foldable screen technology

 LG and Samsung will soon launch foldable TVs and smartphones, while Apple and Xiaomi hold similar technology patents and are developing prototypes.

Samsung is a leader in screens, but flexible screen maker Royole was the first to offer a foldable phone to the press. Xiaomi recently showed off its new model, while LG unveiled an HDTV that folds into a compact box under its base that serves as an alternative to Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.

Features of foldable screens:

Although TVs and phones are making headlines in the field of flexible screens, there are plenty of other areas where this technology is being applied.

Folding screens mean we are able to make more ergonomic and responsive devices that can be a flexible surface that contracts and expands with your body movements, allowing you to move more freely.

Flexible screen technology has great potential in the automotive sector, such as “screens and information that can seamlessly move from the front of the driver or passenger to the side.

This will be particularly useful when autonomous vehicles begin to play an important role in society. As passengers will spend their time differently while traveling, introducing new types of interaction and information will become essential.

Will these devices be damaged?

A key question is how well foldable devices can withstand repeated use before their hinges or screens get stuck. This issue has been the focus of research, with Royol noting that her Flexby device can be folded nearly 200,000 times.

Ron Mertens said, "Many companies have reported that their screens can be folded more than 100,000 times, which shows how powerful they are. 

But the main problem is the high production costs versus the low returns, due to the many failures since it is a new technology and its screens are much larger than phone screens. The usual smart.

The companies that will manufacture these screens:

Samsung: The company launched the "Infinity Flex" screens, which depend on the flexible AMOLED technology, which appeared for the first time in 2011. This screen will measure 7.3 inches, with a resolution of 1532 x 2125 pixels, which will shape the future of smart screens. Samsung is arguably the most serious competitor when it comes to folding screens at the moment.

LG: There are many reports that LG is working in cooperation with Apple, Microsoft and Google to develop a foldable smartphone screen by 2020, according to journalist Ron Mertens of the OLEDinfo website.

Royol: The startup that specializes in making foldable screens has launched a 7.8-inch AMOLED screen, with a resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels. It has been able to effectively showcase its foldable screen technology and is keen to include Flexible+ technology in its wearable devices.

Visionox: Visionnox is a major player in the field of foldable screens, having previously collaborated with Nubia to produce the Alpha smartphone that transforms from a foldable phone into a wearable smartwatch.

Although the phone is overdue, Mertens believes that the company is likely to show it at the Mobile World Congress in late February 2019.

Xiaomi: The Chinese company will move towards mass-producing a foldable phone if it has a positive response. So far, the source of Xiaomi phone screens is still relatively unknown.

What about Apple?

Apple, the most prominent competitor to Samsung, owns its patents in flexible smartphone technology, which are enough to raise several rumors about the launch of foldable screens, in addition to its research cooperation with LG.

However, the limited production capacity of flexible screens, combined with the relatively disappointing performance of its high-end devices, may mean we won't see a foldable phone from Apple in the near future.