South Korea’s No. 2 tech giant LG Electronics has applied for trademarks for its G smartphone lineup at patent offices at home and in the United States, industry sources said Tuesday, suggesting a possible launch of metal-framed handsets.

According to the sources, LG filed to register the trademarks “G Flex Frame,” “G Frame” and “F Frame” with the Korean Intellectual Property Office and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, raising the likelihood that LG’s next handset will focus on developments in smartphone edges.

The G Flex, launched by LG last year, boasts a curved display. It has a 6-inch display that curves inward from top and bottom, and came as a response to Samsung’s release of the left-to-right curved Galaxy Round.

Industry watchers said the “frame” feature of the new handsets, if released, will come with a metal-designed edge, just as the Galaxy S5 Alpha launched by Samsung last month comes with a metal case.

LG said it has only begun to apply for trademarks, adding it has not decided on the detailed features of the new products. (Yonhap)