek designs, innovative features, and strong brand loyalty. But, like many giants of the tech world, the winds of change proved too strong. Slowly but surely, LG began to lose ground.
What Happened?
It wasn’t a single mistake, but rather a series of missteps that led to LG’s fall from the smartphone throne. The brand struggled to differentiate itself in an overcrowded market. Marketing efforts didn’t resonate the way they used to, and competitors like Apple, Samsung, and the rising Chinese manufacturers—like Xiaomi and OnePlus—took the lead. LG’s decision-making faltered as it tried to keep up, and by the time it realized it had fallen behind, it was too late.
By 2021, LG officially announced it was exiting the smartphone market. But for those who still held on to their LG devices, there was some hope. The company promised to continue supporting smartphones with updates for a few years. Yet, now that promise is coming to an end.
A Quiet Goodbye
If you’re still using an LG phone, you might want to sit down for this. The company has just confirmed it will be shutting down all support for its smartphones, and that includes the servers that provide software updates. It’s a quiet and final end to a chapter that many never thought would close this way.
Here’s the thing: without these updates, LG smartphones will no longer be able to install the latest Android OS versions. In fact, the Android version available to LG users is already three generations behind the current Android 15. That means no new features, no security patches, and no improvements to your device’s overall performance. The phone that once felt like the future is now facing an uncertain tomorrow.
The Date to Remember: June 30, 2025
LG has announced that on June 30, 2025, at midnight KST (which is 8:30 PM IST), the servers responsible for software updates, including LG Bridge, FOTA, and the Update Centre, will be officially shut down.
This means you’ll no longer be able to download Android updates or reinstall any pre-installed apps you might have deleted during the initial setup. If you were hoping for just one more software update to extend your phone’s life, this is your final warning: time’s running out.
What Can You Do?
If you still have pending updates, now’s the time to act. Once those servers go down, your device won’t be able to catch up with the latest Android features or security patches. That could leave your phone vulnerable to malware and other security risks. The reality is, you’re now three generations behind the latest Android version, and the clock is ticking.
If you’re holding onto your LG phone, it’s probably time to start considering your options. Maybe it’s time for a new phone, or perhaps you’ll stick with what you have and ride out the remaining days of support. But whatever you decide, remember this: LG’s smartphone era is officially coming to a close, and it’s up to you to decide how to move forward.