Samsung Display, a division of the massive Samsung conglomerate, specializes in producing OLED, LCD, and various other display technologies for Samsung products as well as third-party clients who can cover the costs. At this year's event, the focus shifted heavily toward advanced OLED innovations, featuring demonstrations such as crease-free foldable screens, robotic basketball launches against resilient OLED surfaces, and displays integrated into unconventional device shapes without practical purpose.
A foldable prototype with a 'seamless' design, potentially destined for an upcoming Apple foldable phone, briefly vanished from the exhibit during the visit before resurfacing near the end. Branded as an experimental R&D item, it effectively concealed the central fold line on its primary screen, rendering the adjacent, unnamed Galaxy Z Fold appear rudimentary by comparison. The question remains whether this will influence Apple's entry into foldables or signal features for the next Galaxy Z Fold model.
This setup isn't intended for consumer purchase. While an OLED screen on wireless earbuds might seem unnecessary, it's technically feasible. The charming OLED necklace concepts stood out, resembling personalized futuristic pins, though much of the display leaned toward whimsical gadgetry without real-world application.
A brief portion of the exhibit highlighted OLED options for handheld gaming, expanding potential uses like augmented vision for first-person shooters or supplementary heads-up interfaces for critical data.
This impressive OLED prototype hit a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, forcing viewers to shield their eyes when viewing it directly. Standard consumer televisions generally top out at about 2,700 nits. OLED technology excels in superior contrast levels and precise color accuracy over competitors, yet it typically trails in maximum brightness against other screen types. That wasn't the case here, prompting a reach for shades.
Though I never viewed OLED panels as particularly delicate compared to alternatives, Samsung Display demonstrated otherwise with a robotic mechanism flinging a basketball toward a goal featuring a backboard constructed from 18 flexible OLED sections. The impact produced a loud thud, heightening tension among nearby Samsung executives and technicians as the CES event progressed.
Following Samsung's advancements in reducing weight and slimming the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company introduced fresh challenges with the TriFold design, incorporating 50% additional foldable display area. Observing the progression of Samsung's foldable lineup over recent years underscores the sturdy build of the original 2019 Galaxy Fold.
Samsung Display has initiated large-scale manufacturing of its 360Hz QD-OLED panels, incorporating novel 'V-Stripe' RGB pixel arrangements. In these pixels, subpixels align vertically, enhancing sharpness for text outlines and fine-contrast elements. Although presented primarily as an advantage for professional productivity, a section of the booth emphasized gaming benefits.
Automotive digital interfaces form a staple of CES exhibitions, and Samsung Display's iteration brimmed with additional OLED integrations. The highlight was a curving 'Flexible L' screen that extends seamlessly into the instrument panel, complemented by a 13.8-inch retractable unit emerging from the dashboard for the front passenger.