When we first started seeing foldable device concepts a few years ago, I was intrigued but not particularly impressed. Many of these prototypes looked a lot like experiments: they were often chunky and the curved screens looked flimsy. And that was the wrinkles.
Fortunately, display technology has come a long way in just a few years. This was particularly evident at LG Display’s booth at CES this year, where the company showed off two new OLED mobile concepts: a 17-inch laptop/tablet and an 8-inch smartphone-like device that bends in two directions.
The 17-inch device is far from the first foldable tablet we’ve seen, but LG Display claims this device ” barely Completely wrinkle-free. We looked at it closely and found a clear line along the crease, but it was very difficult to detect when the tablet was fully extended. There was also no waviness or gaps that we sometimes see with creases. Also, LG claims the screen has been tested up to 50,000 times, so it should be very durable.
The other concept was something LG Display officially calls its 360-degree foldable OLED, an 8-inch display that looks a lot like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, but bends in both directions. So, in addition to folding it closed, you can also fold it up, with two tent-shaped screens.
LG Display says these “360-degree” capabilities can allow an end device to be used in several different modes. Of course, it will also be up to device makers and app developers to decide how to take advantage of the feature, but it’s worth thinking about how you might want to use the phone when it’s folded. other direction.
Of course, bi-directional folding also requires a more durable screen, and LG claims that’s up to the task as well. According to the company, the 360-degree foldable device is rated 200,000 times and is stronger than comparable foldable devices currently on the market. So while we’re not sure if companies like Samsung will follow phones with such bi-directional folding capabilities, LG Display has shown that such a device could be a lot closer than we think.
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