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 has been one of the biggest companies showing off flexible displays with its Youm brand of displays, but as we reported last month, LG appears to be ahead of Samsung in the race to ship a device with a flexible display. According to a quote from an executive, LG has in fact already confirmed that it will ship a device featuring a flexible OLED display in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Yoon Bu-hyun, LG’s vice president of mobile business, has revealed that LG Electronics plans to team up with LG Display to create a flexible OLED display for smartphones. The comment was made during the company’s Q1 2013 earnings report, during which the company announced very good numbers for its smartphone division.
LG didn’t offer any details for the supposed flexible display device, but we can most likely expect it to run Android. Recently, LG has done a good job of improving its brand image with solid Android devices. The Optimus G, Nexus 4, and Optimus G Pro obviously all greatly helped the company post strong numbers last quarter.
As we all know, however, being first doesn’t always mean it’s the best. I really hope LG is not considering this a race to get to market before Samsung. If it is and LG’s flexible displays falter, then it could end up hurting its brand image and destroying all of the great work it has done recently to improve it.
During a March interview, Samsung mobile head J.K Shin revealed that his company is still “far off” from shipping a device with a flexible display because it will “take some time” to perfect the technology.
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 first-generation Android devices.
What do you think of the idea of an Android device with a flexible display? Practical or not? Let us know down in the comments!
Source: Wall Street Journal