LG Reveals Stretchable Display Capable of Expanding by 50%

LG, renowned for its advancements in display technology, has unveiled a revolutionary stretchable display that can elongate by as much as 50 percent, the company announced on Sunday.

This cutting-edge display can be “freely shaped in any form,” allowing users to stretch, fold, or twist it without risk of damage. LG attributes this versatility to the incorporation of a micro-LED light source, with each LED measuring merely 40 micrometers. This innovative design boosts the display’s resilience, enabling it to be stretched over 10,000 times without losing functionality.

The display presents thrilling opportunities for novel types of interfaces.
Credit: LG

The prototype presented by LG boasts a 12-inch screen that expands up to 18 inches. Despite its pliability, it is far from a low-quality display; it features a genuine RGB color system and offers a resolution of 100 pixels per inch (ppi).

Although LG has previously showcased stretchable displays, this new version is 20-50 percent more stretchable than the prototype introduced in 2022.

This technology is not anticipated to be launched as an independent product in the consumer market. Instead, it is likely to be incorporated into specialized applications where flexible displays are essential. LG foresees its “widespread application” in fields such as fashion, wearables, and mobility.

At present, the stretchable display remains more of a visionary concept. LG has provided a few scenarios for potential uses, including a video (above) where the display serves in a three-dimensional, interactive automotive interface that morphs as users engage with it.

There has yet to be any official indication of when this technology may become viable in real-world, large-scale applications.