Samsung Display unveiled its first MicroLED-based stretchable display. With 120 ppi, it achieves a higher resolution than comparable prototypes. The first model was shown at the IMID show in Korea.
Samsung Display showcased a stretchable MicroLED display for the first time last week at the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) 2024 on Jeju Island, Korea. IMID is one of those exhibitions that mainly evolve around the latest R&D developments of Korea’s top tech companies, with Samsung and LG taking up the most exhibition space. Samsung’s exhibit featured this foil-like panel that stretch to 1.25 times its size, modeled as a 3D representation of Jeju Island.
Samsung’s stretchable MicroLED display isn’t the first of its kind—LG Display introduced a similar prototype in 2022 that could stretch by up to 20 percent. Like the Samsung version, LG’ display used self-illuminating MicroLEDs on a film substrate, giving it a rubber-like flexibility. However, the new Samsung prototype is said to have an even higher resolution, with 120 pixels per inch compared to LG’s 101.6 pixels per inch, making it comparable to gaming monitors.
The vision for such stretchable displays is to apply them to all kinds of uneven surfaces – such as cars, furniture or clothing. At the moment, however, such products are part of test applications and years from being availabe on the market. Like many new technologies, integrating stretchable screens into consumer products remains a distant goal because of the unjustifiably high production costs. The film displays are probably also not yet durable enough to be integrated into everyday consumer products.