Smartphone designs have kind of stalled in terms of uniqueness over the last few months, and Samsung has been one of the biggest manufacturers not changing their flagship device’s design. The main focus for most manufacturers has become bigger screens and more cores. Many people believe that the next major shift in smartphone design will be flexible displays. We’ve seen several concept designs at shows like CES, but no manufacturer has shipped a device using flexible display technology. Samsung was one of the biggest companies showing off flexible displays at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show with its Youm brand of displays. According to a new report, however, LG may be ahead of Samsung in flexible display technology.
The Korea Times reports that LG is reportedly to ship its first-generation of devices with flexible displays later this year, which is ahead of Samsung. The displays, according to the report, will be able to be bent and twisted, which if you ask me, is a given when talking about flexible displays.
LG in general is ahead of Samsung in the overall display market. LG shipped 218 million LCDs bigger than 9.1-inches last year, while Samsung shipped just 163 million units. That gives LG 29 percent global market share, up from 26 percent in 2010. Samsung, on the other hand, has admitted that it is behind with its OLED displays, and has even admitted that they are considering using LG’s OLED technology. LG is also ahead of Samsung with its Ultra HD displays. But, you have to look at the full picture. LG does not have nearly as large a percent of the smartphone market as Samsung, nor does it have the revenue of Samsung.
I for one don’t see the advantages of having a flexible display. The operating systems on the devices would have to receive some enhancements, as well. I’d also be more likely to buy a flexible device from Samsung than from LG, given the track record LG has when it comes to Android devices.
What do you think of devices with flexible displays? Worth it or not? Let us know down in the comments!
Source: Korea Times