OLED is finally making its way into PC monitors and laptops, and LG Display will start mass-production of a 17-inch foldable OLED panel that features a tandem OLED structure.

LG Display, which supplies Apple, Asus, LG Electronics, Philips, Sony and many other brands with OLED panels, characterizes its new 17-inch foldable OLED panel as "groundbreaking" due to its 'in-folding' design, 3mm radius of curvature, and use of a tandem OLED structure for increase lifespan.


 A prototype laptop using the 17-inch foldable panel with tandem OLED structure. Photo: LG Display

- "LG Display’s 17-inch Foldable OLED panel features a Tandem OLED structure previously applied to automotive displays, with a dramatically increased lifespan suitable for IT devices. An industry first in 2019, LG Display’s Tandem OLED embodies its groundbreaking two-stack OLED technology, which adds an extra organic emitting layer to deliver brighter screens while effectively dispersing energy across OLED components for optimal stability and longer lifespans. The longevity of the panel is well-suited to IT devices which typically have longer usage times such as laptops, monitors, and tablets," announced LG Display.

It features 2560x1920 resolution in 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, and can transform to a 12.3-inch laptop with a 3:2 ratio. It is also touch-enabled and delivers OLED's excellent contrast and picture quality despite being foldable.


First consumer devices?
LG Display is a panel supplier so it is up to consumer brands to launch consumer products based on the new panel. There was no estimate provided for when the first devices will arrive.

It is also unclear which partners the panel is intended for, but you may recall rumors about Apple's plans for two-stack tandem OLED panels for iPad and Macbook.

LG Display said that it is planning to continue its OLED march into the IT industry, i.e. tablets, laptops and monitors.

- "We will continue to intensify our competitiveness in the OLED business for the IT industry, expanding our orders based on differentiated technologies such as Tandem OLED and unique folding structures," a press representative said.