Ultra Slim
As LG Electronics has doubled its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) television line-up and released super slim TV models with thickness of 4.8 millimeters, it has ignited competition for thinner chasses in the global TV market.
According to industry sources on Aug. 2, LG Electronics has reduced the thickness of three 55 inch Ultra OLED TV models to 4.8 millimeters. Considering the fact that typical slim smartphones are 6 to 7 millimeters thick, the new TV models are thinner than smartphones.
When the new models were unveiled, LG Electronics hung five OLED TVs from the ceiling with wires. It was a strategy to stress that they are super lightweight products at 14 kilograms and that have wide viewing angles.
Japan’s Sony, which dreams of a revival as the global leader in electronic products, is the one that competes in thickness in the liquid crystal display (LCD) sector. Sony recently revealed its XBR X900C and X910C Bravia 4K Ultra HD TV models which are 4.9 millimeters thick.
DisplaySearch, a leading global market research firm specializing in the display sector, analyzed Sony’s key to launching ultra-slim TVs. By using 2 millimeter light guide plates, 1 to 2 millimeter optical sheets, and 1 to 2 millimeter glass substrates, the company has produced super slim TVs which are less than 5 millimeters thick, which was thought to be impossible for LCD TVs.
However, DisplaySearch pointed out that there is doubt that customers are willing to pay more to get thinner TVs, which they don’t have to carry around.
Samsung Electronics steps aside in the competition. Its strategic SUHD TVs are 6 to 9 millimeters thick, which are relatively thicker than the products of LG Electronics and Sony. The company decided to focus on ensuring internal stability, rather than technical competitiveness, when it is not a good time for the TV market.