If rumours are to be believed, LG’s display division will begin mass-producing foldable displays for smartphones in 2018. The company will then supposedly supply these to Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We’ve seen concepts from LG before with designs that range from something that resembles a book and one that can be rolled up like a newspaper. Both concepts take advantage of the flexibility of OLED displays.
Apple has patents for foldable displays including one that folds outward so the screens can be accessed easily. And while Apple has been rumoured to be releasing an iPhone with an OLED display, signs point to the screen being curved instead of foldable. Samsung is expected to be the primary—and possible sole—supplier of OLED displays for the rumoured Apple iPhones. But if it’s true that LG plans to mass produce these, then Samsung might have some competition.