It's the tail end of 2016, and many smartphone manufacturers have already released their newest handsets, each seemingly better-spec'd and more luxurious looking than the one before it. However, LG has yet to release its latest device, and tech watchers are waiting for the company to unveil its next-generation flagship, the G6.

The company's current device, the G5, had a lukewarm reception due to its modular design. It was claimed that LG is hard at work on its next device, as it tries to gain the top spot in the smartphone arena, with redesigns and revisions allegedly ongoing for the G6. Rumors indicated that the handset could have a curved OLED screen, but a new report claims that the device will retain its predecessor's flat screen.

According to Korean news source ChosunBiz (via Know Your Mobile), insiders said that LG initially planned to put a curved OLED screen on the upcoming device, before ultimately deciding to stick to flat screen panels for the LG G6. The decision to scrap the curved screen for the phone was reportedly due to concerns over supply. LG sources its panels directly from its subsidiary, LG Display, but apparently, LG concluded that the panel manufacturer won't be able to guarantee an adequate supply of curved OLED screens for the next flagship device.

As for the phone's release date, it was said that the LG G6 could be launched in early 2017. It can be recalled that the LG G5 was launched on the same day as the Samsung Galaxy 7 earlier this year, just before Mobile World Congress 2016. Based on the current phone's release date, it is expected that the LG G6 will make its debut sometime in February or March 2017.

Apart from having a flat panel screen, the LG G6 is rumored to do away with its predecessor's modular design and will have a metal body with a tempered glass finish. The handset is also tipped to have an iris scanner, 4 or 5 GB of random access memory (RAM), and is expected to run on Android 7.0 Nougat.

Stay tuned for more news about the LG G6.