I guess the idea is for people who have the phone lying on the desk next to the keyboard - they don't need to pick it up to e.g. answer on speakerphone.
What interests me about the LG 8 is that it retains a 3.5mm jack and is IP68, and not too large. Now Sony is trying to flog TV sets as mobile phones I will need something to work with my headphones when the phone is on charge, and it looks like LG may be the only option.