[IFA2022] LG Electronics Unveils 'Flex', a 42-inch Bendable OLED TV

First Debut at IFA 2022... Sequential Release in Major Markets Within the Year
Up to 20 Levels of Curvature Adjustment Within 900R... Image Quality Settings Vary by Game Type
"Expanding 40-inch OLED TV Lineup, Targeting Mid-sized Premium Market"

LG Electronics' first-ever 42-inch bendable OLED TV 'FLEX'. (Photo by LG Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] LG Electronics is unveiling a 'bendable' gaming OLED TV that can be curved and flattened. LG OLED aims to demonstrate to consumers that it is soon to be the 'ultimate gaming TV.'

LG Electronics announced on the 31st that it will premiere the bendable gaming 42-inch (approximately 106 cm diagonal) OLED TV called 'Flex' at Europe's largest electronics exhibition, IFA 2022. The screen is designed to be bent and unfolded. IFA 2022 will be held in Berlin, Germany, from October 2nd to 6th (local time).

Unlike liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which require a backlight that shines light from behind the screen, the Flex maximizes the characteristics of the OLED panel, which is easy to bend or curve. LG Electronics plans to sequentially launch the bendable gaming OLED TV Flex in major global markets within this year after its first unveiling at IFA 2022.

Flex is based on the 42-inch OLED evo product released earlier this year, which has received positive feedback from customers. It applies the dedicated '5th generation AI Alpha 9 processor' and 'image quality algorithm' for OLED evo. In particular, by applying an SAR panel, it significantly reduces light reflection and screen transparency compared to existing products of the same class.

The advantage LG Electronics emphasizes for Flex is 'immersion.' The bendable driving mechanism, developed with LG's proprietary technology, allows the screen curvature to be finely adjusted in 20 steps within a maximum 900R1 range (curved to the radius of a 900 mm circle). Users can adjust the curvature as desired while gaming to switch to a curved screen. The ergonomic design also includes 'tilt' support to tilt the screen up to 15° up and down and height adjustment of up to 14 cm.

To satisfy both the joy of gaming and viewing, the product incorporates optimized features such as gaming-specialized UI/UX and convenient connectivity with consoles, PCs, and peripherals. First, the gaming board allows users to set optimal image quality and sound tailored to the game. It also supports 'presets' that easily recall frequently used settings according to game genres such as FPS (first-person shooter) and sports. The screen size can be adjusted to 42 inches as well as 32 and 27 inches to enjoy games with higher density.

Equipped with a built-in microphone, gamers can communicate without a headset. It supports clear voice chat with echo cancellation, distinguishing game sounds from user voices. The USB switching hub function allows the TV to be connected to a PC and used as a monitor. It supports alternating use of USB-connected mice and keyboards between the TV and PC.

Flex boasts top-level gaming performance, including ▲0.1ms response time ▲graphics compatibility features such as G-Sync and Radeon FreeSync ▲Dolby Vision Gaming, a gaming-specialized video processing function by video and audio specialist Dolby, supported even at 4K (3840x2160) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It features 40-watt front-facing speakers and supports immersive sound technology Dolby Atmos, allowing users to enjoy more realistic surround sound.

LG Electronics is creating a 'Flex Arcade' as one of the themes at IFA 2022 to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the new product. It is not just about showcasing an innovative TV that bends and unfolds the screen but also about letting visitors directly experience the unprecedented experiences and values the new product offers. Visitors to the LG Electronics booth will be able to enjoy content ranging from retro games to the latest console games, OTT, and movies through about 20 Flex units and 48-inch OLED TVs.

Gaming TVs began to gain serious attention when LG Electronics released the 48-inch OLED TV two years ago. Coupled with the release of high-spec graphics cards and next-generation console gaming devices, customers started to fall for the gaming performance of OLED TVs. According to market research firm Omdia, shipments of 40-inch class OLED TVs are expected to increase by nearly 50% year-on-year to about 1.42 million units this year. LG Electronics plans to actively target demand for premium image quality in medium-sized TVs by adding the new Flex product to the existing 48/42-inch OLED evo lineup.

Baek Seonpil, Executive Director of LG Electronics TV CX (Customer Experience), said, "We will continue to provide innovative experiences that exceed customer expectations based on innovative form factors and overwhelming image quality possible only with OLED."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.