Flexible TVs at CES 2014
Samsung and LG Electronics unveiled prototypes of their Flexible TVs at CES 2014, the world’s largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.
Samsung showcased an 85-inch Flexible UHD TV at its press conference, which was held at Mandalay Bay Ballrooms on January 6 (local time). The Korean tech giant revealed the world's first Flexible OLED TV at the event as predicted, but it also showed off a 105-inch bended LCD TV, for which a higher level of technology is needed.
LG, on the other hand, unveiled a 77-inch Flexible UHD OLED TV. By showcasing the Flexible OLED TV, the company won the title of the world’s first maker of bending, curved, and flat OLED TVs.
The Flexible TV is the two Korean firms’ trump card to outperform rival companies. The TV can be switched between a flat panel and a curved screen. The display is designed to be Flexible at whatever angle a user wants. Therefore, the innovative TV is regarded as an improved version of the existing curved TV with a fixed display. Samsung and LG intend to consolidate their domination in the next-gen TV market with Flexible TVs.
However, it is unclear when Flexible TVs can be commercialized. Immediate commercialization is unlikely, since mass-produced ones are going to be very expensive.
LG Display CEO Han Sang-bum said, “We don’t have any technical problems with Flexible TVs. Yet, they will be much more expensive than conventional ones, owing to small-scale production.” The CEO concluded by saying, “The commercialization of Flexible TVs depends on to what extent consumers can accept an increase in price.”