In a manner that has only been imagined in Sci-Fi movies, it rolls into its base when not in use and with equal grace, rolls back up for the viewing pleasure of those who choose to bring this futuristic piece of tech into their homes. With the hype around the rollable TV and a plethora of concept pieces being introduced based on rollable OLED displays, it’s safe to say we are going to see a lot more of it in the near future.
How Exactly Does It Work?
To understand Rollable OLED, we must first understand OLED itself - and how it's ahead of the traditional LCDs and LEDs we are used to. First things first, unlike both of them, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display does not require a backlight to function. Wondering how this makes a big difference? You see, even in a situation where the screen is displaying the colour black, the traditional LED and LCD screen uses a backlight to project it, thereby resulting in a black that is not the deepest possible shade of the colour. On the other hand, the OLED utilizes an organic layer panel placed between electrodes that emits light when current is passed through it. This eliminates the need for a backlight - giving deeper blacks, brighter whites and overall, a more vibrant and colour-accurate display.
In addition to the better contrast, the OLED benefits from a significantly slimmer form factor - the biggest contributor to the possibility of a rollable display. When it comes to the LG Signature OLED R in particular, most of the hardware, including its processor, has been tucked away in a base that also acts as its audio unit. The screen is supported by a concatenation of interlocking bars that allow both movements in its desired direction and rigidness when set in its position.
Where Does Its Future Lie?
With technology this flexible (literally and figuratively) the possibilities of its application are endless. An example of the same, is the OPPO X 2021, a rollable concept phone showcased by OPPO earlier this year in the UAE which utilizes the rollable OLED display technology. Similar to the LG Signature OLED R, much of the technology used in this concept too is proprietary. In an ingenious use of rollable OLED, the phone display rolls out and extends from 6.7 inches to 7.4 inches. With the rise of minimalism as a concept, the demand for clean surfaces, open spaces and compact devices is more than ever. This makes room for rollable OLED screens to be integrated into multiple display devices that we interact with on a day-to-day basis.
A truly revolutionary piece of technology, they offer excellent picture quality, versatility of usage, awe-inspiring form factors and something which is priceless - space. The future is surely bright and we are excited to see what the innovative minds at various companies will do with it in the years to come.
