Samsung’s ‘unbreakable’ flexible OLED display can survive major drops and extreme temperatures

We've known for years now that Samsung is working on fully flexible displays. There have been rumours about this technology landing in smartphones almost every year for the last four years. However, it is starting to look like 2019 might finally be the year, as Samsung Display has announced that its ‘unbreakable' flexible smartphone display has been fully verified.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an official testing company for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the US has tested Samsung's flexible ‘unbreakable' OLED panel, giving it the green light to be used in future smartphones. The newly developed display is expected to be applicable to other markets too, with Samsung highlighting automobiles, mobile military devices, portable game consoles and tablet PCs as potential landing spots.

According to Samsung, this new flexible OLED panel uses an unbreakable substrate and an overlay window securely adhered to it. Flexible displays that we have seen previously would attach to a glass covered window, which can break more easily. Hojung Kim, Samsung Display's GM of Communication noted that “the fortified plastic window is especially suitable for portable electronic devices not only because of its unbreakable characteristics, but also because of its lightweight, transmissivity and hardness, which are all very similar to glass”.

The display was tested by UL based on military standards set by the US Department of Defence. This includes 26 drop tests and surviving extreme weather conditions, ranging from temperatures of 71 degrees and -32 degrees. During tests, Samsung's panel continued to function normally without damage to its front, sides or edges.

Samsung seems to be pretty proud of its latest display tech, so now we just need to sit back and wait for it to roll out to consumers.

KitGuru Says: I've been following Samsung's flexible OLED display developments since I first started working at KitGuru. It has been a long journey, with lots of rumours and false leaks. However, with Samsung now making noise about its displays, it looks like we are finally getting close to some sort of consumer rollout.

Become a Patron!