\n\nLG is done making smartphones, though that doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t still attempting to one-up its biggest rival. Samsung beat the competition to the punch with foldable phones, but its bendable screens came with a preinstalled layer of protective film to keep the display from falling apart. LG\u2019s solution to this promises to be more sophisticated, with improved plastic that the company is calling \u201cReal Folding Window.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There aren\u2019t many specifics on the new material used. LG Chem, which published the press release, mentions that it uses a Polyester (PET) film material to coat each glass side. According to a spokesperson for LG Chem, the coating is enough reinforcement to \u201cmaximize flexibility.\u201d LG adds that it\u2019s thinner \u201ccompared to existing tempered glass,\u201d and while it has the same hardness, it\u2019s not as prone to \u201ccracking on the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Real Folding Window is coated in \u201ca few dozen micrometers\u201d of this new material to increase its resistance to heat. The company is also working on developing a version of the Real Folding Window without additional reinforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Real Folding Window has an advantage over its competition: It can bend both outward and inward. It\u2019s unclear if the display can bend both ways on the same device or if this is mere mention to show LG\u2019s plan for manufacturing scalability. The company says the coated glass will work with tablets, laptops, and bendable phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LG plans to start production on the foldable display technology next year, with plans to \u201cbegin full-scale sales\u201d in 2023. The company hopes to start with mobile phones and plans to expand to laptops and tablets eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, LG is not without competition from Samsung in this realm. Samsung showed off its upcoming foldable display tech earlier this year at the SID\u2019s annual Display Week. Samsung is also tipped to be working with Google on a folding Pixel smartphone and with Corning on a more durable glass. It\u2019ll be interesting to see which manufacturers LG partners with when its bendable Real Folding Window hits the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n