LG Display double teams the Edge on the side
No matter whether we, the consumers, get behind something or not there will always be the matter of “we can go one better” in the battle of the gadgety giants. I like the idea of the Galaxy Note Edge but have also explained why I wouldn’t buy one. Now LG has slipped out a smartphone with two edge displays.
LG Display have been quietly showing off a device which comes complete with a 6-inch Active Bending P-OLED display. LG Display is playing down any connection with LG Electronics but the phone on the stand at CES 2015 is seen sporting LG Electronics’ user interface and even the company’s jingle. Make of that what you will 😉
Where the Galaxy Note Edge kinda makes sense with its one-sided sloping screen (well, for right handed people anyway) the LG Display device offers a 6-inch screen where both edges of the display wrap around the sides. So, not only are people with small/average sized hands going to find it tricky to operate single-handedly, but there is now the dexterity challenge of not accidentally tapping on something on the sides whilst trying to select something on the main screen. I predict that this will be a 2-handed smartphone should it ever appear on the shelves.
The bending OLED has more than just its flexibility on show though. Its resolution may be a slightly pedestrian 1280 x 720 (720p) but the company is claiming a contrast ratio of 100,000:1. The deep blacks and sweet viewing angles are pretty much a given with OLED but what is truly impressive is that, even with touch sensitivity built in, the screen measures a mere 0.7mm in thickness and can reach a brightness of 300 nits.
Yes, this is all very cool. A smartphone which can sling video and music controls on the side of the screen, or social network notifications sliding down one edge whilst your fitness tracker read-out trickles down the other. But is there any real point, other than it is cool?
LG Display hasn’t yet set a roadmap for mass production but I am sure that Samsung will be keeping a close eye on this one.
