In 2017, Patently Apple covered a patent from Apple that described the use of stretchable displays that could one day widely apply to smart clothing, smart windows, applications in vehicles, furniture, a display on a Magic Mouse and more. One of the inventors of Apple’s patent previously worked for a company where they made flexible medical devices, skin-mounted epidermal electronics and even next gen flexible processors.

Eight years later and LG announced on Sunday that it succeeded in developing the world’s first stretchable display capable of expanding up to 50 percent, the highest elongation rate within the industry.

LG's new prototype features a 12-inch screen that stretches up to 18 inches while delivering a high resolution of 100 pixels per inch and full red, green and blue color.

The iPhone 16 offers a display with 460 ppi, so this new stretchable display won’t be used in smartphones or tablets anytime soon, nor was it designed to compete with such displays.

Stretchable display is considered the "ultimate display technology," as it allows the screen to freely transform into any shape by stretching, folding and twisting.

With the maximum elongation rate, LG Display said, the latest display is expected to boost its competitive edge in realizing various display designs.

The project's original target was an elongation rate of 20 percent, but the team could elevate the rate by adopting new technologies such as a special silicon material substrate used in contact lenses and an advanced wiring diagram technology.

LG Display said it has also strengthened the new prototype’s durability so that it can be repeatedly stretched over 10,000 times. It also uses a micro-LED light source of up to 40 micrometers to maintain clear image quality even in extreme environments, such as low or high temperatures, and handle external shocks.

During Friday’s event, the company showcased diverse application cases of stretchable displays, including a convex-shaped automotive display that can be operated by hand and a wearable display attached to firefighters’ uniforms that provides real-time information.

Stretchable displays are not only thin and lightweight but also capable of adhering to irregularly curved surfaces like clothing and skin. LG said these displays are expected to be widely applied in various industries, from fashion and wearables to mobility.

LG released a video last year on what they were working on as presented below. The display in 2023 stretched 20% whereas the new stretchability is up to 50%. For more, read the full report by The Korea Herald. 

Considering that Apple patented stretchable displays in 2017, will they attempt to get ahead of their competition with LG’s breakthrough display technology?

Apple has stated in the past that they have to have two suppliers for a given product/device as so, for the record, Samsung has also been working on stretchable displays since at least 2013. Our Patently Mobile site covered a few of Samsung’s patents on this here: 01, 02 and 03.