The arrival of flexible screens It is a cyclical rumor that, from time to time, becomes current again to make us let our imaginations fly to almost science fiction universes in which smartphones are malleable and chameleonic. Unfortunately, as soon as these rumors appear, others do the same to puncture our balloon and bring us back to Earth; in which flexible screens continue to be a more or less near future. Will this be the final one? Who knows, but we will not stop reporting that certain sources point to next month of November as the date for launch of the first flexible displays by Samsung and LG.
The speculations of recent months have come to point to the future Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as one of the first devices to equip a flexible screen, and more since the South Korean company presented in the last CES of Las Vegas the Youm prototype, equipped with a Flexible OLED like the one that accompanies these lines. For one reason or other, the arrival of this type of screen seems to have detached itself from the third generation of the phablet of Samsung But, not for that reason, it seems that we will be left without seeing a flexible screen before the end of the year.
From November
Based on the leaks collected by ETNewsBoth Samsung , the LG They could be ready to begin shipping flexible displays measuring between five and six inches as early as the eleventh month. In this way, and in the unlikely event that they were able to produce at 100 percent of their capacity, Samsung could produce a maximum of between one and 1,5 million screens of these characteristics per month.
It is worth remembering that these figures depend on the manufacturing yield, the maturity of the OLED process on flexible substrate and the availability of materials such as polyimide or ultra-thin glass (UTG)An increase in demand or bottlenecks in packaging may temporarily adjust actual volumes.
Even so, the latest speculations advance that both firms could choose not to continue delaying the launch of flexible screens and put a smartphone on the market aimed at a very specific audience - the most logical thing would be the high end –, so the price would still be far from the reach of most users. This approach would allow the technology to be validated with limited runs before scaling up to broader segments.
Factory molded
On the other hand, we must qualify the concept "flexible" in relation to these first screens that could soon reach our hands. Although it is true that when we read something about this new and futuristic technology, practically roller screens come to mind, the most immediate future will most likely bring us 'curved' screens or, to put it another way, pre-molded by the manufacturer, which despite being an interesting novelty, will not allow the user to manipulate its shape. In this way, devices such as the one already mentioned Youm It seems that they are even further away than many of us would have liked to expect.
This type of curved panels provides improved ergonomics, greater sense of immersion and additional space on the edges for notifications or controls. The curvature is designed with a specific radius which guarantees durability, avoiding forcing the panel beyond what is established by the manufacturer.
What is a flexible screen and how is it different from a foldable one?
An flexible screen is one whose panel can deform without breaking, but it does not necessarily support repeated folding by the user. Instead, a screen folding It is designed to bend hundreds of thousands of times thanks to additional layers, hinges and specific protections.
The first implementations aimed at the general public are usually curved or with arched edges, while foldable formats require greater mechanical and software complexity. Both share the OLED base, but differ in protection layers, adhesives and tolerances.
Technology and materials: OLED, substrates and encapsulation
These screens are supported on OLED due to its ability to emit light without the need for rigid backlighting. The substrate is usually made of polyimide or UTG, combining flexibility with resistance to microcracks. The encapsulated multilayer protects from moisture and oxygen, natural enemies of organic compounds.
The display controller (DDIC), the flexible touch panels and high-elasticity adhesives are equally crucial. Adjustments in the brightness uniformity, color calibration and touch response are optimized for curved surfaces.
Manufacturing and scaling challenges
The biggest challenge is to raise the yield Maintaining quality standards in large batches. Microdefects, particle contamination, and mechanical stress during rolling lead to discards that increase the product's cost.
In parallel, the supply chain of advanced materials and flexible packaging capacity must grow in step, which explains staggered launches and prioritization of high end in the initial stages.
Uses and advantages for the user and the industry
Beyond the wow factor, curved panels allow contextual interfaces on edges, better grip and reduced glare. For manufacturers, they open the door to differentiated designs and internal space optimizations for batteries and camera modules.
In professional applications, the resilience to impacts and lower weight may be key. In addition, the nature of OLED makes it possible energy savings in dark interfaces and pure blacks, improving autonomy.
Source: ETNews Vía: AndroidBeats y Unwiredview.
Although the goal remains to achieve increasingly versatile devices, the roadmap involves controlled introductions, factory-molded curved formats and the progressive maturation of the ecosystem. If Samsung and LG meet the stated horizon, the launch of flexible displays will mark a tangible first step towards more creative and adaptable mobile devices.
