LG Display unveils two prototypes of very interesting foldable screens, one of which can bend in both directions.
When we started seeing the first device concepts with foldable screen, a few years ago, we were more intrigued than genuinely impressed. Most of the prototypes really looked like experiments, often imposing and with foldable screens that seemed very fragile. Not to mention the often (too) visible creases. The situation is very different today.
LG Display unveils two very interesting foldable screen prototypes
Fortunately, the technologies involved have made enormous progress in a few years. This is particularly evident at the stand of LG Display at CES 2023. The company is unveiling two new OLED screen concepts for the mobile ; a 17-inch tablet/laptop device and an 8-inch smartphone device, both of which can fold in either direction.
The 17-inch device is far from the first foldable screen tablet we’ve seen, but LG Display claims this one is “virtually bend-free”. And looking closely, we actually see that if the fold is not completely invisible, you really have to focus on it to see it when the screen is flat. And there’s no physical disparity like you can see on the foldable screens of existing smartphones. In addition, LG explains that its screen can withstand 50,000 bends, which should make it last over time.
one of which can bend in both directions
The other concept is baptized by LG Display “360° Foldable OLED”, it is an 8-inch screen which is very similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, but which offers the particularity of bending in both directions. Also, in addition to folding to “close” it, it is possible to fold it to open it completely, outwards, with the two halves of the screen offering a tent shape.
LG Display explains that these “360°” faculties could allow a possible device to be used in different modes. Of course, it will also depend on the manufacturers and developers, who will decide whether to take advantage of this feature or not, but it is interesting to think about the scenarios that could make us use a smartphone with a screen bent in the other direction.
Of course, folding in both directions also requires a more resistant screen and LG claims to have achieved this as well. According to the company, this 360° fold can withstand 200,000 bends and is stronger than comparable foldable screen devices currently on the market. It is impossible, at this stage, to know whether companies in the sector such as Samsung will enter the segment of foldable screens in both directions, but LG Display shows here that the thing is, in any case, possible. To be continued !