Samsung set to release flexible, shatter-proof displays this year?

Samsung’s been showing off its flexible display tech at tech shows for some time now, but the demos could become real commercial devices by the end of 2013, according to report originating on ETNews – a Korean IT news site.

Bendy screens would mean no more shatter damage, as well as an open doorway to a slew of new and as-yet unthought-of gadgets, not to mention a freedom of design never before enjoyed by concept artists.

When and how many?

We could be seeing commercial products as early as November this year, according to the report. Word has it that both Samsung and LG are on target for this kind of release, but Samsung has the upper hand when it comes to production.

New equipment would need to be installed by both Samsung and LG to cater for the flexible tech on a mass-production scale. The follks over at ETNews report that the current manufacturing potential of Samsung for flexible tech is 500 000 flexible displays per month max.

Based on this information, neither company is in the position to ship a flagship device with the new tech, but a prototype mid-range phone within limited markets wouldn’t be out of the question. Alternatively, a device with a smaller display could mean a higher production yield. 500 000 five-inch displays may not be much, but one million 2.5-inchers might be workable.

What does this mean?

A short while back we did a piece on durability being the next big thing in mobile tech, with particular emphasis on flexible displays. In it we highlight the positives of a display panel made entirely from a flexible material. Not only would it potentially be incredibly durable, but would offer a great chance for designers to innovate.

Screens could wrap around the edge of devices, manufacturers could make curved devices and, thanks to the nature of OLED, viewing a bendy screen from any angle would still offer perfect or near-perfect image quality.

Thinner, lighter panels would also mean more room for larger batteries and thinner/lighter devices in general.

In the current tech climate we also can’t help but think of the Galaxy Gear – Samsung’s rumored smartwatch that’s set to drop… later this year.

The Galaxy Gear and bendy lovin

A smartwatch would actually be the perfect launching pad for flexible display technology. Usually when a new kind of screen hits the market it’s exponentially more expensive and difficult to make the larger it is. A smartwatch screen would allow Samsung to show off its new tech without folk being disappointed at its meagre size or ridiculous price-point. It would also mean more devices could be made from a smaller production yield of flexible panel sheets.

A smartwatch is bound to take a few more knocks than a smartphone, so Samsung could market the Gear based on durability. This would allow the Korean company to really hammer home that this is a hard-going tech. By the time a Samsung phone with bendy screen tech came out half the advertizing would already be done.

The final reason flexible display tech would be great in a smartwatch is the design factor. Recently interest in smartwatches has risen, thanks to the Galaxy Gear/iWatch battle that has so far existed only in rumor and speculation.

If Samsung has bendy screen tech up its sleeve it’s in a position to cream any flat-screen offering from Apple. A flat iWatch would look low-tech in comparison to a smartwatch display that curved gently around the wrist, or could even bend with the wrist and greatly enhance comfort.

Source: ETNews via AndroidCommunity

Image Credit: The Verge