The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal having a display unit consisting of a plurality of regions, and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal, according to the present disclosure may include a body having a front surface, a lateral surface and a rear surface; a display unit comprising a first region disposed on the front surface and a second region extended and formed in at least one direction of the first region; and a controller configured to independently control the switching of the first region and the second region to an active (on) state or inactive (off) state with respect to the first region and the second region, respectively, based on the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the controller independently controls brightness during an active state with respect to the first region and the second region, respectively, based on the occurrence of a predetermined event.