Almost as thin as a credit card, Ultra-Thin (UT) OLED represents the next step toward slimmer, lighter and more power-efficient devices.
Having seen the first prototypes at CES 2025, it is tempting to call these displays paper-thin, though at 0.6mm UT OLED still is slightly thicker.
Still, UT OLED is striking, not just for its thinness, which is 30% reduced compared to modern OLED panels, but also due to its 30% reduced weight and 30% lower power consumption, according to panel maker Samsung Display.
Spot the (UT) OLED panels. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Variable refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz
Shown again at Computex in Taipei this week, Samsung Display said that its 'UT One' prototype is the first OLED panel for IT devices, such as laptops and tablets, that supports variable refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz, made possible by an Oxide backplane.
This is the secret behind the 30% power reduction as it enables laptops or tablets to drop to just 1Hz when not in use, similar to how some smartphones and smartwatches conserve battery.
Combined, these improvements will enable portable devices that are thinner with longer battery life.
UT OLED is as thin as six sheets of paper. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Coming in 2026
Samsung Display supplies OLED panels to major brands including Apple, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung Electronics and Sony, so expect to see even slimmer products from some of these companies starting in 2026.
- "Samsung Display is currently building an Oxide TFT process at its dedicated 8.6-generation IT OLED production line in Asan campus in Korea, with production slated to begin in 2026. The UT One product is expected to be manufactured at this facility in the future," announced Samsung Display at Computex 2025.
The 8.6G production line represents a $3.1 billion investment in OLED panels for monitors, laptops, tablets and other small-to-medium-sized devices. Samsung Display has fully exited LCD production.
Also read: China's BOE announces new 8.6G OLED plant for monitor & tablet panels
At Computex, Samsung Display is also showcasing its latest QD-OLED panels, including the upcoming 27-inch 5K QD-OLED panel, which FlatpanelsHD covered in our comprehensive report from CES 2025.
