In what is really a surprise based on the hype and buildup Samsung had attracted, LG was named the Most Innovative Device Manufacturer of the Year at Mobile World Congress. This is really a shocking announcement. If you would have asked me a week ago who would win this award, the answer would have been, hands-down, Samsung. I can’t disagree as both the LG G2 and the LG Flex are pretty solid devices.

Chris Yie, LG’s vice president of Mobile Marketing Communications, made a statement in regards to the honor:

We are incredibly humbled that GSMA selected LG from among the many capable companies in the mobile industry to honor with this award…Innovation has been the key to LG’s success. This recognition, in addition to last year’s Best Smartphone of MWC 2013 award, is clear proof that our hard work and effort is paying off.¹

This honor is due in large part to the LG Flex (left) and the LG G2 phones. Further, at MWC alone, LG introduced eight new smartphones including: G Pro 2, G Flex, G2 mini, F Series and L Series^III. This is a huge honor, and again, a major surprise that LG took the honor over the likes of Samsung.