Technological progress is an unstoppable force, constantly morphing our world. While many advancements only bring subtle enhancements, there are innovations that truly astonish us. We’ve already witnessed the emergence of foldable screens, and rollable displays are on the horizon. But what about screens that can stretch?
LG Display has unveiled a groundbreaking display that’s typically 12 inches in size but can expand to 18 inches without any damage. Remarkably, as it stretches and bends, it remains completely smooth, eliminating the unsightly creases that have plagued foldable smartphones since their inception. A stretchable screen could potentially redefine user experiences in ways we’ve barely begun to imagine.
While one might immediately think of its application in smartphones, LG has also demonstrated the technology within dashboard displays of vehicles and on garments. The possibilities are vast, and we can easily see this stretchable technology being employed in dynamic wraparound screens for smartwatches and various wearable devices. LG isn’t new to innovative screen technologies; back in 2018, they introduced a 65-inch television that could roll up like a poster, and they had concepts for rollable phones prior to exiting the mobile market. In 2022, they showcased a similar stretchable display capable of expanding to only 120% of its original size, whereas this latest iteration can stretch an impressive 150% without losing image integrity.
This new technology is undeniably thrilling, yet we still have a ways to go before it becomes widely accessible. However, LG is making significant strides with this prototype. It boasts the ability to be stretched and released over 10,000 times and utilizes microLEDs that are just 40 micrometers in width—quite remarkable considering that an average human hair measures around 70 micrometers. The potential for this kind of display technology is vast, and we are eager to see how it evolves and where it might make its debut in the real world.
