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Smaller boards, bigger batteries: LG said to join Samsung in using SLP tech
August 07, 2025
LG is reportedly going to use Substrate-like printed circuit board (SLP) in some of its devices next year. This would allow for a smaller motherboard inside the phone, meaning the device could fit in the same amount of components while taking up less space.Etnewsreports that LG will start using SLP by the first half of next year, so it could be used on the potential LG G8 in 2019.
Physical space is an important commodity inside smartphones as manufacturers are tasked with fitting increasingly powerful components into their small frames. Optimizing this space is going to be even more critical as wehead towards the 5G era, as the new standard will require thesupport of bigger batteries.
The current method for connecting smartphone components is called High Density Interconnect (HDI). According toEtnews, HDI allows parts to be connected with a line/space requirement of 30/40㎛. However, SLP uses the Modified Semi-Additive Process (MSAP) which can reduce this requirement to 20/20㎛. The end result is that the motherboard occupies less space than it would have done otherwise.
SLP is already being used by Samsung in itsGalaxy S9device and by Apple in theiPhone X and iPhone 8.According toEtnews, industry insiders have said Samsung is going to continue to use SLP in theGalaxy Note 9.
With 5Gbeginning to roll out, and OEMsmaking plans for phones that support the network, it seems like only a matter of time before more an more manufacturers begin to use SLP too.
Next up:5G vs Gigabit LTE: the differences explained
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