LG To Unveil First QNED Mini LED TVs, New Fridges With UV Disinfection & More at CES 2021

Update 11/1/2021: Added details about LG’s rollable smartphone and 2021 TV lineup

We’re just days away from the start of CES 2021 and it’s definitely shaping up to be vastly different from previous years, with this year’s set to be an online event. This also means brands are sending out press releases and hosting their own press conferences way ahead of time, so let’s take a look at what LG has announced so far.

1. QNED Mini LED TVs

Credit: LG Electronics

LG will be showcasing the company’s first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs as their top-of-the-line offering for the 2021 premium LCD TV lineup at their virtual booth during CES 2021. Combining quantum dot technology as well as LG’s NanoCell, LG claims that their QNED TVs will have incredibly accurate colours, deeper blacks and better contrast while still offering a refresh rate of 120Hz.

The lineup includes 10 different 4K and 8K models, spanning across a range of screen sizes up to 86 inches. The 86-inch 8K TV will be on display at LG’s virtual exhibition booth on LG’s website.

2. LG InstaView Refrigerator with UVnano disinfection technology & voice command

Credit: LG Electronics

With the Covid-19 situation still ongoing, many of us have been relooking at our daily routine to see if any improvements to hygiene can be made. Well, one place you might have forgotten to look at could be the water dispenser tap in your fridge if you have one. Think of it, if you have guests over and you’re refilling their glasses for them, the water dispenser tap could easily be a vector point for any viruses.

LG’s new InstaView refrigerators now have their UVnano technology built into the water dispenser tap to disinfect and get rid of bacteria every hour. If that’s not frequent enough, the UV lights can be manually activated as well.

Credit: LG Electronics

And of course, LG’s InstaView transparent glass that allows internal illumination of the fridge with two knocks is the same great feature as before. This year though, LG has added InstaView voice recognition to the fridge, so if you have both hands full with items you want to put in, you can simply say “open the refrigerator door” instead of having to free a hand to open the door manually. You can even use voice commands to check the status of the ice or water dispensers as well as ask for the day’s agenda.

The new InstaView refrigerator lineup will be on display at LG’s virtual exhibition booth on LG’s website.

3. Autonomous robots with ultraviolet C disinfection lights

Credit: LG Electronics

Back at CES 2020, we saw LG’s CLOi robots and how they could be used in a commercial environment, whether it’s for taking orders, serving coffee or food and washing the dishes. Well, LG has announced that they’re developing a new robot that utilises ultraviolet C (UVC) light to disinfect high-touch, high-traffic areas.

LG Vice President Roh Kyu-chan, head of the robot business division in LG’s Business Solutions Company said: “This autonomous UV robot comes at a time when hygiene is of the highest priority for hotel guests, students and restaurant customers. Consumers can have the peace of mind that the LG UV robot will help reduce their exposure to potentially harmful germs.”

LG states that it plans to offer the robot to hospitality, retail, corporate and education customers in America in early 2021. Here’s to hoping it will come to the rest of the world too!

4. LG rollable smartphone

Credit: LG Electronics

Not much is known yet about the LG rollable smartphone that was discovered via LG’s patents on rollable displays, but it’s being showcased at LG’s virtual CES booth. It might seem a bit farfetched as a concept, but don’t forget that LG has experience with rollable displays, with their rollable OLED TV that started going on sale in Q4 2020.

The LG Rollable, as it’s called, is of course, not yet ready for commercial production, but LG calls it an “exploratory” look into what the future of smartphones could be. It’s the second device in LG’s Explorer Project, with the first being the LG Wing phone that has the top screen flip out sideways in a T shape.

Check out the phone here at LG’s virtual booth.

5. 2021 TV lineup

Credit: LG Electronics

Aside from the new QNED Mini LED TVs, LG is also refreshing their lineup of OLED and NanoCell TVs, with upgrades like a new OLED panel, AI processor, webOS and more.

Credit: LG Electronics

The new G1 TV series features OLED evo, which LG claims is the next step in OLED technology, providing higher brightness and punchier images with clarity, detail and realism.

LG has also updated the C1 series, with a new 83-inch model and Gallery Stand that will allow consumers another option when deciding whether to mount their TV on the wall or place it on a stand.

Credit: LG Electronics

LG’s webOS wasn’t very popular previously, and consumers have called for it to be updated or refreshed, and LG has responded with webOS 6.0. The Home screen has been completely redesigned and the Magic Remote has been improved with hotkeys for content providers like Netflix and Disney+. If you prefer voice commands, you’ll be pleased to know LG has included support for new voice commands used with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

“The latest version of our user-friendly open TV platform webOS 6.0 represents the most significant update since we first introduced webOS in 2014,” said Park Hyoung-sei, President of LG Home Entertainment Company. “With the new edition of webOS, LG is demonstrating its commitment of offering services, products and technologies that respond to the needs and wants of our valued customers.”

---

Written by Cheryl Tan