![LG Button-Less](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KTmmJsjMyApouMto2zEsUH-415-80.jpg)
Ahead of Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 announcement earlier this month there was a flurry of rumours that the South Korean company hoped to make its handset completely button-less – with nothing but touch-sensitive panels in key areas around the chassis to manage functionality like increasing and decreasing volume, and powering the device on and off. As you'll know if you've read our in-depth Galaxy Note 10 review, this did not happen.
According to serial leakster Ice Universe, the button-less design did exist inside the Samsung R&D laboratory, but was dropped because it "did not pass Samsung's rigorous testing, so the final version of Note10 still retains physical buttons".
Whether Samsung will revisit the idea for a future flagship smartphone – the Galaxy S11 perhaps? – remains to be seen. But we now know the Seoul-based company isn't the only manufacturer looking into this idea.
LG filed a design patent with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, or KIPO earlier this year that includes seven illustrations of a smartphone without any physical buttons. The handset in the sketches, which were spotted by the eagle-eyed folks over at Dutch technology blog LetsGoDigital, includes a quadruple rear-camera, suggesting this button-less design is coming to a flagship device.
Interestingly, the South Korean manufacturer doesn't yet have a device with a button-less design or a quadruple camera. As it stands, the LG G8 ThinQ and the V50 ThinQ have the most lens – topping out at three. An earlier patent filed at the start of the yea shows a smartphone with 16 different cameras.
Like the long-rumoured button-less Note 10, the smartphone in the LG patent appears to have touch-sensitive parts on the frame around the device which can be used to control certain functions – like waking the screen, or muting the volume. Of course, all of these features can also be controlled using the Android OS system too.
There might be no buttons, but there is a few ports. Unlike the Note 10, there's a 3.5mm headphone port pictured on the bottom of the phone as well as a USB Type-C port for charging and syncing. On the front, LG looks set to use a notch at the top of the all-screen design to house its front-facing camera while maximising the amount of screen real estate available for the form-factor.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
As a former Staff Writer for T3, Aaron writes about almost anything shiny and techie. When he’s not barking orders at Alexa-powered microwaves or gawping at 5G speed tests, Aaron covers everything from smartphones, tablets and laptops, to speakers, TVs and smart home gadgets. Prior to joining T3, Aaron worked at the Daily Express and and MailOnline.
-
Hate pull-ups? These 5 dumbbell moves will give you the same upper body strength without the gym
Here are five dumbbell exercises that will work the same muscle groups involved in executing a pull-up
By Lucy Miller Published
-
New PS5 controller upgrade could save you money – but you might not get it
It stops your device from using unnecessary energy
By Sam Cross Published
-
First look at Oura Ring 4 shows Samsung Galaxy Ring could have a serious rival soon
It needs to launch sharpish though
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Samsung Galaxy Ring works on other Android phones – even iPhone could happen soon
There is a catch though
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) review: a top class 4K OLED monitor
This stellar display does gaming, streaming, and more
By David Nield Published
-
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro withdrawn from sale with a surprising explanation
There's a Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro problem - what's going on?
By Chris Hall Published
-
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 tipped to make Android tablets important again
A huge change to Samsung's Galaxy tablets has been confirmed
By Chris Hall Published
-
Huge Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deal just hit Prime Day – $325 off 2024's best Android phone
The 5-star flagship gets 25% off before the end of the Prime Day sales
By Rik Henderson Published
-
LG's massive 65-inch OLED TV is now at its lowest-ever price for Amazon Prime Day
The LG B4 OLED is the latest entry-level OLED from the panel-maker – and now at its lowest price
By David Nield Published
-
Don't expect a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra at Unpacked, but it's not gone for good
Another foldable Samsung phone was rumoured, cancelled, and now potentially back on the cards.
By Britta O'Boyle Published