Samsung and LG Collaborate on "Sound-Emitting" OLED Panels, Could Foldables Be Unbreakable in the Future?

Samsung and LG Collaborate on "Sound-Emitting" OLED Panels, Could Foldables Be Unbreakable in the Future?According to a report from the Korean magazine "The Weekly Magazine", Samsung Display and LG Display are jointly developing an OLED panel capable of emitting sound through the screen itself, with plans to apply it to foldable smartphones. The core of this technology lies in utilizing "Piezo" piezoelectric devices, eliminating the need for traditional speakers to achieve sound output

Samsung and LG Collaborate on "Sound-Emitting" OLED Panels, Could Foldables Be Unbreakable in the Future?

According to a report from the Korean magazine "The Weekly Magazine", Samsung Display and LG Display are jointly developing an OLED panel capable of emitting sound through the screen itself, with plans to apply it to foldable smartphones. The core of this technology lies in utilizing "Piezo" piezoelectric devices, eliminating the need for traditional speakers to achieve sound output.

Currently, when folding Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series foldable phones make calls in the folded state, they automatically switch to speaker mode, as the earpiece is located at the top of the front panel and the microphone is at the bottom of the phone, making it impossible to make calls normally due to the proximity when folded. However, if sound could be emitted directly from the display, this problem could be perfectly solved.

Lee Jeong-nam, a senior researcher at the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI), said: "Even without using the piezoelectric method, calls can theoretically be made in the folded state as long as the distance between the microphone and speaker is ensured. But if sound can be emitted from the display itself, there is no need to reserve space for the speaker separately, providing greater design freedom."

It's worth noting that this OLED panel utilizing piezoelectric technology has been previously applied in LG Electronics and some Chinese manufacturers' smart TVs. LG Display named it "CrystalSoundOLED," where the display panel itself acts as the speaker diaphragm for sound emission. However, compared to traditional speakers, piezoelectric components are more expensive, suggesting their application will likely be limited to high-end products in the future.

Samsung Display and LG Display view this technology as a crucial path to developing high-value-added OLED products, allowing them to stand out in the highly competitive market. An insider in the electronics industry remarked: "As OLED panel prices continue to drop, manufacturers like Samsung Display and LG Display are seeking ways to enhance product value, and OLED sound technology is one such avenue. However, piezoelectric components are more expensive than ordinary speaker amplifiers, so collaboration with piezoelectric component manufacturers is needed to optimize production processes, reduce costs, and meet customer requirements."

The application of this technology will unlock new possibilities for foldable smartphones, not only improving calling experiences but also simplifying device design for a more convenient user experience. In the future, as technology matures and costs decline, this technology has the potential to be widely adopted in various electronic products.