Smart mobile and wearable devices will drive the development of flexible screens

According to statistics from IHS Corporation (New York Stock Exchange: IHS), as smart mobile and wearable devices become more and more popular and their penetration rate continues to increase, the demand for innovative flexible displays continues to increase. In fact, flexible screen revenue is expected to grow from only $3.7 billion in 2016 to $15.5 billion in 2022, a growth rate of more than 300%, and by 2020, flexible screen revenue will account for 13% of the total display market revenue.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics each launched the world's first active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) smartphone with a flexible screen in 2013. Since then, the two companies have continued to improve flexible screens for smartphones, smartwatches and fitness trackers. Their success has inspired other mobile device manufacturers to follow suit in the flexible display market.

Jerry, Chief Analyst of Display Research at IHS Technology "Types of flexible displays include bendable, rollable and edge-rollable screens, but fully foldable screens are expected to be available in the next two years," Kang said, adding that "currently only a few suppliers, including Samsung Display, LGD, E-ink and Futaba, regularly introduce flexible screens to the market. But now many display panel manufacturers are eager to take advantage of the latest AMOLED display technology to establish their flexible screen production capabilities."

According to the IHS Flexible Display Market Tracker, flexible screens were mainly used in smartphones and smart watches in 2016; however, it is expected that by 2022, flexible screens will be popular in other application areas such as tablets, near-eye virtual reality devices, car monitors, and OLED TVs. Mr. Kang also said: "Consumer device manufacturers will eventually need to reform the rectangular appearance of their traditional flat displays to make way for the latest bendable, rollable and extendable screens.